Thrift Finds - February 10, 2014

So as I had mentioned, I've been doing a lot with men's clothing and have learned a ton so far.  It has definitely been rewarding!  I went out with my Mom yesterday to the Goodwill in Monroe which is about a 20 minute drive from my house.  Neither my Mom nor I had been to that one in a bit and I'm happy to have gone.  The prices are a bit cheaper and I found some really good items.  However, I had also gone out mid-week to my local Goodwill and hit the jackpot on a few items!  I've already sent them to auction and one has sold and shipped today.  I re-listed the others this morning and another sold not too long ago!  Here are some of the things that I found last week as well as the ones that sold.

I found this sweet purple Grateful Dead Tie Dye shirt.  I priced it high at auction and it didn't sell so I moved it to my store with Best Offer attached to it.  If it was a bit smaller, I definitely would have kept it for myself.  First, it's purple which is my favorite color and second I love the graphic!
You can find this shirt here.





I also found this very lovely men's sport coat by Cricket & Co.  I had never heard of the company before but when I saw that the fabric was Loro Piana I grabbed it.  When I got home, I did a little research on Cricket & Co and found out that they are a clothing company in Belgium. You can find this sport coat here.



 
The sport coat is made extremely well and the lining is stunning. The fabric is a beautiful olive green brushed cotton.  Sometimes you have to trust your instincts in order to learn more.  Seeing how well made this item was, I took the risk.  It may take a little longer to sell but I'm very confident in this one.  Hopefully I will be able to report back soon with a sale!

Not only did I get the Grateful Dead Tie Dye but I got this one too (as well as a Phil Lesh, hee hee!)  Tie Dyes do great especially with a great band graphic on it.  This one sold at auction for $38.50.  I had started the auction at $29.99 and had somebody begging me to end the auction and let him buy it for that price.  I refused because I had a ton of views and a few watchers.  He did end up winning the auction and I'm glad I held out and got a few extra bucks!  Here is the break down:

Cost of Goods:  $3.79
Shipping:  $3.11
PayPal:  $1.42
eBay:   $3.47
Total Fees:  $11.79
Total Profit:  $26.71 (69.38%)


This Coogi shirt is a Size 6X.  I did pay more than I usually do for a polo shirt but only because of the name brand and because it is a 6X.  The large sizes do great but the huge sizes do even better.  This was in excellent condition as well.  It didn't sell at auction so I re-listed it at fixed price this morning and it sold this evening for $37.99.  Here's the break down:

Cost of Goods:  $9.00
Shipping:  $5.74
PayPal:  $1.40
eBay:  $3.42
Total Fees:  $19.56
Total Profit:  $18.43 (48.51%)

And I am completely happy with tripling my money in less than a week on this bad boy!  Cheers!

Thrift Find Sold! - February 9th. 2014

So if you recall, in my Thrift Finds Haul Update post on the 3rd I had sent to auction this beautiful Michelle Nicole Embroidered Sweater.  Well, it sold for $27.99!  Everything else has been re-listed at fixed price.  Here's the break down:

Cost of Good:  $0.33
Shipping: $4.95
PayPal:  $1.11
eBay:  $2.52
Total Fees:  $8.91
Total Profit:   $19.08 (68.17%)

I'll take a $20 bill any day!

Today, my Mom has invited me to take a trip to the Monroe Goodwill.  I haven't been there in quite some time and even though I have plenty to list, I'm going!  Have a great day!  Cheers!

My Favorite Articles This Week - February 8, 2014

Here are my favorite articles from this past week.  Cheers!

Albeit an older article, it is still very relevant for anybody that sells on Amazon

Unofficial List of Possibly Prohibited Brands on Amazon

eCommerceBytes Awards, always interesting to see who comes out on top!
Sellers Choice 2014: Merchants Rate Top Online Marketplaces 

I think that Lululemon has gone a bit too far here.
Lululemon Is Banning Customers Who Try To Resell Their Clothing Online

A very good but long read.  I learned new things from this article.
You Can Explain eBay's $50 Billion Turnaround With Just This One Crazy Story

My eBay Office - Listing

Lots of natural sunlight and energizing yellow paint

Geez, with two snow storms this week I've completely lost track of time!  Having to shovel the wet, heavy snow really put a damper on everything else.  It is quite exhausting!

I store stuff for Amazon in the file cabinet and boxes

In my second to last My eBay office post, I'm gong to show you my office.  This is where I sit and research and list all my goodies.  It really quite a normal office.  I did take the time yesterday to straighten it up a bit before photos so it's not always this neat. 

Yes, I still have a land line!

I thought about moving this space downstairs to the basement but decided against it.  I spend a lot of time here and I like the natural sunlight as well as the separate space.  I think I would go crazy downstairs all the time.  As it is, there are times when I head downstairs at 3 or 4 pm and when I come upstairs it's pitch black outside so my office remains here!  Cheers!

Labels, paper, books and eBay Classes stuff!

Another storage space for Amazon stuff

Thrift Finds - February 3 ,2014 - Haul Update!

I have been busy steaming, writing up and photographing since my post this morning.  I was able to get a few items listed tonight and wanted to share them with you.  I have sent them to auction instead of fixed price as I have recently changed my strategy.  I have seen an increase in sales by doing my items this way and I will write a post (in the near future) about exactly how and why I do things.  Any who...on to the goods!

Michelle Nicole Size M Sweater Embroidered Flowers

Boho Chic Size 2 Jacket Embroidered Swirl

Silkscapes Jacket Fruit Short Oriental Knot Button Size L

 

Thrift Finds - February 3, 2014

Of course I grabbed all the ties!

So I'm skipping the My eBay Office Post today because I went to a super bag sale this past weekend!  I got a ton of stuff for only $28!  85 sellable pieces in total plus 5 things for myself and my mom got a few pieces too.  At this particular thrift store, the bag is only for clothing items but it does include shoes and purses as well.  It was a great haul and each item only ended up costing me $0.33 each!  I got a ton of Banana Republic items, a Ralph Lauren Black Label cashmere sweater, a pair of Cole Haan men's shoes and about 5 pairs of ski pants.  I wasn't able to get everything photographed for you so these pictures don't even contain all the shirts, blouses, sweaters and jackets that I got.  The pictures are also only in piles because I haven't had a chance to do any work this weekend as the bag sale took up most of my Saturday and Sunday was family day.  Once I get a few items listed, I will share in further detail.  Cheers!

I may be keeping those strappy heels for myself

Skirts and pants

Some sweaters, ski pants and purses

My Favorite Articles This Week - February 1, 2014

Like last week, I've been super busy but I did get to read a bit of eCommerce news!  Cheers!

This is a very important article for anybody who sells on Amazon.  I have already requested my report and am in the process of fixing my listings.
Amazon Hides Listings with Missing or Incorrect UPCs

Good articles regarding USPS packages

8 Reasons USPS Might Have Lost Your Package

As a follow-up to My eBay Office Photography post, here is an excellent article on taking photos of clothing.  How and why is included.  Although I don't use the big fancy set-ups like they do, the process is still the same.
Clothing & Fashion Photography