Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
The end of an era! You guys have been an inspiration for so many, including me. Freedom through trash picking – unreal. Wishing you all the best and I hope to run into y’all in New York grabbing the same junk off the corner! xoxo Flim
Flim Store Week March 18-24, 2018
Total Items in Store: 1007
Items Sold: 40
Cost of Items Sold: $283
Total Sales: $1560
Highest Price Sold: $130 chenille blanket
Average Price Sold: $38.97
Returns: 0Even though I hadn’t listed for about a week and had a 10 business day handling time, I still made decent money while I was away. We did have wifi at the condo, so I was able to take offers while lounging in an infinity pool. And while the rest of my friends had to go back to work the next day after a delayed flight and a mostly full day of travel, I slept in and took it easy the next day, mostly shipping. What a pampered life! 😀
Also: just kind of a fun trash elf/NYC story. I had to return something in store on the Upper East side on Madison Ave. It’s a super money area with all the high end shops and boutiques located in gorgeous old school townhouses. It happened to be trash day, so there were trash bags outside some of the stores. While waiting for the bus, I looked down at the recycling bags in front of Prada. There were a bunch of nice clean (empty) Prada boxes with tissue paper inside as well as unused shopping bags. You bet I reached in and grabbed em! You can sell these now on ebay. R+J, we need to do some curb picking when you guys are back here.
03/04/18 – 03/10/18
Total Items In Store: 1,040
Items Sold: 52
Total Sales: $2,008.79
Cost of Items Sold: $359
Highest Price Sold: $105 backpack
Average Price Sold: $38.63
Returns/Refunds: 2Taking a trip to the Dominican Republic this week with a couple friends. My first vacation (not scavenging trip) in a while – and I actually am putting the store on vacation as well as extending my handling time since we’re without wifi for most of the trip and I usually get a lot of questions/offers. I used credit card points gained by a travel card which I use for all of my thrift buys to purchase my airfare. And since we’re staying at my friend’s parents’ condo, lodging is also free. A frugal-ish trip and much needed. I’m excited.
Flim Store Week 2-25 to 3-3-18
Total Items in Store: 1065
Items Sold: 46
Cost of Items Sold: $550.30
Total Sales: $2,911.90
Highest Price Sold: $700 (high end shoes)
Average Price Sold: $61.95/48.08 without highest
Returns: 3It’s been a while since I’ve calculated my numbers the SL way. This past week was pretty crazy, generally good numbers and Saturday was close to $1000 in sales with the $700 shoe sale. The shoes were a bizarre find at my local kinda junky thrift. There were actually 2 pairs of high end shoes, both unworn, one new with tags. They cost $200 each at the thrift, so I was really taking a pretty big cost for 2 pairs of shoes. But retail was $1300-$1480 per pair. I have no idea why they were there, why they were unworn, but I figured I would take a shot. The other pair sold for $750 in January.
My Feb sales were really slow and I was getting nervous. March has been a big improvement. It also helps that I had access to a high-end cosmetics sale recently so I have a bunch of new higher end items for low COGS.
Re: spring seller update – I’m def going to miss the restocking fee. Since I have sell a lot of clothing, the restocking fee helps cushion the blow for expensive returns for fit. I recently sold a $780 dress (found for $26!!!!!) but just got the alert that she wants to return it. The restocking fee is $156. Not sure how I’ll proceed in the spring. Probably for used clothing I’ll have to eat the free returns – it will be hard to compete in that category without it.
Ahahahahha I had to chime in because it’s been a while. Scavenger confessions cracked me up. Yes chapstick, yes deodorant, yes food, yes shampoo and booze.
R+J, you know how the streets of New York are lined in gold for scavengers. The curbs have free books and castoffs, recycling has free boxes and bubble wrap, and trash has free food. The most recent secret scavenging was a couple of weeks ago. Those fancy home grocery delivery kits (Blue Apron, Home Chef, etc) have infiltrated even Queens. I hate them. I noticed that the building next door to me had a box sitting outside for several days in a side alley when I realized the person must have moved or didn’t know the delivery had happened. We share a driveway, so I just walked over and opened the box to see if it really was food in there. It was a week’s worth of groceries, all individually wrapped and sealed tiny bottles of staples, wrapped veggies, and *ugh* meat. I salvaged what was still OK and tossed the rest, leaving a note by the original spot that I’d refund them if they contacted me. I scored a LOT of veggies, fruits, spices, and oils. The original owner never reached out. Another day or so, the entire box would have spoiled. I figured someone should use the food rather than leave a spoiled mess. 🙂
I haven’t been thinking about getting a job, but maybe a side job for the summer – or maybe volunteering at the local museum to get out and socialize. The wedding was interesting bc I was catching up with people I hadn’t seen in a while, or introducing myself to people. Pretty soon I found myself explaining my job and “lo-heads” to a large circle of people 😛
Flim Store Week May 14-20, 2017
Total Items in Store: 844
Items Sold: 34
Cost of Items Sold: $218.6
Total Sales: $1,344.20
Highest Price Sold: $139 dress
Average Price Sold: $39.53
Returns: 2Got back from a weekend in Houston for my friend’s wedding. I added time before and after to allot for sourcing. Man, I’m so happy I don’t have to drive everywhere to shop! I realized all my trips on the subway and buses allow me take mini mental breaks. (Also, after 10 years of living in the city, my highway driving skills are kinda crappy :D)
My totals were higher than I thought. I was away Thurs-Mon and felt like sales were trickling in. Clearing out old inventory with auctions. My friends and I are hosting the country yard sale this Saturday. Anyone in lower NY state – we’ll be in Downsville!
For some of your clothing items photographed on the table, the background is black, purple, and green. I’d try to simplify to a plain white to make it less visually crowded. Or if you hang it on the back of a door, the background would be one solid color. If the shirt has some kind of logo, maybe a closeup of that as the first photo.
And to echo what others have said, auctions to clear out old stock. Cover what you paid, but be willing to let things go.
I’ll admit that I follow a couple of NYC sellers who I know about either through instagram or by mild stalking – I saw something unique in their cart, and did a product search to find their store. It’s mostly for my own curiosity than anything else 🙂
It was so fun to see it pop up.
Retro – Haha, I’ve been listing as I’ve been pulling stuff for the sale. It’s more of a social event than a real moneymaker.
Annabel/Christine – Thanks for the advice re early birds…I forgot how much of a pain they are while you’re setting up!
Gompers, that’s new! I’ve seen that at NYC fancy fleas, but never at a garage sale. I’m sure service is spotty up there but I have been meaning to get a card reader. Thanks!!
Yep, I’m definitely the one encouraging my friends to stay out just a little later since I don’t have to wake up early!
And I saw that article about the Queens bins. The bins aren’t that full of drama, but they are hectic and grabby as they describe. I can only go once in a while and for a couple hours before I need to get out of there. They make everyone line up while they swap out the bins and in order to get decent stuff, you have to wait in that holding area for a while. It’s not pleasant, and I’m happy to pay a little more for better quality of goods and quality of life.
