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An outstanding week of sales in terms of variety, with items sold in 8 different categories — very unusual for my store where 90% of my business historically has been trading card singles and trading card lots. But, as we all learned together through this podcast, one of the beautiful things about selling on eBay is that you can pivot quickly, and that seems to be the direction I’m headed in with Q4 on the horizon. Cards are still the foundation of my business. But there is definitely room for other collectibles, and signed memorabilia, and weird books and media — and I’m starting to develop an eye for what will sell quickly, same as I do with cards.
On the card side of the business, my numbers were boosted by four sales in the $100 range, with my favorite this Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles card signed by creator Peter Laird for $125. Unlike most of my eBay card sales in the last year, this one took a bit of time — I originally bought the card in May 2023 for just under $50. Comps were strong, but this didn’t receive any offers at all until I switched the category this past month during my end of summer Sell Similar Spectacular. I might have adjusted the price, too. Whatever I did, it woke up what had been a dead listing. I actually received a few sub-$100 offers, but held out for an offer in the range of $125, which is what I ultimately accepted. Cowabunga!
I’ve been doing well with women’s basketball cards this year, and this autograph of the great former player, now coach Dawn Staley was a good example of the kind of flip I’m focused on right now — listed on August 16th, a net of $67.80 with a COGS of around $25. They don’t all sell as quickly as this one did, or for this close to my BIN, but that’s the goal.
I did very well with signed memorabilia this week, which was where the variety in listing categories came from. This bat signed by Detroit Tigers legend Denny McLain is in transit to Michigan, which is where I hope it will live the rest of its bat life in a home where it is displayed proudly. $18.50 COGS, $34.32 net — not a huge profit, but this is a new area to me, so I’m happy. I’m out of shipping tubes, so I am planning on taking the mile walk to a nearby shopping center this week where there is a sporting goods store to see if I can snag a couple more tubes before another bat sells and I have to scramble for a box. I’d rather not order tubes if I don’t have to.
Same general margin on this Dave Robinson signed Packers mini helmet, maybe a few bucks extra profit. Both this helmet and the McLain bat sold within a week of being listed. If that isn’t going to motivate me to get these oddball items listed, nothing will!
One more from the listed this week, sold this week pile — this minor league lineup card signed by Rod Barajas, net of $21.50 with a COGS of $10, going to the town of the minor league team. Sold in less than a day! Love to see that. This was enormous, but I bought a package of very large bubble mailers (like 16×20) on clearance when I was at some office supply store a year or two ago. Maybe longer. Down to my last one!
The oddball item of the week was definitely this cast iron bookend of Amos Alonzo Stagg, a pioneer in developing football, for a net of $25.62. I paid $7.50 back in January. The original listing had the title Amos Alonzo Stagg Bronze Yale Statue 1st All American Team 1889. Not bad, but I Goldilocks’d the listing and did better. I got lucky with this sale, the buyer lives just a few states away, which allowed me to do one of my favorite things — ship in a priority regional box (RIP) without eating into my margins.
What did you sell this week?
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You could get these triangular shipping “tubes” for free if you ship your bats via Priority mail. This is the 38″ size, and I just noticed a note that they will be discontinuing this product once their inventory is depleted, so get them while you can. There is a 25″ size as well, and you can always tape two together.
You might be able to ship the bat to most of the US and keep within your $19.99 ship price, but you might have issues with a multi-purchase customer. You can use these boxes for international shipping as well.
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Thanks so much! I had assumed (incorrectly) that these were discontinued a few years ago when USPS started consolidating and cutting services. I’m going to order a few packs and pile them on top of my stash of regional boxes.
I might need to adjust my shipping costs on items like this. Still figuring all that out as I build up little stashes of these random items.
I think you’re right that I would have issues with a multi-purchase customer, but I’ll cross that bridge if and when I come to it. It would be a good problem to have.
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https://www.ebay.com/itm/266891998711
American Girl Julie Doll Retro Table and Swivel Chairs Yellow White Blue
Picked up at a yard sale for $2. American Girl stuff is a BOLO if cheap. The problem is it’s rarely cheap.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/266891999234
The Clone Wars Captain Rex Command Helmet 1:1 Electronic Voice Star Wars 2008
I’ve sold a BUNCH of these voice changer helmets over the years. A definite bolo if you see them. Cosplayers eat them up.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/266969408295
Larry Mahan Green Lizard Cowboy Western Boots Size 8.5 B Vintage
Picked these up in a lot of boots a few weeks ago at a yard sale. My cost was $15. These sold same day for $150.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/266949693209
Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-P10 5.0MP Digital Camera Tested & Working with adapter
There is a strange market for old point & shoot digital and film cameras.
This sold for full price and was part of a big box of stuff put into an even bigger offer pile at the vintage toy yard sale this summer. My COGS was pretty much zero.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/266628880726
Houston Oilers Sports Specialties Script Snapback Hat Vintage
I felt good when I picked this up as Oilers stuff does very well. I didn’t think it would be $100 good though!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/266312139781
PG Drives PENNY GILES Joystick 3 PIN D50020/03 Power Chair Jazzy
I still have a few pieces kicking around from when I parted out a mobility scooter a few years ago. I’ve done VERY well on that decision. Sold on offer for $100.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/266968061034
Haggar Repreve Suit Pants Slim Fit Stretch Charcoal Smart Wash 30×30 NWT
I regularly find men’s dress pants new with tags at thrift stores. I almost always pick them up because they are only $4 and are an easy $25 sale. These sold within 2 days of listing. I’ve pretty much cut back my clothing purchases to either new with tags, 100%+ STR, or worth $50+. I also have a big push on-going to get my clothing death piles listed. I should have alot more bread n butter sales like this in my future.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/266808737099
Love Com manga Vol. 1-13 English Missing Volume 6 & 12 book lot Lovely Complex
Man I have been kicking around this item for years now! Several years ago I picked up a huge collection of Manga from a yard sale for $200. I’ve made well over $2000 from everything. One in particular was a series called Nana that I sold for over $600! This series in particular I have one of the more valuable books – volume 13. It alone is worth over $100. I have fielded soooooo many requests to sell just book 13. Always someone wanting it for nothing.
I’ve been sending offers in the $200-300 range forever. Every time I tell myself I should just lower the BIN. Finally I got a $200 offer and just decided to part ways with it. They get a great deal and I’m done with it/get the space back. Win/win!
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Nothing exciting from last week, but going back a bit further I sold this discontinued Anthropologie shower curtain for the original new price (paid $4?) https://www.ebay.com/itm/235649468353
https://www.ebay.com/itm/334882034928 Also sold this vintage bank, which could pass for just a figurine on a tiki mug shelf.
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