Scavenger Life Episode 527: The End

Total Listed: 77

Yard Sale: $600

Items Sold On eBay: 1

Items Listed On eBay: 6 (Exceeded goal by 6!)

Total Profit: $42.96 (Hermes red silk pocket square w/ flaw)

Goal This Week: 1

the podcast will be sorely missed. Thanks for the last 9 years

Tony

Thank you Jay and Ryanne for sharing your lives with us over the last 527+ weeks.  Yours truly was the best podcast I’ve ever found on the topic of reselling.  It couldn’t last forever and I think you are ending it at a great time in your journey.  I’m proud of you for what you have accomplished; from online reselling, to starting and growing an AirBNB business to opening a successful coffee shop/cafe.  What an inspiration!  I’ll miss the show and the community that you developed in this corner of the internet.  Thank you for everything!

Nooooo! 🙂

Aw I hope you decide to keep the forum but I get it.  Thanks for all of the info and sharing yourselves and your journey with us.  You guys are too cool in my book.

Wow..

The Podcast and forums have really helped me make some important decisions over the last 5 years.

Thanks for all the time and effort you both have put into them.

Good luck and safe travels..

Joe

Wow – I can’t believe it. I am feeling sad but I completely respect your decision.

Your podcast has been such a motivator for me over the years. I can’t thank you two enough.

With Jay and Ryanne’s blessings, I would humbly ask: Is there anyone here who is thinking about taking up the mantle and starting a podcast? Shame on me if this sounds insensitive to say so soon but I feel it is important to try to keep a podcast going. What you have created has truly built a community. Nothing will ever be quite like your podcast but it could help to keep this community going.

Thank you. Love you guys!

I am about to cry so I am going to go now.

Hey Jay and Ryanne,

Thank you for all you have done.  It’s amazing to me how listening to your podcast and your life adventures has touched me.  I tapped into the podcast and the forum to help me with selling on eBay.  Both the community here and you both have helped me a hand full of times.  You have given me strength to list, list list.  It’s been your influence that has me searching for a place so I can do an Airbnb.  I live in a community, much like yours, a smaller town with a downtown that struggles a bit but has lots of potential.  So many towns have amazing buildings that are ripe for creative retailers.  You have made an impact.  You will be missed as podcasters.  I wish you well in all you do.  I will continue to enjoy your coffee :O)

Peace

Carol

I feel like you are family and this makes me sad, but honestly I’m not sure how you’ve done it this long!! What I’ve loved the most about your podcasts have been how REAL you have been through everything and there have been a lot of “things”. You’ve made yourself completely vulnerable, and how brave is that?! My husband have been listening to you since we got together 10 years ago and so somehow this marks a milestone in our own relationship. Since listening to you we have created a REAL business on ebay, have bought an airbnb and are moving towards our next business venture. With this next venture we will both have left our “professional jobs” to work for ourselves in our multi income stream businesses. This was your idea. Thank you for giving us the example, courage, advice, and belief that we can do it too. Much love. Jim and Crystal

Thank you for the content & information you’ve shared over the past years.

Oh no, what a sad day–your podcast is my absolute favorite, Jay & Ryanne. The weekly glimpse into your business & lives has motivated me & so many other people.  I looked forward to the podcast every week & am truly choked up to see it end, though I completely understand the choice to move on. I’m more of a lurker on internet forums, but wanted to express my gratitude for doing the podcast for this long– I really cannot thank you enough!

I had a feeling this might be coming based on everything going on in your lives and the tone of the last few podcasts. Jay and Ryanne, you are a tremendous inspiration and I can’t thank you enough for all the time and energy you put into creating your podcast and cultivating this community. My life would be very different without having found this podcast years ago off a recommendation from the flipping reddit. Your positivity and scavenger manifesto have helped me grow my eBay business in ways I never have imagined. This podcast has taught me so much more than just eBay with all of the other things you two have done as a result of the eBay business. It gives me hope for what my future can look like and that is such an amazing thing.

I actually quit my part-time job this past week to focus on my eBay business full-time. I’d held on to it “just in case” over the few years even though I was completely burnt out from it for a number of reasons. I’m honestly not sure I would have made the leap to do that without this community. It is so easy to stay stuck in a situation and avoid change. I didn’t grow up in a family that encouraged outside the box thinking or positivity, so I’ve always relied on finding those things in others and this community has been such a huge source of positivity for me, especially the last year as I’ve posted more regularly.

Sell trash, be free. 🙂

Dear Jay and Ryanne,

I echo the sentiments of each and everyone who is a member of this forum. I don’t think that you two realize how influential you’ve been to me and many others but you have and for that, I thank you.

I do have many podcasts to catch up on and I may do that once I get over being sad… I went in and told my kids about y’alls decision to end the Scavenger Life Podcast and they commiserated with me… but its a good day to call it a day and go on with your future.

Good one Craig-rex… Sell trash, be free!

Crystal and Jules

JulesBijouxVintage

Sad that your voices won’t be filling my ears on Monday mornings anymore but understand the decision. It’s clear that your process is still valid today so I wouldn’t say you guys aren’t relevant in the community anymore. No telling how many of the YouTubers started out by listening to you.

I didn’t realize full time eBaying was a thing until I stumbled across this site in 2018. Ever since then eBay has been my part time job and now my main source of income. I appreciate all of the knowledge you guys have shared over the years. I’m sure you feel like you’ve just been repeating yourselves over and over again but that’s what Dave Ramsey does and he’s one of the biggest podcasts out there lol.

This is my favorite podcast.  I look forward to it every Sunday.  I respect your decision to move on and I hope you are happy.

Wow.. Yep felt like I have grown up on Ebay with you guys. You are right there is a ton of stuff out there online and much is very specific and topic related.

You touched on my question and that is, is there going to be a way to still get all of the past episodes. I have many of them but not all. With over 700+ posts that I have done and many specfically addressing art topics and inventory systems, I would really like to capture all of those.

Are you still going to charge $99 to get all the past episodes or maybe offer a deep discount for those of us who would like to get and save all of the episodes.

Again, sad to see you guys pull the plug. Is Steven Schultz still going to be making his what sold vids on his own and if so, where?

Wish you guys all the best life has to offer and may you “LIVE LONG AND PROSPER!” V

Mike at MDC Concepts, Inc.

MDC Galleries and Fine Art in Atlanta

I haven’t listened yet. I heard the news and turned it off, I’ll get to it at some point when I’m not in work mode, but for now, I wanted to say thank you. I’ve been listening to Scavenger life since 2017 and have learned and grown so much from it. Its been such a journey, and I’m so sad to see it go. Thank you for the good times, I’m so appreciative. I wish you well <3

A heartfelt thank you for creating this community and for your weekly podcasts. As a “run silent, run deep” kind of guy in person as well as in business, it was nice to have a place to hang out from time to time that seemed genuine and real without the drama. Best of luck to both of you.

I’m so sad! Your podcast has always lifted me up when I had doubts or burnout. I love following the variety of adventures you guys go on from coffee to airbnb, foodie adventures, your scavenger trips and of course eBay. But I imagine the podcast must seem like a chore with everything on your plate.

Thank you for everything…you guys are the reason my husband and I are on the full-time eBay train. We tried building on that with a consignment shop, but just recently closed our shop to start an auction house. It’s a scary new chapter, as we are relying solely on eBay for income until we get up and running. Wouldn’t have had the guts to try though if it wasn’t for you guys. Best of luck with all your endeavors!

Ryanne and Jay,

It really shocked me that yall have decided to end the podcast. I have listened to every single podcast for years. It was informational, and at the same time, it was very intertaining. Yall have always been so down to earth and so interesting. I want yall to know what an impact yall have had on me and my grandmother. I have built an infrastructure on my own on ebay since around October 2019, and it has been such a joy. Yall have given me such a great jumping off point for my mini business, and gave me a great place to start. Since I have kinda built up enough on ebay, my grandmother is retiring on October 1 and we are going to work together on ebay for her “side hussle”. Yall have 100% inspired us. She told me about your podcast, she got me hooked, and we thought we wanted to make our own business. And none of it would have happened without yall. Yalls podcast will be missed by me and my grandmother both. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Sell trash. Be free.

You guys are the George Bailey’s of scavenging.  You have had such a profound impact on all of us.  I am so sad to see you go, but understand will remain supportive.

Thanks for all you have done.

Jay and Ryanne,

Thank you so much for all that you have put into the podcast over the years.  You both have made a difference in a lot of lives.  From a personal standpoint, I don’t know that I would have thought that I could quit my job and do eBay fulltime without the inspiration I got from you guys many years ago.  It’s been life changing for me and my family.

You also inspired my son when he was 14 years old to start selling on eBay, as we listened to all your podcasts when we were travelling with his baseball teams for games and practices.  He is graduating college this year and he still does eBay every day.  It’s helped pay his way through college and he will graduate this year with no debt.

I figured this would come at some point, but I am grateful for the time and effort you two have put into this over the years.

Thank you and good luck in all your future endeavors!

I’ve been listening to Scavenger Life (aka eBay Scavengers) since 2014 when I was first dabbling selling on eBay with a handful of items. I had no idea people could make a living reselling online. Now, I have 1700+ items listed and make most of my money from eBay. I appreciate the inspiration you provided over the years and the many hours you dedicated to producing the podcast each week. I’m sad to see you call it quits, but all good things must come to an end.

PS: If you can find a way, please try to keep the forum active. This is such a great community and is free of much of the negativity (or self-promotion) that’s often found on other eBay forums or (ugh) Facebook groups.

I’ve listened to your podcast every week for the past 7-8 years.  I would save it for doing my “fast walk” on Mondays, and it made time fly by for me!  I’m so sorry to see this end, but wondered how you could keep so many balls in the air…

Ditto to what others have said about your sharing and inspiration through the years.  I’ve learned so much, thank you!

After reading the responses I feel like mine was totally inadequate.  I’m just a voice in the internet universe but I suggest that you consider at least a quarterly podcast. In the meantime I’ll be supporting your podcast and the coffee biz.  You are uniquely intelligent but slumming it. Luv u guys.

Y’all are the best. Thank you for sharing yourselves and your knowledge with us via the podcast. I wish you both nothing but joy and happiness in the future.

It’s like you guys got to the final boss in a really long video game. You sold trash and are free. You win. 🙂

Jay,Ryanne, thanks so much for the podcast, I am glad I got in at the tail end of it the last couple years. I have not found any other podcast on reselling quite like yours, there is often too much ‘hustlin’ or too much of something else on other podcasts. You guys did it just right. Thanks again.

P.S. Mscellaneous that was the best comment.

Jay and Ryanne,

Thank you so, so much for all the time you have put into the podcast the past 5+ years and the trash elf community. You are part of what encouraged me to move from a part time to full time reseller and out of a job that I hated. Like you, in the beginning I just winged it and  did not necessarily have a great plan but just knew I needed a change. You have provided me the confidence to know scavenging can be a full time career and mindset.

With your help I now know even if I were down and out, I would be totally fine because I can always scavenge and trash elf my way back into abundance. There is always more abundance, detritus, and gew-gaws out there worth something to someone. Call it the trash elf abundance mind set.

I have listened to all 500+ eps and it was definitely an exciting highlight of my week to see a new episode come out. I think Jay’s analogy of a resource management video game a number of episodes back was more apt than could be realized.  Whether it’s gew gaws, tschotches, rental properties, coffee, or whatever else, even trash, you can manage those resources to live on, or “eat on!”. You don’t need a boss, a “job”, a salary, to do it and you can be free and do it on your own terms. Just some motivation and maybe an old pair of shoes to sell can get you started.

I shaped this mindset mostly from Scavenger Life.

All the best on your future endeavors, will miss the show greatly. Completely respect and understand your need to shift gears,

NYC Mark

Yes, please keep the forum going. There’s no boosterism or negativity, also I get to look at photos of fire hydrants and traffic lights, which has improved my driving skills somewhat. 🙂

Jay and Ryanne,

I have listened to all 527 podcasts and have enjoyed them all.

But, most importantly, you gave me the confidence to start my ebay business 8 years ago and I have never looked back. I would not be where I am now without you guys.

Thanks for all your help all these years.

Mark

Jay, Ryanne:

I sort of saw the writing on the wall, but was hoping I was incorrect. Regardless, thanks for all the wisdom, and interesting insight into running an eBay business.

I would like to say one of the biggest tips you provided over the past 527 episodes was the “Silent treatment”. For the uninitiated, the “Silent treatment” is when a buyer receives an items and then fishes for a partial refund or a full refund. They sometimes come right out and ask for a refund or may just hint at it. Regardless, J&R’s response is to inform the buyer that they can return the item for a full refund and then go silent. You don’t need to engage further with the buyer nor increase your blood pressure over it. It saves you time, energy and often calls their bluff. What a nice lesson.

I will also miss Steven Schultz’s video each week, but perhaps he will continue on You Tube. We shall see.

Your weekly pep talk will be sorely missed, but I prefer to look at it as 527 opportunities to learn and share with like-minded individuals. I also enjoyed hearing about your Air BnB and video editing pursuits.

So long for now. I hope your coffee business continues to flourish.

Brian Boberg

Jay and Ryanne,

Thanks for changing my life! I found you in 2014 via the flipping subreddit and I was immediately hooked – here were two cool people who shared my punk rock values, making their living by selling weird stuff on ebay! I was completely burnt out after 20+ years doing IT in academia and fantasizing about doing ebay full time, but wasn’t sure it was possible.  Knowing that you were doing it, and generously sharing info about how you made it work, was like a magic potion that made me see that I too, could be free. I quit in 2015 and have never regretted it for one second. Thank you both and good luck with all your current and future endeavors. With your positive energy and enthusiasm there’s no doubt in my mind you’ll succeed at whatever you focus on.
Trash Elves 4 Eva!

I had a feeling…

Congratulation on podcast freedom! I will miss my Monday routine, listening  and listing.  As they say ,its not about me. ha ha. I wish you the best of luck in all your endeavors.

Peace Out Trash Elves

Jay and Ryanne,

Sad to hear you’re ending the podcast. Like so many others here, you are a big part of the reason I sell on eBay full time.  When I “retired” from the corporate world in 2016 I wasn’t sure what I was going to do to keep busy and make money.  My wife introduced me to your podcast and you inspired me to give it a try.  I can’t imagine what I’d be doing without it.

Even though the topics veered far from eBay at times, it was inspiring to hear about your risk taking and successes.  The positive vibe and your focus on self-reliance was a shot in the arm so many times, and your philosophy of frugality a welcome reminder to spend money mindfully.

I hope you will update us from time to time, or perhaps start a new podcast that can encompass the whole of what you are doing.  You are indeed influencers, just not in the shallow way it is often shown in social media.

You will be missed.  Wishing you much continued success.

-Mike

well shoot.  Thank you for everything.  Because of you I found nerve to start my business, rent a space and start investing in building up what I need to be successful.  Listening to your podcast every monday is how I started my week and I can never thank you enough.

My Monday routine will never be the same without your voices coming from my iPhone. I appreciate all you have contributed and taught the Trash Elf community over the years. Wish you continued success in all of your businesses. You will definitely be missed. Thank you, Ryanne and Jay!

I had a long weekend trip. I slept in this morning because I was a bit lazy. I woke up with the thought that I just didn’t have the energy of Jay and Ryanne. They have three different businesses, they do things for fun, and they have a podcast. In the end, though, you guys are humans too and don’t have all the bandwidth to do everything.

In 2015, I was laid off because my company moved out of state, and I didn’t want to go with them. I couldn’t find anything in my expertise that was a reasonable commute. I still had kids in school. I wanted to do something. I tried a few auctions on eBay not understanding that it wasn’t what it used to be. I sold one or two items and didn’t make much money. I found your podcast and manifesto in 2016, and off I went!

I’m sad to see you end it, but I understand. I hope you consider doing a few a year. Maybe just start threads here and there. I know I use the forum pretty extensively for encouragement (the listing challenge), the “what’s this” section, and general how to’s of eBay. I’ll keep with it here, if you continue to post. If you close it down, I guess I’ll have to find something else. It will be tough to find drama-free sites.

Week of Aug 22 – 28
Total Items in Store: 1351 eBay, 39 Etsy
Items Sold: 8 eBay 1 Etsy
Cost of Items Sold: $10.45 + $0 Commission
Total Sales: $142.56 eBay $43.50 Etsy
Highest Price Sold: $43.50 vintage Springbank whiskey pitcher (Etsy)
Average price: $20.67
Returns: 0
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $0
Number of items listed this week: 2

Sad to see you go thanks for all of the advice over the years it has helped me make many good decisions over the years.

Marc

I woke up in a cold sweat this morning because I had this crazy nightmare that Jay and Ryanne had decided to end their podcast. AAAhhhh….

Thank you both for all of the time you have put into this podcast. It has been a constant at the beginning of my week for the last couple of years and it will be missed! I wish you continued success in your various businesses and I hope to get over to Luray at some point in the coming months!

Kevin

Despite the fact that there are many eBay discussions out there, yours have been the most honest and level headed. And enjoyable. Thanks.

I kept trying to come up with the best question to call in, and never did.  And now it is too late!

You never sought celebrity status but to many of us, that is exactly what you have attained.  Someday when you least expect it people will wander into the hills of Virginia and stare across a coffee shop trying to get the nerve to speak to a couple of people who really made a difference.

bon voyage!

I have really enjoyed the weekly podcasts and I think I have listened to all of them. Pretty sure my ebay success over the years can be directly connected to the great discussions and content from both the podcast and this blog. Congrats on a great run and best wishes for continued success in your future endeavors. Thanks for always keeping it real!

A visit to a Luray VA coffee shop is on my travel list.

Thank you, Ryanne and Jay, for all the time and energy that you have put into this podcast and forum over the years.  As you can tell from everyone’s comments, it was time well spent.  Best wishes to you both.

Ryanne and Jay-

Wow! All good things must come to an end. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your lives with us. I will never think of the road kill cheeseburger discussion with out laughing aloud. You have changed many lives through your podcast and are an inspiration to us all.

I definitely understand your need to stop and focus your time and talents else where. You will be successful in anything you set your minds too!

Once in a while I make it to Luray to visit the caverns. So don’t be surprised if you hear some one call out in the coffee shop “Hey Trash Elf”

Thank you jay and ryanne. All of us really appreciate the time and work that went into building a community.

I have always felt that this podcast was the most authentic of anything I listen to. You guys never wanted to be internet celebrities or get rich with ads and sponsors. It was always about the community and that’s what made it special.

Thanks again for all the inspiration

Your podcast changed my life. It opened a new way of thinking and seeing the world and the “stuff” around me. Since I found you in 2015 I have listened to episodes 1-527 because I was hungry to learn. Because of you, I have work that I truly love for the first time in life. I have a store of 1600-plus items.

Your attitude and enthusiasm have influenced me the most, especially Ryanne’s bold, unapologetic pricing of your items. Your willingness to work hard and overcome obstacles to live an independent lifestyle has made me want to do the same.

I had my husband listen when he would help me source and you helped him understand what I was doing and inspired him too.

This work can be isolating but your voices helped me know there was someone out there who “gets me” when it comes to how I make my living.

Thank you for being so generous to share your lives, relationship and knowledge with us. You both deserve to be Mayor of Luray. I know you’ll keep succeeding and being a positive influence to those around you. Thank you for all you have done for me.

Weekly sales 8/22 – 8/28
Random Item Store
Total items 950
Items sold 22
New items listed 79
Gross sales $623.99
Net sales $411.17

Patch Store
Total items 3026
Items sold 35
New items listed 163
Gross sales $269.26
Net sales $211.85

Etsy
Orders 20
Gross sales $179.55
Net sales $152.62

Gross sales total $1,072.80
Net sales total $775.64

Getting in my groove as far as listing but this week was a lot slower than previous weeks. Looking forward to Q4…

I closed my Brick & mortar shop in 2017 and moved my focus to selling online full-time, as well as giving myself more time for other projects. I truly understand the challenge of being pulled in too many directions, so while I am very sad about your decision I whole-heartedly support it. You’ve created a wonderful community here and I have made beautiful friendships with people I wouldn’t have met any other way.  Selling online is a very lonely thing at times and it has been wonderful to have such a great support system.  I truly hope if there’s any way to keep this forum going you will do so.  I’d be willing to pitch in cash to make it happen and I bet others would be willing to do so also. I’d just hate to lose this connection…that would be a double blow.

I’d also like to say that one of the best things about listening to your podcast was to hear how you interact with each other.  Always with humor and respect.  The love is always plain to hear, and it’s a lovely thing.

I’ve learned so much over the years and it’s been a great ride.  Thank you for the gifts you have given us.

You two have done an amazing job, and while I’m sad to see it go, I completely understand your reasoning. This has been a nice gathering place for like-minded scavengers and (in my opinion) the best resource for resellers looking to get started on the right foot. Thanks for everything!

Jay and Ryanne thank you so much for all the monday mornings!   When I saw that title I knew it was literal.  The excitement and passion in your voices for your newer businesses this past year was the way you used to talk about eBay.  Can’t say I didn’t see it coming.  But I wish you all the success and happiness in the world as you continue to evolve.  You have given so much to this community and I am grateful.  I’ll miss you…

Dear Jay and Ryanne,

thank you for teaching me proper scavenging, business and real estate. You have touched many lives in a positive way with this podcast. Financially and emotionally. And those touches have ripple effects and touch more lives. The ripples will continue long after the spoken words.

Without the podcast, I wouldn’t be where I am with my huge 750 item store, my nephew who is on the autism spectrum would still be unemployed and sad. Instead he is my photographer and right hand man…he’s a kinda happy tax paying contributing member of the community.

After learning from you; We copied you and bought a house to renovate. It’s now a full time vacation rental- for families who will make forever memories there. And Employing housekeepers, landscapers, painters etc. keeps those ripples travelling further and further…

I wish you well in your travels and adventures –

happy trails,

sally

Just wanted to take a minute to say thank you for all your work from a regular listener that does not normally use the forum.  It was great to be able to listen to your thoughts on eBay, business, and life every Monday for the last 4 years.  It honestly made the largest shipping day of the week a little more bearable.  Good luck to your future success…

Cheers,

Jason

I’m sad that the podcast is ending but I’m extremely grateful for all the time and energy you put into it over these years.  I’ve been listening along since 2015 and it was the two of you that made me understand that eBay could be a profitable side business.  When I first started listening I had no idea that anyone would ever list 100’s of items.

For years,  the two of you helped ease my Monday morning commutes as I shleped off to my day job and you inspired me to think beyond the 9-5 world and plan for a day when I could ditch that world.

So thanks for everything you’ve done for me and the community.  We will certainly miss you.

Thank you!

Like everyone else, you gave me the inspiration to quit my soul sucking job and sell junk on Ebay. I’m sure I’ll get blindsided by some seller update because I never bothered to read them, knowing that you would tell me everything I needed to know on the next Podcast. Guess I’ll have to start making more of an effort now.

Sad to see you go but proud of the great work you have done! You helped shape my store and many others! Best wishes for future success:)

I am getting choked up reading everyone’s posts! What can I say? Nothing that hasn’t already been articulated, for sure. I’m full of sadness and deep, deep gratitude. My life changed forever because of who Ryanne and Jay are and because of their sheer generosity. I love you guys. I have been planning to visit Broadporch Luray in person when I hit my first 10k month (gross or net? 😉 ) so hopefully there will be a way to connect then.

As with any loss, I feel like the absence of the podcast will sink in later as time goes on and episodes don’t drop anymore. I’m so grateful that the things you’ve shared and taught have always been smart and sustainable; I have listened to every single episode too, and I can’t think of anything else that could have motivated and educated me like the Scavenger Life. It was the perfect thing and the perfect time, and it’s been my favorite listening for hundreds of weeks at this point! The show will be missed, of course. However, as a fellow podcaster, I am jumping for joy on your behalf because even a simple production process can definitely be time consuming drudgery sometimes haha!

When I closed my private practice to go full time on eBay, I told my mentor that I knew it was time to move on when I heard someone say “if your spirit leaves, you should send your body with it” … it resonated with me, and I knew it was time to move on! It’s cool to think that even without the pod, you’ll still be running your store behind the scenes, sometimes with helpers, sometimes with extended handling time, etc… and so will all of us! Meanwhile, your focus and energy can be further directed to the current cutting edge of your life endeavors. That is a sweet, sweet reality!

Thank you for everything, more than you even know. Much love to you both!

Well, turns out I do have feelings. You guys will be missed every Sunday from now on. Good luck and thank you for all the good years  you had this podcast!! It brightened up my day even if it was for 30 minutes. Yearly or monthly update??  Long Live Scavenger Life!!

I am gutted to hear that you are ending the podcast. I have been with you since Mike and Wendi. It really has been wonderful following you in journey through the scavenger life. I have learned so much from you and our community of trash elves. I will miss hearing your voices. I hope you we will see you in the forums. 🙂 Edgar and I wish you well in all your endeavors.Thank you for all that you have done for our little community.

Thank you both for the work you put into helping us all out. We have listened to you from the beginning day. My husband and I have enjoyed listening to your podcasts at the end of the day as we dozed off to sleep. You will be missed but hey..life moves forward. Best of luck and good health to you both. You ARE AMAZING!

Your podcasts will be sorely missed!  You two have been a constant in my life for so many years.  You have passed on such great knowledge and shared so much of your lives.   I hope you will keep the forums going and update us on your adventures from time to time.   I’m hoping to make it to Luray at some point and try out your bakery/coffee shop.   Wishing you two all the best and much success!!

Well…. I’m pissed…. But I did kind of see it coming. Every time I go thru Franklin I’ll think of you guys…. Thanks for showing me a better way to do eBay… Brian

Oh man…listened to the LasT podcast earlier.
There’s so much to say.

You two have had a huge part in opening my mind to a world of adventure and passion. I absolutely love doing what we do…doing what we’re good at. It’s fun, educating, challenging, interesting, etc, etc. It’s Freedom for me.

I’ve never listened to another Ebay podcast or even certain how I came across yours, but it never occurred to me to check out another one (started around Episode 190..been selling F/T on Ebay for 9+/- years. Corporate before, and Art through it all).

What you have created here is special. It’s honest. Thats big. I hope you both realize that.

Congratulations on all you have accomplished/are accomplishing. I will, without a doubt, miss listening to you and Learning from both of you as well as the rest of the Scavenger Life community.
Looking forward to keeping in touch in some capacity.

Dahlyla

The end of an era! You guys have been an inspiration for so many, including me. Freedom through trash picking – unreal. Wishing you all the best and I hope to run into y’all in New York grabbing the same junk off the corner! xoxo Flim

Sad to hear this, but not entirely unexpected.  I would imagine that after a long week of work, it was increasingly difficult to take the time out for the podcast.  Erika and I listened to this every week for several years now.  We have listened to every episode and learned a ton, but it has been more for the community feel than education for quite some time.

I’ve sold on eBay since the beginning, but didn’t start REALLY selling until a few years ago.  When I found a niche by accident, I searched for a voice that mimicked how I felt eBay should be run.  Jay and Ryanne were that voice.  No hype, raw numbers, calm, sane, and reasonable–I’ve always liked the matter-of-fact style–This is how, this is why, it works for us and we don’t really care if you want to do it differently.

When Covid shut everything down, Erika and I were getting full-time income from this, but auctions had shut down and so did my other business.  We began searching for new ways to source, which steered me into liquidation–WAY different than the old weird stuff, but still very much so scavenging.  Last weekend we had sales of $37k at our little local warehouse.  We are on a similar path here.  Like the coffee shop, we have freedom here, but we also have very specific tasks that need to be accomplished every week.  We ventured into employees after several years of bucking them, which has allowed us to ramp up quickly.  We got the encouragement to do so right here.

For many, Covid was chaos and bad times.  For us, we were never afraid of losing the other work because you both showed us that it was possible to thrive with eBay.  We just decided that was the time to jump all-in.  Before that, it was just a second job.  We have no debt and really have built into this by rolling all the eBay money over, so we feel a real bond with you both and your message–even if you’re very weird people–pretty sure everyone in here is!

You did get us hooked on your coffee, so we are drinking Cameroon right now as we get ready to head to the warehouse for our last day before our weekend sales.  Southern Split is Erika’s favorite, but I like to change it up.  We do plan on visiting your coffee shop.  Probably will just sit in the corner and drink it because it would feel weird to talk to famous people!  We did have Resale Rabbit come in to our warehouse, so I got a selfie.  Might have to do that with you as well.

I’d wish you good luck, but you won’t need it. You’ve built something that can’t be stopped, even if 1 leg starts to wobble a bit–as you’ve already proven with eBay slowing down recently.

Steve & Erika

Thank you for the best eBay podcast out there.  Sharing your life changed mine and my family’s.  We will try to hit you up for more coffee when we pass through again someday.  Your authenticity and honesty were much appreciated.   You both were inspiring mentors.

Best of wishes from my family to yours.

The Kehoe

Gilbert, Arizona

I would also like to Thank You both for all these years of great information, inspiration, and entertainment.  I wish the best for you, and although I’m way out west in California,  If I ever travel to the East Coast, I’ll make an effort to stop in your neck of the woods in VA and check out your empire.  Thank You both for all you have done for all of the scavengers and trash elves out here.

-Steve Koepke

Richmond, CA

Thank you both for the podcast and this forum.  I’ve learned a lot and you’ve helped make it enjoyable and fun.

Hey, I know I don’t post a lot on here but your podcast has helped me a lot throughout my reselling journey. I ended up dropping out of college 6 years ago or so to focus on reselling and there were many points where I was losing confidence in having a stable business,  but your podcast really helped me center myself and think more about my processes and life in general. I enjoy a lot how you talk about the lifestyle of reselling and more so everything around it as well. I’ve learned so much from you not just on the reselling selling side but on the life side as well. Definitely will miss your podcast but will try to be more active in the forums in general. Thanks for everything you do!

So…the the title….I just can’t listen right now.
No numbers this week. I had to cancel sales and close my store for a while.
Why?

I am currently typing this on my phone in the ICU on one of the several ventilators they switch me to/fro.
You may remember we were all subjected to Covid in my house a while back….man it’s been a while! Well it didn’t go well for me. My wife also spent two days in hospital and is at home on steroids and oxygen.

I don’t know when I’ll get to go home.

Anyways, I share all this because this Jay, Ryanne, this group, is like family to me!

J&R, you changed my entire mentality on material things. You inspired me to build this amazing store that Freed me to:

1:not accept being unhappy in my day job.
2: aspire to use my “eBay confidence” and “FU” money  to mold my day job into something really cool through promotions I created.

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your podcasts over the years. Yours was the single most sincere I’ve ever heard.  All great things end and that’s ok!

I’ll build myself up even bigger and better. I can’t wait to get back to posting numbers and conversing on here.

One last comment: GET VACCINATED PEOPLE!!! This delta Covid is SERIOUS for young people. Most of the people in this ICU are young unvaccinated Covid Patients like me. It wrecked my family with even our 2 year old getting a mild case. Please please get vaccinated. I wouldn’t wish what I’ve been through on anyone! Biggest mistake of my life. The reasons I was hesitant are so inconsequential now.

Glad to have you back Retro

Get well soon…

I’m sorry to hear this, altho understood. I still smile at some of the funny stories, road burger, being a favorite! I used to talk about your podcast to people and tell them about my “best friends”. That is what it seemed like sometimes. Thank you for all the wisdom and positive thoughts and encouragement. I am retired and sell part time and I think I will be doing ebay till the end. I will continue to read the forums and maybe even post a little. Enjoy and cheers! From one trash elf to another!

Retro–get well soon.

Retro- I hope you recover fully.

GET VACCINATED PEOPLE!!!

Thank you for all you have done by creating this space and doing your podcast.  You have touched my life in more ways than you can imagine, so thank you both!

It was this community, and your openness about your journey and numbers that really let me know I could maintain a life selling online.  Thank you.

It was your fortitude that gave me the inspiration, to create a consignment community and podcast.  Thank you.

It was your podcast that really let me know there was a community out there, and other people doing what I was.  Working primarily by myself, I was no longer alone!  Thank you.

Best of luck in your endeavors!  -Libby

Jay and Ryanne,

Best of luck to you both!  I will definitely miss your podcasts. I loved listening and will really miss your funny stories and your sharing your life with everyone.

Liz (Catmom)

I am really, REALLY going to miss the podcast.  It was my Monday morning “get ready for work” listen.  I discovered y’all while recovering from open-heart surgery almost 5 years ago and it really lit a fire under me to declutter and sell.  I’ve been a casual eBayer for 20 years, but to see you guys kick it into gear the way you did was incredible.  I now consider myself a part-time reseller.  I love your podcast because y’all kept it real…no crazy hustling, just hard work.  Thanks for all of the years of sharing your experiences on eBay.  I’m also now a Broad Porch Coffee fan!  🙂

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for sharing so much.  You shared the simplest things like shipping, photographs and scavenging to the much more intellectual mind set we all should have.  I started listening back in 2014 on episode 30 or so and went back to number 1 and of course have listened to all 527.  Congratulations on all that you have accomplished.  You both are superior examples of entrepreneurs.  I have been on ebay since 2004, have 3 rental properties and now I guess I need to open a coffee shop too, lol.  I will be ordering some coffee for my family.  Please let us know your next adventure.  Gonna miss ya both.  Dave

Got back from vacation yesterday and just got the news. I will be sorry not to hear your podcast every week any more – it was always friendly and informative and a nice occasion for me to reflect on my own business & life. I think it’s really cool that you documented so much of your business for so long a time.

It’s really an interesting case study that could teach much about business generally. I think I have listened to every episode in sequence. It started very nuts and bolts – “here are things to look for” and “here’s what we sold” and becomes more and more process-related as time goes on. Very scrappy at the start, and by the end we have local real estate barons, employers, and small business owners.  🙂  Always an emphasis on lifestyle too which I appreciate, that is after all the end goal.

I may pop back into the forum from time to time but in truth my ebay business feels on autopilot now as well – not in a bad way, I just don’t have much to discuss. I feel like I just need to execute, more & harder.

Many thanks to you both for sharing of your life so much and so candidly. You gave a lot of people a workable roadmap to increased financial independence, by way of serving other people’s needs and, in essence, recycling. Pretty damn cool.

Really going to miss your podcast. I only found it about 4 months ago and it was a weekly tradition of mine to put it on my car radio for the entire ride home after work on Sundays (the drive almost always coincided to the podcast length as if by magic). I’ve learned so much about eBay (despite selling on there since 1997), coffee, AirBNB and more. You guys have such a fantastic dynamic relationship and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. Wishing you both the best in your lives and everything you do. You’ve already accomplished so much, but I know it’s just the start for you both ^_^.

J&R:
I had been listening to the podcasts weekly for over 24 months. And will miss them. Thanks for keeping the forum along with your weekly updates. I come here for encouragement, help keeping up with eBay and your positive attitudes.

Jay and Ryanne,

Whether you know it or not you guys have truly been one of the biggest and best influences in the eBay reselling community over the years. From “list it and forget it,” “set a high price,” having “FU Money” and of course “Always be listing!” Your “eBay Mantras to Live By” have inspired us all to keep at it and not give up. A lot of us have followed you for many many years, from your early days with Mike and Wendy talking about sustainable living, renovation of your first vacation rental, Traveling abroad while still selling on eBay, your podcast about running an AirBnB business, building your own storage building, hiring your first eBay helper employee, Jay’s love of the scratch and dent store for cheap food to “eat on” and now running a cafe and coffee roaster business I appreciate you allowing us all to live vicariously through your many adventures.

Steph and I just came back from vacation yesterday, so I’m a little late to the farewell party. A part of me is really sad to see the podcast ending, but I’m also really happy for the time our little community got to spend together over the last several years. I started listening to the podcast almost 5 years ago, starting on episode 1. You two have taught me an enormous amount about the eBay business and gaining financial independence. If not for you, I’d still be in a cubical making money for someone else. You’re the catalyst for our independent lifestyle that we love so much.

I think I could feel the end coming for a little while. And honestly, I’ve been sluggish lately in posting on the forum every week myself. I can’t even imagine recording a 30-60 minute podcast every week, especially with your busy workload and endeavors. I’m honored to have been a part of this community, and I wish you nothing but the best for your future! Trash elves for life!

Jay and Ryanne:  I’ve been listening since way back in the Mikey and Wendy days, but have rarely commented, even though you’ve motivated me each and every week and I’ve learned a business-changing amount from you two (and Steven Schultz).  So for every person that says Thank You on this thread, there’s many, many more out there with gratitude for you that’s never expressed here.  Your love of community and generosity is wide-ranging, life-transforming, and much, much appreciated.

Long time lurker, haven’t posted much unfortunately. I wanted to give a big thanks for you keeping the podcast up so long! Not sure how you went so long and made each episode engaging and informative but you most certainly did it as I don’t think anybody else could have done it…but you did! Thank you SO MUCH for being at the pinnacle of resellers online. You’ve left us all in a better place.

Thank you guys so much.  You had a massively positive impact on my life.  You have done so much for me and others.  It was listening to you that made me take the leap and quit my job that I hated and move to the country to do ebay full time.  I likely would have never made that change without you guys.

I wish you all the best.  You will be sadly missed.

Thank you Jay and Ryanne!  Your podcast for the past 5+ years was my traveling companion on my 2 hour ride into work each week.  Learned a lot and it was always interesting and entertaining.  The best was when I would pick up and sell items on my way to work while I was listening to the podcast.  It was like I was in Scavenger mode to get things bought and sold on my stops.

To anyone who travels a lot, my minivan purchase has basically paid for itself with the great gas mileage and the extra cargo room with the seats down.

Thanks again for the great podcast streak.  Other greats have come out of retirement Brett Favre, George Foreman, John McEnroe.  Maybe you will come out of podcast retirement one day and return!

Hey guys, I somehow got WAY behind on this podcast and have finally been catching up.  When I saw the title “The End” I was sad, but not completely surprised.  I have listened to every episode and it was a game changer for me, so thank you for that.  I’m always so impressed with everything you do, and I don’t know how you keep up!  Hopefully I’ll make it out your way one of these days and stop in for a cup of coffee.  Thanks again.

Sarah (Idahoarder)

Also, my beloved Scavenger Life mug just got chipped!  If you have any laying around, sell one too me!  🙂

To J and R

Today I mourn a Loss.

After listening to scavenger life since around episode 100 many many years ago. I had fallen about 3 months behind on episodes and skipped ahead to “The End”.

It hit me like a ton of bricks, like a punch in the gut like, like losing friends.

I am not a regular poster to the forum, but I had to put my thoughts out here. Even though the show was always about “selling on ebay” but it was also more. It was about your lives, your unique perspectives, personalities, and your ideas you poured into it. And though I realize you don’t know me at all. After years of listening to you I feel like I know you both. No not everything about you, but at least like a friend ive seen 500 or so times. It is such a strange thought to think going forward that I wont hear your voices and thoughts.

I know I know that we can download the old ones but that’s just not the same as knowing new ones are coming. Some part of me hopes that you guys will consider doing like a monthly podcast just talking about life in your small town, or something like that but I understand that you are busy and also that doing that just might not interest you.

Regardless of all that let me say THANK YOU for all the years you guys spent doing this. It has been wonderful getting your help and Ideas with my ebay store. And It has been wonderful feeling like I got to know you.  As Mr Rogers said “The greatest gift you ever give is your honest self.”  SO thank you for that gift. It has been a pleasure listening to you all these years.

May you both Live Long and Prosper!

Your fan and friend,

-Will

Hello Ryanne and Jay – Is there a cost to keep the Forum up and running? Even though you are not posting the weekly podcast, the Forum is still a great resource! Is your Tip Jar still active?

Thanks, Elizabeth