Mystery Fabric

I went to a rummage sale this week. I think it was a hoarder sale. There were bags and boxes unpacked and tables full of stuff. Everything was sort of grimy and it seemed like maybe it was the daughter of whomever owned the house. Usually I don't like dirty but there was a lot of vintage fabric and she said I could fill a bag for $5. So I've been listing them today and have this cute piece that I can't figure out. I thought I'd see if my blogger pals could help. To me it looks kind of like Chinese lanterns but also kind of like robots. Or maybe it's just an abstract design.

 

Here are a couple others I've listed today. My Mom used to sew and she worked in a fabric shop for many years. I'm not much of a sewer but I like fabric and Project Runway!

Where Oh Where Is That Link

I was going to create a sale in my store this morning and can't find the 'Manage My Store' link anywhere. It seems to have disappeared. Anyone else having this problem? The link is back! They must be reading my blog ;)

I've noticed a slight increase in sales activity this week. Several messages with questions or offers. I blocked someone this week from buying from me because she asked too many picky questions about a $10 item. I'm just too paranoid about defects to deal with people who seem like they might leave one. She only had 10 feedback as well. Normally I'm not this paranoid but the new defect rating has me looking over my shoulder a little more.

I'm bored with my usual 'best sales this week' posts so I thought I'd post a few current listings that are interesting or relevant.

I wish I had found this sweater before the fourth of july and had it listed. Unfortunately it was in one of my unlisted bins…grrr. Believe it or not, this is a men's sweater! It's vintage from Monty Wards. Do they exist anymore? Can you see your soul mate in this maybe with a pair of white poly pants and white shoes?

I've got it listed for $29.99

I've also been trying to ferret out unlisted Halloween or Christmas inventory and get it listed. I found some doll sweaters I have and a couple of ceramic Christmas trees. No lights…These trees can go for big bucks in the larger sizes. I've sold a couple smaller sizes but not found any of the larger. You can also buy the lights on ebay so if you find a tree with some missing lights you can complete it and get more money. I've seen some people selling themed sports trees. They put in lights of that teams colors like a packer tree with green and gold lights. Here are the completed listings for the trees. 

How are things in your store this week? 

My Best Sales This Week

I went three days without a sale this week. Rarely do I go more than a day or maybe two without a sale. Stressed me out a little but I know others are going through the same thing so I just kept listing, listing, listing.

At the beginning of this year my goal was to reach 1000 listings in one year which would end at the end of December. Now I'm thinking it would be great to reach 1000 before then and take advantage of holiday shoppers. So my new goal is to try for 1000 by Oct 1st (ish). I just hit 800 so I have 200 to go in 3 months. Sounds doable but it took me 6 months to do 300 so I'm going to have to up my game. These slow sales will 'help'. Not that I hope for slow sales but I'm going to take advantage of the extra time and list more. So on to my best sales.

Harley Jacket. Paid $7 sold for $65 free shipping. This sat for quite a long time before someone finally purchased it. I took a Best Offer on it. 

New Balance Shoes. Paid $9. Took Best Offer for $40 plus shipping. Bought these for myself but they didn't fit. Too wide. 

Leaf Handkerchief. Paid .25. Sold for $19.99 free shipping. Isn't it pretty? I can't imagine blowing my nose with it. This was sitting unlisted forever with lots of other handkerchiefs I've bought. Finally listed most of them. Some in lots and a few singly. I've sold two lots and this single within a month. It pays to get that old unlisted inventory listed. Why oh why do I leave it sit? 

My motto to myself this week was found in the comments on the Scavenger Life blog. Steven S. said

"I thinks it's best to keep your head down and shovel that pile of inventory into the eBay furnace, keep that fire burnin'." Wonderful image. 

So if sales have been slow for you too this week, keep your head down and shovel!! Keep your chin up though, it'll get better. 

I'd also like to direct you to this post by Kimberly regarding ebays defect system. 

Monday Mumbling

Is anyone else having trouble getting on ebay today? I've tried on both of my computers and what comes up is all jumbled and unusable. I'm not having any trouble getting on other sites. I was all psyched to list today too after buying some cool stuff at an estate sale yesterday.

Here is a screen shot of what I get

In Other News

Yesterday I saw that I had received another defect. I got a 3 star in the item described category. I ran the report so I could see who left it for me and was surprised. The person who left it left positive feedback which said "Perfect description". Um, hunh?? I'm not sure if I'm going to call customer service or not. I've never had to call CS and hear mostly negative stories when I read other people's experiences with CS. Any advice for me? I'm at a 1.22% defect rate right now out of a possible 2%. That doesn't leave me much room for error. Two of my defects should fall off in August and September as it will be a year.


I've noticed lately that a lot of the re-sellers that I pay half attention to are coming out with ebooks, videos and such selling their knowledge. There's nothing wrong with that but it really annoys me that the pictures that they use to advertise their product show binders, cd discs, spiral books etc when all you are getting is a file download. Is it just me? Isn't this misrepresentation? Has anyone else noticed this? Am I overreacting? One in particular who I was starting to listen to regularly on youtube I quit listening to because it seemed like the content of his youtube videos was becoming more and more promotion for his product. Seems like a growing trend. I'm glad that the seller blogs that are my favorites and that I visit the most aren't like this. :)

Well off to see if I can get on ebay yet and get some work done.

List 'Em If You've Got 'Em

Now's the time to list those 4th of July items. I just listed this sweatshirt today. Almost forgot about it. Well I did forget I had it but remembered in time. I should have had it listed sooner though.

I also changed the featured items in my storefront to feature 'patriotic fare'. I have to dig through my stuff and see if I have anything else. Have you listed anything special for the fourth?

Don't Fear the Flaw

Instagram and Ebay

I just read two interesting articles about using Instagram to grow your small business. One article was specifically geared toward ebay sellers. I found the concept intriguing. I'm not into social media. I have a Facebook account but rarely use it and don't have a Twitter account so for me I don't know if trying something like Instagram would be worth it. I don't have a following...Plus it seems like it takes some dedication and work that I should put into listing. But still I thought the concept of posting photos with hashtags was interesting. I thought hashtags were just used in Twitter but recently have noticed them popping up on Pinterest when I pin some of my ebay items. Now after reading these articles about Instagram I'm even more curious. It seems like hashtags may be a big thing (I know I'm so behind the times). Has anyone tried this? Do you use Instagram? Do you post your ebay items there? Is it just a iPhone thing?

Here are the two articles that I'm referring to. 

The first.

and The Second.

Don't Fear the Flaw

A while back I was reading a blogpost by Melissa Rose an ebay seller and blogger. She was talking about a sale she made of a damaged item and she made the comment "don't Fear the Flaw". I don't remember what her sale was but it was a good sale. Today I want to talk a little bit about that concept. Too many times I get home from the thrift store and realize something I bought has a flaw I didn't see. In the excitement of finding something cool or the bad lighting in the thrift store I just don't always examine things closely enough. When I read the comment of Melissa's Don't Fear the Flaw, and thought about it it made a lot of sense to me. It can't hurt to list the item anyway, disclose the flaw and see what happens. Since then I've practiced the concept and been surprised by what has sold. Below I've posted some items and their flaws. Often I thought twice about actually listing the item. It's surprised me what has sold.

Vintage American Standard Catalog…had a very strong odor. I tried to get the smell out with baking soda and airing out but it didn't work. Listed it anyway and sold it for 9.99.

Copal Flip Clock. Missing one of it's numbers. Sold for 39.99.

Vintage children's book. This book had a lot of damage especially to the cover but wonderful illustrations. Sold 9.99.

VTech computer. Lots of cosmetic damage scratches and such and didn't work properly. Some discs worked while others didn't. Sold for 9.99. 

So although some of the sales weren't for very much I moved the item out of my house and made a few bucks. In each case I described the flaws as accurately as possible and so far have had no complaints. So today's lesson. DON'T FEAR THE FLAW. Don't be too quick to give up on an item because it doesn't work or isn't cosmetically perfect. Do some research, price accordingly, describe accurately and you can sell those 'mistakes' that we all buy once in a while. 

Bits and Pieces

The New Listing Tool

I noticed yesterday that a new listing tool appeared in my Selling Manager. I didn't have time to really check it out. I'm currently getting my house ready for an appraisal. I'm sure most ebay sellers can empathize with me. A week long task it's been. So anyway I'm wondering if anyone has tried out this new tool or is it just another button for the same process as before?

Some Recent Sales

I haven't done a post in a couple of weeks of My Best Sales. I was out of town for a few days visiting family and thrifting and now am cleaning house for the appraisal. I thought I'd just post a couple of nice sales I've had in the last couple of weeks. 

I blogged about these vintage flip clocks a while back. One of mine sold. Copal Brand. Paid $1.50 and sold for $39.99 plus shipping. This clock is missing one flip piece which I stated in the listing. It still works fine but sold for a good price with its flaw. I almost redonated it when I realized it had a flaw. Am so glad I didn't. 

Pokemon

I recently blogged about a Pokemon backpack I sold. This week I sold both a Pokemon beach towel and a set of Pokemon sheets.

Beach Towel. Paid $1. Sold for $23.74 Free Shipping.

And the Sheet Set. I'm not sure how much I paid. Probably around $5. Sold for $39.99 with Free Shipping. 

So keep your eyes out for Vintage Pokemon. The sheets are also purchased by Crafters who use them to make clothing and other items. Take a peek at this cute dress. That's it for now. Back to prepping the house.