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I started listing clothing with a slight bit different process than before. After photos, I took measurements and weighed the item, writing everything down. Then I started listing. I had to check a minor detail here and there, but most were listed right off my notes. It didn’t make anything more enjoyable, but it was a better process.
For hard goods, I usually create the listing ahead of photos, but it wasn’t working as well with clothing.
My foray into clothing has just started. I must have several hundred things to list, both vintage and modern. I don’t really enjoy listing clothing, so I have to figure out how to keep myself motivated. Thankfully, the shipping part is pretty easy.
I agree with the slower week. I did have a few really good weeks in 4th quarter, but, in reality, 1st quarter can be interesting as people use their holiday checks or eBay gift cards. Hopefully, a few will be looking for vintage clothing.
Week of Dec 11 – 17
Total Items in Store: 1801 eBay, 30 Etsy
Items Sold: 16 eBay, 0 Etsy
Cost of Items Sold: $9 + $100 Commission
Total Sales: $361.38 eBay, $0 Etsy; includes fees but no shipping
Highest Price Sold: eBay $55 Set 9 depression era glass dishes with red trim
Average price: $25.59
Returns: 0
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $0
Number of items listed this week: 24I had 24 listings this week, mostly clothing.
I’ve switched from Christmas/gift-y stuff to clothing. I’ll have to throw a few electronic/large items in there before the new year.
This year, many of my challenges had to do with me finding balance with my day job, and then my neighbor asked me to take on a consignment to help with his downsizing. It’s been a great opportunity, but it has been overwhelming. I need to complete that job and then have some me time. My list, which I’ve started, will reflect that.
As a test, I went to a buyer who had sent me an offer. At the bottom of their feedback page, it said “see all feedback”. I clicked on that, and it took me to the old style page. I was able to click on feedback left for others.
Possibly, the ones that don’t go back to the old format are for buyers that do not leave feedback? Just a guess.
There has been many changes lately. I’m not happy with them making changes in the 4th quarter, but, this time around, the changes are mostly good and useful.
Steve – I get wanting to get rid of stuff like those cameras quickly. Lots like that are likely to attract another reseller. Probably why you couldn’t sell it higher, but, who cares, you got it out of your storage area!
This Christmas musical carousel was in working condition. I posted a video with it working, and it sold for $67. As the majority of my sales these days, it is a consignment sale for my neighbor.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/185655813594
Another vintage Mac item, this time the mouse, for $30.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/185669828175
Found lots of those Joy Mangano felt hangers in my neighbor’s closets. Someone bought out my shirt hanger inventory (suit hangers are selling little by little). Six sets of 12 hangers sold for a total of $71.76. They a received discount for buying in bulk, but, hey, like Steve’s camera lot, I have space that I am now making use of.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/185639658277
This is a silver plated urn/dispenser that was part of a nearly unused set found in one of my neighbor’s closets. This sold for a bit under $142.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/185613820360
Have to mention a Member’s Only jacket sale. This not a vintage jacket; rather a more modern version. I purchased it at a thrift shop earlier this year for $10, and it sold for a bit over $22. Not a great ROI, but I couldn’t resist.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/185353143851
I was surprised at what I could get for this small vintage Budweiser sign. Again, my neighbor’s, sold for $28.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/185617583362
A purse with a clock; the perfect weird thing for eBay buyers. It was purchased off one of the TV shopping networks in the ’90s and never used.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/185584837983
My husband and son are big tea drinkers (I prefer coffee). This flavor has been sold at Trader Joe’s for years, and they have not changed the design of the tin box it comes in. I saved the empty boxes and listed as a set of 13. It sat there for a couple of years with some interest but no sale until last weekend. Sold for $24. I have more that I have saved, but not as many. I will list them eventually.
Last week was good, but not exceptional. I had a number of sales yesterday (Sunday) and this morning, so shipping was definitely annoying today. I noticed that I had a number of buyers from far away, and I used two Regional A and two medium flat rate boxes. I hardly ever use the med flat box. I brought three items to FedEx, which is also unusual.
I very much enjoyed the podcast, but I understand how busy you two are.
Week of Dec 4 – 10
Total Items in Store: 1791 eBay, 30 Etsy
Items Sold: 19 eBay, 0 Etsy
Cost of Items Sold: $0 + $167 Commission
Total Sales: $444.90 eBay, $0 Etsy; includes fees but no shipping
Highest Price Sold: eBay $86 Nonworking Apple Macintosh Model M0001
Average price: $23.42
Returns: 0 (1 damage in transit)
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $0
Number of items listed this week: 1414 for me.
I have several listings in draft mode, and I’ve been cleaning up some winter type clothing, so I should do better next week.
@christineR – Ha! I was so happy to finish up on Christmas, and then I saw some boxed ornaments that I left on an office shelf. I guess I got a couple more to do. I am pretty sick of them as well.I don’t usually read through the seller updates. I did notice the 24 photos a few weeks ago. In addition, Terapeak now has two years of data instead of one. There have been some changes to the new listing tool, but, what I really want is for them to pull your required item specifics automatically from the title again.
New this week is that perfume can no longer be a percentage full. It has to be new & full or you can’t list it. I had two taken down that I guess I’ll have to find another place to list or just not sell.
Oh, how embarrassing. I’ve lived mostly on the east coast except for about 5 years I lived on the west coast. I’m confusing my states starting with the letter K. Hum, geography was never my best subject LOL.
Yes, they usually go to a warehouse in Kentucky, but this one went to Illinois. I did not change anything with my settings, so I think this is the new service (probably just changed vendors) for international shipping.
Ha! And here I thought I had a slow week. I guess it is relative. After the coats, I have to focus on larger things that need to be tested like another old Mac, a Sears sewing machine, a camcorder, and a VHS tape player. I won’t be listing in large numbers for a while.
One thing I realized recently is that my increase in listing this year is due to the consignment “job” I have. I don’t have to (actually, can’t) spend time at auctions, online or live, or garage sales. I don’t have room in my house to bring in my own inventory.
My neighbor finally closed on his new house. He will fix up that house until he is ready to move. We agreed that I wouldn’t do any more work until the beginning of next year, then I think I will finish up in by the end of January. I will probably be listing his stuff until the middle of next year. Maybe longer if I decide to scavenge a bit once some room opens up.
I think my goal will be to slow down after his stuff is listed. Not sure how I will reflect that in my goals.
I listed 9 items this week. I finished up the Christmas and now I’m on winter coats. Those take more time to list.
I noticed a different warehouse address in Illinois for an international sale yesterday. Seems like eBay’s new International Shipping has taken over from GSP. I wonder what happened to the warehouse in Kansas?
This week was much better than I had remembered. Seems with the up and down sales, I only remember the down. The majority of my sales are consignments these days, but that is working out fine and won’t be forever.
Week of Nov 27 – Dec 3
Total Items in Store: 1801 eBay, 31 Etsy
Items Sold: 22 eBay, 0 Etsy
Cost of Items Sold: $16.60 + $225 Commission
Total Sales: $624.32 eBay, $0 Etsy; includes fees but no shipping
Highest Price Sold: eBay $141.79 Vtg Sheridan Coffee Tea Dispenser Urn
Average price: $28.38
Returns: 0
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $0
Number of items listed this week: 9Whenever I want to compare shipping options, I use the eBay shipping calculator:
https://www.ebay.com/shp/Calculator
UPS was the low cost leader earlier this year, and then FedEx seemed to adjust its rates to be in line. USPS also adjusted its Parcel costs to be more competitive. In general, I find Priority to be pretty competitive up to about 3-4 pounds, and then competitive for zones closer to me in the 5-6 pound range with UPS/FedEx better for longer distances.
What I do is offer Priority as the first option with FedEx as a second choice up to about that 6 pound limit. I just prefer that an item be more interesting to a closer address than far away. After that, I have FedEx as the first choice. I chose FedEx mostly because Walgreen is open to 9PM while the UPS store closes at 6:30PM.
One thing to check, though. If you are passing the discount to your customer, make sure that you have that checked for both Priority and UPS.
Finally, my sales have also slowed down from the last couple of weeks in November. eBay can be very up and down. You need to look at the big picture and not worry about a downturn for a week or two. It happens, and it happens often.
