eBay Mobile Boutique: What's On the Holiday Shopping Lists of VIPs

By Lauren Sherman
November 20, 2009

From today through November 29th, holiday shoppers will get a chance to peruse eBay's virtual aisles is a distinctly real way. That's because the online marketplace has opened its first brick-and-mortar pop-up shop on 57th Street in New York City. Along with an expertly curated selection of 400 eBay products on display—including dresses from Kim Kardashian's current charity auction—and a pair of Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein's sneakers from the DJ AM Memorial Fund charity auction—eBay's shopping and customer service experts will be on-hand to help shoppers find what they need at the store's internet kiosks. The 5,500 square foot space is divided into six gifting categories: Stylista, Techie, Gamer, Youngster, Fashionista and Urbanite.

Yesterday, The Inside Source got a sneak peek at the space, and chatted with some VIP shoppers—including editors, top eBay buyers and sellers (including Kim K. herself!), as well as a few curious folks passing by—at the store's preview event. Here's what's on their holiday shopping lists:

Who: Siafa Lewis
What: Anchor of NBC's LX New York and avid eBay buyer and seller
Lives: Union, New Jersey
What do you shop for on eBay? Mostly clothes—Italian menswear brands like Kiton, Borrelli and Isaia
What's on display here at the store that's caught your eye? A pair of mens shoes, Madden NFL Ten for XBOX 360, and Microsoft's Zune
What's on your "to buy" list this season? I'd like to buy my wife a nice camera, but by the last week before Christmas, she will have given me a list of things she wants!
What's on your wish list? Clothes. Always clothes

Who: Danielle Manna
What: sales associate, Norma Kamali
Lives: Mt. Sinai, New York
What do you shop for on eBay? Right now, I'm on the hunt for Frye boots.
What's on display here at the store that's caught your eye? Obviously, I love the Norma Kamali pieces (from her exclusive eBay collection).
What's on your "to buy" list this season? I'll probably pick up a lot of gift cards; it's just the easiest thing for me.
What's on your wish list? I'd like an iPhone, and I'd definitely be happy with a refurbished one from eBay.

Who: Sari Rifkin
What: in-house public relations at Norma Kamali
Lives: East Meadow, New York
What do you shop for on eBay? I'm a clothes addict, so I'm always looking for multi-functional basics for my work wardrobe.
What's on display here at the store that's caught your eye? Definitely some of the clothes and accessories. The handbags are really nice
What's on your "to buy" list this season? For my mom, I like to buy clothes because we can share them! For my teenage brothers, iTunes gift cards are the best bet.
What's on your wish list? Clothes, as usual. I'm also looking forward to getting a new Blackberry.

Who: Kim Kardashian
What: reality television star and special guest at the eBay holiday boutique VIP cocktail reception
Lives: Los Angeles, California
What's on your "to buy" list this season? I am a super organized person, so I like to do all of my Holiday shopping early. With my hectic work and travel schedule, I don't have a lot of time, so I sit in my pj's at night in bed and do lots of Buy It Now on eBay to make my shopping easy and fun! And no crazy "Day After Thanksgiving" mall shopping for me. I'd rather spend the day at home relaxing and shopping online, so I don't have to fight the crowds.

Who: Arlene Lazare
What: administrative associate
Lives: New York City
What's on your "to buy" list this season? Well, I just read Siddhartha by Herman Hesse. I may buy a few copies for friends. It really moved me, and I think it's a thoughtful gift in this time when we're all doing a bit of self reflection.
What's on your wish list? To enjoy my family and friends.

Who: Emily Hsieh
What: editor
Lives: New York City
What do you shop for on eBay? Right now, I'm really into digging for vintage table top pieces. I recently found a mid-century salad server with teak handles that's in pristine condition but didn't cost a fortune. It's fun to comb the site.
What's on your "to buy" list this season? My mother wants one of those Big Green Egg smokers. I think my siblings and I may go in on one of those for her.
What's on your wish list? I've been eying a Kindle. But that would be a gift for both me and my husband.

Who: Nick and Janea Hengst
What: custodians (on their honeymoon in NYC)
Lives: Colorado
What's on display here at the store that's caught your eye? Janea: I really like the vintage candlestick holders.
What's on your "to buy" list this season? Janea: I love buying friends old movies. I'll probably pick up a few DVDs.
What's on your wish list? Nick: Well, we don't really need anything; we just got a ton of wedding presents. But I do love those old-fashioned nativities for under the tree. Janea: I'd like some more decorative items for the house.

Who: Lorna Solano
What: editor, TheFabulousReport.com
Lives: New York
What do you shop for on eBay? A lot of electronics and handbags.
What's on display here at the store that's caught your eye? The fashion [including a vintage Gucci purse and L.A.M.B. shoes] is really cute.
What's on your "to buy" list this season? I want to get my mom a refurbished Mac. She just started using the Internet and she needs something faster.
What's on your wish list? I really want a new camera for filming the runway shows at New York Fashion Week.

Who: Charlie Hollander
What: Jeweler, top eBay seller
Lives: New York
What do sell on eBay? Mostly diamonds, but lately pearls have been quite popular, as have diamonds with silver or white gold. People are looking for value.
What's on your "to buy" list this season? I just boughy my wife a Snuggie.

Who: Chrystal Parker
What: editor-in-chief, Uptown Social
Lives: New York
What do you shop for on eBay? My hobby is photography, so I buy a lot of equipment.
What's on display here at the store that's caught your eye? The electronics--I'm on the hunt for one of those Polaroid cameras with a built-in printer.
What's on your "to buy" list this season? I've actually been buying all year long. For my dad, it's clothes. My sister loves beauty and spa products, so I'm always on the lookout.
What's on your wish list? A netbook. Either Acer or HP.

Visit the eBay Holiday Pop-Up at 3 West 57th Street, New York, NY from November 20th to 29th. Doors are open 10 am-7:30 pm Monday-Saturday, (closed on Thanksgiving Day). Doors open at 11 am on Sunday and at 7 am on Black Friday.

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