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RR Store Week June 4 – 10, 2017
Total Items in Store: 1,228
Items Sold: 25
Cost of Items Sold: $27.99
Total Sales: $1,209.96
Highest Price Sold: $641.00 (vintage mah jong set)
Average Price Sold: $48.40
Returns: 1
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $121.50
Number of items listed this week: 24So grateful for that large sale, but it made up over half my weekly total. Without it, I would have missed my goal by several hundred dollars. Not cool. But now that my back is better, plus a living room full of newly acquired items, listing will be full tilt this week. My goal is 60 items.
I cleaned up at the estate sales this week. Lots of cool stuff that will be fun to list, unlike pants. On our way to the last estate sale of the day, we decided to follow some signs to a yard sale. It was like 2:30, so we expected it to be shut down. But not only were they still there, but they were giving everything away for FREE! I grabbed some clothes and books, but the big score was 8 bottles of Aveda Professional hair treatment, the stuff not sold retail; Aveda salon stylists only. Last one sold for $42.25 for just a single bottle, so I listed them all together for $109.99. I’d be thrilled with that. As we were loading up the car, the neighbor asked me if I wanted a bag of men’s clothes. I said “sure!”. Hopefully there are a few good pieces in there.
Have a great week everyone!
*Paul*
This week I had my biggest sale of the year. I was ecstatic! I’ve been trying to save money to get a much-needed allergy test done at a naturopathic doctor’s office, and selling this mah jong set paid for both the visit and the tests. I got the set for FREE, so this is pure profit. It took quite a bit of research to identify the “flower” tiles as scenes from a Chinese opera, but I think that information helped it sell, and now I know what to look for in vintage mah jong sets. I originally had it listed at $1,200 or Best Offer, but after a few months of really lowball offers, I offered it at auction starting at $579.99. Took three tries, but Sunday it ended at $641.00. And I just got positive feedback from the buyer, so now I can relax.
*Paul*
Gompers, apologies for the late response.
Yep, those mailers are pretty much standard. I’ve bought records on eBay where the buyer simply sandwiched it between two pieces of cardboard, then sent it off. When it arrived, it had snapped in two. I was so bummed! But I’ve never received a damaged record using those specific mailers, nor have I ever shipped one and had it arrive damaged. They do cost a bit more, but I work that into the shipping price. I charge around $4.50 for Media Mail.
*Paul*
RR Store Week May 28-June 3, 2017
Total Items in Store: 1,240
Items Sold: 26
Cost of Items Sold: $30.47
Total Sales: $612.19
Highest Price Sold: $70 (1940s women’s shorts)
Average Price Sold: $23.55
Returns: 0
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $0
Number of items listed this week: 2I spent most of the week icing my back and watching “Star Trek”, so aside from the auctions and the Sell Similars, almost no listing got done. But after a quick trip to the Chiropractor, I do feel a bit better. I hit my first estate sale in almost two weeks, and I’m very motivated to list, especially after looking at my weekly total. Goal missed.
The auctions are helping me burn off old inventory, but prices have been low. Still, glad to see clothes I took pictures of on the floor with a flash(!) finally finding new homes. It also gives me a chance to reflect on past purchases, and to compile a mental list of NON-BOLOs. If I never see another ugly Christmas sweater again, it’ll be too soon.
The shoebox full of vintage unused Sanrio items has been a cash cow. One buyer paid $78 bucks for a mini clipboard and nail clippers, plus another $40 to ship them to Japan! Those Hello Kitty collectors are fanatical about their hobby. Luckily, I have a few more items from that box to list. As soon as I saw it at the estate sale, I just knew it was a box full of $20 dollar bills.
*Paul*
Amantino, I think you’re spot on. Records without sleeves are generally worthless, the exception being 12″ singles that never had a picture sleeve. Even then, they usually came in a generic record label sleeve with logos and artwork. Get rid of them, and then list those books.
*Paul*
Happy to help, Mike. I hear you about the passion; I recently sold a bunch of coins in lots. I could have researched each and every one, but I find coins so BORING. And if the buyer made some money reselling some of them, I’m happy for them. Lot ’em up, sell ’em on!
*Paul*
Sorry for the late reply, Steven. I was having computer issues.
I started each auction at a different price; basically, the lowest price I would be willing to take for an item. Because I’m just doing it for older items, I don’t mind taking a lower price. My cost of goods is so cheap that I’m still making a profit.
*Paul*
As far as pricing goes, well, we all know how to research on eBay with completed listings. This applies to records as well. Check completed listings, but be sure to factor in things like condition, original or reissue, domestic or import, etc. An original Japanese press of Jethro Tull “Stand Up” with the obi in Near Mint condition will fetch much more than a late 70s domestic press with scratches and a worn cover.
Selling in lots is definitely an option. Last year, I bought an 80s metal collection. Most were worth selling alone, but some were selling for less than $10 bucks. So I lotted them up, and off they went.
Rarity and demand are also factors. The reason why Brian of Treasures From Grandmas can get close to $100 bucks for an Iggy Pop record is because not a lot of people were into Iggy back in the 70s, so not as many records were pressed in comparison to huge artists like Elton John. Last week, I sold the Netherlands cast version of My Fair Lady for $20 bucks (paid 50 cents!). It was the only one on eBay, so I took a chance and it sold overnight.
As far as cleaning goes, I keep it simple: a microfiber cloth and a soft touch. There are many ways to clean records. A quick Google search will provide many options. As for cleaning the covers, well, it depends on what you’re trying to clean off. They’re just printed paperboard, so you’ll need to be gentle.
Gompers, I am in shock. They didn’t pick up my packages again yesterday! Not even a week after I was assured the problem would be resolved. I’m calling the postmaster on Tuesday. I also found the district manager’s contact info in case she doesn’t help. I thought about calling the 1-800 number AND making a complaint on the website, but as you suggested, I’d like to give the postmaster a chance. Hell, I might do all three. I’m ready to make a whole lot of noise until this is fixed permanently.
*Paul*
RR Store Week May 21-27, 2017
Total Items in Store: 1,264
Items Sold: 44
Cost of Items Sold: $56.22
Total Sales: $883.98 (798.98 eBay/$85 sales to friends)
Highest Price Sold: $59.99 (50s dress)
Average Price Sold: $18.16
Returns: 0
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $0
Number of items listed this week: 13So thankful for my auction experiment. Wednesday, I threw my back out. Like bad. I was (and still kinda am) down for the count. So very little listing happened. But since I’m starting auctions every day, listing is still technically happening, just not brand new listings. I have a bunch of stuff ready to list, so once I’m ambulatory again, I’m going to hit the ground running…well, maybe walking. I’m still really sore.
Lots of low dollar sales brought my average price way down. But it was mostly stuff I’ve had listed for years, so I’m just glad to see it go away and make room for new stuff. It also tells me that my experiment is working, so I’m gonna keep on keepin’ on. I also had two sales to friends. One called asking if I had any Hawaiian shirts for sale. I had JUST pulled a whole bunch out to sell, and she bought a beautiful 50s polished cotton one for $45. Another friend needed a peacock chair for her baby shower. I have one in my tiki room, so I offered to let her borrow it. She insisted on renting it from me; $40 bucks cash in my pocket.
*Paul*
Thank you Jay and Ryanne! Just trying to be like you two!
Thanks Gompers and WBird for the insight. I have been scheduling pickups online since last summer, but my packages were getting skipped at every week or two. When I first asked about it at the post office, they said I live on an auxiliary route (strange since I’m nowhere near a rural area), so I have a different carrier every day, usually the new recruits. After it happened a few more times, I called the USPS help line and filed a complaint. A supervisor called me the next day and assured me it wouldn’t happen again. But it did. Called again and spoke to a different supervisor, this time with a firmer tone. They were good for a couple of months, then it happened last week. I was ok with letting that one go, but this past Monday they left them again…23 packages! I knew that would deepen the TRS hole they dug they dug for me, so I called and got the delivery supervisor. She sent a carrier right over after I gave her an earful. If it happens again, I’m going down there and talk to the postmaster in person. Like Jay said, I shouldn’t have to ride them to do their job, but I’ll do what I have to for this business to grow.
*Paul*
T-Satt, BethGreen, I’m glad you concur. While I probably won’t use them on my brand new listings, sending old listings to auction has been a great way to move out old inventory, then clean up and relist the unsold items. I’m going to continue this method and see how it goes.
*Paul*
I hesitated posting this because I wouldn’t want you or anyone else to think this is a trick or a way to fool eBay. I looked at it strictly as an experiment. There is no substitute for doing the work, namely listing.
In addition to the sales boost, the process of relisting (well, Sell Similar-ing) the old inventory is giving me a chance to tighten up the listings; dropping prices, fixing any errors, and deleting extraneous text. A few of these touched-up listings have already sold. I also realized that I was being somewhat precious about pricing. My store is definitely on the expensive side, but not everything needs to be top dollar, especially if it’s been up for years.
*Paul*
RR Store Week May 14-20, 2017
Total Items in Store: 1,295
Items Sold: 39
Cost of Items Sold: $59.75
Total Sales: $1149.84
Highest Price Sold: $380 (Super Nintendo bundle)
Average Price Sold: $29.48
Returns: 0
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $82.95
Number of items listed this week: 24Awesome week for me, and I’m pretty sure I know why. After being spooked by two weeks of low sales, I decided to try an experiment I read about on Instagram. Pretty straightforward: starting two Mondays ago, every day for a week I moved 40 old, stale items from Buy It Now to Auction. So this past week, I had auctions ending every day, which is a lot of store activity. I only sold 2 or 3 of the 40 items each day, but they add up. Plus, it was all really old listings. After the auctions ended, I relisted the unsold items using Sell Similar. So all last week, I had auctions starting, auctions ended, and Buy It Now listings going up, PLUS the brand new listings I was creating. I really think it helped drive traffic to my listings, because I sold a lot more than usual. And today has been crazy!
All that said, I’m still a firm believer in List It and Forget It. Jay and Ryanne’s philosophy helped me to go full time, and I think it works. But because my inventory is so much smaller, I think I have to shake things up once in a while. Not to say this will work for everyone, but it helped me quite a bit.
Killer estate sales and killer deals this week. One of my best purchases was a shoe box full of vintage 1970’s Hello Kitty stuff, all unused. Like practically brand new. Got the whole box for $15. I listed a few pieces last night and I’ve already sold three small pieces for a total of $96.97. And I still have 16 pieces left to list! Keep your eyes open for vintage Sanrio; even the 90’s stuff goes for big bucks.
OK, off to pack 23 items, then watch Twin Peaks. Have a great week, everyone!
*Paul*
