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07/01/18 – 07/07/18
Total Items In Store: 875
Items Sold: 10 (bah!)
Total Sales: $451.61
Cost of Items Sold: $57.50
Highest Price Sold: $115 (incl shipping) – All-Clad 12 Qt MultiCooker Stock Pot w/ Steamer Insert; $90 – Silver Fox Fur Capelet Shawl Wrap
Average Price Sold: $45.16
Returns/Refunds: 0
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $40.40
Number of Items listed this week: 0Awesome poster find and sale!
Here are some highlight’s from last week:
I took a cue from Steve last year and picked up a Hammond M3 organ for free off of Craigslist and parted it out. It’s made several decent sales, as slow as they come. Sold the complete set of upper keys to a fellow in Japan for $50, after removing each key from the heavy metal base, and sending just the keys and screws. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hammond-M3-Organ-Upper-Manual-Keys-Screws-Replacement-Parts/323081777211
Picked up this unusual embroidered wool shawl from an online estate sale for $11, and sold it within a week or two of listing for $72. Would love to have shared a story or any other information in its listing, but had nothing to go on. Luckily, it didn’t hinder the sale: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Thick-Black-Felted-Wool-Shawl-Hand-Embroidered-Gold-Yellow-Flowers-Fringe-O-S/323293793859
I have had these 4 botanical watercolor prints forever, but I can’t remember having them hang in my home, so I don’t know their story aside from the artist being from KY. Removed them from their old frames, and sold just the prints. After listing them for over 2 years, they finally sold for $60: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-of-4-Vintage-Botanical-Flower-Watercolor-Art-Prints-Helen-Guymon/322517583966
I purchased a large lot of vintage feedsacks last year in an online auction – some burlap, some white with advertising, and some colorful fabric used for sewing clothes and quilts. Finally got around to laundering and ironing the latter 2, and listing them 2 weeks back. I priced competitively and they’ve been moving steadily. Sold 4 in the first week. Here are 2 of them: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-FeedSack-Fabric-25-5-x-36-Unopened-Brick-Red-Blue-Tulips-White/323315907389, https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Eshelman-Red-Rose-Dog-Puppy-Food-Yellow-Feed-Sack-Feedsack-22×36-Unopen/323315914537
I picked this canvas folding camping stool up for $2 at a Goodwill on a recent trip. After some research, I found that new ones, with clean and crisp canvas, were sold on Civil War reenactment sites for $15. I priced this one, with great patina on it, at $25 and it sold within 48 hours. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Folding-Wood-Canvas-Camp-Stool-Civil-War-Reenactment-Reproduction-18/323317671147
My Mom collects these small ceramic quilts, but is downsizing her collection. Have sold 2 of the 3 she’s given me in recent months, for $20: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hill-Design-Celebration-of-American-Quilts-GOOSE-IN-THE-POND-Ceramic-Decor-1989/323294981378
Good luck with sales, and have a great weekend!
@almasty – Airbnb used to hire anyone across the globe to do customer support from home, but I’m not sure how this might have changed in recent years. They can’t be the only one! 🙂
Re commission sales: Agreed that commission sales can provide a lot of good knowledge you can then use in future sourcing. Good to weigh the work involved, knowledge gained, and income to be earned (vs lost).
Little uptick in sales and $ this past week, which has turned back southward this holiday week:
06/24/18 – 06/30/18
Total Items In Store: 887
Items Sold: 24
Total Sales: $757.63
Cost of Items Sold: $39.45 (includes a few commission sales, a few of my own items, and some gifted freebies)
Highest Price Sold: $170 – Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Digital Camera (commission sale, included shipping); $90 – NIB Ikea Kivik Single Chair Cover Islunda Gray
Average Price Sold: $31.57
Returns/Refunds: 1, hat for sizing (and it was a snapback…)
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $2
Number of Items listed this week: 33An additional tack to reaching out to the Buyer would be to reply to the frustrating eBay cut & pasted form response, and in brief terms point out that you’re NOT at all indicating “fraud” but rather carelessness (even unintentionally) in the return shipping, leading to damage of an item that is no longer sellable. Let them know that you’re reaching out to the Buyer (or that you already have, depending on where you are in the process), but are aiming for best practices in a complicated situation, and require their help. You never know.
I had a form response from eBay regarding a return in recent months that led me to spell out in a timeline of bullet points what had actually occurred, attach messages, and point out how dissatisfying and incorrect their form response was. Without even asking for the situation to be reviewed by someone higher up, I got a better response from a different rep, and the situation was finally handled as best eBay could do (so, +/-).
That hike looks gorgeous, Steve. And that tombstone! First White Child born. Interesting that it seemed to be the only one? Often homestead cemeteries have a few more generations. Perhaps they weren’t long for that area.
@ChristineR – Through your posts, I enjoy “learning” more about embroidery kits, makers, their value, etc. I myself haven’t come across any worth buying, but I’m always looking.I listed a lot last week, and sales were on the rise in the past few days, encompassing probably 75% newly listed items, as well as some of my older listings (yay). Here are some highlights:
Paid a few bucks for this vintage LL Bean Boat and Tote waxed canvas bag at an estate sale, and used it as my gear bag for random selling supplies when I had an antique mall booth. Considered keeping it longer, but with the short handles, it doesn’t suit my needs as well as other bags I use more often, and I don’t like to have things sitting around unused – especially when I can get a good return on them! Sold it within a few days for $70: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-LL-Bean-Brown-Waxed-Canvas-Leather-Trim-Zip-Top-Boat-And-Tote-Bag-USA/323293797302
Another vintage LL Bean bag – this beat up one I purchased for $40 off eBay for my own use for carrying my laptop, for light travel etc. After about a year, determined a different bag would better suit my overnight travel needs, and I scored a preferred bag for laptop/office use at a clothing swap. So, put this one up for sale for $60, and it sold within a few days: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-LL-Bean-Tan-Gray-Leather-Tote-Bag-Overnight-Laptop-Briefcase-Carryall/323297055515
Chenille bedspreads fall under both a decent sale and an item I have a hard time passing up when I find them. It appears I need another house to furnish with my alternative aesthetic styles… I’ve had this one for a good while (year?), so was glad to see it finally go for $40: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-White-Chenille-Bedspread-Floral-Pattern-w-Fringe-Queen-94-X-111/323084126344
I picked up a large linen lot from an online auction last year, and spent some time soaking and laundering the various items. After my mom selected a few items that interested her (she’s a quilter/crafter), and we pressed out many of the items, I’ve finally gotten around to listing them. I was delighted to see a similar, though mismatched, set of these equestrian Madeira linen napkins sell at auction recently for $190! I had high hopes for this matching Fox Hunt set to go similarly high, but they never went above their initial starting bid of $50, despite having lots of watchers. Alas, still a good sale: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-Set-of-8-Fox-Hunt-Horse-Rider-Equestrian-Embroidered-Madeira-Linen-Napkins/323300075932
I’ve been selling a few random vintage pieces for a 70 yo friend of my Mom, including this good condition Watt Pottery Moon & Stars bowl. I’ve had it listed for about a year, have lowered the price, but perhaps the shipping cost on this heavy stoneware piece has deterred buyers. I’ve had one buyer make several low offers over the past few months, and I countered on price until this last week, when I accepted the offer. Packaged it up in peanuts and a sturdy box and it got there swiftly. I received a complaint email from her the day it arrived, wondering how it got there in one piece since I used no bubble wrap, and telling me she believed it to be a reproduction, since it was in such good condition. “Very disappointed” in her purchase, she was, though no request from her beyond the general complaints. I had to edit my reply to her, as my customer service can be a bit knee-jerk when people come out of the gate with a strong accusatory offensive… I explained my experience in using expensive shipping peanuts, as well as that the bowl belong to the mother of my 70 yo family friend, and they tried to take great care of their housewares, etc. No reply back, though I wonder if I should go check my PayPal account for a hold on funds, as she feels a bit shady at this point. Had to share/complain! And forewarn on listing stoneware – needs to have high value/collecting value to balance out the shipping fees. And use bubble wrap, gah!
Happy weekend all.
Interesting thought, Steve. I imagine if I have to move sales platforms at some point, I’d go to Etsy where ~90% of my inventory would have a home. I don’t plan to look into that until there’s a more urgent push to do so.
I’ve never had strong clothes and shoes sales, and am moving even more away from those items in my sourcing. For the listings I do still have, I try to put in lots of measurements to ensure a good fit, and for many of my clothing items (less so shoes), I’m no longer offering returns at all (now that 14 days isn’t an option).
Had a steady week of listing, and made some good $ sales yesterday, which would be a nice trend to continue and report on next week. This past week’s #s are holding steady at ~40-50% of what stronger months’ sales numbers are. Just chugging along…
06/17/18 – 06/23/18
Total Items In Store: 878
Items Sold: 19
Total Sales: $459.56
Cost of Items Sold: $31.35
Highest Price Sold: $70 – Vintage LL Bean Brown Waxed Canvas Boat & Tote Bag
Average Price Sold: $25.77
Returns/Refunds: 1, some bolts that I messed up the sizing on
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $5 (taking a welcome break from sourcing to clear the office of piles)
Number of Items listed this week: 47 (and removed nearly 100, whittling out inventory for a yard sale)Steve, when I watch your videos I just keep thinking that you must have some of the best yard sales out there, with the items you find and their great condition. Mostly nothing but junk where I am, which depresses me both regarding what gets manufactured, and what gets purchased…
Highlights from sales last week:
Top dollar sale went to one of my own dresses – a great UK brand which I think I bought in the Dublin airport years ago. Sold for $80: https://www.ebay.com/itm/LK-Bennett-Yellow-White-Summer-Dress-Empire-Waist-Wedding-Guest-UK8-US4-EU36/323293529476
I always keep an eye out for standout vintage lingerie. This 2 piece set was part of am entire closet I won for a few dollars in an online auction. It sold within a few days for $75: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-La-Femme-de-VANITY-FAIR-Red-Lace-Tie-Back-Nightgown-Peignoir-Robe-Set-M/323293770680
I had a short-lived bender on vintage clothes months and months back….and have had my purchased items sitting and taking a backburner to other listings for months since. Finally listed this funky rainbow caftan, and it sold within a day or two. $1 into $25:https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-PRIDE-Caftan-Robe-Housecoat-Short-Sleeve-Rainbow-Stripe-OS-1-2-Zip/323296999807
If sales continue at their current pace, I might have 1 item to share in next week’s forum! Onward,
LOL, love the commentary on aging. I’m 39, too – Happy Birthday, Ryanne! Each year is better and better in some way or another (perhaps due to caring less and less about trivial things, and more fully realizing what matters, and enjoying it) – at least until age-related health issues creep in. In a week, I’m heading to my mom’s to help her recuperate from retina surgery (following her cataract surgeries in previous months)…
In my shop, I continue to sell older items, which is both gratifying in a “get it out of the house” kind of way, and in a “guess that wasn’t such a bad buy after all” way. I also did a big purge of my inventory today, pulling out dozens of items and moving them to the Yard Sale box. Making room for better and better inventory.
06/10/18 – 06/16/18
Total Items In Store: 947
Items Sold: 16
Total Sales: $417.47
Cost of Items Sold: $9.55 (several of my own items sold)
Highest Price Sold: $90 – LK Bennett Yellow & White Summer Dress
Average Price Sold: $26.09
Returns/Refunds: 0
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $208.18
Number of Items listed this week: 28Scavenge of the week: vintage Pendleton National Glacier Park Wool Blanket, in great shape – $6!
PS – scroll to the last photo of the angel tree topper to see the effect when lit up. Special.
Love to hear about everyone’s big scores – living vicariously. 🙂 Just hit up a neighbor’s estate sale. Appears she got rid of nothing, but she also didn’t store things very well….among some hard goods, I picked up some vintage fabric (musty) and some vintage books (musty) :-(.
Nothing amazing sold last week, but still some interesting items. The highlights:
My “big” sale of the week: a Coach leather tote, went abroad. Got it for free at a clothing swap, and sold it for $80. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Coach-Gray-Grey-Leather-Tote-Large-Handbag-Shoulder-Purse-w-Crossbody-Strap/323248668060
I’m a fan of lampshade reselling, though the larger you get, the more you may have to think through your pricing, as the shipping can scare off potential buyers. Wanted to list these ones for more, but because of their large size, didn’t. The Buyer contacted me about the shipping expense…I sized down their potential box, and was able to shave off ~$15 from the shipping cost, so that was a win. Bought the set for $6, and sold them for $60: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-of-2-Black-Paper-Gold-Lined-Large-Drum-Lamp-Shades-10-tall-x-15-top-x-18-bt/323212761328
Finally pulled this gorgeous (but damaged) robe from a death pile – it had to be soaked and laundered and ironed – and it sold within a week for $45. Think I paid $2 at an estate sale. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Silk-Kimono-Long-Robe-Boudoir-Floral-Bright-Orange-Blue-Yellow-O-S/323281827643
First good ball cap sale! $30 off 2. https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Vintage-Olympic-Team-USA-Starter-Snapback-Hat-w-Tags/323068720505
It’s hard to turn down items this cool, graphics this good, even if the payoff might not be great. I’ve had this for ~ a year, finally sold for $30. I paid ~$3 at a thrift store. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rodriquez-Linen-Tea-Dish-Towel-Large-Blue-Kangaroo-Red-Glasses-Australia/322895941788
Had to include this treasure. Was hoping the Buyer feedback would express their weird extreme joy over acquiring it, but they just wrote “Great.” Bought for $3 at an estate sale, sold for $20: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-10-Lite-Creepy-Awesome-Angel-Tree-Topper-Pipe-Cleaner-Arms-Bulb-Hands/323145739707
Happy Scavenging – whether in the wild, or from your death piles! 🙂
@aperture – congrats! You’ve set yourself up well. Enjoy the fruits of the past labor, and moreso the ones upcoming. 🙂
What does your wife do for $90K/yr part-time? I want to get in on that… 🙂
I read McCarthy’s The Road, but didn’t see the movie. As brilliant and horrible and wrenching as the novel was (I get into stories, perhaps more so than the average person), I wasn’t sure I could recover from visions outside of my head! Though I heard it was very well done.
I stumbled across an interesting young adult novel in recent years that I found to be really interesting re end of the world scenarios; it’s called The Age of Miracles, by Karen Thompson Walker. In it, the spin of the earth slows, days get longer and wonky, populations split into those that continue to live by day/night, and those that do 24 hour cycles. It’s affecting, but is nothing like the despair and gore of The Road.
Summer sales remind me of the Wah Wah Wahhh music that NPR’s Marketplace plays when the market tanks… 🙁
Been selling LOTS of low dollar items, and some of my older items though, so happy about that. And still fielding lots of questions – some about the items, as well as the usual “Can you do better on price?” I invite anyone to make an offer, and wish they’d just do so in the first place to speed up the process. Also, finding it a good time to shop on eBay, since sellers are eager to make sales. I’ve bought two sweaters, and some other items in recent weeks, at great prices.
06/03/18 – 06/09/18
Total Items In Store: 935
Items Sold: 16
Total Sales: $356.64
Cost of Items Sold: $22.50
Highest Price Sold: $80 – Large Gray Leather Coach Tote Bag Purse
Average Price Sold: $22.29
Returns/Refunds: 0
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $41.59
Number of Items listed this week: 15Thanks for the video, Steve! Really enjoyed the music playing when Midge was exploring the chives – what was it?
A few highlights from last week:
This set of vintage lamps was one of my early purchases as a seller, after I starting depleting all of my own items I was purging. Paid ~$20 in an online auction; sold after ~10 months for $140: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Retro-Mid-Century-Set-of-2-Lamps-Teal-Gold-Matching-Shades-20-WORK/323086127519
I found two vintage paper church fans at a roadside thrift store in the middle of nowhere, on the way to….somewhere. I think I paid $9-10 for them both. Listed them as a set, but had a Buyer ask to buy the first one, featuring 4 African American leaders of the civil rights movement, separately for $35. So, then listed this MLK one on it’s own and took a negotiated offer of $25 + shipping: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Historic-Memorabilia-Advertising-Church-Fans-Martin-Luther-King-Jr-MLK-Dream/323251542259
Picked up these vintage Santa & Mrs Claus S&P shakers at an estate sale about a week or two ago, for a few bucks. There were a few other similar pairs, so I priced them in the middle of what I was seeing…they sold within 48 hours. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Santa-Mrs-Claus-Christmas-Salt-Pepper-Shakers-Japan-Mid-Century-1950s/323278459112
I have a thing for containers, and things that can hold things, so was thinking I might keep this vintage metal recipe box (picked up at a thrift store). Loved it’s bright colors, but not enough to just see it sitting around, which it did for several months. It sold within a day of listing it, for $15: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Metal-Recipe-Card-Hinged-Box-Syndicate-Mfg-Yellow-Red-Flowers-in-Basket/323278604341
Bought this handmade crocheted afghan at a yard sale for $2 – my eye was drawn to its more modern stripes and colors. It sat as a listing for about 10 months until someone from Ireland bought it last week for $30: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Crocheted-Afghan-Lap-Blanket-Throw-54-x-109-Green-White-Stripe/322946263408
