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About 5 years ago when I first started selling on the internet, I sold used books on Amazon. I always industrial strength packaged the books with lots of B flute and tape. I had only been selling about a month or so when a letter with no return address showed up in my mail box. It had a New York postmark so I kind of figured out who the person was. It was a delightful letter telling me about his adventure in getting my package open 🙂 He said he finally had to resort to a clam shell knife to pry it open. Then he added, “Seriously, you don’t need to use so much tape.” I got quite a kick out of the letter and appreciated the effort he took to help out a new seller. And yes, I did reduce my tape usage!
Estate sales can be a mixed lot. I went to one Friday where they were selling used beat up books (and I know a little about books and their value) for $5 each that were literally not worth a dime. Most everything else was priced on a par with ebay. But… then I went to another that had decent prices and picked up a few things including a vintage T. Aldeneder metal protractor in its case for $15. Last one sold on ebay for $99. Also picked up two circular slide rules, one for $2 and the other for $5. They will bring around $50 for the one and $75 for the other. Keep your eye out for things you don’t know about, not just what you’re familiar with. That’s the kind of stuff I’ve done will with. Don’t give up estate sales!
Some great tips have been listed. About the only thing I can add is be prepared to go early. Some sales will distribute numbers to those waiting in line. Others only allow a limited number of people inside at a time. Some open exactly at the posted time and others will open early. Every seller is different. Good luck on your hunting!
At the same estate sale where I bought the blow mold nativity scene, I bought two metal wall hangings for $60. That’s more than I usually pay but I knew they would sell. I put them up for $225 with BO. Sold in less than a week for $175. Found a Bogen Manfrotto tripod at a garage sale for $40, I offered $20 and they took it. Sold the next day for $115. Keep an eye out for Manfrotto tripods. I’ve sold several, they go quickly and for a decent profit.
Yeah, quite the change… I’m used to it now, but when I moved here 33 years ago it was a whole ‘nother world!
I went to an estate sale Thursday and picked up a blow mold nativity set for $20. Sold it through a local facebook page for $100 Saturday evening.
My first time posting on the site.
Jay and Ryanne, I really appreciate the work you two have put into your blog. It has been a tremendous help. According to my dashboard I am up 138.6% over a year ago, and a big part of that is all that I’ve learned here.So here’s what I’ve sold recently:
Week Oct 23-29, 2016Total Items in Store: 388
Items Sold: 27
Cost of Items Sold: $50.75
Total Sales: $705.52
Highest Price Sold: $80 (1930s portable coffee maker)
Average Price Sold: $26.13
Returns: 0
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $19
Number of items listed this week: 21I’m trying to get more items in my store but I haven’t been listing like I should. It seems like the week days have been fairly slow but then sales start popping on the weekends. My favorite item sold was also my highest, a 1930s Gibizita alcohol fueled portable expresso maker bought at an estate sale for around $3.00. I thought it was a portable stove at first until one of the helpers opened it up and showed me the coffee strainer and the directions, which were written in Italian. In my research I only found two that had been sold previously, one for $31 and another for $55. I listed it for $85 BO and took an offer of $80.
