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Thanks Linda. Buyer paid shipping. I never do free shipping. Since I’ve added FedEx Smartpost things like this are selling better. I’m way off on the Coast, so shipping cost is an issue.
A timely tip from one of my facebook groups:
“I found these two best friends, Kathleen and Eric, recently on their iTunes podcast Thriftycast. They are collectors not sellers, but their calm and often amusing discussions about the things they love and buy, and also love but leave on the thrift store shelves, is often just what I need after a hectic day. Hope others will show them some love~”
https://www.facebook.com/Thriftycast-103901257732/?fref=tsI haven’t shared any sales in a while, so I thought I would chime in.
I’m on the lookout for craft kit tree skirts. I’ve heard some sell for $75-100. This one wasn’t that fancy, but sold quickly. (Paid $4 at regional chain thrift)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bucilla-Christmas-Nativity-Tree-Skirt-Jeweled-Tree-Skirt-Embroidery-Kit-3576-/332036840370?rd=1I’m reporting this sale because I love that it’s an old listing, it went from a dirty thrift store (for a buck) to a hipster art project center in NYC and bought my lunch. She had me take it out of the frame. My husband was shaking his head.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1970s-OLIVER-OWL-Completed-Sunset-Needlepoint-Art-Retro-Woodland-/231963442817?rd=1I reported last month that I flipped a Turkey from this Eddie Walker. I’m almost done selling a collection of Santas. Paid $2 for this one at a local thrift.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Midwest-of-Cannon-Falls-Eddie-Walker-Figurine-Large-Santa-Snowman-Top-Hat-10-/232150836791?rd=1I don’t normally show my new items, but I love this sale because I reached an audience the retailer would not, and so I doubled the price I just paid. Went to a buyer with just the right name: dachshundloversomething. There’s a lid to every pot.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Anthropologie-Serving-Platter-Dog-a-Day-Dachshund-Wiener-Dog-Great-Gift-/332058017206?rd=1I have a weird schedule and more time for audio. This is my favorite podcast by far. I also listen to Ted Talks when I am driving or walking the dog with closer to full attention. When I’m just half listening – like when I’m photographing or listing – I sometimes listen to YouTube Jason T. Smith’s Thrifty Business and Selling Past Your Expiration Date because I don’t really need to look at the screen. He has ties to Ebay so he does cover Ebay developments quickly and I like Tiki. If I can glance over, I also watch/listen to ThePaperCastle on YouTube. She shows marks and discusses a lot of East Coast brands but has a storyteller style describing strange yard sale encounters. Personally, I find them pretty hard to listen to due to the lack of content and rambling, but I have tried Golden Finger Picker and Pinching Pesos’ Reseller Stew in a pinch. Terminal 99 has interesting items and I need to look. His voice makes me sleepy.
I like mid-century tiki as well but haven’t really let myself shop for it on Ebay. It’s funny how few tiki items I find out in the wild. So far just cheap common mugs and lots and lots of monkeypod. I’ve found a couple of koa items though, a $50 Shag print, and some Siestaware walnut wrapped glasses. Have you checked out Tiki Magazine Paul? It’s fun.
Total Items in Store: 331
Items Sold: 12
Cost of Items Sold: $28 (used) + $81 (new RA)
Total Sales: $374
Highest Price Sold: $100 (Anthropologie Seahorse knobs – summer clearance $42)
Average Price Sold: $31
Returns & Int’l Sales: 1 possible return for accidental double purchase coming.
Number of items listed this week: +/- 15Sales picked up for me this week. Most of the sales were very recently listed new RA items. During the last few months I’ve formulated a totally unsubstantiated theory that Ebay has placed more emphasis on freshness in the recent past. Sorry, no evidence. I also have some old listings that don’t have Fed Ex Smart post, and a couple with over 20 watchers and thousands of views. I plan to rework those after Christmas. Hoping to get some more Christmas items up this week. I’ve been a lot more casual with my photos and I’m cringing a bit, but I just need to get more quantity going with the time I have.
I’ve written before about the mood being in-Christmas like around here since the election, but the weather has finally cooled and we’re decorating. I think things are still a bit serious in tone generally, but I’m looking forward to the holiday and seeing family and turning off the tv – especially the news. Uncharacteristically, I have done very little gift shopping. Have a great week!
That is an interesting article TFS. I’m famous! 🙂 I actually dropped the price shortly after listing even though I’m content to even just take them to my husband’s hospital to donate or give one to my daughter. I probably will release them a comfortable few days away from the priority mail deadline – maybe mid-December. I’ll let you know what happens later.
Hi – sorry that wasn’t clear. I didn’t mean penalized in a negative feedback way. I meant the listing display might say it would arrive after Christmas even if I have an option that would get it there before Christmas, costing me a sale. So I just looked and Ebay actually gives a big range on both mobile and desktop:
“Estimated between Thu. Dec. 1 and Fri. Dec. 9”
On the desktop front page only they also see this right below:
“Use Expedited Shipping to get it by Dec. 3” Â
help icon for Estimated delivery date – opens a layerSo, not sure what buyers will make of the range. Some might not click around and just say, “well the outer end is too late”. Anyway, I’m not selling enough to lose much sleep over it. 🙂
Total Items in Store: 363
Items Sold: 8
Cost of Items Sold: $88 (new RA) + $9 (thifted)
Total Sales: $283
Highest Price Sold: 2 @ $56 – New Athropologie Cow Butter Dish (purchased for $22 earlier this month)
Average Price Sold: $35
Returns & Int’l Sales: 0
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: +/-$150 (RA + Indy Thrift Xmas Boutique)
Number of items listed this week: +/- 20It was basically dead for the week until yesterday. I ran a sale, a couple of collectables auctions, and also tried a $10 off $75 promotion (which no one has taken advantage of yet including the guy who bought the two identical butter dishes in separate purchases. Huh?) I bought some tried and true RA items during a retail sale but this year I’m not experimenting with Christmas merchandise based on my own cautious outlook. TV says it is a good retail season especially online, but I’m not sure I’m buying into it and my customers are probably generally more Indy-minded.
Very quick note on the politics. Believe it or not, I actually enjoyed reading the posts while cringing a bit when J&R took some heat. I find the national perspective very interesting. It’s good to look outside your own bubble. This is a great Ted Talk about how we all need to do that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-_Az5nZBBM I hope you don’t mind my sharing something non-reseller related.
I made a forum post about having two Hatchimals up for sale. Yesterday I got a middle finger bid of $1. 🙂 I’ve never sold anything like this, but it’s certainly interesting. Mine are up high with best offer right now. I’m going to dump them at whatever they are going for about a week before Christmas. Most of the offers have been for around the original price – not sure why people are bothering. I hope to benefit charity through the Ebay program and also pay for a couple of Christmas gifts.
Have a great week.
You have two stores. It seems like that could figure into this as well. Perhaps you have her list on the small store when she’s ready in case she misses some flaws, etc.
On the other hand, clothes and shoes do not do it for me. She could burn out too if she is working a lot of hours. You’d have to get a feel for that but you can always change it up.
Have you considered having your employee full on list your lower end and less interesting items like non-vintage clothes and shoes, etc. while keeping her to photos, cleaning, and measuring on the more unusual items? It seems like perhaps this frees up Ryanne to a greater degree and your employee won’t necessarily see the really high asking prices and solds or quickly learn to pick the rarer items from your relatively limited sourcing locations nearby. Of course, she can still learn by browsing your store. Just a thought.
Love that you found at the by the pound place! I don’t have any big scores but love midcentury Xmas so sharing a recent find: @$2
If anyone has good sites for an overview of California art pottery, I’d love it if you would share. I find a tremendous amount of vintage glazed stoneware in particular, often in earth tones. I’d like to learn at least the biggest names so I can decide quickly. I’ve also purchased a few nice pieces without looking them up. I’ve started a pinterest board with one example
Kate, I was thinking you might know of somewhere I can educate myself, or if this category of art pottery is not really in demand. Thanks!
Oh my goodness Kate! I love your Instagram posts and your store. Gorgeous items.
I had their baby bargains book and it was awesome. A lot of practical ideas and advice. https://windsorpeak.com/bridalbargains/
Our biggest waste was inviting and feeding coworkers out of obligation (who were out of our lives shortly after) and just generally having too many guests. it was pretty exhausting interacting with so many people. Our favorite moments were with our closest friends and family – we had time with out of towner close friends the day & night before. The photographer was our biggest splurge – no regrets there.
