[Sharyn]

Week of Jan 1 – 7
* Total Items in Store: 581
* Items Sold: 14
* Cost of Items Sold: $43.22 + $16.46 Commission
* Total Sales: $350
* Highest Price Sold: $40 Soviet Union Wood Bar Plaque
* Average Price Sold: $25
* Returns: 0
* Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $0
* Number of items listed this week: 35

Good week for me with a decent average price sold. Recently, I was given some stuff to sell on commission from a family friend. She gave me jewelry that is mostly sterling silver, so that stuff sells really well. Of the 14 items sold, three were hers. Most of the 35 items I listed were jewelry.

The $40 bar plaque was from an online auction I did at the end of the year. I bought it for $8.80. This is part of my goal to spend more for a higher profit, but lower ROI. I’m very happy with that sale, and I’ve now sold 3 of the 9 items I bought.

I had an issue with the USPS. After I came back from my year end vacation, I had a large number of items to ship. One of them was a car repair manual sent media mail. I brought it to the PO on Jan 3 or 4, but it didn’t get scanned until 13th, about 9 days late. The buyer had contacted me on Jan 9 asking why I hadn’t shipped it, and I replied that sometimes media mail doesn’t get the tracking that other mail does. After the tracking info finally showed up, I sent a second message saying that it was now on its way, but I didn’t know why there was a delay in the shipping. So, I’ve got two potential issues. One is that my customer might not believe me and could ding me for the slow handling time. The second is that eBay will automatically ding me for the slow handling time.

I’m fixing the issue for the future by not putting anything in the drop boxes, but, instead, standing in line and getting the items scanned right there and then. I’ve had similar issues on a few first class packages where the tracking didn’t show up until the item made it to its destination, so I feel that this is necessary. It is a pain because I can’t drop off on a Sunday or holiday (like MLK holiday yesterday). I know it won’t affect my 1 day handling time I have on some of my items, but I feel like I’m not shipping fast enough. I’ll have to get over it.

One last thing – just a comment on the podcast – I registered my company, in my state, as a single person LLC. I originally did this based on different plans I had for a business at that time. I had to reregister at the end of the year and pay a $50 fee. I still have plans to expand my business into something else other than eBay, so I’m sticking with it. It does protect my personal assets should someone sue me. I realize that is very unlikely, but I set it up, so I’ll keep with it.

[Sharyn]

Since my first post on this subject, I responded with offer twice and made a sale both times.

The first was for a framed needlepoint where the buyer asked about hanging it.

The second was for a wallet. The buyer first asked about a wallet and whether the bills would lay flat. When I showed that the bills had to be folded, she found another of my wallets that she like better. I tried to give an incentive to buy both, but she didn’t bite. Nevertheless, my responding with offer did end up in a sale.

So far my experiment is 3 for 3, but I was 1 for 11 before the change in tactics. I’m liking the results so far!!

[Sharyn]

I love how your cat gets along so well with your dog. I have two cats, and, at their best, they tolerate each other, but sometimes they don’t.

My favorite sales from the past week:

This needlepoint of a siamese cat only sold for $15.50, but what was so great about it was the feedback “I am SO happy with this!!!! It hangs just fine! Thank you thank you thank you!!!”:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=182376226306

This is a vintage light fixture that I bought at an online auction. It was described as requiring some cleanup, but when I got it home I found out it had paint splatters that required strong chemicals to remove. Rather than spending the time on it, I just washed it up with dish detergent and listed with the paint at a lower price. Still happy with the sale; Sold for $30, paid $4.40:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=182394924939

[Sharyn]

Week of Jan 1 – 7
* Total Items in Store: 560
* Items Sold: 12
* Cost of Items Sold: $15.66
* Total Sales: $122.82
* Highest Price Sold: $30 Vintage Porcelain Ceiling Light
* Average Price Sold: $10.24
* Returns: 0
* Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $0
* Number of items listed this week: 10ish

I was away for the last week of 2016, so I didn’t spend anything on new inventory. I was given stuff to sell by my family and some friends, so I’m working on listing that now. Sunday and Monday has started out pretty well, so I think my numbers this week will be better.

[Sharyn]

I was away between Christmas and New Years, so I am catching up. Here are my past two weeks of sales:

Week of Dec 18 – 24
* Total Items in Store: 550ish
* Items Sold: 9
* Cost of Items Sold: $41.50
* Total Sales: $192.10
* Highest Price Sold: $40 Fratantoni Italian Terra Cotta Ceramic Sun Tile Address Plaque
* Average Price Sold: $21.34
* Returns: 0
* Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $0
* Number of items listed this week: about 20ish

My higher cost of goods is due to a pair of boots in great condition that no longer fit my daughter. I chose a cost close to the sale price since we owned it.

Week of Dec 25 – 31
* Total Items in Store: 555
* Items Sold: 9
* Cost of Items Sold: $18.29
* Total Sales: $231.80
* Highest Price Sold: $50 Lenox Jewish Seder Plate
* Average Price Sold: $25.76
* Returns: 1 Insurance payment for casserole that broke in shipping (set of 2, only 1 broke)
* Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $0
* Number of items listed this week: 0 (out of town)

The Seder plate was something I bought in an online auction during the summer with 4 other Lenox Jewish items. My mother actually had the same Seder plate, so she wanted three of the other items because they coordinated with the plate. I gave them to my mom and dad as a Chanukah gift, so that was about $100 I didn’t have to spend – almost like making a sale!

Both weeks were good in that my average price was higher than normal, but the number of sales was lower. This is actually part of my strategy, but I am disappointed that I didn’t sell more items during the holiday season.

[Sharyn]

Thanks for the reassurance. I did send an email yesterday asking that he pay by tonight or it wouldn’t go out until Jan 3. I just sent a follow-up email reiterating that point and asking him to contact me if he had any issues (and mentioned that an unpaid buyer case would be opened if nothing happened after 4 days).

I’m a small seller, so I am concerned about a ding however small.

I’m wondering if I sent him an invoice whether I could change the handling time there. I really don’t want to do that, but just wondering.

Anyways, thanks for answering my questions and happy holidays!

[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.

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