We have some great repeat customers that are interested in specific stuff. One of our favorites is in Indiana and is only interested in all things Sears.
Old toys are sometimes popular. These miniature toy guns went for $36!
Sometimes we get lucky. This 1947 Vargas calendar happened to be the last one done by Varga because of a contract dispute with Esquire. This went for $102.
Presentation is important. Here we showed 3 important views of this "vintage" holster. It sold for $15!
We listed these less than perfect Teen Magazines for $2.99. Average sale price was $10
This Barbie coloring book sold for more than a 1930's Shirley Temple pin.. $20 and it was missing several pages and a couple were colored too.
Obscure old games and components can fetch dollars. As of this writing, this and one like it is currently listed and has 21 watchers, 6 bidders with 3 days left on auction.
This little travel chess set only fetched $5.50. BUT it is money I didn't have otherwise! I was just going to toss it anyway.
Frequently asked questions:
The most common question is: "Why do you do it this way if you are already selling on E-Bay?" The answer is quite honest and simple: The most time consuming part of E-Bay selling is acquiring the merchandise. Hours and miles worth of estate sales and yard sales. How often I thought to myself when driving down my own street: " I wish I could rummage through these houses to see what I can find."
This system works much better. It is a lot like
consignment for little stuff! We save time and
we both make money!
Q: Don't you make a lot on shipping?
A: Buyers are VERY sensitive to shipping costs and shipping that is too high will kill a sale. I try to keep shipping at or about a break-even. I do save by buying packing materials in bulk. The 50 cent mailer you may buy at retail we pay 17 cents for in bulk.
Q: Why 50/50? After all it is my stuff.
A: It is your stuff, but it takes quite a bit of time to collect, inventory, photograph, retouch and enhance and write each listing. Typically a quarter hour per item. We also pay all of the listing and shipping costs. If we make a mistake in shipping costs we eat it. We deal with any buyer complaints (although to date we have a 100% feedback rating). If an item does not sell we absorb the cost of time and money. There are fees all along the line: Listing fees, final value fees and of course PayPal and the credit card companies take their cut too. We pay all of them.
Q: Can I just sell you my stuff?
A: Sure, but we can only pay garage sale prices. We both are better off with consignment.
Q: Who decides how much to list an item for?
A: We do. And most of the time we start the listing at 99 cents. Sometimes when a category warrants it we will list for more but rarely if ever above $4.99. We just recently finished selling a large lot of 1968 teen type music magazines. After testing the category water which was new to us with a few items, we listed all subsequent magazines at $2.99 each. Since the average sale price was $10, the higher listing was warranted. Most of the samples on this website were listed initially at 99 cents. Had I listed them for nearer their final sales price, they probably would not have sold or gathered as much attention. If you want more as a minimum price for a specific item, we need to know or do not give it to us. Bottom line is: if it is of great sentimental value to you.. keep it.
Q: What if I do not want you coming to my house or business?
A: You can, if you wish, bring items to us for sale but that costs you time, gas and money and you may overlook something that is saleable.
Q: Does something have to be old to sell?
A: It helps but is not essential. And old by who's definition and interest? I have found that items from the 30's do not get as much attention as items from the 50's. Why? Because many of the people who remember the 30's are no longer with us!
Q: What about the condition of the item?
A: For some collectibles condition is paramount. This is particularly true of coins and comic books. Many things in less than perfect condition can and do sell, but for less.
Q: What about Really, Really Collectible items?
A: Everyone including E-Bay thinks they have a handle on this. Kind of like diet or economy gurus. There has been a huge surge in people "collecting collectibles" over the past 20 years. For that reason, many collectibles are a glut on the market. Comic books and Matchbox Cars are good examples. I have been to Estate sales that have had rooms full of collectibles still in their boxes or blister packs.
I myself like to collect money. I put it in the bank and it collects interest! Honestly, I do collect a few things BUT not in the hope that they will grow in value. I collect things that bring me personal satisfaction.
E-Bay sent me a notice the other day about some "hot" categories. One was art. Since I am an artist I checked it out. The prices art was selling for (if at all) on E-Bay would not even pay for the materials used to create the painting!
Q: What if my item sells for a fortune?
A: Then we are both happy campers! The odds are way against it but in the unlikely event it does happen, we are willing to make concessions. Besides, you know who and where we are!
Q: Wouldn't I be better off having a Yard sale?
A: Go ahead. A typical yard sale might bring a couple hundred buyers at best. E-Bay reaches MILLIONS. And you don't have to sit in the hot Arizona sun either. You will make more money this way.
Q: Couldn't I just do it myself?
A: Sure. Many folks do. And if you do, I hope this site has been helpful to you. Our service is for people who do not have the time, the interest or the computer expertise to sell on E-Bay.
Q: Do you have one of those fancy e-bay stores?
A: NO. We keep our listing simple, truthful and homespun. We spend more time on quality photos and meaningful key words and categories. It also gives us more credibilty as just a little guy.
Q: What if I am outside your service area?
A: Give us a call. We can probably work something out.
Q: Do you make a living doing this?
A: No. I am a graphic designer (hit the HOME button at top) and have another part time business www.myfambly.com. My wife works two part-time jobs. We do this to fill in for slow times, to earn some "fun money" and because we enjoy it!
If you have a question not covered here, please just hit the e-mail link above and fire away. We will respond and it may even make this page in the future!
Start turning your junk drawer do-dads into dollars today!
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