Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Yeah, about a year ago, but I still do Ebay too. I was lucky to land an opportunity in which I was working relatively independently, as I was trying to avoid workplace toxicity as much as possible. One change I noticed was that I’d become more efficient as I didn’t want to sit around and waste time, wanted to get the work done and not just “put in time.” Still dream of finding more self-employment opportunities in the future.
I couldn’t help but wonder what happened to that lovely roll of bubble wrap after the skit…
I’m not good with numbers, but I was sort of in your position at one time. I had a 20-25 hr week entry-level job and the hours dwindled and was to the point where driving to get there and all the costs of working there weren’t leaving much leftover. I quit there and ramped up reselling, while I’m glad I did, I also regret it, because I missed the people I worked with, but also added up to a lot of money that could be rolled into the business and also any savings I had, I depleted. I also discovered getting inventory in my part of the country wasn’t as great as in others, even Walmart has no clearance cuz its the only big box store in town. Eventually, I moved closer to civilization and started working 25-30 hrs a week again at a different place and now have more money again to invest in the business. Maybe just a change of job would do you good until you have the business ramped up to over guarantee numbers? Even if you gave the full time reselling a shot between shopping for a new job.
I don’t personally know anyone who stutters, but I see it as adding character to someone, like a tattoo or even cool that someone’s brain could get their voice do that.
I’d love to be a truck driver, but I’m unable. I’m going to check out that “Homes on Wheels Alliance” in my free time.
I have a couple of uncles who have lived like this most of their lives and they basically travel where the work is or visit relatives/people for extended periods. They’ve always been happy and never did it for early retirement or because they were broke. I’m considering it for myself in the next year or two, basically for the same reason. It always seems like nothing matches up. I find a reasonably decent job, a seasonal job, the housing/houses are unaffordable or there are no jobs and/or some combo. Not having a college degree might not help; I see people with bachelor’s degrees working at jobs that non-degree people used to have. Might just be my area though. I’ve found a few Youtubers inspirational. One couple that used to post lived in their van in Toronto (even in winter) until they saved enough for a house.
@almasty I have the 6.5″ x 4.5″ and 6″x6″ cardboard envelopes from ecoswift and threerb. I’d send you one if you want to see them before you buy. My email is jgfair49@gmail.com
My bad, the letter track pro tracking only works with items that are machineable, it was the non-machineable aspect that made them have to be hand stamped due to being too thick or square. So the barcodes probably do work on other envelopes.
@Temudgin When I first mentioned it to letter track pro, back in June/July 2018, they told me that it won’t scan unless it was a regular sized envelope and refunded me for the 20 transactions I had used on oversized items. I’ll have to look into it again.
@almasty I got around having to use cardboard, for say postcards, was to buy cardboard envelopes on Ebay. This way it could go out with just a postage stamp. As far as I was told by Letter Track Pro was that nothing but standard sized envelopes would scan. Going to look into this further cuz Temudgin pointed out all should scan.
I found the plastic Sterilite Under Bed Boxes work well cuz their not too deep. I alphabetize them in 6 3/4 paper envelopes. 2 rows of envelopes will fit about 500 patches in each box.
I’ve been using Letter Track Pro since June 2018, however it works only on regular sized envelopes. If the piece is an oversized envelope or non-machineable, such as a non-flat magnet, it won’t scan and will be useless. I learned this after doing about 20 of them with the barcode and no tracking showing up. I’m personally not worried about TSR, so all my items are in one store, but if I was I’d probably start a second store. 85% of the items never get a parcel barcode. About 1% of those ever have an issue with ‘item not received.’ Though never bothered to call Ebay to see, I’ve heard a non-intelligent barcode won’t hold up for proof of shipping like an EBay parcel one will. When a “where is my item?” email is received, I respond by checking the intelligent barcode to see if it was out for delivery. From there I tell them I’m showing that the item was out for delivery on such and such date and confirm their address, making sure I sent it to the right address. If needed, a screenshot of the tracking is also provided through Ebay messages. The majority never respond back. If it progresses to, “I really didn’t receive it,” I’ll tell them I’ll file a missing mail claim with USPS and refund the money, as I read that 1 in 50 pieces of first class mail are misdelivered, so it’s a possibility that it was.
On the other hand, I also sell magnets that are bulky, usually $6-10 free ship. Unless they’re buying multiples, they’re shipped first class non-machineable without tracking. It’s an instance where the cost to put tracking on it outweighs the number of people who will claim they never got it. My rule is that if the item is over $15, it gets parcel tracking. A downside with letter track pro is that while you can get email updates on the whereabouts of the letter, you can’t have it sent to the customer since Ebay doesn’t show or allow emails sent outside their system. I’m glad for the block list for those who aren’t truthful, however I’ve found the majority are.
I was out of paper yesterday after my usual dumpsters weren’t producing free packing paper. I got the idea to ask at Goodwill, to see if they would sell me a roll cheaper then can be had on Amazon. To my surprise the manager was like “we use 3′ rolls up front, cuz that’s the size dispenser we have, but for some reason they sent these 5′ rolls, could you use them?” she asks. I tried not to drool. Anyways, long story short, she brought out a 5′ industrial rolls with thousands of yards on it. I bet there are other Goodwills out there with paper in back they can’t use.
Hmm…never thought to do that kind of math. Puts things in a new perspective. I’ll start thinking that way next time I’m down on my numbers. I also try to remember that someone making less money than myself or have less items, wish they were in my shoes. Or that at one time I was wishing I was making as much money as I’m now. Like in the beginning making $50 a month to me was amazing. It’s hard sometimes to remember where you came from.
Hi Tracy! I’m in Northern Michigan. Have yet to do any shopping in Detroit. I wonder though if the Habitat for Humanity Restores are filled with architecture from demolition from downtown. I’m fond of the arts and crafts homes and have a special love for Pewabic pottery.
I know what you mean about having to separate your personal taste from what buyers want, it is one of my weaknesses. When I was trying to build up inventory last summer, I attended church, humane society and non-profit sales where you pay by donation of your choice; that way if I bought duds, then it wasn’t a hit to the budget. One thing I had to get over at those sort of sales was the questions the cashier or others might ask, such as, “What are you going to do with all of that stuff?” I had to stop myself from feeling self-conscious or greedy for buying so much. At other sales some volunteers would make general comments to one another, “I don’t know what we are going to do with all this stuff when the sale is over” and urging people to take more. That helped my conscience a bit.
