[Sharyn]

I took a quick look at the link for the USPS. For the new prices, they give you over 60 Excel spreadsheets and use acronyms for everything. I can figure some of it out, but it takes work.

I did figure out that the flat rate padded envelope is increasing from $6.80 to $7.20. I can reasonably assume that the discounted rate that eBay gives us will also go up by about $0.40.

I think that the $0.47 price for a first class letter is going back up to $0.49.

I’m not sure about first class packages. I’m not familiar enough with current vs. new rates to say how much prices are increasing. I’m assuming for now that the prices won’t go up that significantly where I need to increase my prices for items that include shipping.

[Sharyn]

I “found” a few things around the house that we didn’t need anymore. These two sold within days of listing:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=182394849022
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=182394865586

I was surprised that this wallet sold through GSP to someone in Canada:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=182312208693

My more interesting sale was something that I bought in the summer for $5, and I had an offer when I got up this morning for $50. They haven’t paid yet, but hopefully it will be paid when I get up tomorrow:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=182188964364

[Sharyn]

I am also planning on getting rid of lower price and slower moving merchandise and focusing on higher value. This past year I bought some household dishes, cups, and such because they were so cheap. In an online auction during the summer, I bought the contents of two cabinets for $1 each. It’s been easy to make money on it – all I needed was one sale, but it moves so slow, it is hard to pack, and it takes up lots of room. In the new year, I will put it on 50% sale. I don’t know if that will be enough to unload it, so I’ll most likely go to a flea market in the Spring or Summer, and get rid of the rest of it.

I do need to add clothing. I bought winter stuff pretty cheaply this past spring, and it is paying off now. I’ve never been to the GW Outlet in my area, so I’ll do that at some point. See what this weigh and pay stuff is all about. I’ll continue on the online and live auctions, but just being more careful.

[Sharyn]

Yes, my sales were slow this week as well. I sold nothing on Sunday or Monday. I did sell three things this morning (Tuesday). I don’t have a reason for why this morning is different than yesterday’s. Like J & R say, maybe no-one wanted my stuff until today.

[Sharyn]

I wanted to comment on something discussed in the podcast. I also like to hear that “cha ching” on my phone. I wouldn’t say that I get depressed when I’m not hearing it, but I feel like I miss it or something. I realize that it is psychological – similar to a casino. People get addicted to the sound of the slot machines, and it pushes them to do it more and more. I feel like at least I know what is going on, so I can live with it. But, I definitely get happy when I hear that sound!!

I’ve heard it three times this morning, so life is good!

[Sharyn]

Week of Dec 12 – 18
* Total Items in Store: 558
* Items Sold: 11
* Cost of Items Sold: $21.05
* Total Sales: $110.43
* Highest Price Sold: $31 Harmony Kingdom Figurine
* Average Price Sold: $10
* Returns: 1 item – placemats
* Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $44
* Number of items listed this week: about 30

Pretty lousy week for me. I guess that I don’t have much in the gift category.

I had a return of a set of placemats where the buyer didn’t like the color. I had listed them as tan, and the buyer said it wasn’t as described because the placemats were yellowish. I know that color isn’t a reason for not as described, but the buyer said “please” and “thank-you”, so I accepted the return.

I spent $44 in an online auction for 8 items. I’m focusing on items that have a higher selling price rather than quantity or low COGS. I hope this helps in the new year.

There were two online auctions I was interested in. One ended Wednesday, and the other Thursday. I was busy in the evening for both days, so I didn’t know what I won until I got home. The first I did well and bought the 8 items. I was completely outbid on the other. The plus side was that I only had one pickup this weekend, and I didn’t have to put up a significant amount of cash. The prices were very high in the second auction because the items were high end modern art and decor. The items would have commanded high prices, but I don’t know how long they would have taken to sell.

[Sharyn]

I went through the same thing happen two weeks ago. The method of submitting a FedEx Smartpost claim is confusing, and I had to make a phone call to eBay and then FedEx to double-check. The process doesn’t allow you to check up on status. If they don’t decide in my favor, will I even be notified? My claim was also in that $20-$25 range, so I’m not overly concerned. I guess I need to reconsider using Smartpost for expensive items, or at least using shipcover insurance.

[Sharyn]

Week of Dec 5 – 11
* Total Items in Store: 529
* Items Sold: 19
* Cost of Items Sold: $16.31
* Total Sales: $461.89
* Highest Price Sold: $105 Mask / Face Sculpture
* Average Price Sold: $24.31
* Returns: 1 item – scarf
* Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $45
* Number of items listed this week: about 31

Finally, after a few dud weeks, I get a good one! I had a higher overall number of sales plus a decent average price (for me) as well. I had one return of a scarf because the buyer just didn’t like it. She paid return shipping, so no problem.

As far as shipping goes, my current philosophy is to include shipping for all first class items and those that will fit into a padded fixed rate envelope. The exception is anything that I sell with best offer – shipping is always extra for those. I once had a decent offer for some antique plates, but I couldn’t accept it because I had included shipping.

Occasionally, I will include shipping for something that fits into a medium or large fixed rate box. I sell used tennis balls, and I have to include shipping in those because of competition and usually use FedEx Smartpost. I’m lucky that I have a FedEx Kinkos in my town, but it is a 15 min drive. I prefer the USPS which is a 2 min drive.

Last week, I posted a link to the sculpture I sold for $105, so I won’t do it again. Here are a few other favorite sales:

I don’t do too much in clothes, but I would like to add more. Here are a pair of youth snow pants I bought for $1 in the summer. Sold for $28 which included first class shipping:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=182327951848

Someone recently suggested to remove needlepoints/embroideries from the frame if the frame wasn’t in great condition. I sold this one very quickly that way. Paid maybe a dollar, sold for $20 with shipping:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=182376268396

A few Christmas items; The first I bought in an online auction for a dollar or so, and the second was given to me:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=182364016368
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=182276359380

My brother-in-law gave me a bunch of Harmony Kingdom figurines to sell. Here is the first one to go, $35 including shipping:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=182381230115

My first rug sale! Paid maybe $2 at a live auction, sold for $35 plus shipping:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=182359399061

[Sharyn]

Silly me, I forgot to switch over to the HTML editor before inserting my code. Flippertools worked, but I’m sure that the other one would have worked too.

[Sharyn]

You can subscribe in two ways. One, when you comment on a topic like you did, you can click the box “Notify me of follow-up replies via email” right underneath the “Tags:” box. Two, at the top of the topic, there is a subscribe button. As long as you are logged in, you can press that link and you will be subscribed.

[Sharyn]

I just tried to embed a video in a listing. I used “http://www.isdntek.com/tagbot/YouTubeConverter.htm” converter that someone listed on SL a few weeks back. For some reason, eBay wouldn’t allow it. I got the following message:

It looks like there’s a problem with this listing.
We’ve noticed that your listing included a non-clickable link. eBay no longer permits non-clickable or static links in listings (in item descriptions, payment instructions, return instructions, etc.). Please go back and either remove the non-clickable link, or update it to make sure it complies with the links policy.

To learn what else is no longer permitted in our updated Links policy, including email addresses, links to email clients and shortened URLS (e.g. bitly or TinyURL), please see: http://pages.ebay.com/sellerinformation/news/links2011.html

[Sharyn]

Before I list my numbers, I was wondering if anyone here had purchased the 230 VCRs/DVDs auction lot in NJ that I had posted about last week. I had checked it a few hours before it ended, and someone had bid the minimum of $230.

Week of Nov 28 – 4
* Total Items in Store: 517
* Items Sold: 11
* Cost of Items Sold: $10.40
* Total Sales: $212.94
* Highest Price Sold: $35 Antique Cup & Saucer
* Average Price Sold: $19.35
* Returns: 1 damaged item
* Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $0
* Number of items listed this week: about 25

This was an OK week for me, but better than last week. Sales picked up Sunday and Monday. The damaged item was my fault. It was a cake plate that was awkward to pack, so I didn’t do the normal box within box. Brain fart, I guess.

The antique cup & saucer was in an auction lot that I was not charged for. I didn’t realize their mistake until a few days later, otherwise, I would have said something. I initially didn’t think that the set was that nice, but I tracked the hallmark down:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=182361501591

Here is something sold yesterday that will definitely bump up my average sale price for next week. The buyer paid full price of $105. The auctioneer said it was a funeral mask, but I’m not sure whether it is or not. I paid about $3 for it.:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=182326309416

[Sharyn]

My sales have been slow. I think that October was the best 4th quarter month so far. I kept hearing about how great 4th quarter sales are, but, so far, I’ve been disappointed. Perhaps the holiday rush hasn’t started, maybe people buy new merchandise for gifts, or no-one likes the stuff I’ve listed. Could be any of the above.

I only starting selling in the Spring of this year, so I don’t have any previous year metrics to compare.

My brother-in-law just gave me about a dozen Harmony Kingdom collectable boxes to sell. They are the neatest things, and I’m hoping that this is something people will buy as gifts. The sold prices are from $20 to $90.

[Sharyn]

Thanks so much for the suggested words! It could be for a corner, or something curvy. Interestingly, it got a good number of views over night. Much more than other items I post. I just updated it with a better title.

Yeh, I know the title was sub-par. In general, I don’t use commas or connector words in my titles, but I wanted to list it quickly so that I could ask my question. I hadn’t even looked through the photos. I don’t have an account on Imur or anything similar, so listing it was the easiest way I could show you what I had and get to bed on time!!

[Sharyn]

If anyone is in the central NJ area and would be interested in buying a boatload of VCRs and DVD players, check out the link below. The minimum bid is $230 for 230 VCR and DVD players. I happened to notice it on govdeal.com. I personally don’t have the room nor the patience to test all of these, but the talk in previous Scavengerlife discussions is that they do sell well on eBay.

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&itemid=28&acctid=5693

[Author]

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