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Replying to this as an update. Jay, I set the price high at $299 with make offer. About a month ago I got and offer for $100, which I countered at $200 and was prepared to meet in the middle at $150. Unfortunately he never replied back and the offer expired.
So the good thing about this is lack of sale is that it does show that this pattern must be rarer and have higher value like I thought, and it also set a floor for future offers. I’d still like to get $150 or more, but I might not say no to the next reasonable offer of $100+.
Replying to some old threads I started to have some closure. Amatino, I did set these up as you helped me with and unfortunately, none sold for a whole year, until this past week! Someone bought 4 in a bundle and one more sale like that I’m break even and the rest are profit. So these are obviously long-tail but that’s ok, I can wait! So thanks again Amatino!
All good advice Retro Treasures WV. It is a rollercoaster that’s for sure. I like the idea of going through a death pile or two, maybe I will later this week!
I just was about done with a long Monthly numbers post, and I hit the wrong button and it is gone.
So I’m not rewriting it, but instead here is a quick abbreviated version (whining ahead):
I didn’t sell as much as usual
I sold things for less than usual
I had two high dollar returns taking 11% of my profit back for the month
I bought, sold, and only then realized while packing that a $45 sale item was actually broken and I couldn’t sell it. Luckily I only was out the original $5 sale but I did get a ding on eBay for not fulfilling that sale.
I am trying to list as much as I can on the weekends (20-30 items) and I did go to an auction last night that I spend $80 and now have about $500 worth of items ( and $300 worth listed just this morning). So that was good.
Back to the bad: This first week of March is currently slower than my very slow February so that is worrying….
Thanks for the comments Mike especially the mispelling. I spelled it correct in two places and incorrect in two places! I will retake that first photo and check my white balance.
UPDATE: So I received the bowls back yesterday… and one was broken yet again! Sigh. So now I’m down to two of these cursed bowls but I’m not giving up yet! I took all of your suggestions and put them in my new listing ( https://www.ebay.com/itm/192829650591 ), AND I will contact the future buyer and make sure they know what color they are getting. This must be a rare color (and there are two less of them in the world!) so I’m only lowering the price a few bucks on now only a set of 2 bowls. But I am putting make offer on them :). Will they sell, will they be returned broken yet again? Stay tuned….
I don’t like to use all caps but you are right putting the color first in caps might be a good idea.
Replying to own post. I also notice I made an error in re-listing these and still stated 4 bowls in the description (which is weird because I recall changing everything). So I guess I’m lucky that the person didn’t open a item not as described return since the title has quantity of 3 and the description says 4. His not paying attention may have helped me in this case. LOL.
Seemed quiet after a gangbusters December, but still a good start to 2019!
January Monthly Numbers
56 sales (down 10 from December)$ sold (minus shipping): $1495 (above last year’s average by over $200 so that’s good)
Per sale average: $26.70 (above my goal of over $25)
cost per item average: $5.39 (A few items were personal and they had high purchase prices so this number doesn’t bug me)
Biggest Sale: No big sales at all but this Italian soup tureen was the highest and Jay will appreciate it as it was a piece of pottery that I got in a kitchen/pottery/glassware lot at an auction and I completely thought was ugly and it turned out to be the biggest money maker! https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vietri-Solimene-CAMPAGNA-Royal-Blue-Fish-4-Qt-Covered-Soup-Tureen-Lid/192606165971
Items in store peak for month: 820 or so trying to stay above 800 but I’m busy and not listing as much.
Returns/Refunds : 1. Got an email late in the 30 day free returns for a blender I sold in December. Buyer said they used it about 5 times and then motor started smoking. It was used and also from that same kitchen lot mentioned above, so I just refunded their money in full and told them to throw it away.
Customer issues: none other than above issue.
Sourcing: Found a few higher dollar items including a couple things that I spent more on ($10-20). Most of these are listed in the $50-100 range so hopefully these bigger purchases bring nice sales.
Choppsshop, did you mean the pie chart on the eBay invoices? Mine is usually 10-11% so 16%-21% does seem a little high. Maybe now that you switched to the larger store, it’ll drop a bit. Especially since you have so many more free listings. List, list, list!!
I’m adding to this to say that I heard a radio advert in Portland OR where I live saying that although MLK day was a postal holiday, some will be open limited hours. I found a list of them below for Oregon and SW Washington. I’m not sure why and don’t know if other metropolitan areas are doing this also.
https://1190kex.iheart.com/content/2019-01-15-many-oregon-post-offices-to-be-open-on-mlk-jr-day/
Year ended on a high note with most gross and net sales ever!
December Monthly Numbers
66 sales
$ sold (minus shipping): $1888 (new record!)
Per sale average: $28.611 (goal over $25, second best month of the year)
cost per item average: $5.33 (high due to bigger purchases)
Biggest Sale: Air Force Dental Laboratory Technicians Manual from 1959. Got it in an auction lot with some military memorabilia ($25 total for lot). Priced it higher than others of that area that had sold so I was very happy! https://www.ebay.com/itm/1959-Department-Of-The-Air-Force-Dental-Laboratory-Technicians-Manual-AFM-160-29/192726719510Items in store peak for month: ~840
Returns/Refunds : 0. But, I did lose a priority mail insurance case from last month when they sent a letter asking for more photos of package damage itself (or to bring package in to post office for inspection, uhhh I don’t have the item). I received only one photo from the buyer that had the item broken still partially inside the the bubble wrap but didn’t show the box. Next time I’ll ask for the additional photo.
Customer issues: One purchase was made and then immediately cancelled, they didn’t notice it was a used item and it was a gift.
Sourcing: Very little with the holidays but did get a few items here and there. I have plenty to list anyway.
Will do a year in review post another time along with goals for 2019. Happy New Year everyone!
I used ebaymom’s post as a template as our numbers and size of store is similar.
2018 Gross Yearly Revenue: $19115
Number of items sold in the year: 586
Number of items listed on Jan 1 2018: ~350
Number of items listed on Dec 31 2018: 8002018 COGS: $2185
Shipping Fees: $4005
eBay/PayPal Fees: $2294
Other Expenses (incl mileage): $1721
Labor: $0 – It’s just me, and I average 10-12 hours a week on eBay activities.Total 2018 Profits after expenses: $9067 (47% of gross sales)
I’d like that a bit higher (over 50%) but it was my first full year of this part-time endeavor and I did buy some equipment and other supplies that probably upped that a bit. But overall I’m happy with my growth in 2018. I hope 2019 is even better for me and all trash elves!
