[Sharyn]

That worked. Thanks!

[Sharyn]

In September, I bought several lots in an online auction/estate sale. I did find some change and a $2 bill, but what was interesting was information on the people who used to own the items.

I bought one lot that had wallets, and I found the money I mentioned, business cards for both the wife and the husband, a library card, and a photograph that I believe was the husband and wife in their earlier years, maybe 30’s. In a lot of decor, I found a more recent photo of her with a friend.

Through Google, I was basically able to find out some of her and her husband’s life history. She was a professor teaching English and public speaking at a community college who had passed away in July, and her husband was an engineer who passed away over 10 years ago.

I kind of felt like a stalker, but it does remind oneself how much information is available online. A good thing to do is to google your name (use quotes around your first and last name) to see what is out there. My name has a different spelling, so I’m able to find my information pretty easily.

[Sharyn]

There is no real answer to that question. I could answer yes or no to both. Right now, I am not making enough to say scavenging will be my job and way of life. My husband and I cut back on our expenses, but we bought our house based on two professional salaries. We are making ends meet, but we do occasionally have to dip into savings. If I can make enough that we can meet our financial obligations and even start saving again, then I think that I can stick with this.

On the other hand, I almost was able to get some subcontracting work with my old company. I spoke with a manager, someone who I know well, but she came back a week later saying that they just had a hiring freeze. If I can get temporary, remote work, I would do it. In some ways, I feel that a part of me is missing. I worked in my field for about 26 years, and now that is gone.

In the meantime, I’ve signed up for a special environmental class/program for next year run by a college nearby and co-sponsored by the county. I would like to do some work in that field. If I could add something to my scavenging business, I think I could get to where I need to be financially. I’m just not sure what I will do yet.

[Sharyn]

Jay –

I want to figure how many items I’ve listed in a week, not sold.

Also, Habhab is correct – these are priority mail boxes, the same ones you can get at a US post office or order online, but they have both USPS and eBay printed on the box! They are free just like the ones you order from USPS directly.

[Sharyn]

* Total Items in Store: 463
* Items Sold: 23
* Cost of Items Sold: $21
* Total Sales: $374.48
* Highest Price Sold: $42 cabinet knobs – combined from 2 listings
* Average Price Sold: $17.90
* Returns: 0
* Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $12
* Number of items listed this week: about 25

How can I see the number of items I’ve listed in a week without manually counting them? I don’t see where I can get my items filtered by listing date.

Also, I didn’t know that eBay & the USPS now provide co-branded priority mailing boxes. I needed the flat rate padded envelopes, so I selected a link to get USPS supplies, and I expected to be directed to the USPS website. Instead, I got an eBay page with co-branded boxes. Here is the link:
http://uspssupplies.ebay.com/uspsweb/catalog

They didn’t have the padded envelopes, so I had to go to the USPS site. I’ll definitely get the co-branded boxes when I need them.

[Sharyn]

Hey Mike –

Thanks for the detailed explanation. I believe you answered another one of my questions a week or so ago, and I really appreciate your help. I remember seeing a discussion on shipping rugs here before, so I thought I’d ask. I will check the resources you mentioned, and I’ll do a Google search as well.

These rug purchases are kind of an experiment for me. I only started on eBay earlier this year, so I find myself trying different products to sell all the time. Cleaning the rugs this morning was much more of a hassle than I thought it would be.

I don’t know whether this experiment will be successful or not, but time will tell. So, I’ll look into buying the supplies you mentioned, and let’s see how selling and shipping goes!

Again, thanks for your help.

[Sharyn]

Sheldon, I hope that you are feeling closer to 100% right now. I’m looking forward to your packing video.

eBay seems to have specific rules about selling Native American items. They ask for tribe and other particulars. What did you do with the Navajo rug when you weren’t sure? I have two items up for sale that may or may not be Native American, but I suspect that they probably are. I didn’t list them as such since I didn’t have the story behind them, and I couldn’t find much in my online research.:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=182326531741&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=182322196965&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

[Sharyn]

For me, the prices at yard sales and estate sales depend on the person or company running it. It is hit or miss, but I do find certain towns have more hits and others have more misses. The places that I have found more consistently low prices are a live auction that happens once or twice a month and an online auction. With the online auction, I wait until they have a location within 1 hr or less driving time before I consider whether to bid or not.

I started selling on eBay earlier this year, so I initially didn’t want to spend much. I focused on getting stuff as cheap as possible. Now my goal is to up my average sale price, so I am more particular and perhaps spend more if I feel I will make more.

[Sharyn]

Thanks for all the great work and new blog!

I’ve never posted my numbers before, but, since I started with GoDaddy last week, I’m now able to get that information much easier. So, here goes:

* Total Items in Store: 455
* Items Sold: 23
* Cost of Items Sold: $54.37 = 24.42 + $29.95 for my son’s old suit
* Total Sales: $363.53
* Highest Price Sold: $29.95 (for my son’s old suit)
* Average Price Sold: $15.80
* Returns: 0
* Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $0
* Number of items listed this week: 0

Mostly, I’ve sold low dollar value items this past week, but probably more items than normal.

My kids had half days due to parent teacher conferences, so I didn’t list anything. I took photos and started some drafts, so I should get moving this week.

[Sharyn]

Just saying Hi! I also noticed the changes this morning and was hoping to post first! But, I haven’t been back on the computer until now. I guess, just to keep on topic, I live in suburban NJ where antlers really aren’t too common. I do see a good number of deer in my neighborhood, but none with large antlers.

Looking forward to listening to the podcast tomorrow.

Sharyn

[Author]

Posts