Christmas Gifts

I've been enjoying Christmas season doing ebay this year. It hasn't been the rise in sales that has been making it so delightful, but rather Christmas shopping has never been easier. I hope none of my family is reading this yet, Chris I'm talking to you because you still may be the only reader of this blog. But I have been having a grand time looking through all of our stuff and picturing giving it as a real gift. Watch tools for my dear sister, a vintage typewriter for my brother, a huge lot of big boy shirts (various sizes and colors) for my other brother. No Chris, I will not tell you which one you're getting. Let's just say it doesn't matter if you feel like wearing a large one day and a medium the next. If I can't find that perfect gift than what better than a $25 gift certificate to our store?? First one to follow this blog gets 50% off an item in our store!!!! Merry Christmas!!!!!

Making selling on Ebay fun

Having fun at work:

1. When someone suggests taking a ride in a rascal scooter do it.

2. If you have a chance to buy a rascal scooter for a reasonable price or an unreasonable price, do it as well.

3. Wear costumes. What better way to come to work than entering and seeing a coworker nonchalantly typing at the computer in a cape, it is going to be a great day. (future things I will be wearing to work: conductor's hat (funny story about the buying of said hat to be featured in future blogs as well as a picture), Harry Potter Robe. Other costume suggestion will be appreciated.

4. Watch Ugly Betty and Thirty Rock and Monk whilst working, it makes packaging so fun.

5. Listen and sing to music, Phantom of the Opera Prima Donna turned up. Other good music suggestions appreciated!!

6. Take breaks, you'll work better when you get back, maybe, but even if not at least you're enjoying work. We like walks, business lunches, playing the piano, baking...

7. If you have cool items to sell, enjoy them before selling i.e. guitars(note profile picture, shark mouth, note upcoming photo, leather hat/goggles, buy a motorcycles with side car and enjoy the heck out of it!!!!!, blast!!!!!!)

You can sell everything on Ebay, almost

There is a buyer for almost everything!!! Some of my most favorite items we have sold in the past:
-stuffed frog band, actual frogs that were stuffed and shellacked and equipped with instruments
-numerous midget autographs from the 1930s something Chicago Worlds Fair
- the coolest leather hat and goggle set from the early 1920's something someone riding in a side car would wear, if only we had a motorcycle/side car setup, I don't think we would have sold it.
-rascal scooter, best work day ever when my dad and I rode around the block in the rascal, those things can move!!! We even got the orange flag in the back. I can still picture the wind blowing through my dad's hair and the flag, what a day!!
- lots of lots of junk. So many times I am amazed that people want this stuff and than are actually happy with it when they receive it, i.e. vintage computer electronics, old cameras...
- paisley smoking jacket (my dad didn't want to see that one go!! and to his credit, he did look rather nice in it)
-vintage scuba diving equipment

Sometimes it is not worth the money you get to sell things and sometimes it is more than worth it. If anyone finds an old leather hat and goggle set like someone riding in a sidecar would wear, let me know!!!

Shipping Disasters

If you are a new ebay user and set a standard price for shipping, make sure you write that different rates apply for Alaska and Hawaii. We shipped a kitchenaid mixer to Alaska via USPS. $60 later, you would think my lesson would be learned. Sadly no, I shipped vintage buttons to Alaska, very light, but via FedEx, I think it was something outrageous like $50. So shipping to Alaska is expensive and if you are shipping there use USPS because FedEx has to go through them anyway and will charge more.

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AW MAN

Just looking at all the cool things you can do on the blogger website and decided to add the followers link to the bottom of the page. The template says you have 21 followers. I thought it was our blog! Aw man, what a disappointment! My dad got up from watching Monk, my brother took a break from poker, quite the letdown:( If you are reading this, sign up as a follower!!!! You could be the first and really make our day!!

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Ebay Pricing

Pricing your items can be quite a challenge. For one thing, you want people to bid. If the item is too low, people may not think it is a quality item, too high people won't bid. Also if you have a cheap item, is it worth all the ebay/paypal/shipping fees? If you know that people are going to look at your item (not an obscure item only two people in world have heard of) and that there is interest in your item (past completed items have lots of bids) than I say price low because when someone places a bid, they get interested in that item and more involved. Whenever I place a bid I want the lowest, but than I think more about the item and decide that I want it much more and put a higher bid than what I would really want to pay. So many times we've had high starting prices, no bids than relisted those items with lower starting prices and selling the items for much more than our original high prices that did not get any bids. Very interesting

Going Green in EBAY

I've been packing up a storm and would like to package the most environmentally friendly way. We use recycled boxes from my mom's school. Occasionaly I don't take the original labels off so I am sure many a customer has been disappointed when their package was not full of frozen chicken strips. But, we still have to buy boxes for our more uniquely shaped items. It is a bit ridiculous after doing this for a few years I feel like a mover, always interested in boxes. When garbage day comes by, I have to restrain myself when I see a perfect sized box. We also use old newspaper for packing. Are there other packaging alternatives?? We still use bubble wrap and occasionaly the dreaded popcorn. I attempted using leftover bags, both paper and plastic, but am not sure how well they protect items (no complaints yet). Any ideas on this subject would be greatly appreciated!!