Sometimes it Pays to Shop on eBay

In 2012, Disney released some holiday ornaments that were shaped like Mickey Mouse ear hats, but were customized for different characters. I thought it was a cute idea and I was rather impressed with some of the ones saw; Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) had a particularly interesting one with pink in the front and blue in the back.

As I am sure anyone does, I was worried about what my favorite characters' hats would look like. I tend to be more harsh of a critic when dealing with something that I like, be it Disney characters or otherwise (I am a real stickler for orcas being correctly marked when represented in art or sculpture!)

I browsed the source I had for looking at the ornaments and when I saw Rapunzel's ear-hat, I was in love. The front of the ornament was amazing. I loved the hair and the tower being there, and the details in the floral design. When I saw the back of the hat, I was even more in love.

Unfortunately, I would not get my ornament that holiday season. They were not available in the Disney Store (online and parks only) and when I went to get myself one, they were sold out. Alas, no ear hat for me. I kept two pictures of it from the stock photos on my computer just so I could look at it from time to time, but I figured it was another Tangled item I would not be collecting. I was disappointed  but at the same time I was okay with it.

Fast forward a few months to March. I was browsing the Disney Store online site to see what new things were going to be coming out to the local Disney Store that I may need to start saving some money for. As I was looking over their Rapunzel section, I saw that they had re-released the ornament. I was so excited, but when I saw that the price was $21.95 and that did not include shipping, I was hesitant to get one.

I then wondered, could there be a cheaper one on eBay? While that is usually the land of ridiculous markups,  sometimes eBay can offer a good price on things; even at below cost from the original seller. I did a search for the ornaments and did find people who had priced them at over 100% markup. I did eventually find, however, someone who was selling them at below the price the Disney Store had them up for. So below that even after shipping, I was a few dollars less. I purchased myself one and was so very pleased.

 When the ornament arrives in the mail, I was surprised that the glitter on the raised portions of the floral design were not sloppily done and that there was complete coverage. I marveled at the detail and set it up on my collection shelf, wishing I had some kind of stand to hang it from. Eventually I would get one, I thought, because eventually I would have all my Tangled items in a section of my house with shelves and a curio or doll cabinet so I could admire all of it all the time.

 

Something interesting happened though. A few days later, I got another box. I was, indeed, waiting for a doll I had ordered, but this box was far too small. What on earth could it be? I looked over the return address and it was very familiar. When I opened it up, I was surprised to find a second ornament. I had gotten no notice that I would be getting a second one and I had not paid for two. I double checked my account to make sure I had not been charged again, and there was no money taken for this surprise. I laughed and set it next to the one on my collection shelf, turning it to face away from me so that I could view both sides of the ornament at once.