About 8 years ago, when my second child was born, I started having regrets about the hours I was spending, in that big corporate world. I had become an accomplished marketing director for one of the largest commercial real estate firms in the area.  I had spent the previous 10 years, using my retail experience and advertising degree working behind the scenes of retail.  I opened new concept stores in Michigan, worked for a retail site selection firm, ran the marketing department for a local regional mall, was in retail mangement, assisted in retail buying of new merchandise and then became the Director of Marketing for a large commercial real estate firm with a tremendous retail department.  In a nut shell, I was working way too much and my family was suffering! However, I had a lot of experience and knew their had to be a way to balance both family and work.

The majority of my experience through the years dealt with couture brand merchandise.  I have come to know the product well and like most women, enjoy to shop!  So, why not become a stay at home mom and be able to still do what I love most.  Thus, The Couture Lounge was born.

The Couture Lounge became a clearing house for top brand merchandise at amazing prices.  On the consignment end, I offer gently used designer merchandise.  I know all my clients personally.  The majority of my clients clear out their closets seasonally for the next greatest trend, often giving me almost new or never worn merchandise.  The words COPIES and FAKES due not apply to this set of clientale.   And, though I know them all personally, in order to protect myself, each client signs a legal and binding document that ALL items are 100% AUTHENTIC and the I have the right to refuse to post any item I am in question about.

I recently hired a staff to help me process as much merchandise as possible in a shorter period of time.  We continue to have a revolving stock of merchandise to post and I have now moved into the the buying and selling of new merchandise as well.  I find that my experience and relationships with retailers allows me to obtain amazing prices on some highly sought after merchandise, which in turn I pass along to my customers. 

Do I make mistakes?  I wouldn't be human if I said no!  Yes, of course I do.  However, after attending two ebay conferences, becoming a registered trainer of ebay, working as a trading assistant and a GOLD POWERSELLER, I feel strongly that ebay has some major flaws!  The biggest flaw being the feedback system. 

When I make a mistake, I am the first to admit it.  This is what I teach my children everyday, so I must lead by example.  However, when someone buys a pair of shoes that they just don't like and then claims they were extremely worn and damaged, in order to get their money back, well you alone can only judge by reviewing the auction.  When someone claims that I have terrible business practices, because they wanted first class international shipping and 4 weeks later have not received their item, how am I supposed to control the postal service?  As a seller, not being allowed to leave negative or neutral feedback for these buyers is unfair.  Not only to myself but to the entire ebay community who deserves the truth about these buyers.  Certainly, if nothing else, sellers should be allowed to leave negative feedback for non payers.  Since the new system has been activated my non payer rate has doubled.  If you ever have a question about any feedback left, please feel free to email me.  If it is my fault, I am the first to admit it!

In any event, The Couture Lounge is a safe place to shop for great Authentic Designer Merchandise.  You will always find brands such as Lululemon, Prada, Miu Miu, Escada, Chanel, Juicy, 7 For All Mankind and Dior, to just name a few.  I personally answer all emails and I personally deal with all concerns.  I offer the same customer service to my buyers that I expect to get as a customer.  My standards and ethics are high.  Comments and suggestions are ALWAYS WELCOME!  No one is perfect, and there is always room for improvement.