eBay to Spin Off PayPal and CEO John Donahoe to leave

This is huge news that I just woke up to!  I got an e-mail just now that eBay is spinning off PayPal to be an independent company!  Earlier this year Carl Icahn, a major shareholder in eBay stock, urged eBay to spin off PayPal and wanted to have a shareholder vote.  Icahn stopped his fight when eBay agreed to have one of his (Icahn's) choices sit on the board.  But I guess that's not all that went on behind the scenes.  I think that this was all put in the works but kept hush hush.  Just my opinion.

John Donahoe, eBay's current CEO, will be stepping down but will remain on the board of both companies.  This is all via the CNN article I read and I am very intrigued to see where this will all lead in the future.  Read the full article here.  Cheers!

eBay's Spring Seller Update is Here!

eBay released there Spring Seller Update earlier this week.  If you are an e-Bay seller then it is very wise to stay on top of theses updates.  eBay puts two out every year, Spring and Fall, however the always highly anticipated Spring Update is what everyone usually holds their breathe for.  There are the most changes in the Spring update.  Here are some links to help you navigate your way through the update.  Cheers!

eBay Spring Seller Update Link 
eBay's announcement and checklists

Defect Rate and the eBay 2014 Spring Seller Update

A very good explanation of the new defect rate

 

Additional Details on the 2014 eBay Spring Seller Update
A very good explanation of everything else in the update

eBay Radio Town Hall Archive from March 12, 2014
eBay executives explain the seller update.  Scroll down for the broadcast.

Thrift Finds SOLD! - March 13, 2014

Wow!  I haven't written in a long time!  I've been super busy!  I've had two eBay classes but have hardly worked on eBay listings.  I have also been getting adjusted at this new bartending position and now I feel very comfortable there and can refocus on my business.  I have done some shopping but not super huge hauls like the outlet or bag sale.  I've also been trying to buy some stuff to send in to Amazon as I really need to get back on that horse too!  Any who, here's some of the awesome stuff I sold recently.  Cheers!

I got this book for free.  It was tossed aside in a fee box at a local thrift store.  It did sit for about 9 months in my store until the right buyer came along but I got a good price for it.

The Golden Christmas Book Crampton Malvern 1955 Children's Big HB

Sold for:  $39.99
Cost of Goods:  $0.00
Shipping:  $2.92
PayPal:  $1.46
eBay:  $3.60
Total Fees: $7.98
Total Profit:  $32.01 (80.05%)

This I got for the Goodwill a few weeks ago.  I started the auction at $29.99.  The buyer paid with a money order and sent the cutest note along with it.  Apparently "hubby" doesn't want her purchasing off of eBay and therefore I had to include a gift note rather than an invoice.  LOL.  Oh, what we go through to fulfill our need to shop!

J & P Coats Latch Hook Kit Moose Original #25063

Sold for:  $40.99
Cost of Goods:  $5.00
Shipping:  $10.56
PayPal:  $0.00
eBay:  $3.69
Total Fees: $19.25
Total Profit:  $21.74 (53.04%)

I also got this cake pan at the Goodwill.  I knew when I got it that it would sell relatively quickly.

Wilton Power Ranger Cake Pan Mold 2105-5975 w/ Printed Instructions 1994

Sold for:  $31.99
Cost of Goods:  $2.85
Shipping:  $8.99
PayPal:  $1.23
eBay:  $2.88
Total Fees: $15.95
Total Profit:  $16.04 (50.14%)

Today was an Amazon day

Today was a day that I choose to work on an Amazon shipment rather than eBay.  I had a ton of books that I had gotten and decided that it was time to get them out of my house and off to Amazon.  I started late this afternoon listing the books and then I moved on to the prep which includes removing price labels and cleaning with alcohol just so they aren't too dirty.  I then shrink wrapped them all.  Yup, I shrink wrap all my books.  It is tedious and does take extra time (as well as money) but I think it makes a much better presentation and I don't sell penny books so my margins aren't hit with the extra expense too much.  I also like the added protection for in the warehouse.  You never know what could happen.  Dust jackets can rip very easily and completely change the condition of a book and in turn the price as well.  After shrink wrap, I then had to label them all and finally pack them up for shipping.  I'll be dropping them off at the UPS Store tomorrow.  I'm glad to be freeing up some space for new inventory!  Cheers!

My Favorite Articles This Week - February 22, 2014

Since I forgot to get my post up last Saturday, I have included the past two weeks of my favorite articles.  Lots to read!  Cheers!

This was interesting to see the different categories that the top sellers are based in.  Unfortunately, I didn't make the cut!
The World’s Top eBay Sellers

A new site for sellers to think about cross selling on and integrating into there list of venues
Alibaba Close to Launching eBay-Style Marketplace in US

This is for all the coin collectors out there.  I know I have a few too!
Those Old Wheat Cents in Your Dresser Might Be Worth a Fortune

It looks like this new dashboard will be easier to read
eBay to Roll Out New Seller Dashboard

An excellent formula to use as a business owner.  Very eye-opening!
How Much Do You Really Need to Make? The Answer May Shock You 

This is a great article that can help every eBay seller with storage of all their items.  I'm going to use some of them too!
How to Organize A Lot of Clothing in Very Little Closet Space

A good way to set up promotions on eBay.
eBay Sales Maximizer Overview

This was an entertaining article with some decent advice.
So you want to be an eBay millionaire?

I love this blog.  This guy is too funny!  The article gave me something to think about.  I noticed this myself this past week and thought nothing of it until I read his post.  

What Drives Me Nuts? The New eBay 30% Rule

Thrift Finds - February 20, 2014

2 baseball gloves and a bag of kickboxing equipment

As promised, here is my huge haul from Tuesdays outing to the Goodwill Outlet.  I ended up getting 99 pieces to sell at a cost of $0.69 each!  Woo hoo!  I did get a ton of stuff for myself and didn't count those in my totals since I'll be keeping that stuff.  So in essence, everything cost well below $0.69.  I am thrilled with this haul and have to make a point to get to the outlet more often.  The total cost of the whole trip was $68.77 and the sale of 3 ties will cover that easy.  The rest will just be gravy on the biscuits!  Cheers!

6 pairs of shoes including 2 Foot Joy golf shoes

Super cute pink Moda International coat

I got a bunch of girls dresses

I'm keeping this bad boy for myself!

I haven't had a leather jacket in years!

I'm also keeping this set!  So cute!

Handbags including a Tignanello which will sell for about $30

You know I had to grab all the ties!

2 Fendi Ties - I'll starting these at auction for $23.99 each

The pick of the litter!

This Davide Pizzigoni design will fetch about $50

BCBG top - too bad it won't fit me :(

2 games, vintage legos, a wilton cake pan, 3 mugs (Wedgwood & Kate Spade), Mary Kay makeup (new & sealed) and more including the bin!

Time Escapes Me But I Have Still Been Thrifting!

Exactly how I feel when I don't blog!

I have been feeling very guilty for not posting and have promised myself everyday to get a post up.  When I just opened my account, I noticed I haven't posted for 9 whole days and I missed my favorite articles post this past Saturday.  Time has definitely escaped me!

I have been so super busy working on a ton of different things and actually have been out of the house for most of the time.  This week is still a crazy week but everything should be ironing itself out and calming down for a bit.

I am starting a new bartending job today at a lovely restaurant.  I needed to make the change from my old
place and have been looking since January.  I do still need to work a bit until my eCommerce business lifts off the ground and can support both the business and myself.  I'm getting close but I do want to still work because I do love bartending and it gets me out of the house as well!  It's part time, 2-3 shifts a week and they are super flexible and accommodating.  I think it will be a great place to work and I'm excited to start today.

I had a super duper sales weekend!  Total sales were just over $500 and I was ecstatic!  I have seen my sales steadily climb with the more I list.  I have also seen an increase becasue I make sure that ever day I am either listing something new or re-listing something that ended without a sale at auction. I have around 450 items listed and it is slowly growing.  Yay!

My mother has also got me thrifting a lot more than I need to right now!  LOL.  I have a ton to list but she is
off from work this week and had the bright idea to go to the Goodwill Outlet.  So we headed out yesterday in a blizzard which was only supposed to be rain.  It was a slow ride there but once we came out of the building, the sun was shining and the roads were fine.  I got a TON of stuff.  I love the outlet and sifting through all these crazy bins!  It's a huge scavenger hunt and I could have filled another whole basket but it was time to go.  (I'll post the trip tomorrow)  Everything came to a total of $68.77 and that included clothes, shoes, some housewares, a few books and a couple of odds and ends.  It was a great day!  Cheers!