Scavenger Life Episode 326: What Is A Scavenger Vacation?

[Ryanne]

Hey, we’re in Europe! We contemplate what it means to be able to have four weeks away and trek around like non-fancy, fancy people. What does it mean
[See the full post at: Scavenger Life Episode 326: What Is A Scavenger Vacation?]

[Linda Shields]

As I listen to this my friend’s house in Venice FL, which I visted 2 weeks ago, is being slammed by hurricane Irma. Bummer.

[LaVonna]

What are selling ‘lots’? If you click on the little circle with the “i” inside it, it says the following:

Group similar or identical items−for example, a case of batteries, three dresses, a CD collection−that you want to sell together to a single buyer.

[Linda Shields]

LaVonna, do you mean “bundle”? I know what a lot is. I am unsure what they mean by a bundle.

[dearmila]

Sept 3 – Sept 9, 2017
Total Items in Store: 345
Items Sold: 19
Cost of Items Sold: approx. $19
Total Sales: $297.63 (excluding selling costs)
Highest Price Sold: $29.99 (charming “Landscape” raw fabric by Peter Pan Fabrics)
Average Price Sold: $15.66
Returns: 1 (buyer’s remorse)
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $24.68
Number of items listed this week: 38

Did a little better w/ listing this week, getting the number of items in store up. Sales were not that impressive, but steady, average price sold dipped. Sourcing less items lately, though going to same place each week (the bins) just getting pickier and a little more experienced I guess about what I feel like is worth selling, which is good. But that also means I need to add another sourcing trip weekly to be able to list enough, either back to the bins or somewhere else and be willing to possibly pay more.

With the school year started, more kids’ clothes are selling. As has been mentioned, most kids’ clothes are not worth selling, but Mini Boden, Peek, Naartjie, Hanna Andersson and Tea Collection, I still pick up, Mini Boden especially. Running auctions daily and more sales to keep movement going in the store. I find that this is necessary, for me at least, probably for the size of my store, to keep steady sales coming in.

We also started our homeschool school year this week, trying new classes and things are busier, so trying to find a good work – homeschool balance. My tendency is to stay up way too late working after my daughter goes to sleep, just getting drunk off the uninterrupted span of time. But really I know this isn’t the best way, I get things done, but it takes me longer at night because I’m tired from the day, and I let myself get distracted more. So am trying to switch to getting more work done in the morning.

“Ugly produce” was mentioned on one of the podcasts… we recently signed up w/ and received our first shipment of “imperfect produce” (imperfectproduce.com)… you can get produce, not fit for selling in the markets for one reason or another & can customize your order. We signed up for an every other week organic box. We like it alot so far!

Also took my daughter and her friend to their first, old style marionette puppet show at the historic Bob Baker Marionette theater, for any of you in Southern California. It’s really great and a must see 🙂

• This reply was modified 6 years, 12 months ago by dearmila. Reason: omission

[Steven S]

Sept 2 to 8 2017 $1480

• Total Items in Store: 835
• Items Sold: 17 Total (15 eBay / 1 Bonanza / 1 Truegether)
• International 2 via GSP
• Total Sales $1649 ($1572 eBay / $50 Bonanza / $27 Truegether)
• Highest Price $700 Marantz preamp
• Average Price Sold: $97
• Returns: 0
• Cost of Items Sold: $325
• Cost of items purchased this week $50

Weird message from eBay saying the sale on the Marantz preamp has been removed and this came a day after I shipped it. Apparently the buyer notified eBay that his account has been hacked and eBay says no further communications with this buyer is allowed.
Of course I got right on the phone with eBay CS and they said that as long as the money is in my account it shouldn’t be a problem. I remember I also received a message from the buyer immediately after the sale wanting it shipped to a different address which is actually not far from his verified address and I agreed to send it there which in hindsight now makes me nervous. I emailed the buyer via his PayPal email address and he replied that yes he did purchase the preamp so hopefully there won’t be any further trouble.
The sale was completely removed from ebay, it shows up in my what sold but if you click on it it goes nowhere, so no eBay protections and if there is a problem I guess it will have to be resolved through Paypal’s resolution center.

[Rydell Relics]

RR Store Week Sept 3-9, 2017

Total Items in Store: 1,351
Items Sold: 28
Cost of Items Sold: $44.60
Total Sales: $790.40
Highest Price Sold: $99 (1940’s high heels)
Average Price Sold: $28.23
Returns: 0
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $0
Number of items listed this week: 41

Just missed my weekly goal by less than $10 bucks, but I’ll take it! I haven’t been able to source much the last two weeks while I recover from a minor health issue, so today’s trip to Goodwill felt great. Found a few nice things. And it helped with the cabin fever that had set in.

For the last year or so, traveling has been the furthest thing from my mind as I build my business back up to the level I need it to be. But as I slowly achieve that, the thought of taking a mini vacation is very tempting. But what I really want to take is a buying trip. I love the idea of coming home with a carload of goodies just waiting to be listed. But first I have to knock this rent out. Soon!

*Paul*

[LoveJam]

Jay, very cool to hear you’re an LCD fan…I’ve seen them play twice in the LA area over the years and am looking forward to listening to their new album while I pack and ship this week.

-Matt

[Jay]

LCD Soundystem is a perfect snapshot of my late 20’s.

[T-Satt]

Totally agree with how you do vacation. We always go places for at least two weeks, and when we do, we get a house and hit the grocery store first thing. We love to cook, we love seeing the different foods in different areas, and making our vacation feel like we live somewhere else. We like to have the washer/dryer as well, so we can pack with just one suitcase.

Week of 9/3-9/9
Total Items in Store: 1,703
Number of Items Listed: 48
Number of Items Sold: 63
Weekly STR: 16%
Total Product Sales: $1,707.42
Cost of Items Sold: $397.33
Gross Profit for Week: $1,113.46
Highest Item Sold: $185 – In Classical Mood 60 Volume CD Boxed Music Set.
Competition: Highest Priced Sale: Veronica wins the week and Veronica leads for the year 21-14.

We took some time on Labor Day to work on some non-eBay items, primarily garden related, and I was working on my contract accounting gig for a few days, so it really cut into our listing time. We still got some good sourcing in this weekend. Building up a good backlog for Q4.

For those that are going to the Nebraska Junk Jaunt, if you want a great burger in Grand Island, hit up the Sin City Grill. Excellent!

A couple of interesting issues this week. As a heads up to all eBayers, I noticed an issue w/ eBay tracking this week. We had a Late Shipment defect that showed up on our account, and when I downloaded the full report to see what it was, we saw the flaw. The buyer paid for the item on 8/28 at 11:05pm, and we have same day shipping with a 2pm cutoff. The eBay handling calculation said I should have shipped the item on 8/28 at 10:59….6 minutes before they paid. We ship fast…but not that fast!!! I contacted eBay and they should be handling it, and I sent it on to Griff as well, since an eBay Radio caller had a similar issue. Folks may want to check their Late Handling reports to see if they have a similar issue.

The other issue was that I was contacted through our Store Facebook Page by a buyer who wanted on of my Broncos Jerseys via local pickup the next morning since he was on his way to the game. I said that was fine, and he paid for the item via PayPal. I contacted him later and said that for local pickup, I would need cash (since with local pickup, there is no tracking, and a scammer could file with PayPal for non-delivery and get his cash back). He said no problem, and I gave him a refund through PayPal. A few days later, eBay gave us a ding for a Canceled Sale for Out of Stock. I called to ask what it was, and they said that since I refunded the buyer on PayPal, they assumed the sale was cancelled for out of stock. I was pretty ticked, but was able to get it removed after having the buyer send a message to me (via eBay Messaging) that he wanted local pickup. So just a warning if you have a similar situation, don’t have the buyer pay via PayPal at all, and just do local pickup for cash.

[Sharyn]

T-Satt –

If you do a cash sale on a local pickup, are you cutting eBay out of the deal? Or do they still get their fees somehow? There could be an issue if they don’t get their fees.

Jay & Ryanne have mentioned that they ask a buyer to pay upfront on a local pickup, but you are saying the opposite. I know that when I sell something through a Facebook post, the buyer might try to negotiate the price down when I meet up with them. Usually anything I list on Facebook is something I’m just trying to get rid of, so I can lower the price. On the other hand, I’ve just wasted my time for very little money.

So, for eBay, I want to have the person pay for it first, and then I’ll refund their money if they don’t want it. There’s a less chance that they’ll ask for a lower price.

Just two sides to the argument. I can see the issue with PayPal. The podcast today mentioned getting a signature or photograph to show that the item was picked up. I’ve only had maybe four or so local pickups so far, and they have all worked out. I’ve never gotten a signature, but maybe I should start doing that.

[T-Satt]

No, I would not cut eBay out if they saw the item on eBay (that is a quick way to a suspension). If they purchase via eBay, eBay will get their fees. PayPal does not get any fees unless the buyer pays via PayPal.

I do all local pickup as COD. If the buyer pays via PayPal, and there is no tracking and proof of delivery, PayPal will refund the buyer if they file a claim that the item did not arrive. I have thought of doing signed receipts and even pictures of the buyer’s Driver’s License as proof, but it seems PayPal will not accept anything except Third Party Tracking.

Jay/Ryanne: When you have sold something that the buyer is having picked up by a third party shipper, does the third party shipper provide anything that could be used as tracking to satisfy a PayPal inquiry for proof of delivery?

[ChristineR]

Total Items in Store: 360
Items Sold: 7
Cost of Items Sold: $122 new + $15
Total Sales: $339
Highest Price Sold: $76 (New Platter – paid $36 spring clearance)
Average Price Sold: $48
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $18
Number of items listed this week: 33

Had some time off my contract job and finally got some listing done. I’ve added more free shipping to first class items. Though my store is small, I’ve noticed it has helped move some RA new items that have been sitting. I’ve also tried promotions but have only sold a couple of those items. It looks on my bill that Ebay is only giving a partial refund for the promotion fees. I’m not sure how they calculate the rebate. I hope to list a few of our Halloween items and my kids’ old costumes that I’m ready to part with this week. I’m annoyed with the listing improvements functionality, but not going to rant about that again. I try to clean it out every day.

As far as vacations go, we definitely have been in the cocktail poolside group though we hate to dress up (from Cali) and don’t go to very expensive restaurants. Now that the kids are older and we like more space (to keep the peace) we do AirBnB and I cook a lot of our own food. We are also wanting to show them new cities before they start applying to colleges. Enjoy your down time R & J.

[Sharyn]

Week of Sept 3 – 9
* Total Items in Store: 999
* Items Sold: 20
* Cost of Items Sold: $24.75 + $0 Commission
* Total Sales: $415
* Highest Price Sold: $50 – 1984 Pantone Fan Deck & Book
* Average Price Sold: $20.65
* Returns: 0
* Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $46.50
* Number of items listed this week: over 40

This week, I had one buyer who bought two items from me at the same time for $76, which would make it my highest sale. I wasn’t sure which to put down, so I chose the highest single sale.

Kids are finally back to school and I have been able to start listing again!!! The light kit I bought is definitely helping to speed up my listing, but I still have to do minor adjustments in eBay.

I had a few really good sales on Sunday from those newer listings, but those will show up in next week’s numbers.

[Brian Treasures from Grandmas]

Ugh, so much fomo right now that you’re in Europe. My wife & I need to get our next trip scheduled!

Week September 3-9, 2017

Total Items in Store: 909
Items Sold: 36 (5 Amazon)
Cost of Items Sold: $249 (20.4% of sales)
Total Sales: $1,222.29
Highest Price Sold: $119.99 (SEALED 10-Pack Maxell XLII cassettes)
Average Price Sold: $33.95
Returns: 1
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $0
Number of items listed this week: 0
Promoted listings test: 11 sales, $456.47 (37.3% of total sales), $24.07 fees (5.3% of sales)

My week was already shaping up to be decent/around average. But on Friday, a buyer in the UK asked about several Beatles albums. After a lot of back & forth and working our details, he ended up buying 11 albums for $420 (gave him 25% off for buying a lot) plus $80 USPS Priority International with insurance. That sale bumped me up into a great week. Because I sold these, my COGS were a bit higher that I like but still in the acceptable range.

[simplicio]

Cool to hear your podcast! My wife and I have travelled very little but our honeymoon was Iceland, where we were lucky enough to stay with family for 2 weeks. Definitely worth exploring, although the prices are definitely crazy. It was a good way to start our marriage I suppose, with an “omg we need to reaaaally budget” realization.

Assuming my two outstanding buyers pay, this was a pretty decent week.

Sales: CAD$576, 6 items
COGS: $136
Gross profit after fees: $349
Expenditures incl. new inventory: $92
Net profit: $257
Hours: 11, hourly rate $23/hr
Listed: 9 items, at least $180 (some of this is experiments so I’m not valuing it highly)
Notable sales: $20–>$200 CB radio tester, Lot of 25 Dell keyboards $20–>$100, MCM starburst wall clock $20–>$75, Wedgwood china set $10–>$100.
Notable buys: Got a bunch of motorcycle exhaust system parts for $10… looks like I may clear $300 from all this but it’ll take some research. Also a bunch of taillights and stuff like that. Feeling like a real junker this week. Also bought a VRA speech pathology setup for $20, this was a total experiment but I think it could be a big payoff if it pays off at all.

[Retro Treasures WV]

Total Items in Store: 964
Items Sold: 18
Cost of Items Sold: $67
Total Sales: $781
Profit: $714
Highest Price Sold: $180 motorcycle jacket
Average Price Sold: $43.39
Average Profit: $39.66

We were at the beach last week, so I switched to 5 day handling and had a great week! I also had a great weekend last weekend of sales, but the way I report my numbers has those sales on last week. In reality I did over $1200 while on vacation. Score! In what other self-employed job can you make that kind of money chilling on the beach with your family?

I’m really looking forward to this fall and 4th quarter sales. With my wife on board we are really ramping up listings. We’re gonna blow through the 1k active listings wall and just keep on trucking.

[dearmila]

Yes, I feel the most victorious while I’m making sales while doing something fun, away from home. While my daughter and I were at the best puppet show last weekend, sales were coming in. I had to say to myself, “YES!” It is the best feeling.

[Doublythumbs]

Sept. 3 – 9
Total Items in Store: 557
Items Sold: 15
Total Sales (Gross Profit): $452
Highest Price: $50 (it’s a tie between a Sony Walkman and several slides that sold for $50 each)
Average Price: $30
Returns: 0
Cost of Items Sold: $22
Costs of Items Purchased this Week: $130

That’s so awesome that you got to see LCD Soundsystem on your trip. I’d love to see them live! I became a fan right before they disbanded, so I never had the chance to see them perform. I’ll need to check out their new stuff.

I had a pretty average week in terms of sales. Still trying to get my numbers up again, and I’m really putting a lot of effort into it lately. My slide experiment continues to pay off. I can’t help but feel like it’s a fluke though… they keep selling to the same person with nobody else bidding on them. I’m tempted to just put them up as buy-it-nows and get it over with.

Just like your caller on this week’s podcast, I also had a chargeback issue stating that the buyer didn’t authorize the purchase. It was for a $15 plastic camping lantern, but PayPal wanted me to state my case as to why they should side in my favor. I just simply gave them the tracking info and they ended up siding with me, but I just thought it was odd. First time that’s happened to me.

Keep enjoying your trip. We love hearing your updates!

[Linda Shields]

J & R, I have a friend who is a fab photographer (also a Radiologist) who takes several worldwide photography trips every year. Last year she went to Iceland twice! She took great pics of the fluffy Shetland sheep. Have you seen any? I had her print one of her photos on the largest size canvas and we mounted it over our bed. My husband said we should be very discriminating in the sheep that we count while going to sleep. 😊 I think Iceland would be a futile place to try scavenging, but the wool would be nice!

Our daughter and SIL moved to Scotland last week so he can study church history under NT Wright at St. Andrews. They are now on a little trip to see the Loch Ness Monster. I’d rather see the adorable UK sheep myself. Hoping to go there next year. I’d better get some listing done!

I’m sorry to be a bad scavenger, but experiencing the local cuisine and restaurant ambience is one of my favorite parts of traveling. My happiest travel memories revolve around my most romantic and charming restaurant moments among the locals and tourists. I’ll save cooking for home. LOL

• This reply was modified 6 years, 12 months ago by Linda Shields.

[Julie B]

Total Items in Store: 967
Items Sold: 20

My ebay store continues to be semi-neglected due to outside consulting work snowballing into a full time job. While the steady paycheck is great, I can’t wait to get back to ebay full time. At least my store’s inventory is large enough that I’m still getting consistent sales.

This week I sold a number of Marvel and other types of action figures for one of my husband’s friends. The entire time I’m listing them I can’t wrap my head around why anyone would want them. But they’re selling and almost exclusively to people in CA and WA.

The surprising sale of the week was a swimsuit to someone in Houston!

BOLO of the week: Hard hats / helmets, like the type worn by construction workers. Evidently some are collectible. I sold a Timberjack helmet within an hour of listing it for $39.99. I bought it for $4.50. http://www.ebay.com/itm/253144300503

[Simon]

> The surprising sale of the week was a swimsuit to someone in Houston!

I felt bad for getting a chuckle out of that.

[Linda Shields]

For your BOLO list; https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/ugliest-pair-sports-shoes-selling-795-161857781.html

[T-Satt]

That is great Linda! I heard about these on the radio this week!

[Idahoarder]

Store Week 9/3/17 – 9/9/17

Total items in store: 1515
Items sold: 25
Cost of items sold: $104.06
Total sales: $1110.38
Highest price sold: $210.00 (Pendleton blanket)
Average price sold: $44.42
International Sales: 0
Returns: 0
Money spent on new inventory this week: $18.37

This was my best week in a long time. Happy to be selling lots more $40-$50+ items, rather than the $15 sales I’ve had so many of lately. I can definitely feel it getting busier.

I love hearing about your travels – please keep it up and share some pics!

[retiredtreasures719]

Store Week of Sept. 3-9

Total Sales $101.45
Items in store 857
# of items sold 10
Avg. Sales $10.14
COGS $8.12
Returns 0
$ spent on new $33.68
# of new listings 30
Highest sale–Bound set of Fine Cooking Magazines, sold $19.99 cost 50 cents

Definitely a slow week and this one isn’t starting out much better. Pretty sure I’m feeling the effects of the hurricanes. I sell a lot of items to people in Texas and Florida. This week it’s been mostly going to California. Wondering if in the next few months we all see big Texas/Florida sales as people start replacing things lost in the Hurricanes? Hoping things pick up, I’m running out of room for everything! Still packed to the rafters with my dad’s stuff.

Last week I had two Make Offer sales that seemed strange. Both times the person made me an offer which I countered. Both times they turned down the counter offer and then bought the item for full price?!? Not going to argue with some one wanting to pay full price, but it seemed strange that it happened twice in two days.

Ended up buying a Dymo Labelwriter 4XL and have been wondering why I didn’t break down and do it sooner! Hoping J&R have a great vacation and all of us have big sales this week!

[Simon]

R & J – I just wanted to let you know that on Monday morning when I’m on the bus to my 9-5 job, my day is brighter when I check my podcast list and see that a new episode of Scavenger Life is waiting for me. I’m so glad you’re able to continue the shows while you’re traveling.

Here are my numbers for the week

Total Items in Store: 1999
Items Sold: 33
Total Sales: $1162
Cost of Items Sold: $344.18
Average Price Sold: $35.21
Average Cost of Item: $10.43
Highest Price Item Sold: Lecture notes – 2 sales of $135 each.
Number of items listed this week: 80
Average age of items in store (in days since listing): 266
Average number of days between listing and selling this week: 51
Median age of sales (in days, between listing and selling): 10
Sell-through rate (for the week): 1.65%
# of Hats Sold: 15 (45% of sales)

The lecture notes are from an psychotherapist organization that Ayn Rand (of Atlas Shrugged fame) used to belong to. My neighbor gave me the lecture notes and lots of other documents to sell for her so I’ll take a 50% commission on those sales.

I made lots of sales of recently-listed items (mainly video game related) this week so the median age of my sales was way down from where it normally is. (I generally have a median selling age of about 90 days).

[Jay]

Cool. I wold think anything Ayn Rand related would sell like crazy. She has a very passionate fan base. Glad to see that hats continue to sell every week for you.

[almasty]

Wikitravel is your friend for cheap eats around the world, or to find meals that are good for homesickness. I found that when I used to grocery shop when I traveled, that some prices for common items would be quite high and that I would be better off just eating at a cheap restaurant? I don’t drive, so I would also be shopping at places in the center of town/by wherever my hostel was. I guess it would have been easier with a car.

I’m surprised that museums in Europe don’t offer free hours/days, like they do around the US.

I’ve been sick for the past week, so I’ve done minimal scouting and listing. It has been a bit of a drag, as I am still selling a bit and am getting space opened up for q4. Oh, well.

[eziegelbein]

Ryanne,

As far as travel clothing that dries quickly, I love the EXOfficio brand. It dries super quick, lightweight, packs down to darn near nothing. I have a pair of pants in this brand that are my go to summer pants because they are nice and breezy, but not “noisy” like some outdoor gear. I check every now and again on eBay using a misspelled word search because its very common to get the brand name wrong.

Elizabeth

[dearmila]

I’ve also found that Exofficio sells well and fast on eBay!

& J. Jill has a line called “wearever” – supposed to be good for travel.
and in my single experience with a top from this line, it sat for a long time in my store, & I ended up giving it to a friend, it was nice though.

[Ryanne]

yeah i bought a bunch of travel clothes on ebay this last week. i figure if i dont like them or they don’t fit, i’ll just put them back on ebay again!

[Ryanne]

cool! yes i found that brand on some travel sites and have bought some fast drying pants and a hoodie/shirt, none of which are cotton. most of my clothes on this trip are cotton and i had to iron them all to get them to dry before we left our last airbnb. not sure what i was thinking when i packed this time around!

[Retro Treasures WV]

Golf clothes are great for travel. Adidas Climalite, Nike Dri-fit, etc. All polyester so it dries quick and is super comfy.

[Paulo H Leocadio]

Scammed on iPhone Sales

Friends, I sold about a dozen of phones or so, half of them iPhone, the rest Windows or Android. They were old phones from family.
iPhones always sell very fast, even when I say they are broken. But also, all 5-6 sales came with perks.
For example, one of the sales to Russia the guy complained the phone was broken. Attention, the list said : broken beyond repair, for parts only …

Based on my limited experience, I dare to say that this space is sprinkled with scammers for some reason.

However it is not only there. People complaining not on eBay but in PayPal directly through the Credit Card that they never authorized the Credit Card expense happens quite frequently. Never had a case closed against me though.

Cheers

[Jay]

Hey Paul. Glad to hear you guys are okay after the hurricane.

With the iPhones, if you said “For Parts” in the title of the iPhone, then eBay and Paypal will back you up.

[Paulo H Leocadio]

Hurricane Aftermath

Friends, been hectic around my head, in summary: most devastating Hurricane to hit FL passed over my house, my 6 months contract has been renewed (which I am not sure what to think since it sucks me from eBay), I managed to find sensational stuff from Vegas, mid century vintage, however all accumulated in a death pile, etc.

Anyway, I will try to say a few things just to keep myself around.

Cheers

[Paulo H Leocadio]

eBay sending e-mail about items you are watching

For me this happens in 3 or 4 situations, using the example of this last week, the ones I remember:
(1) “An item you are watching is ending soon, are you still interested” give or take some different wording
(2) “An item you are watching received an offer, make sure to act soon to avoid losing the item”
(3) When I search for an item and look different options, it keeps me talking about those or similar to those (for example, a cricket bat) like “a new one came to the marketplace”, “are you still interested?” type of thing

[Paulo H Leocadio]

PayPal account in Bangladesh

Last year one of our friends here who works in Financial Services explained how people use eBay for money laundry, things I would have never thought of.

Anyway, even though PayPal is almost a bank and many countries push severe legislation to them, it is always a channel for “creativity”.

For example, I mentioned this before, in Brazil banks already have most, if not all PayPal features, so the use of PayPal there goes different ways with the company trying to offer benefits in terms of lower prices for users. Also to make purchases internationally sometimes it helps.

The thing is I have PayPal accounts in all places I lived (together with respective bank account for example). This allows the individual to do all types of sh… you can imagine in and out. Imagine someone who wants to do sh…

I do not know anything about tax, financial legislation in Bangladesh, but I see tons of reasons one of these creative people would want to have PayPal accounts in a handful of countries like Bangladesh, if you know what I’m saying …

Today, one simple person like us, having PayPal accounts in two countries can bypass a lot of things …

[skydog]

Thought I would chime in on the Scavenger Vacation theme. In August, I drove to Michigan to hit two “longest garage sales”. One went from the tip of the Michigan thumb (NE side of the state), down to Detroit. The other went across the state from Detroit to Lake Michigan. Both were the same weekend (3-4 days). Found lots of cool, interesting stuff to buy, and learned a few things.
1. The thumb area of Michigan is not only remote, but is filled with summer lake people. As a result, few have enough things to sell, so it was slim pickings. The closer I got to larger cities, the more sales I found.
2. Even though Sunday was advertised in both sales, most of the action had been on Friday and Sat. On Sunday, the few sales out there started around Noon.
Still, a great trip. Found some great clothing, including a vintage Levi’s mens jacket (USA made) and new combat boots and a desk clock made of wood, shaped like a ship’s propeller. I stayed with relatives just outside of Flint, so that was also nice.

[Manateejaq]

Posting late because of a vacation!

September 3rd – Sep 9 2017
Total items in store: Etsy ~500 // Ebay ~500 (Items not crossposted I list different types of things on Etsy and Ebay)
Items Sold: Etsy 20 // Ebay 23
Cost of items Sold: Etsy $36.51 // Ebay $75.90
Total Sales: Etsy $243.00 // Ebay $342.19
Highest Price Sold: Keens shoes $30
Average Price Sold: $13.61
Returns: 0
Number of items listed this week: 29 (Listed at $433)

Vacation was pushed back a couple days because of Hurricane Irma in Florida. We were scheduled to fly to Orlando on Monday… Irma hit Sunday and Monday the weather was still quite bad. Still made it down there, just had to wait for things to be safe again!

[Lukastreasure]

Listening to this episode today and heard your response to the seller who wondered about telling the buyer about a flaw they noticed in an item after it had sold, and whether they should tell the buyer before shipping. Just wanted to comment on how much I appreciate your honest approach to dealing with customers. So refreshing to hear that there are still people who believe in treating others with respect. It’s so easy take the path of least resistance and hope the buyer doesn’t notice, or is too lazy to return or complain. Also, appreciate the positive message you give; so easy to be negative. You take the high road every time and it is inspiring.

[Jay]

It’s obviously good to be friendly and honest, but it also just saves a lot of aggravation. I think a lot of sellers who complain endlessly about buyers are always playing games. We find if we set the correct expectations then 99% of sales go smoothly.

[PaulainMidtown]

RE Phone Call From Beth in Ohio…

i also had the glitch of new listings being posted
in the international section at the very bottom of the page!
it happened maybe back in June or July.

i spot check occasionally to see where i
show up in search. this was a 3 day issue, i also posted
on the ebayforbusiness facebook site – which i also do
to have someone look at issues. just wanted everyone to
know it was not an isolated issue and YES, that facebook
page is really helpful. they will ask you to message them
direct with screenshots if needed.

im doing my scavenger life marathon – i spend a couple hours
listening while i clean my office! its the only thing that
forces me to do it, lol!
just thought i would confirm and share my experience 🙂
cheers!

• This reply was modified 6 years, 10 months ago by PaulainMidtown.

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