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I listed 27 items, and all of them were silver.
I had insisted that someone else chose the challenge for this month, but silver was chosen based on my suggestion. Now all but a few items I’ve listed this month meet the challenge. I’m up to 54. I kind of want to celebrate, but I’m kind of embarrassed.
ðŸ¤
I think that I’m supposed to get one because I signed up for the eBay “Sellerbration” on Friday next week.
09/17/2020 at 10:25 pm in reply to: LBJ Ranch card, Portable 8-Track Player, Mushroom clock, Deena ashtray stand #81668Steve – Last week I mentioned that I have a stereo system but hadn’t done anything with it, and you offered your help. Well, I brought it upstairs, and my husband tested it. It is a JC Penney Model 683-1765. The record player works quite well. The speakers seem to be not balanced, but they both get sound. The AM/FM radio works well. I had bought an 8-track tape earlier in the day to test out the 8-track player. It appeared to be working well with good sound and the speakers balanced. However, I started to hear two songs at once (it was an album I was familiar with). Once it was turned off,and the cassette was pulled out, some of the magnetic tape was stuck in the player, so was pulled out of the cassette (oh well, $1 paid for testing purposes). The cassette player did not work or move at all.
I think I might get $80 if I sell it as-is. I like the idea of learning to repair electronics like this, but I’m afraid I’ll not get to it for years. What do you think it will take to get it into good working condition? At a minimum, I’m sure that the belts for the 8-track and cassette player need to be replaced.
So, getting to my sales …
In the March timeframe, I bid in an online auction with mostly tools. My husband gave me some suggestions including to bid on a Craftsman tap and die set. I ended up paying a bit over $30 for it. When I brought it home, he was a bit dismayed at the condition and the fact that it was not a complete set. Scavengers, we know what to do, right? I created listings for matching die & tap sets, separate dies or taps, a group of damaged dies, and the die & tap wrenches. Last week, I sold 4 tap/die sets for $16 each, and this week I sold a separate tap and a separate die for $8 each plus another tap/die set for $16, and I’ve got plenty left. Not so bad, eh? Here is an example of a set I sold last week:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/184436351563
Forum user Amatino has a challenge going to list items that you’ve wanted to get to, but just haven’t had the time (hence the testing on the stereo system). I bought this lab hot plate / magnetic stirrer with a bunch of scales at the beginning of the year. I finally found some magnetic beads where I was able to heat water in a Pyrex cup and then stir it with the magnetic beads at the same time. Pretty cool! Sold it for best offer of $80; I paid about $3.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/184434443121
I thought that vintage Fiestaware would go real quick, but these have been sitting around for over a year. I paid about $1, and they sold for $28.86.
I don’t sell lots of hats, and there are many other sellers on this forum that have that expertise, but I want to make sure that someone tells you about the John Deere hats. John Deere is one of those companies that protects its trademark very carefully. Search the forum for discussions on eBay’s VERO program. You might want to be careful with listing those items, and you might want to consider a different platform. Just a head’s up.
Personally, I have not been promoting much at all. At one time, I did promote a few items that were recommended by eBay’s bot. All the items were ones that I have had for a while.
You and I may scroll past sponsored items because we know what goes on the behind the scenes. However, I believe eBay when they say that the promotion helps sell an item, but what they don’t really say is that it is more effective for new commodity items. It isn’t as effective for used and vintage items that don’t have as much competition.
Right now, sales are sporadic. What you might see as a screeching halt just might be fluctuations as kids go back to school and parents are busy with other stuff. That said, I don’t recommend promoting items unless they’ve been sitting around for a year or more.
On a completely different topic, seems like you started posting in the forum less than a year ago as a fairly new eBay seller. If you now have 750 items in your store, then you really have built up your store well. Congratulations!
FYI – Do you have a Walgreens in your town or close by? That is where I take my FedEx shipping. We do have a FedEx store in town, but it’s a good 10 min longer drive than just going to a Walgreens.
Did you submit your claim online? If so, you do have a “paper” trail. I wouldn’t refund yet. In addition, when you look up the tracking number in the USPS system, it gives you the chance to be notified when there is any movement on the package. You should go ahead and sign up with email or text so that you know when the package finally makes a move.
I would explain to your buyer that the USPS is having issues related to the pandemic and, while only a portion of packages are affected, it is not uncommon right now for a package to not show any movement for a while. You can google for a news story and send the link if you want.
If the buyer opens a case (or has already opened one), make sure to call eBay on the day that they tell you to. Tell them all that you’ve done to try to get the package moving (opened a case, called the post office, etc.). Ask for more time to get the package moving. eBay may not insure you due to a post office issue, but they can delay the case closing if you contact them and work it out.
I had several packages get delayed in the July-August timeframe. All of them eventually got to their destination. For one, the buyer opened a case and called on the final day. eBay closed the case and refunded them. I happened to be on vacation that day in an area with limited cell phone coverage, so I wasn’t able to call. I lost out on that one, but all the others worked out in the end.
For work, in the year 2000, I traveled to an Indonesian island off the coast of Singapore called Batam. During one of the trips, I purchased a few carved wood items. The mask below is about 3′ long and was made in Bali. I was told that the Indonesians make ancestral masks so that their deceased loved ones can look over them, but this one was for decor. It looks like the one in the last photo, but is a lighter wood and a bit longer. I’ve also seen similar masks at an Ethiopian restaurant near me. That, of course, would be African.
WedWoes #3
I also had no new Woe listings; however, the Corning hot plate magnetic stirrer did sell for $80!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/184434443121
Saturday, I told my family I wanted a Woebegone evening event. They actually agreed, and we got a lot accomplished! I’m ready to list a few items:
The two other hot plates were tested and are now ready to be listed
The kids tested a collection of “Hex Bugs”, an old toy of theirs. A remote controlled hex bug is ready for listing. I purchased new batteries and now need to test a few (non-remote) that didn’t work.
A 16 mm projector was tested and works. I should probably find a 16mm movie reel to show that it fully works, or just sell as-is.
A JC Penney stereo system was tested, and it partially works. I need to decide whether I just want to sell as-is, or try to fix it and sell it at a higher price.There were items I didn’t get to, but I’m very happy with what was done especially considering how long these things have been piled up!
I’ve always lived in the suburbs or smaller cities, but, when I visit a town, I often check out the real estate and day dream of buying a house there (which won’t happen any time soon). I find the stories about Luray and your different businesses very interesting. I did check out Ryanne’s Instagram account when it was mentioned last week. I really like the A-frame cabin she highlighted.
Week of Sept 6 – 12
Total Items in Store: 1292 eBay, 36 Etsy
Items Sold: 16 eBay + 4 outside sales
Cost of Items Sold: $33.25 + $37 Commission
Total Sales: $383.70 eBay + 117.90 outside sales
Highest Price Sold: $80 Vintage Corning Lab Hot Plate Magnetic Stirrer
Average price: $25
Returns: 1 (Also, forgot to mention a partial refund in last week’s numbers)
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $70.75 (one auction and a few garage sales)
Number of items listed this week: 20The outside sales were to forum user debitsendcredits who was looking for props at his day job. That was fun! I sold two items that I had bought earlier in the week and hadn’t even listed, and the other two were things he found in my store.
My highest sale was something I bought at the beginning of the year, but was lazy and hadn’t tested it. Then, because of forum user Amatino and her Woebegone challenge, I tested and listed it, and then it sold very quickly.
This forum has always been such an inspiration for me and my little business, but it was really amazing how some forum users helped me this week!
I listed 20 this week, all meet the silver challenge!
09/10/2020 at 9:16 pm in reply to: Zenith record player, Oil lamp, Linemans belt, Matchbox truck, Panasonic Stereo #81467Steve – That is so nice of you to offer. You’ve answered my questions in the past, and it’s much appreciated!
The system I have is a JC Penney model 683-1765 with record, cassette, and 8-track players, AM/FM radio, and speakers. From what I’ve learned from you, I will have to replace the belts for three different systems and re-foam the speakers. I might need a replacement needle; possibly a de-magnetizing kit.
That is quite a lot to tackle for my first restoration! I can do it, but maybe take one step at a time.
Outwardly, it is in pretty decent condition.
Mike – I had a similar problem a while ago –Â maybe last year. I don’t remember the details. I think that the buyer was from that area of Europe, Scandinavia or thereabouts. I called eBay, and the customer rep told me that, while the country is in the GSP program, the item was not. I talked to the buyer about shipping direct, but I think that is when she finally got a cost and backed out. I forget what the item was, but it was a household item, like an art vase or something like that.
09/10/2020 at 12:11 pm in reply to: Zenith record player, Oil lamp, Linemans belt, Matchbox truck, Panasonic Stereo #81442Steve – I am still amazed at your restorations of vintage record players. I have one sitting in my basement for a few years. I don’t know if I will ever get to it.
I purchased these thermal hunting pants at a recent flea market run by a church thrift shop. The shop is still closed due to the pandemic, but they needed to move some merchandise. I paid $4, sold for $34.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/184418569844
I think too many people know about McCoy ceramics, so I don’t find them in the wild very often. I got this one from my one commission. I take 50% after fees. It sold for $29.70. I would have held out for more, but it accidentally got caught up in a sale.
Quick update: I received another counter offer from the buyer for $5 more. He/she pointed out there was damage on the surface, which would need to be replaced. I double-checked Terapeak and decided to accept the offer of $80. So, assuming the sale is completed, I can get those extra points!
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