Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Awesome sales above; wish I could move some of my own china, and find some beefcake negatives. Eyes are open now!
Some sales from last week, the notable one being the large framed poster. By an American graphic designer for the Tomato Records label – see all the great artists listed at the bottom. Would have happily kept this if it hadn’t sold, but was happy to make a $300 sale on a $4 purchase! Was crossing my fingers on the shipping and no broken glass….haven’t heard anything, so I believe it traveled safely. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Milton-Glaser-Poster-Something-Unusual-Is-Going-On-Here-Tomato-Music-Records/322811301096
I love canvas anything, and originally hoped what I was pulling out of a pile on the ground at a roadside flea market would have fit me, but it was a large mens coat. Dug around and finally found a label on an inside pocket – Neiman Marcus. Bought it for $4; sold it after many months and long Oxy Clean soak for $64 (on shop sale): https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Neiman-Marcus-Heavy-Canvas-Hunting-Field-Chore-Coat-44R-MED/323316201968
The one cache I can really claim to have gone in on on the spot was a large collection of tarot cards at an estate sale. Luckily, these folks were more intent on moving stuff out and making some money, rather than just making money. I bought some inventory on day one, then went back and bought all remaining decks. Wish I had raided her bookcases more, for tarot books and others – she had a really interesting collection, covering every religion and non-fiction spanning a wide field. Sold one of the higher price decks on sale this past week. I might have paid $0.50 for the deck, as part of the lot, sold for $55 on sale. This is one of a few items I wish I had selected OUT of the sale, as it would have sold at full price at some time, but I’ve just really needed to move some inventory/make some sales to feel in the game this month! https://www.ebay.com/itm/Enchanted-Tarot-78-Card-Deck-1997-tapestry-art-by-Amy-Zerner-Farber/323163190309
I love anything splatterware and plucked these up quickly at a yard sale over a year ago. Really thought they’d sell much more quickly to some hip parent or grandparent with a beach house or something. A year later, and on sale, they finally went for $34.https://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-of-6-Vintage-Cafeteria-Lunch-Tray-Confetti-Splatter-Melamine-Prolon-Ware/323220722981
@Libby – Can you lot up the lower-dollar items? That would keep sales prices up and time spent down…
Had two sales last week that pushed me into what I had been expecting to earn more regularly during Q4, so yay for that. Haven’t been listing as much as I feel I should – ie, not regularly, not large amounts – but I have been enjoying that whole free time/freedom of schedule piece that eBay permits! 🙂 I work a fairly flexible part-time job as a personal organizer 1-3 days a week or so, and give 3-6 hours/wk to my mother in law, helping her pack (for cash) for her own re-seller business. Sometimes I feel I’m a very leisurely FT seller on eBay compared to most others, but it’s still my main source of income. I’m not a hard #s gal, like a few others of you, but I follow a few business principles to keep me on the right path, and strategize as I go and learn from my own shop. I thrive on variety and really appreciate being (mostly) my own boss. I like that I can control the throttle of turning my shop up or dialing it back, depending on needs and ability – not that that always translates into the needed sales….but generally it steps things up across the board.
Forgot to mention last week after hearing about R&J’s train experience, I had heard on the radio that Virgin Atlantic was buying/investing in rail service in the US, starting in Florida. It would be awesome if it could transform train travel in the US… An article on it: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/transportation/fl-ne-brightline-virgin-20181116-story.html
Finally, the #s:
12/09/18 – 12/15/18
Total Items In Store: 980
Items Sold: 30
Sales (Total Sales – Selling Costs): $1307.77
Highest Price Sold: $350 Kevlar motorcycle pants (commission sale), $300 Milton Glaser Tomato Records poster, framed
Average Price Sold: $43.59
Cost of Items Sold: $39.80 (sold several freebies, as well as former items of my own)
Returns/Refunds: 0
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $0
Number of Items listed this week: ~10-20Sold plenty of lower dollar items last week that aren’t really worth sharing; everyone knows how to source and sell those!
Here are some of the highlights, starting with ye olde pickle castor. Picked it up at an estate sale in a nearby city for $30. Came with a non-original, ill fitting glass jar that I sold separately. As I’ve been hungry for sales in this slow season (for me), I took a best offer of $150 on this; it’s been listed for many months: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Silverplate-Pickle-Castor-Carrier-Holder-Tongs-Manning-Bowman-226/323203347545
This lot of fur collars and stole have been listed fur-ever. Picked them up at an auction about 2 years ago – $4? Obviously, it was the excellent photography that really moved them, lol. Should have re-taken photos with my new kit and modeled some of the collars to show their shape and hang better. Glad to see them go; sold for $30: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Lot-of-4-Asstd-Sizes-Types-Mink-Genuine-Fur-Pelt-Collars-1-Full-Stole/323158851908
I got on an Orvis name kick a year or so ago, probably after one good sale. Bought this piece against my better aesthetic judgment, but at least I didn’t pay a lot for it. Finally sold for $30: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Orvis-Knit-Cotton-Pullover-Sweater-Large-Scale-Mallard-Ducks-Reeds-USA-Sz-LG/323226092227
Some of the higher priced sales on vintage Xmas ornaments:
Set of 4 glass horns, sold for $30: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-of-4-Vintage-Mercury-Glass-French-Horn-Trumpet-Christmas-Ornament-Multicolor/323559099280
Wire & Tulle angel, sold for $17 (sold 2 of her brethren in much better shape for $25 and $22 previously): https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Mid-Century-Tulle-Wire-Pipe-Cleaner-Angel-Bisque-Porcelain-Japan-2-75/323559127091
My partner’s favorite way to describe what I do is that “I buy junk and sell antiques.” Can get a laugh and perhaps turn conversation back to something else. 🙂
I’m with Mark – hasn’t felt like a busy season to me. Perhaps my new busy season will be Q1. I often wake up Monday mornings with multiple sales having come in overnight, and the past month has been zilch. Still doing most of my sales over the weekend, and have days where I sell nothing or one low-priced items. Still happy to see the lower priced items clear out! I’m definitely looking to downsize my inventory in the new year, and am thinking through other strategic changes to meet my needs as a “shop owner.”
Currently, I’m having a 15% off sale on anything under $100. Really hoping to move shoes, as they are not a good seller for me! Thinking I might increase the sale to 20% on just shoes next month. Ugh.
12/02/18 – 12/08/18
Total Items In Store: 1000
Items Sold: 27
Sales (Total Sales – Selling Costs): $694.85
Highest Price Sold: $150 – Antique Silverplate Pickle Castor
Average Price Sold: $25.74
Cost of Items Sold: $108
Returns/Refunds: 0
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $0
Number of Items listed this week: ~40Yup, totally low average sales over here.
11/25/18 – 12/01/18
Total Items In Store: 991
Items Sold: 21
Sales (Total Sales – Selling Costs): $675.70
Highest Price Sold: $140 linen queen sheet set
Average Price Sold: $32.18
Cost of Items Sold: $108.50 (including $70 spent on the sheet set; it was a purchase for me that I changed my mind about)
Returns/Refunds: 1 – a set of ceramic coasters broke in transit, SmartPost, so I’ll never see the shipping refund, but at least the entire refund was only ~$24.
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $0, but got lots of free stuff!
Number of Items listed this week: 30A few sales from last week, though nothing too mind blowing:
I picked up these vintage Christmas lights with covers/reflectors at an auction. Had a little competition, so I got the lot for $10. By the time I got them listed in recent weeks, comps weren’t looking as high as I had hoped, but I wanted them to sell. They sold quickly-ish for $45: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-Christmas-Tree-Lights-Strands-160-Plastic-Tulip-Covers-Reflectors-WORKS/323556758802
I almost passed this bedspread up at a local thrift store b/c I knew it wasn’t vintage. But I got it, and at a discount, yay ($7? half off, I believe). Took a few months to sell, but it just did for $75. It’s so cute. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Queen-Sized-Leafy-Green-on-Green-Chenille-Bedspread-Coverlet-Summer-Lightweight/323507933886
Picked up this LL Bean Denim Chore coat at a thrift store for $6 or $7. Very nicely made, blanket lined, etc. Took over a year to sell, but finally did at full price of $65: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-LL-Bean-Denim-Field-Coat-Chore-Barn-Coat-Plaid-Flannel-Lined-Sz-Med-Reg/322955226538
I have a lot of Christmas decor and ornaments up for sale right now (my Elves on Shelves were just VERO removed, grrrr), and not at the lowest prices, but they are on the unique/desired side of the spectrum. Sold this vintage lot of Shiny Brites with their original box for $35. I think I paid $4 or $5 at a thrift, but I wasn’t tracking purchases like this at the time, as I was planning some value-added Christmas decor. Now, I just want all the tubs of stuff out of my basement, and I’ll take that time to read! 😛 Fingers crossed they all arrive intact… https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-Lot-12-Shiny-Brite-Glass-Ball-Ornaments-Spindle-Top-Indented-Winter-Scene/323556951632
I tend to pick up Williams Sonoma items whenever I see them, cause they’re crazy expensive and have a following. I found 8 of these napkins at a local thrift for about .50 cents each. Rec’d a best offer for $20 on one set of 4, alerting me to the fact that the listing was posted with a Best Offer setting checked (back during that wonderful eBay glitch)! I went ahead and took the best offer to make the sale, and removed that setting from the next lot of 4, listed at $24.99. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-of-4-Williams-Sonoma-Linen-Cotton-Napkins-Neutral-Grape-Vines-20-Italy/323487577501
Happy Listing and Selling!
I use the red tape dispensers too, though the one I use can be re-used; you don’t have to toss it out, as it detaches from the empty roll and you can slide another one in. Lightweight, and I can use it while hold a box shut, etc.
I’ve just started using the MileIQ app to track mileage. It has a free, limited use to try it out, and then you can sign up for an annual cost/contract. The phone actually senses and tracks your movement using GPS, and then you go into your online dashboard to set up classifications for drives (personal, business, and subcategories therein). I’m still new to it, but like it so far, for taking all real pressure – other than initial helpful setup and classification – off tracking all the details. You can print off reports on your trips, based on dates, classifications, etc.
I sensed a slow week, and that crystal ball prediction turned out to be true, boo. Still selling some older items here and there, along with the new ones, so grateful for that.
Excited for the start of a new business for you, R&J! I love a small town brick and mortar business (no matter where it’s located), and like your utilitarian thinking around something that would suit both locals and travelers. I had a small business when I lived in Louisville, KY, growing from a pop up shop of sorts. I didn’t have the needed social capital when I got it up and running there, nor the willingness to go further into debt in a newly-commercialized strip I was helping to pioneer, amongst a few other semi-related considerations, so I closed up shop, but it was geared towards locals and travelers alike, and there’s nothing like a relevant and fun small business to make a place feel cozy and community-oriented. Can’t wait to hear more.
11/18/18 – 11/24/18
Total Items In Store: 988
Items Sold: 19
Sales: $633.88
Highest Price Sold: $160 Mens Rainforest Brown Leather Coat
Average Price Sold: $33.36
Cost of Items Sold: $74.60
Returns/Refunds: 0
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $0
Number of Items listed this week: 58@ChristineR – I source wherever my eyes perk up (my schedule is pretty flexible), but most often thrift stores, estate sales, with the occasional online auction.
I love yard saling (sailing? :-)), but have had too many misses than hits here locally, so have gotten out of the habit and tend to instead list on Saturdays while listening to NPR podcasts. When I lived in KY, I often hit up a weekly auction, which I really enjoyed going to and bought from fairly often; I wonder now though, as a more experienced seller, if I’d buy differently/attend less, etc.
My Mom tends to have several items of varying value set out for me to take back home when I visit her, and she doesn’t want anything from those sales (yay!).
Sometimes people ask me what types of things I sell on eBay, or whether I specialize in anything (never in my life)….I always just reply with something along the lines of “Whatever will sell!” without sounding too crass!
Have a great weekend.
A few highlights from last week:
Antique schoolhouse Seth Thomas clock that my mom decided to relinquish (she’s downsizing slowly through my eBay business :-)); it hung in the house when I was growing up, and just came off the walls a few months ago. I think she or my Dad (as a gift for her) paid $100 for it in the 80s? It sold for full asking price, after having it on a few sales, at $175 + shipping. Went to a historical society in Michigan! https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-c1890s-Seth-Thomas-Oak-Schoolhouse-Regulator-Short-Drop-Wall-Clock-12/323436161786
I love German Christmas decor. I sold my mom’s version of this a year or two ago, and picked this one up at an estate sale for $12. Had to re-glue a few loose parts. Sold it last week for $120: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-German-Erzgebirge-Carousel-Pyramid-3-Tier-Fairy-Tale-Hansel-Gretel-Snow-Whit/323453040533
Was lucky enough to find this vintage MCM Dansk pepper mill & salt shaker in 1 in the wild – though I can’t find record of where or for how much…. Took a few months, but sold for $100, incl shipping. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-Dansk-Danish-Modern-Mid-Century-Peugeot-Pepper-Mill-Grinder-Salt-Shaker-8/323360176228
Sold another poodle from the poodle cache, thankfully. Paid about $2-4 per poodle; this one sold for $20. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Pink-Spaghetti-Poodle-Dog-Figurine-Planter-Black-Beret-Gold-Trim-9-x-4-5/323427868155
Been a very slow week of sales since, but I’m sure folks are rightfully busy with Thanksgiving. 🙂
Had some high dollar sales, but things are slow. Definitely selling fewer items per week/per day.
Trying to list the last of the Christmas items I have, and they are time consuming. This morning I put together a vintage tinsel tree, and am hoping I’m not too late (and with too much competition) to get a solid sale from it! Almost through all the glass ornaments I have, them back to listing non seasonal stuffs.
11/11/18 – 11/17/18
Total Items In Store: 950
Items Sold: 14
Sales: $802.38
Highest Price Sold: $175 – c1890s Seth Thomas Oak Schoolhouse Regulator Wall Clock 12″
Average Price Sold: $57.31
Cost of Items Sold: $101.50
Returns/Refunds: 0
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $43
Number of Items listed this week: ~25Wow, they’re following in the shoes of Poshmark, who unrolled something like this last year? Earlier this year? You can send offers to those who have liked an item there. I just clicked on the link above that you shared, and found I could send a few offers, so did. Will report back if they turn into anything. It doesn’t appear that counteroffers can be made; it’s just a one-time special deal sent to those who are currently watching your item.
Amazing sale on that random photo, @totommyto! And I wish I could stumble across some vintage Red Wings, @MoCoyotes – nice find and sale. Troy, all the best wishes for Veronica’s speedy recovery!
I’m back from my trip halfway around the world. A bit whirlwind-ish for going that far, but I had a great time, and hit up several thrift stores (Op Shops) while in NZ. Nothing near the amount or good condition of stuff you find in these great States, but I did bring back a set of 8 vintage MCM glasses, with only one loss in transit. I was trying to find soft, easy to pack things, I swear, but these stood out and were only about $4.
Came back with a sinus infection, so I was slow getting back into the swing of things last week. Typical #s perhaps reflecting slowness/lack of listing at this end:
11/4/18 – 11/10/18
Total Items In Store: 941
Items Sold: 19
Total Sales: $767.21
Highest Price Sold: $120 – set of 2 figural accent lamps
Average Price Sold: $40.38
Cost of Items Sold: $70
Returns/Refunds: 0
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $45
Number of Items listed this week: not sure – 25?Highlights from last week:
These antique sleigh bells were a fortuitous freebie from my Aunt, who is downsizing following a move. I know from selling them previously that they can earn great money, but they are a slow sale. These have been listed for a few months, and sold for their asking price of $150:https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-c1880s-Improved-Swedish-Brass-Sleigh-Bells-Leather-Hip-Rump-Strap-17×2-5/323407396753
I spotted these mint condition Bed Stu womens boots at a Goodwill earlier this year and scooped them up for $8. $12? Not too much for what they were. I expected them to sell much more quickly than they did, and for their full price, but they went recently on sale for $112: https://www.ebay.com/itm/MINT-Bed-Stu-Yell-Rich-Blue-Leather-Womens-Bootie-Sz-8/323261516038
I’ve sat on this brass mailbox for almost a year. Picked it up at an estate sale for $20. It went during my recent sale for $103: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Large-US-Mail-Box-Cast-Solid-Brass-Saddle-Bag-10-1-2-Tall-x-11-Wide/323145028525
I bid on several lots of this Haviland Cambridge china in an online auction this summer, but between the rising prices of bids, and looking around my office at the china that hasn’t yet sold…well, I backed off. Ended up winning just these 2 platters after hoping I’d be outbid and save the drive, alas. Made decent money. Paid $13, sold for $64 on sale. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-of-2-MINT-Theodore-Haviland-Cambridge-Red-Serving-Platters-14-and-11-5/323296948093
I got this awesome MCM fabric at a nearby estate sale, along with a slew of other fabric, and recently got around to listing it. This was my largest amount of fabric from that purchase, at 8 yards. I sold it too low in price, in afterthought, but I was happy to see it go. Paid something like $2, sold for $80: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Mid-Century-Black-Cotton-Novelty-Print-Fabric-Candy-Dish-8-Yards-x-34/323487914669
Anyone else using an iPhone 8 for photos? I upgraded this summer from a 7 to an 8 Plus, and a good deal of that was for the better camera, but looking back at my photos – like the fabric above – I see how terrible they can be. Blurry…. Maybe I was just moving too fast.
During a trip to Seattle/Portland this past May, I had my first experience with the Goodwill bins. Got a few clothing items, as well as this vintage airline bag. Despite it’s stains and missing shoulder strap, it had lots of lookers from the get-go. Sold in my recent sale for $34: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Reeve-Aleutian-Airways-RAA-Flight-Carry-On-Tote-Luggage-Bag-Alaska-Map/323357418535
From the poodle cache (large lot of poodle figurines bought in an online auction early last year, listed late this summer), this dapper, capped dog. Paid ~$2, sold for $25: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Standing-White-Poodle-Dog-Figurine-Spaghetti-Gold-Trim-Blue-Captain-Hat/323441077688
Not sure why I picked these Wamsutta pillowcases up at a recent estate sale. Perhaps because there wasn’t much else catching my eye, and they were NOS. The cashier got a little confused by the labeling which says pillowcases and sheets, but it appeared there were just 2 pillowcases in the sealed packaging. Got them for $2. When I got home, I did open them up to check on the contents – 2 pillowcases. Was able to note in the listing how incredibly soft they were, very nice old school 100%, tight weave. They sold within the week for $25. https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Wamsutta-Supercale-Soft-100-Cotton-White-Standard-Pillowcases-USA/323495311850
I’m traveling for the next 2 weeks, and will miss the podcasts, forums, and sharing! Happy sales and sourcing. While traveling, I hope to hit some thrift stores – in New Zealand! 🙂
@bcfol440 – I hear you on the concessions! I often have similar thoughts, when hungry at a “bad food” auction, ugh.
Sales are up; sold over 11 items Sat-Sun alone, making for a busy Monday morning. Is it the store sale + eBay marketing of sale items to interested buyers? Most items I put on sale had plenty of watchers. Or just going further into 4Q? I’m just happy things picked up; I needed the boost in more ways than one.
Picked up some part time work with a professional organizing company, and worked my first shift this week. It’s the physical work that I like, and the people are nice. Should be really interesting to see over time how they process stuff. They do senior moves, organizing of various spaces, etc, etc. This week we packed boxes of stuff for an estate sale company to pick up, made a few bags for donation, and too many bags of trash. One of the reasons I really enjoy selling on eBay – even if just psychologically more than anything else – is keeping perfectly good stuff in rotation of use, rather than sending it to the landfill. I’ve always gotten angry when I see perfectly good furniture, etc set out with the trash, and it’s rained on. Just have a thrift store pick it up! We tossed plenty of not-high-end-estate-sale items into the trash, though I tried to divert as much as I could into the donation bags… Seems like it could potentially be a good/green business marketing niche, saving things from the landfill. Back when I worked in catering, I remember this guy in Chicago pushing his catering company to be a waste-free company, something you can certainly do with food if you plan ahead and stick to processes.
Stuff, man.
10/07/18 – 10/13/18
Total Items In Store: 934
Items Sold: 24
Total Sales: $902.65
Highest Price Sold: $150 Antique c1880s Improved Swedish Brass Sleigh Bells
Average Price Sold: $37.61
Cost of Items Sold: $65.83
Returns/Refunds: 0
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $226.50
Number of Items listed this week: ~20
