What Sells On eBay: Kodak cameras, Coleman cooler, Weejuns, Moto X boots, Magnavox B&W TV, Zenith record player, 8mm Tape rewinder

Steve – You’re the laziest eBay seller? Ha! Believe me, you have competition!

I purchased a vacuum cleaner for $5 two or three years ago. It was working just fine, but then the belt kept breaking, and I decided to part it out. Seems to be the theme on SL the last week or so. The canister sold pretty quickly for $22.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/183654450803

I originally had this plaque in a heavy frame, but a guy from Alaska only wanted the plaque. He has a collection of very old religious items, and he was making a box to store them. He already had one box with a similar plaque (he sent me a photo of it). He wanted to save on shipping, so I sold him only the plaque and the mounting board. Purchased for $1, sold for $30.50.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/183386851576

This metronome was free at an auction. Someone bought a box lot, but only wanted a few items. It provides a variable beat for practicing a musical instrument (I assume). It was made in the US, but it is now headed for Germany. Sold for $29.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/182874561581

I purchased the contents of a shelving unit in an online auction. I was surprised at the value of this BMW 5 Series service manual. Paid $0.25, sold for $50.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/183287823238

I purchased a set of Gorham crystal in an online auction, 15 water glasses and 15 wine glasses. I am selling both in sets of three. The first to sell is a set of three water glasses for $42. I paid about $22 for all of them.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/183628216513

Over the summer, a friend was helping to clear out the contents of an office building. Her group was moving in, but the previous occupants moved to a new building with new furniture. I got a number of things for my house, but I also took five vintage office electric typewriters. I finally got to testing them a few weeks ago. They all partially work, but will need maintenance or repair to work as originally intended. I didn’t have boxes big enough, so I listed them as local pickup. Two sold to not local people. I did find one box, but wasn’t able to work it out with the first buyer. I canceled that purchase and relisted it with shipping. The second guy, though, chose to ship it via UPS. I sold it for $60, but his cost to pack and ship was a bit under $75.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/183653501095

This cute gin bottle lamp had a damaged shade, but I was able to sell it for $41.60. I paid $0.75 in an auction lot. I did replace the wiring, which cost $3-$4.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/183558622095

• This reply was modified 6 years, 9 months ago by Sharyn.

It’s a shame the Kodak cameras aren’t worth a whole lot. I think they’re really cool. But I guess since the specific film isn’t made anymore, it’s only the collectors who are interested. Anyways, I made quite a few interesting sales last week. There’s too many to list here, but here’s some of the more notable highlights…

When I saw that Coleman cooler in your video, I did a double take! I just sold the same exact model last week! Mine had a few extras included, so I was able to get $100 for it. I paid the minimum price of $2 for it at an auction. I had to make a Frankenstein box for it just as you did. It went all the way to California, so shipping was around $80. I’m so thankful I put the correct weight in the listing.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/302836549121

I acquired an old scrapbook at an auction that was filled with old snapshots and school photos. It looked like it belonged to a high school girl from the 1930s. I listed a bunch of class photos as separate listings and within a week got a message asking for a deal on all of them. So I settled for $60 for six. But what was cool was the person lived just in the next town over from me. He chose local pickup and was at my house the same day. He was younger than I was, but he said he knows plenty of local people what would either have been one of the people in the photos or would know who they were.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/302836549121

I was just about to sell these as a lot for $15 or $20 when I thought to see if these specific kinds of picture frames would be popular. And I’m glad I did! They’re labeled as micro mosaic photo frames, and they typically sell for $15 or 20 each. I’m glad I did the research on these, and I’ll be looking for them in the future.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/303032880713

Last week I mentioned the Emerson portable tube radio that your radio from last week reminded me of. I bought this at an auction for $4. Unfortunately, it took a ‘B’ size battery which either isn’t produced anymore or would have been too much effort to track down a usable one. So I sold it as is for $30 (actually, I sold the old ‘B’ battery that came with it earlier as a collectable for $15).
https://www.ebay.com/itm/303018942260

My big sale of the week was pretty exciting. Last year, I purchased a gigantic lot of photo slides for $105 at an auction. It literally filled my entire car with carousel wheels and binders full of them. Over the last couple of months, I’ve been slowly going through and listing them, and have since made my money back and then some. But this sale really proves that slides are a nice money maker if you’ve got something spectacular. This was a lot that I put together for a person in the UK. I made a custom listing because he didn’t want to pay shipping fees 4 times understandably. Four slides for $160! 3 were of Reno, Nevada in 1975. The photographer was actually a professional photographer and graphic designer, so he knew how to take a good photo. I’ve got thousands more to list too. Talk about a great pipeline!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/303045613293

Oh, you’re right. Here’s the correct link to the photos…
https://www.ebay.com/itm/303039029608
That’s a good point about what people back then would most likely want to photograph. If only they knew what would be considered valuable now days.

A bunch of fun sales from a few months ago. Buyer paid shipping.

From time to time I stop at a mostly junky thrift store that overprices everything, so their inventory turn-over is very slow – really annoying. They think a well-worn LL Bean mock neck shirt is worth $7! But it’s on my way, and sometimes I find a gem. I don’t usually do men’s shirts, but this one seemed good quality, by a brand I was not familiar with (Isaia), and apparently neither were they. Paid $3. Sold in 3 months for $64.

https://imgur.com/a/TCW4kZ6

Learned about buying used/opened perfume here on SL and also from youtuber The Paper Castle. Found this full or almost full bottle at a Greek festival rummage sale booth, did some stealthy ebay lookups back over by the food booth, and then came back to purchase it for $3. Sold in one month for $75.

https://imgur.com/a/8G5uiW9

First heard the term “melmac” on SL. Picked up a large 30pc lot of Texas Ware melmac at an otherwise crappy yard sale for $2. Wasn’t too sure I would make much (who buys plastic tea cups and saucers these days?), but figured it would at least be a learning experience. Well I had beginners luck. In 2 months, the 3 lots I split it into were all purchased by the same person at the same time, for a total of $106 at full price. So yay. I really like the design of the sugar and creamer. It took a bit of research to figure out that the yellow pieces and the multi-color leaf pieces are part of the same set – IMO, they don’t really go well together.

https://imgur.com/a/fkDzFVY

And finally, last but not least, something that immediately said to me “this looks like something J&R would buy” as soon as I saw it. It’s a small pillow cover made from a pakistani rug. Still with tag :). Paid $1.50, and thought I could get $40-50. Sold in 10 months for $30.

https://imgur.com/a/zpqwhO4

I’m not entirely “responsible” for many of my solds last week – some freebies and commissions – but here are some nonetheless. Happy to have 5 shoe sales after adding in Returns. Hope the trend continues. Just bought another pair after mentally crossing them off my list. Hope springs eternal.

I bought these Lowa hiking boots for myself at a thrift store, planning to keep them myself. But even with thick socks they were a bit too big. Paid $25, and wasn’t going to budge on the price, even having a few offers made. Sold for $128 after the buyer confirmed that she could return for sizing. https://www.ebay.com/itm/MINT-Lowa-Renegade-GTX-Mid-Gore-Tex-Purple-Nubuck-Hiking-Boots-US-W10-EU-42/323347702971

I bought these hiking boots for myself off eBay a few years back (I have picky feet), and they’re just too stiff and rub on bad spots, so up they went. Took many months, and a sale to move them, at a great price for the Buyer IMO. Buyer messaged me after they arrived, with a photo of herself wearing them, gushing over them and the fact that they are the ones made in Italy (which you’ll see is in the item title). Win. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vasque-Sundowner-Black-Leather-Gore-Tex-Hiking-Trekking-Boot-Womens-9-Italy/323357341079

These Johnston & Murphy boots were one of my first purchases outside of selling my own things. They were a case in point in my inability to spot shoe damage before getting them home/photographed! Got them at a yard sale for $3, and in addition to being a large size 13, I must have had them priced too high for resale. I’ve lowered the price on them bit by bit over the last 3 years, and they finally went: https://www.ebay.com/itm/J-M-1850-Johnston-Murphy-Karnes-Cap-Toe-Brogue-Black-Leather-Chukka-Boot-13M/322333980381

From the ongoing poodle lot I purchased, my high dollar sale of the bunch – a set of two that I paid ~ $8 or so for (hard to equally price all the figurines, as they vary in size and value; sellable lots all things equal were $2 apiece); they sold for $50: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Flocked-Spaghetti-Ceramic-Lot-of-2-White-Poodles-Gold-Pink-Rose-6/323427871513

Finally, I still have some of my lot of WW2 escape maps that my stepfather got at an auction years ago. Got around to listing some of the few non-Asia ones I have, which I know can go for more. I had 4 of this one particular European one, and couldn’t determine how to price. Perhaps I rushed it. Certainly didn’t channel my inner Ryanne. But I was mildly scientific and cautious, pricing just one at $99. Sold within a day. A few days later, listed the next one at $125. Sold within a day. A few days later, listed the next one at $175, and it sold within a few days. Just listed the last one at $250; will let you know how it goes. As to my others, I’m thinking I’m going to have to lower prices perhaps to move a few….there are so many on eBay right now, moreso than I remember when I first listed them a year or two back. https://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-AAF-Cloth-Escape-Map-Scarf-Mediterranean-No-4-Tyrol-No-6-Balkans-1943/323668676535

Wow! Great sales from everyone this week! Learned a couple of things, and wished I had found a few of those items that are buzzing on my radar! A lackluster week of sales for me last week. I’ll share a something sold from eBay and from Etsy.

Nothing unusual about a 1800’s roached out Steamer Trunk, but this one is a bit smaller at 24 inches across, and 23 pounds. After buying and buying just about everything a favorite flea vendor showed me, I said yes to this little beast too and kept things flowing. I paid $10, hoping to just flip it same day for $20. I decided to list it and it sold a few weeks later for Best Offer $75. Only $65 to ship from Fl to CA by FedEx Home Delivery; FedEx my new best friend.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Chest-Steamers-Trunk-black-red-insert-tray-authentic-patina-late-19th/254056138890?hash=item3b26ed088a:g:zOkAAOSwAP9cMnW7

I found a bag of these little brass jibs all tarnished and nasty at the flea. Having sold them before, I knew I was going to make some money for little effort. Paid $1, sold for $30 in a couple of weeks on Etsy.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/676837251/piston-jib-snap-hook-clip-lot-true-brass?show_sold_out_detail=1

That’s all folks

Not the laziest! But hey! Having time to be lazy is such a gift! I just retired last Friday from my nursing job and now I’m all Ebay all the time! And I STILL go down rabbit holes of research. So bottom line is I’m still spending all day and maybe getting 6 listings up. When I compare myself to Jay and Ryanne’s 20 listings a day, I SUCK SUCK SUCK. That said I am loving having all the time in the world. The time pressure is gone. One week in. Will update in 6 months! Hope I don’t turn into a cat lady!
Steve you are a rock star with all your electronics rehab. The rehab is half the joy right? I love taking dirty junky things and making them shiny new again and then selling them. There is a whole subculture of rehab/restoration you tube videos on everything from athletic shoes to antique typewriters. Nirvana. Some of them are headlined as ASMR. Causing tingling and such. LOL! Love this life. Love the dog and cat sequences at the end of your videos – wish they would go on for an hour. Stay warm! And if you can’t do that in North Dakota, wrap up in your vintage Pendleton blankets and vintage Woolrich goose down jackets and enjoy Marantz sounds in front of your fireplace with your fur babies.

Thanks for sharing. Steve that looks mighty cold! We are starting to look at colleges for my son now, and after watching the national weather lately, I’m kinda reconsidering U Michigan and U Minnesota. He’s sick of wearing sunscreen everyday, but…that Polar Freeze sounded scary. We are finally! out of drought here into severely dry 🙂 Hoping our water rates go down.

A few interesting sales. This midcentury art pottery dish sold for best offer of $40. I’m a sucker for the crackle finish. Took a while and went to Palm Springs. Pretty cheap shipping since so close, though I am starting to notice the price hikes. I paid $3 I think for this at a thrift store.

These 80s Just Ask children’s books are really awesome for science-compromised parents and sell well. These I read to my kids and picked up used. At my favorite thrift store, I narrowly missed buying another set. Some ladies are plowing through the kids books lately and taking virtually all of them. Overall, I really like selling used kids books in sets. Another set of my daughter’s sold recently for $35. I paid a fair amount for these when she was on a tear. Sometimes I step up and pay full price for my kids when it comes to books they are really into.

Sold this vintage breadbox and very happy to get it out of the garage. Sold super quickly at $35 and I paid I think less than $10.

Finally, I still pick up paper goods if cheap. The vintage hallmark cards have been hit and miss (Christmas didn’t move well), but some does ok. These 80s Garfield book plates I got for .50 each at the indy thrift. I put these stickers I stole from my daughter because the old ladies tape down their price tags and I can’t peel them off without ripping the plastic. If someone has a better solution, please let me know.

love that breadbox!

Just realized that I posted this under the wrong week. Sorry for the repost.

Kind of a slow week here this week, but had a few good sales.

Sold this vintage log cabin dog house playing card box for $35. Came in a lot that I bought to get something else, so basically free. I buy card boxes anytime I can find them anyway as they always seem to sell well.
Vintage Wood Log Cabin Dog House Playing Card Box Holder 2 Decks Made in Japan

Still selling Christmas ornaments. Sold this 1974 Hallmark Norman Rockwell ornament for $39.95 with just about a $1 investment. Came in a huge lot we bought for $30 or so.
Rare Vintage 1974 Hallmark Norman Rockwell Glass Christmas Ornament Original Box

Sold a few vintage fishing lures out of a large lot I bought at an online auction. Averaged $1.75 per lure. This Shur Strike wood lure sold for $70 best offer. I was asking $89. Posted the listing to a fishing lure group on eBay and had 5 offers by the next afternoon.
Vintage 1930’s Shur Strike Surf-Oreno Style Wood Lure Glass Eyes Red Dace Color

Finally, sold this Sangean Short Wave radio for a best offer of $100 on an asking price of $149. had gotten several mush lower offers previously, but these are always good bets for me. Paid $20 for it at an Estate Sale.
Sangean ATS-909 FM Stereo/MW/LW/SW Radio

After my slowest January ever where I only sold 48 items, I had a day this week with 10 sales! I guess ebay “opened” my store, har har. All bread and butter items.

Interesting items:

1968 Naval Academy Yearbook paid $2, sold for $39.99. Not great condition but Ollie North was a student at that time which may have been what helped sell the book.

Salt & Pepper Shakers from Noritake Conservatory’s line of china. Paid $50 for the entire set of dishes and made my $50 back just on the shakers, which were chipped. Had they been in better shape I could have sold them for closer to $100. What I’ve learned about selling dishes: the high dollar items are typically: the butter dish, s & p shakers & the coffee mugs (but NOT the tea cups – big difference between the two). Sometimes there will be an outlier. In this set it’s the cereal bowls which I currently have listed at $150 for 5.

Lot of Dragon Ball Party Favor Bags – I sell these in lots for $12 and I’ve sold tons of them. So far my profit has been $189.43 from what has sold. I found a trash bag full of them at my GW two years ago. I love it because it’s just one listing, they’re super easy to ship and no one ever returns this type of item. I don’t even know what “Dragon Ball” is but it looked anime-ish which is why I bought them.

Great sales, Julie B. Ryanne has mentioned Dragonball Z on the podcast a few times over the years as some sort of 1990s thing. I was alive in the 1990s and never heard of it, so I guess I’m too old or wasn’t hip enough. 🙂

Their was a guy from Japan that called in last week. The option to send offers to watchers he spoke about is available for one of my 3 stores. I’ve used it and it is a great feature.