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Hey Christine: You are correct about keeping an eye out for items that cross over into DIM Weight [dimensional up charges], but that 12″ max. rule is a tad off base. The actual number to use is 1,728 CUBIC INCHES. Certainly a 12″x12″x12″ square box is 1,728 cubic inches and is not a DIM Weight candidate, but neither is a 48″x6″x6″ long package. It also is only 1,728 cubic inches.
So, make sure you use the multiplication method when determining if a package is going to be in the DIM weight class. Now, one thing to remember it may not go Priority and may have to go Parcel Ground, but not always. I have shipped a lot of tripods, even a surveyor’s large tri-pod and made my own custom box for it, then covered it all in a heavy plastic outer skin and at 48x6x6 it came to 1,728 CUBIC INCHES and it went just fine.
Thought I would just throw that in as an adjunct to your answer.
Mike at MDC Galleries in Atlanta
Thank you so much for taking the time to create a detailed reply. I know from my own experience that detailed replies to some questions here on SL can really take away from one’s listing time.
Your comments hit home and I am not going to spend the time to pull out an old turntable and play each record. So I think I will create numerous listings with 12 albums per. I will show 2 albums per photo. One shot of the 2 fronts and the next shot of the back, then repeat for the remaining 10. Then list that group of 12. We still have many nice, higher end items from our antique booths we closed dwon to spend much time on this, but we figured you would have the answer as to how much energy we should put into this. It is only about 3 or 4 boxes, about 50 records from the late 60’s and 70’s. We were not into music that much. Was an artist so art books was more my line.We also have about 100 CD’s about 100 DVD’s that we bought years ago. I guess we will just do the same with all of those. 12 per listing, lot price and move on.
I have a beautiful Fenton Silvercrest compote, a brass Asian Buddhist Monk statue and a large Asian Cloisonne’ Jar and lid that each will be listed for over $75 each that I would much rather get listed than records, CD’s and DVD’s. Jay talks about love, deep interest and passion for what we buy, list and research. Well records “Ain’t It”!!! LOL 🙂
Again really appreciate the time you invested into the community with your answer. Will save it in my archive of tips for future reference.
Mike at MDC Galleries in Atlanta and Hurray for Atlanta, we got our collapsed I-85 highway put back together and it is open and traffic flowing. What a mess that was.
05/22/2017 at 12:23 pm in reply to: Scavenger Life Episode 311: The Summer Slowdownâ„¢ is Here #18336We have the same Brother printer as you only just a little bit newer model number. We do exactly the same. The main tray loaded with paper, 250 sht. capacity and flip open the top small flap on top and can insert 5 shts of 2 up pressure sensitive label stock in at a time. That is 10 labels at a clip if we want, but we usually just do one or two at a time as we get the packing done.
By the way, this slightly newer model doesn’t refill the exact way as your model, several more smaller parts in the way of the fill plug and also the plug is pressure fitted in real tight, so your “how to refill” the toner video did not work for us. That was about two years ago, but have only had to buy one toner cartridge in almost 3-4 years, so cheap enough. It lasts forever. We have run through maybe 4 cases of paper [approx. 20,000 shts or so] on two toner cartridges[one came with the unit then a second one at $40 +/-]. So, not too shabby.
mc at mdc in Atl.
05/22/2017 at 10:32 am in reply to: Scavenger Life Episode 311: The Summer Slowdownâ„¢ is Here #18323Ryanne:
Here is a thought about the laser printer. Just find a model that has “two” trays. Many of them do. That way when you click the print button you see a small, short meassage that says print from “tray one” or “tray Two”. Click which ever one has the paper in it or the labels in it.Just a thought….. mike at mdc galleries in atlanta
05/22/2017 at 10:29 am in reply to: Scavenger Life Episode 311: The Summer Slowdownâ„¢ is Here #18321Just heard the mention to Item Specifics and structured data. One thing we have been experiencing is a much larger amount of questions to us all the time. All of the questions are very basic. How tall is this item, what color is it, what is the over all size, does it have this, that and the other. All of which are ALL listed in the Item Specific area.
What we have come to conclude is that since 64% of our sales come from people using their cell phones they must not be seeing the Item Specifics, don’t know what it is, only see the title and habitually just go to Description. So we do a two part reply. One we politely tell them the answer to these types of questions are listed in the item specific area and we invite them to view the item specifics there and also mention that area contains many more details that may be of interest and help them make an informed decision. Then we also answer their question directly. We hope by doing this they will maybe go to item specifics and spend more time on our site, and also help “train” them to use the IS area in the future and hopefully not have to ask the sellers those basic questions that are already covered.
We have gotten replies such as, Oh thank you, we didn’t know what that was, oh, didn’t see that, can’t see that area on our phone, etc., etc.
Mike at MDC Galleries in Atlanta
05/22/2017 at 10:19 am in reply to: Scavenger Life Episode 311: The Summer Slowdownâ„¢ is Here #18320Hey Jay… Don’t overlook P-Tac units. These are commercial A/C and Heater Combo units. We used to install them when we did large room additions for customers. They are the type of units you see in motel-hotels. They mount low on a wall. You can get a 15,000 BTW [1.25 ton] combo unit. Enough for your whole house if I remember you are around 1,200 SF. All that is needed other than the wall mount part is a 220volt outlet run to it and a vent-drain hole out through the wall.
Even though it has a thermostat you can set it and forget it you can also just flip it on to cool things down for a short while, then click it off. The other thing is during the winter, if you come in and the wood stove is real low or off, then just click on the heater switch and it will warm up the area fast then when the wood stove gets up to speed then click it off.
P-Tac [stand for Packaged Thermal Air Conditioning]. Great for smaller houses or areas. This size will run about $800 to $1,100 plus Electrician to install. Get your current subs you are using for the house reno. to talk to you about it and or install.
Just a thought for you.
Mike at MDC Galleries in Atlanta
05/17/2017 at 2:00 pm in reply to: Scavenger Life Episode 310: Am I Selling on eBay the Wrong Way? #18155Hey Paul:
Got a question or two for you.I just returned from a trip down in our basement looking over the space and came acroos a few old boxes which had colored stickers on them showing we have moved them several times with us over the decades but never re-opened them. They were heavy so I thought maybe old books, but nope, they are full of old LP Albums from the late sixties through the 70’s. All the beatles albums abby road, white album, jefferson airplane, Janice joplin, Iron butterfly, Jethro Tull, early allman brothers, vanilla fudge, moog sythensizer, grand funk railroad, and on and on. Many have the special posters and inserts in them. A Bob Dylan album has the poster inside which seels in the bread and butter range by itself.
A quick glance shows they sell in the ranges of $6-$7 to about $15. But I notice that many have rough wear on the bottom edge of the covers where we slide them in and out of wooden home made shelves. Many have scuffing that has left a dirt ring on either the front or backs from abrasion.
How about listings in lots. They are all so different I would guess if you only wanted beatles then lotting with Simon & Garfunkel wouldn’t fly.. Coo-Coo-cha-Chew Mrs. Robinson!! LOL 🙂
So here are the questions. I founf that a dry magic eraser removes most of the dirt without leaving any trace on the covers. OK to do so? Is it best to separate the inserts and list separately or leave with the album? Also I see some scruffs or rubs on the vinyl itself on a few. So should I need to get a turn table set-up and play each albun to see if those mars make the record skip? Or, since they only go for the $10-$12 range should I just list as untested?
I already have my costing for the 1 piece cardboard mailers, can use my clear bags to slip sheet them and cardboard insert spacers. So shipping is no problem.
Then lastly.. incl shipping [those mailers and weight of those heavier cardboard inserts] and list as FREE or do the calculated shipping thing.
Would appreciate any input from anyone on the topic
mike at MDC Galleries in Atlanta
05/15/2017 at 12:00 pm in reply to: Scavenger Life Episode 310: Am I Selling on eBay the Wrong Way? #18028Agree with you Retro… The easiest way to sort of put a cap on it, is to go to Websters Dictionary.
As a noun there is two definitions of the word “Hustle” is #1:Busy movement or activity and #2: is “a fraud or swindle”. So, regardless of one’s opinion it is just that. As far as using the correct word in communicating to someone the using the word “Hustle” would mean according to the dictionary something that is more sinister like a fraud.
So guess I will gravitate toward that. Mike at MDC Galleries in Atlanta
Hey Jay and eComm. …
Talk about some bad Ju-Ju. Believe or not I re-listed about a dozen items this morning on the 30 day then end listing and re-list cycle. Then took off for a thrift store trip then when I returned a little while ago.. Guess What??? A notice from Ebay saying that one of the items I relisted was taken down automatically due to making a comparison to a brand name use violation.
Yes I did, in error and oversight and yes it was my fault, in haste of listing something it just didn’t dawn on me at the time of listing what I was saying. It was a stained glass table lamp but it was my bad. I said Tiffany Style in the description and it got caught. This item has been listed and re-listed every 30 days since last summer and BANG, now I got hit. I just edited it, cut out the word Tiffany and re-listed.
Talk about coincidence… as soon as I engage in a discussion on SL about the VERO program and brand infringement, I get caught within hours and get “my speeding ticket” LOL 🙂 Can you believe that!!
mike at mdc galleries in atlanta
Oh .. Here is something I came across last night while researching this topic further. If you buy a product made by a company that has strong brand recognition, you can’t tear it up, cut it up and use parts or pieces in an art object or craft project and then sell that object as your own item made by you without getting permission from the company to do so and / or giving credit to the original company. Supposedly you can’t take Pillsbury Flour sacks, cut then up and use them in a home made quilt for re-sell without getting permission or giving credit. And if you do re-sell them then you can’t use the words Pillsbury and would guess we can’t digitize any of it???
As an contemporary artist and fine art and commercial printer how Andy Warhole got away with the Soup Can, Brillo boxes, etc., etc. Did he write and get permission to use those images in his art work. Did Jasper Johns with his “Savarin” coffee can bronze pieces? Do the auction houses give credits when they create thier high end art cataloques of these pieces when they Re-sell? Maybe just by mentioning the names in the titles is enough for the original companies. Maybe companies like to be associated with high end, high profile celebrity situations which adds to their brand recognition. But be associated with a small time, re-seller on Ebay, guess not.
But also remember that VERO is a creation of Ebay. Not an offcial USA documented program and or Federal Law. As Jay said, it is most likely, and I agree as do others, that it is a vehicle to keep Ebay out of the sling and in the good graces of high profile companies that could make life tough on them. Who knows, maybe a lot of these companies advertise with Ebay and Ebay tries to appease them anytime they get upset by a listing using their product, logo or name. Who really knows.
In reality, I think almost all of the companies don’t care, have better things to do, could careless about Ebay and re-sellers and who re-sells, them, where they sell and what they show and / or how they describe them. And it is mostly newer companies.
We have come across many older ceramic pieces that had Roseville, Fuller, Murano, McCoy on them from the 1940’s and 1950’s and we know how to spot whether they are reproductions or not. I have listed and sold some. Most people don’t even know how to tell, but we list them as reproductions because we do know how to tell.
mc at mdc in atl.
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MDC Galleries & Fine Art.
No, it is not about anything being new or used. It is about selling something that is a “brand” name and re-selling it without being licensed by the original company to do so. It is about saying and showing thier trademarks without their permission and of course about re-selling something that is or could be a “counterfiet” with their name on it and also us not being an authorized re-seller or having the item authenticated as a “real”, “non-fake” item.
Velcro is the best example. You can’t even say that word, even if the article has “real” Velcro on it, in a listing or you may get a VERO. New, old, used or no matter how you sell it or where you sell it, if it is online and you use the word Velcro you might get a cease and stop it letter. Basically we don’t want you to resell anything online if you are going to put our company or product name in your listing. We don’t care if you bought it new and you think you can do what you want with it. You can’t if you use that word in trying to sell it. Also how do we know from only a couple of pictures that you have a “real” Velcro item or it is some knock off Velcro. We can’t tell from your listing so we would just rather you not sell it. And as also mentioned in a post above, it has to do with loss of market and the brand name becoming synonymous with a product Like Xerox and Kleenex.
The John Deere metal toy tractor I bought at auction was made back in the 1940’2 – 1950’s. I guess John Deere had authorized only certain companies to make the toy tractors for them. From my photos John Deere had no way of knowing, nor did I, that this 60 year old toy tractor was made by one of those originally authorized companies so rather than take a chance, I get a VERO and Ebay took it down. According to what is being played out here, while it couldn’t be proven one way or the other it was a “fake”, “copy”, “knock-off” just from looking at my photos. And yes it was mine, I bought it in used condition, they lean on the fact that I photographed it, showed their logo in my photos, posted that logo online and re-sold this item, not knowing if fake or real at a higher price and was able to do so by me leaning on the fact that “John Deere” is a collectible name in many markets and categories. So, according to them I treaded on their brand recognition to enhance and succeed in the sale of my item.
If I had spray painted it jet black and listed it as only an old, vintage, metal toy tractor I would have been fine. I would have maybe gotten $.50 or a $1 for it. But as soon as I said it was a John Deere Toy tractor approx. 70 years old, photographed it with a close up of the logo, I got John Deere attention.
My neighbor was stating what about museums and auction houses? Well museums and also high end auction houses always produce catalogs of the items they are shwoing in a show or selling and they ususally give the credits to the original artists and I think probably get permission to photograph the originals and show them in their catalogues. But what about local auctions. I would guess if the VERO Companies had a way to see and find them, they too may get a stop it letter. I am going to ask a few of my local auctioneers about this, this coming weekend.
So nope, not about listing it new, used or what method you use to list it. Not about what you list, it is about how you list it regardless and what words, phrases and photos you use to do so in order to make money at the expense of using a companies logo, name, brand recognition. A very gray area as most of us agree as re-sellers, we don’t care and will just keep on listing. 99.89% of the re-sellers don’t get a VERO I am guessing just like Jay’s speeding analogy. We all do it and a lot but very few get caught. And until the laws get very clear on what rights we have to re-sell anything, new or used, and what rights we have to show logos, photographs of objects and how we handle digital materials of objects we sell, again… We all will just keep on truckin!
mike at mdc galleries in Atlanta
Terri: That is what all of the hub-bub is about in Congress and with the courts. Check out some of my links in previous posts and also further down in the Wiki posts you posted. The snag is in the use of “digital” means in reproducing and / or selling. It gets deep into the weeds. Your Wiki article even goes on to say that the “First Sale Doctrine” needs to be modernized to include the “digital age”. Some copies are claiming that once you buy their article as a “first buyer” yes you can re-sell it. BUT, you just can’t use photos of it and or their logo and name then post it “digitally” online, save the image to servers and your hard drives, etc., etc. In other words you can walk up and down the street and sell it to your neighbors by carrying the item, showing it physically, talking about it, etc. it’s yours to sell. BUT photograph it, store it on your hard drive, then upload it to Ebay’s file servers [who gave you permission to do that, is there stance], then you go and post it, to show it online, mention their name, show their logo in order to enhance the potential for a quick sale and a higher priced sell because of their Brand recognition, then no way unless you are going to pay us for those rights and priviledges.
See there stance is if you say you have a used golf shirt for Sale no problem, but say it is a Tiger Woods Collection, state it has a Nike Swoosh on the front left and on the sleeve and it has the Tiger Woods TW logo on the back collar and put a price on it for $89.95 used. Then their contention is, it is because of everything you stated in the desciption and title and by reinforcing it with photos of those Trade Marks we have successfully been able to push the price of the shirt up to almost $100 by capitalizing on the “brand” recognition.
it is a very “Gray” area and I have read in the past so many conflicting things about it. Lawyers can even seem to agree or disagree. It keeps getting interpreted differently to fit the situation. I am just a novice who has read a few articles on the topic. Enough to make me finally give up on it and my conclusion is it is way too much to worry about.
What I guess they would like for all of us to do, is buy that same shirt for $1.00. Then list the shirt as a used, soiled, smelly, golf shirt with beer stains on it and sell it for $5-$7. But use everything I just listed above to “enhance” and “bump” the desireability and perceived value up and now their feathers are ruffled. So they hire 3rd party companies to seek out listings that have whatever it is that trips their trigger and has it reported.
I have had VERO’s from Bonanza. Then took it down. Then posted weeks later on Ebay, boom, same letter. Gave it to Goodwill and took a $10 tax deduction and not a word from anybody. Maybe I can make more by donating everything and claiming high value and make a living off of doing that. Just like the farmers who get paid to not plant and grow corn or get paid to not raise pigs??? LOL 🙂
Yep it is all a bunch of you know what and most of us here at SL just keep on truckin as we have said. If they find any of us doing something they don’t like then get ready for your VERO. It is just the luck of the draw like Jay’s speeding ticket analogy.
If you wish to pick this as your battle, then start writing your Congressman and calling every company on the VERO list and tell them to take a long walk off a short pier! LOL 🙂
Now I am not being disrespectful of anybody here. I believe we all really don’t give a hoot about NIKE making any more money off of the reselling of their products with new brand basketball shoes costing $600 and more new. And I think we all can agree, we are glad they do make them and sell them for high prices because when we find them for $25 we can re-sell for $225.
Wonder what Louie Vitton ?? Thought about J&R re-selling one of their luggage pieces for several thousands of dollars and it was all because they used their brand name in the listing?? LOL. Other than it being a LV brand item, it was just an old piece of luggage.
I tell you if these companies wanted to and go, jerk-o-zoid on us I probably would have to remove 1/2 to 2/3rds of my store. Brand names are used as my first keywords,
Sunbeam, Kosta Boda, Kodak, Tiger Woods, Nike, Swingline, HESS, Shell Oil, Stanley Hardware, Tiffany, Swarovski, on and on.Now this is just an example of why it is so convoluted and I am unsure if it will ever get cleared up. And with other, much bigger issues on their plates, I think this is way down to “To-Do” list for the guys in Washington.
So, like me, eComm., many others here, J&R, we are all just going ahead [with caution] and doing what we have all been doing and letting the chips fall where they may.
I have listed about 50 golf shirts over the last few dyas and used every brand name on the label for everyone and also have included the Golf Courses names on the ones that are embroidered on the fronts. If I get a VERO, I will just pull and move on.
Funny! So we see the other side of Mr. eCom. – the financial, numbers guy. Great to see the humor on the flip side. 🙂 🙂
mike in atl.
Great Reply Christine: All said and done we all seem to be on the same page. “Just Keep on Truckin”
And agreed, there are a bunch of inconsistencies in the Ebay policies with this thing called VERO. Wonder if Ebay will ever revisit this at some point in the future? It has been the same for a number of years now.
Probably not even on their radar as long as they aren’t blamed for anything by those companies.
mike
Yeah… so is “Damn the Defiant, Full Speed Ahead”! 🙂 But that is what we do and have been doing forever. We all built our businesses on it.
I will buy anything I can get for a dollar and sell for $35 any day of the week including Porsche!! 🙂
mike
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