Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Skirts, Skirts and More Skirts

I sold this


and this to my sister for $10


and got all these skirts at the consignment shop for $9.50.





About every two months or so, they have a certain colored tag for clearance. Any clothing with this tag, is a buck. I figured if I could sell one skirt for $9.99, I will make back my money. They are really cute but none of them are my size. To view my auctions, click here.

linking to Jenny Matlock

Jenny Matlock

Monday, March 26, 2012

Ryker's New Ride

I sold this skirt on Ebay ($10)


and this bench ($5)


and side table on Facebook. ($5)


and bought this stroller from a friend for $20


It has plenty of storage


and even has a sound system where you can plug your ipod into.


Check out the speakers and the cup holder.


Very good deal for $20. I feel like I robbed my friend though.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

I Could Sell...

ketchup to a woman wearing white gloves...

My hubby bought a box of blue glass insulators for $4. He told me to sell the whole box for $15 because he wanted it out of his garage. I checked Terapeak to see what they were selling for. Mine seem to be quite common and not much of a profit margin. I decided to try my luck on Facebook. My sister put some Christmas lights in hers and uses them for decoration on her patio stairs. I was hoping there would be some local interest. I posted them for $2 each or to make an offer if they wanted more.


Yesterday, I got a comment asking how much I wanted for all of them. I replied $30. There were 24 in the box. The buyer wanted to use them for around his pond. Last night he came over on a moped. I asked him "Is someone else coming?" He said "No why." I replied that there were 24 insulators and the box was quite heavy. He said no problem. He could fit them under his seat. He got about 14 in and put the rest of them in between his feet. He invited me over to see his pond when he was finished with it. He showed me some pictures and it looked nice.

Earlier this week, I bought this vintage lamp at the consignment store for $15. I love how the light part swings out. I made back the money I spent on the lamp by selling the insulators and got a profit to boot.


Friday, March 23, 2012

Friday Final Mar 17 - Mar 23

I sold a few items on Facebook this week. You can read about that here. I also sold a second purse for $20 and a safety gate for $3.

I had 8 sales on Ebay. One has not paid yet but that auction just ended a few hours ago and the buyer is from Australia so I don't expect payment until tomorrow.

BIN:

Nothing

ON SALE:

I found this lighted globe at Bethesda. It does not rotate (I think it was suppose to) but it changes colors. It sold for $23.99


AUCTIONS:

I got this game free. I had no idea what to price it at. It wasn't in great shape and the box smelled musty. I added free shipping and it sold for $26.99 Shipping cost me $13.02


I bought this school house in a box of toys for $5 It sold for $14.99


I love this owl. I found him at Goodwill for $4.99 If he didn't sell, I was going to spray paint him all white. He is huge. about 11 inches tall and 7 pounds. He is on his way to Canada. Sold for $22.50 The buyer paid over $40 for shipping. I hope he arrives safely. He is insured.


These were Ryker's but he would not build with them and would throw them instead. Sold for $19.99


I thought I could make at least $10 on this tool set. I had it listed before at $14.99 with free shipping but it never sold. I relisted it for $7.99 at auction and took off the free shipping.


This Ugly doll sold for $7.99 also. I washed him before shipping him and he got all fuzzy. I hope it is not an issue with the buyer.


This doll was new in the box. I had her listed before at $14.99 with free shipping and it did not sell. I took off the free shipping and it sold for $9.99 (from the store, they are $15)

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

What A Bust

I need some new inventory. Right now! I am so sick of relisting the same crap time after time. When are garage sales going to start around here?

I was looking forward all week to going to Goodwill today and that was a total bust. I don't know what is going on there but some of their prices are off the wall. I found a pair of Harley Davidson boots (woman's size 9 1/2) which fit me and I looked at the price $39.99 Yeah, not happening. There were some other boots for $49.99 not Harley though. I'm not sure of the brand. Their prices for knick knacks went up as well. There was this cute glass cow but for $4.99 I wasn't about to take a chance on it. I guess I am still spoiled by my favorite thrift store pricing and even they are getting high. There was also a talking Sully for $6.99. It needed batteries but I wasn't sure if it would work. You can return items but only for store credit and it is such a hassle.

So what did I end up buying? A primary yellow Cinderella bowl for my sister ($2.99) a pair of shorts for myself ($2.50) and this odd little wooden book. I got it for Ryker but thought I would try selling it on Ebay first. I have never seen a book like this before.



Each page is made of wood and tied together by a thin rope. Each animal has a spot where your child can pet it.




I have it listed at auction here. I have also started offering daily deals for Facebook followers. Please like my page here to see my deals. Thanks to Thrift Core for the idea. You can visit her page here to see her daily deals.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Facebook How I Love You

I bought this recumbent exercise bike yesterday off Facebook for $40. They retail for around $129 on sale. It is missing the foot straps but I love it. It's in my living room so I can watch t.v. and exercise at the same time. (I'm pretty good at multi-tasking.)


I then sold two items for $40 so basically I got the bike for free! duplo blocks for $20 and purse for $20



I also sold this wardrobe on Saturday for $25. Ryker had been throwing all the clothes out of it and trying to climb it and I was afraid he would pull it down on himself. My hubby told me no one was going to buy it and I should give it away for free. Did I tell you, I don't always listen to my hubby?


linking to Jenny Matlock

Jenny Matlock

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Ray Of Sunshine

I found this yellow chair at my favorite thrift store on Thursday. It was sitting outside in front of the building and I did not notice it when I went inside. I looked around and didn't find anything except a pair of Winnie the Pooh slippers for Ryker. While I was paying for my purchase, Sarah was outside looking at the chairs. I noticed her looking at this fiberglass yellow one. I asked her if she was going to get it and she said no. I then asked her if she noticed any cracks. Nope. I told her I was going to go back in and offer them $2 for it. They accepted my offer.


I believe it came from the local laundry mat as I remember sitting in these chairs while doing my laundry. I was hoping it was marked. The Herman Miller chairs, that are similar to this one, sell for big bucks on Ebay. Check out these completed listings here.

linking to Her Library Adventures

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Would You Buy It Wednesday

We went to Goodwill on Monday and I was kind of disappointed with the selections. I did find some pants for Ryker which he needed. I also found this owl. He is huge. He is almost 12 inches tall and weighs over 7 pounds. I listed him at auction and he already has a bid. To see my auction, click here


I also found this egg cup from Japan. I don't know anything about these but listed it at auction as well. Unfortunately, when I left the store, I found a hairline crack. I'm not sure if it was there when I bought it or if it cracked because the cashier did not wrap either purchase. There are no bids on this yet.


While I was there, I found a Buzz Lightyear for Ryker. I thought the price sticker said $1.99 I let Ryker play with it and some time between getting it and checking out, he tore the price sticker off. When the cashier could not find the price, I said "oh he must have torn the sticker off. I think it was only $1.99" She called a price check and when the employee came to get the figure, I said "I think the price was $1.99". The employee rudely said "No it's not. It's $10.99."

$10.99 are you freaking kidding me? What the hell are they smoking? I told her I didn't want it. I don't know how much these retail new but $10.99 seems quite high for a used toy. And I could have sworn the price was $1.99 Guess I need to get my eyes checked. and yes Sarah, I'm still harping on this.

Linking to Junker Newbie

Monday, March 12, 2012

My Mandy Needs A Diet

Remember a few blogs back when I scored a mannequin from my favorite thrift store? If not, you can read it here. I had contemplated selling clothes so I had a use for her. Last week, I bought this skirt from Goodwill.


It is a size 10. I tried to put it on her so I could take a picture. Well, Mandy is slightly large boned. I could barely get the skirt pass her hips and when I did, I could not get the skirt to button. I wiggled her out of it and ended up hanging the skirt from my curtain rod. That's what all the successful clothes sellers do, right?

(To see my skirt in my store, just click on the picture.)

Friday, March 9, 2012

Estate Sale Finds

I wanted to go to this estate sale this morning but dragging a two year old into a house of breakables is probably not a good idea. I sent DH instead. I told him the few items I was interested in as there were pictures posted online. The sale opened at 8 but since Bill had to drop William off at school, he wasn't able to get there until 9. At that time, a man was carrying one of the owl lawn ornaments I wanted out to his car. (sad face) Bill said there were alot of people and the stuff I wanted was already sold. He did manage to get me a floor lamp and an owl cuckoo replica clock.



linking to Her Library Adventures

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Selling On Facebook

Have you tried selling your items on Facebook yet? It's like Craigslist. However you need to find a group in your area or start one. This is the group I belong too. I have sold a few things there lately. Nothing for big money. (Our group mostly consists of bargain hunters and garage sale sellers.) I also bought my owl lamps from this group.

Yesterday, I sold my bird cage.


When I bought it, I thought it would look great as a decoration. I had it in my living room for a few months and after picking it back up for the hundredth time, (little man could not leave his hands off it) I took the owl and leaves out  and in the basement it went. I listed it a few days ago and someone messaged me wondering if I would take $20 for it. I only paid $3, so I told her yes. She picked it up yesterday. She is going to use it to hold cards at her daughter's wedding and then as a plant holder afterwards.

Tomorrow, I will be selling my Mickey and Minnie Learn to dress dolls. I have had them listed on Ebay since the summer. Bill had gone to a garage sale and purchased 3 paper bags of toys for $5. Most have sold except for a few things including these dolls. I was offered $10 and accepted. Hopefully they will show up.


I really like selling things on Facebook but like I said, I don't make alot of money there but every little bit helps. And the best part: No paying fees to Ebay or Paypal.

Monday, March 5, 2012

How To Pack An Owl Lamp

There is a huge profit on Ebay selling those owl lamps you see at the thrift store or garage sale. Don't be intimidated by their size. If you follow my advice, your lamp will arrive safely to it's buyer.

I have sold two of these lamps for $100. The first one broke but was insured. The second arrived safely. These are the lamps I have sold. I do not sell the shade.


You will need the following supplies to pack your lamp:

1 LARGE BOX  You will want one that opens horizontally so your lamp can lay down. There is less chance of it breaking if it is not standing upright.

2 PIECES OF STYROFOAM BOARD


PACKING PEANUTS


BUBBLEWRAP


BROWN PACKING PAPER OR NEWSPAPER


RUBBER BAND OR TWIST TIE 


PACKING TAPE


Place one piece of styrofoam board on the bottom of the box. You can also add some big bubble wrap on top of that for extra padding. Put about 3 to 4 inches of peanuts into the box. Start wrapping the lamp. Use the rubber band or twist tie to wrap up the cord. Bubble wrap the cord.

Next, bubble wrap the light socket. Be sure to use enough so the socket does not get bent in shipping. If your lamp has spaces between the owls and the tree trunk, you will want to stuff brown packing paper or newspaper in that space. If your lamp has a bowl, pack paper into that as well.

Bubble wrap each owl individually. Again, be sure you are using enough wrap. Once all the owls are wrapped, wrap the whole lamp in more bubble wrap. Use enough so that it looks like a mummy. You want your lamp to arrive in one piece.

Once the lamp is all wrapped up, lay it down in your box. Fill in all the empty space with packing peanuts. Cover the lamp completely with peanuts. Next add the last piece of styrofoam. Close the box and tape it up. Be sure to mark the box with Fragile stickers. I know alot of sellers believe by marking the box fragile, you are putting a big bullseye on it, but in case your lamp does break, the buyer can not say you did not mark it.

Because of the size, it is most likely going to ship by dimensional cost rather than weight. The first time I shipped, I used parcel post and it cost around $30 to ship from WI to CA. The lamp ended up breaking. I had not used packing peanuts but crumpled up grocery bags. Not a good idea! I also had shipped it standing up and I am sure it fell over.

The second lamp, I shipped FedEx from WI to CA and it cost $80 If I had printed the label at home, I could have saved $20. Parcel Post would have cost around $30 but since my first lamp broke shipping it USPS, I decided to give FedEx a chance. I used the above instructions on this one and it arrived safely.

I priced my first lamp at $150 with free shipping since I was using parcel post and knew shipping would be around $30 at the most depending on where my buyer was. I accepted an offer of $130. The second lamp I priced at $200 with free shipping. I did not add a Best Offer to it. Both lamps sold within 2 months of listing.

One last piece of advice. Buy insurance. If your lamp does happen to break, you won't be out your money.





Thursday, March 1, 2012

New Owl Lamps

I found three owl lamps for sale on Facebook. I contacted the lady and she had her son meet me at Kwik Trip to pick them up. Unfortunately, one of the lamps had several cracks, so I did not get that one. I got the other two. The creamed color one probably needs to be rewired. The socket was bent and Bill fixed it but I do not trust that it will not start my house on fire. I may sell the brown one to a waitress Bill knows who collects owls. I hope she wants it because I do not need two lamps.

Photobucket

linking to Jenny Matlock

Jenny Matlock

linking to Her Library Adventures