Shipping Costs from Omar’s Tent to You

Shipping with Omar!

There has been a lot of controversy between buyers and sellers regarding shipping costs.  I certainly get a number of questions from potential customers regarding some of my items and why they have such a high shipping cost. Believe me, If I could ship for less I would do it because I would attract more customers and enhance my bottom line. So here’s the deal:

I ship almost exclusively with the US Postal Service. For me this makes the most sense. The type of items I sell ship better this way and frankly the overall service has been better. When I ship overseas I use USPS priority mail international. When I ship M&M’s, Hershey’s Kisses, Reese’s Mini peanut butter cups, or Reese’s Pieces or just about any chocolate product I use the flat rate envelope. I can ship up to 4 pounds of goods in this envelope worldwide for $14.50. That is what the postal service charges plus the cost of the label and the tape (I completely wrap the envelope with shipping tape to help keep the envelope intact). If there is more than four pounds then I ship with the medium flat rate box which costs $12.00 domestic and $45.50 international. If it is more than 12 bags then I ship via USPS priority mail large flat rate box at a cost of $16.00 domestic and $58.50 international.

Whatever it takes, I will get your package to you!

If it is an item like mugs or globes or plates etc…, I ship either USPS parcel post or priority mail. I use the E-bay postage calculator on all of my auctions and store items. The price of shipping on each auction is dependent on the weight of the item being shipped and the size of the box.  If insurance is required then that cost is also factored in according to the USPS guide lines.

I realize that there are some sellers out there that charge high prices for shipping. many of them are legitimate costs but some are just padding their profit margin. Take the time to compare items and see what different sellers are charging for shipping. They may charge a low price for the item but a high price for shipping or vice-versa to balance the price. Take all charges into consideration before making a decision and then decide if the item is worth it. Don’t just base your decision on the cost of the item alone.

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Walt Disney’s Peter Pan

One of my favorite rides at Disneyland is the Peter Pan ride. As a kid and now as an adult I enjoy the flying over London at night part of the ride. It was fantastic when I was young and even though there are much more sophisticated effects these days I still really enjoy this scene.

The other day I came across a mug from Disney that brings back the memories of the ride and the movie. It has Peter, Tinkerbell, Wendy and the others flying over the rooftops of London at night. The background is that deep purple twilight that the night sky holds. All of the characters are in silhouette.

Peter Pan in Silhouette

It’s quite a lovely mug. It has some heft to it also. It’s well made and made to last. Take a look and see what you think.

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Anriya Watches from Milan

I live in a time where I am perplexed on a daily basis. What confounds me today are these timepieces I have had for awhile. They are made by a company out of Milan, Italy that goes by the name Anriya.

Anriya gold satin rectangular watches

Now what the company recommends as a list price is $249 for a his and her set. These are nice watches to be sure but the $249 is a bit steep. After I purchased these sets I did some research and discovered that these are dependable watches that are comparable to an upscale Timex or Casio watch. They are nice looking time pieces and for the price are a real bargain.

Even if you aren’t looking for a his watch or a hers. The price for the set is worth the price of one.  Which brings me to my bewilderment. Over the course of the last 18 months I have sold 4 out of my original 8 sets. I really thought these would have sold out long ago.

Anriya Black Face gold round watches

Maybe the market became flooded with them. When I purchased my 8 sets the seller had over one thousand sets to sell that he had purchased from a liquidation sale. Regardless of the reason I’d appreciate it if you took a look at these and tell me what you think the reason is I haven’t sold them. I’m not asking you to buy them (although I wouldn’t turn you down). My main reason is to discover what I have missed. Is it that I am not presenting them to people interested in these types of watches or is it that the watches just aren’t interesting even at the prices they are listed for?

Anriya White Face silver rectangular watches

Any suggestions or help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Anriya White Face gold round watches

Ciao :-)

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Omar’s Tent Now on Facebook

Now that Christmas is over and the new year has begun we have built a presence on Facebook so that we may better meet the needs of our friends and guests. Please come visit us at www.facebook.com/omarstent and become a friend. All are welcome!

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Lladro figurines for Disney.

Many years ago Lladro created a series of figurines for Disney that included the 7 Dwarfs from “Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs” animated feature. They were sculpted and created in Spain by master sculptor Francisco Catalo. These figurines were issued in 1994 and retired in 1997. Each one stands 5.75 inches tall. They have been increasingly difficult to find. If you would like to have a better look at one try going here for Doc or go here for Sleepy.

Doc is Lladro figurine 7533 and Sleepy is Lladro figurine 7539. They are in New in Box Mint Condition. If you are looking to complete a set or start one Doc and Sleepy are what you are looking for!

Lladro 7533

Click on Doc!

Lladro 7539

Click on Sleepy!

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M&M’s Are A Cool Deal!

Flavored M&M’s are flying off of the shelf this Christmas! Peanut Butter M&M’s being the hottest seller.

Peanut Butter M&M's Click to get 'em

I thought I would have more orders for the Christmas Mint M&M’s

Christmas Mint M&M's You know you want some! Click the picture!

but they have been moving slowly. Almond M&M’s are starting to pick up steam.

Almond M&M's Click to receive mouth watering goodness!

I have probably sold more of those in the last week than I have in the last 3 months. On top of that M&M/Mars has jacked the price up on them. My prices went up but only by half of what the manufacturer has done. This week is the time to get them. After this week it may be harder to find them and to get them delivered by Christmas.

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Black Friday with Jack

Jack Skellington has been popular since hitting the screens in The Nightmare Before Christmas in ’93. This time of year his popularity starts to rise at the beginning of October and carries through to Christmas. There is always a demand for his image but Halloween to Christmas it is doubly so. Disney has recognized that fact over the last few years and comes out with a number of products to capitalize on the demand. This year is no exception. We have a number of Jack’s mugs for sale this year. They are all excellent. Some years it seems not much thought is put into his image but this years’ crop is exceptional.

Great Mugs!

Jack SkellingtonI really like this mug. It has a new drawing of Jack and with a beautiful black and gray background for his ghastly white face. The pinstripes in the background are a particularly nice touch. The other side has a drawing of Jack from the waist up in a dramatic pose with his stylized name floating in the air.

The mug below is a classic style that has been produced the last few years. It is a shorter, more round mug that is all white except for Jack’s black as coal eyes and his stitched mouth grin.

To compliment Jack there is also a full color round mug of Sally that can be seen here and another here with Jack, Sally and Zero. All of The Nightmare Before Christmas items are wonderful but I find these mugs to be quite lovely. If you have a favorite that you don’t see here please let me know what it is. I love hearing about new and different items and would grateful to hear anything you might have to say.

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A day unlike any other

QUXY7SA7WASC
A day unlike any other….

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New Home

This is the new home of Omar’s Tent! It will be unlike any site that has come before. Very soon our doors will open and you will be amazed at what you find. All that you desire is here within your grasp. Come, inside my lavish tent and take the things for which you yearn.

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Seattle’s Best Coffee RED hot!

I love this Coffee! Many years ago my wife and I took a trip to Seattle with our 2 year old daughter. We were going to try for more kids and wanted to take one last journey when it was just the three of us. It was a wonderful time. The weather was great and the scenery beautiful. We stayed at the Edgewater and almost had a seagull for an overnight guest. But the one thing we took away with us was the discovery of Seattles Best Coffee. We happened upon it when we were exploring the Fish Market. My wife wanted some coffee, the place looked inviting so we went in. When that first cup hit my wife’s lips she thought she had died and gone to heaven. Prior to finding SBC Di would got Deidrichs coffee or Starbucks. But after finding this great coffee maker in Seattle there was no going back. The cup below is just like the one we had our first wonderful drink from in the Emerald City. I can’t think of any better way to start the day then with a cup of coffee in my SBC Red mug!

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The worlds greatest coffee!
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M&M’s and You!

I love M&M’s! That’s why I sell them. I have always liked the milk chocolate and the peanut M&M’s. But when M&M/Mars started coming out with new flavors a whole new world appeared. One of  Peanut Butter and Almond and Cherry and Coconut. Speaking of coconut… They are a case in point of what drives me nuts with regards to the marketing folks at M&M’s. They come out with a flavor like coconut, distribute it in large bags and just as people start to notice them on the shelves they yank ‘em away and either discontinue their sale or distribute them in the 1.5 ounce personal size only. I don’t get it. Wildly Cherry two years ago. People were nuts about them. M&M’s said they were a limited edition and to be honest they did keep that flavor on the shelf foe six months or so. But after six months they disappeared never to be heard from again. I was amazed that when they came out with peanut butter it would depart the shelves after a few months. Thankfully it outsells milk chocolate and peanut combined in areas where they compete for shelf space. Perhaps after my and others countless suggestions to them to leave these flavors on the shelf they will finally acquiesce. But for now as soon as a new flavor shows up I will announce it here and have it readily available for your enjoyment.

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E-Crater. Who Knew?

As E-bay continues to grow it becomes less feasible for a small guy like me to list small objects. Mainly Trading pins. I have a slew of Disney trading pins I have collected over the years. Quite a few cast member pins and a number of hard to find Cloisonne pins. I recently found another site that is an ideal outlet for all of my pins. That place is E-crater. Apparently it has been around for  4 or 5 years but I found it only a week ago. It’s perfect for my needs. I will be listing Trading pins and chocolate only at ECrater . I will still be offering all of the other Disney items (Snowglobes, Mugs, Plush, etc..,) and all of the chocolate we have become famous for at Omar’s Tent at E-bay. I have only just started at E-Crater and have yet to sell an item. But that has more to do with getting the site built up and bringing people in to see it. If you also have items you are looking to sell but the price is too small for E-bay then you might want to check E-Crater out. It’s a bit more work but could be more than worth it at the end.

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Polish Pottery from Boleslawiec, Poland

It has only been in recent times that I have begun to notice this special pottery from Poland.  Although the manufacturer has been around for quite some time I haven’t noticed it here in the states until the last few years. It is beautifully shaped with striking blue colors.  It is distinguished by the different flower patterns on the pottery that are the signature of the brand.

This pottery is glaze coated and fired at a temperature of 1,250 degrees Centigrade. This ensures that the pattern remains intact after years of daily use. It is usually lead and cadmium free.

Because this style of tableware is becoming increasingly popular, the Chinese have begun to copy it. At first glance the Chinese copies look very similar. But upon closer inspection you will notice that the patterns are flat and the mugs and plates don’t have the substance that the Boleslawiec pottery has.

I’ve never acquired the taste for coffee but have always enjoyed black tea. My wife is first generation Irish in America and is a coffee and black tea drinker also. For the past year  I have been using A Boleslawiec bubble mug for my afterwork tea and am very happy with it. It keeps the tea nice and hot and is a pleasure to look at as I drink from it. It has raised my interest in Poland and the Polish people.  I hope one day to get there and enjoy it’s rich history and culture.

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Oscar Mania for the Insania.

It’s difficult to get wrapped up in the Oscar frenzy during times like these. Listening to many of these vapid, loose jawed individuals on the stage makes my teeth itch. I know many of them worked hard to get where they are but let’s face it. 95% of the reason they are where they are today is due to a good gene pool. It has been quite some time since someone that is wholly unattractive picked up an acting Oscar. I mean think about it. If I looked like Mel Gibson or Alec Baldwin in their hey day my chances would be much greater to win an Oscar than the reality of my looking like Bill Murray’s ugly half brother.

Shameless plug.

I have to admit I stopped watching the Oscars many years ago. I think it was the 3rd or 4th year Debbie Allen was the show choreographer. I just couldn’t take it anymore. The stuff she had those kids on stage doing left me feeling empty and insidious. Talented dancers should never have to be exposed to toxic banal choreography.

Another shameless plug.

My wife still loves the show. She has my 13 year old daughter hooked on it also. Thankfully I get to work during the broadcast and only catch pieces here and there. But what’s up with that actor love fest they had on stage. 5 actors on stage gushing over the 5 actors in the audience.  I found myself getting nauseous. I had to reach for these to even begin to come out of it.

What they should do is the “Joe Blow Oscars”.  I’d watch that. And it would probably be all of a half hour long. Something to ponder….

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The Brain Drain

It sneaks up on you. This getting older stuff. I’m not old, but I am getting older. I’m out of my 20′s (thank god!) and I’ll leave it at that. But I think my hard drive is a bit full. Or maybe comparisons to Tivo or a DVR are more appropriate. Nowadays new information comes in and the old info is recorded over.  Stuff I used to know by rote is a bit sketchy.

Here’s a shameless plug. Looking at something like this is helpful when I have a Dory moment.

Anyway, working, running a small business (very small) kids, school, karate, basketball you’ve heard it all before. Hell you all live it! I’m just not sure if it’s that my Tivo is full or that I’m trying to record too many things at once and the processor is crying “Mama!”.

another shameless plug. When that happens it’s time for tea. Or coffee. It gives my cranium a chance to cool down and get caught up with itself. By the end of the night my brain is drained and is ready for a snuggie (just kidding. If you ever see me in one of those…, shoot me.)

As for now I’m going to crawl back into my tent listen to some soft music while I think of other places. Germany, Ireland perhaps. Maybe Australia. Just someplace that has cool stout and soft breezes.

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