It certainly worked for me in the two instances above, but I recently got a request for U-Ship info from a prospective buyer on a third item that didn't pan out.

I gave the requester basic info on how to proceed on U-Ship but he wanted ME to get a basic quote for him (so he wouldn't have to invest time in the process). So wanting to make a sale I did so.

When you just do the basic work it always comes back showing a possible shipping rate of $350 to $700 from CA to the east coast.

It's ONLY when a customer actually has an item in hand that THEY put out for bids on U-Ship. In other words, they say "I've got a (item here) in Redding, CA that I want to get to my home in Atlanta, GA.  It weighs 100 pounds and measure 5' x 3' x 18"."

At that point, carriers on U-Ship will submit bids for what they would do  for delivery. Dates also come into it of course.
If a person gets 4 bids he can accept or reject any of them. Once they choose a carrier the deal proceeds and communication starts between all three parties (me, buyer and carrier).

In addition to the charge by the carrier, U-Ship gets some action too...maybe $50 commission on a $350 shipment.

It's not as difficult as it might seem, but does require a willing buyer and an item that might not be widely available...perhaps a unique furniture piece as an example.

In my third case, the prospective buyer was looking at an item that would sell for $1,200 new and I offered it at $300 for local pickup. I discounted it to $150 to him because it had to be shipped, but at the $350 shipping cost it put the buyer at $500 to $550 and they didn't want to spring for it.  Oh well.

I only paid $25 for it so I would have been happy getting $150.

You're the one creating the new topics and then moving them. Why not avoid all of the clutter and create them in the correct place in the first place?

Maybe this is the answer:

1) Create a thread in place "A".....counts as new thread.

2) Move the thread to a different category in place "B"....counts as new thread.

3) Two thread counts for the price of one ! Wink!

We all get items in lockers and from "picks" that are marked with black/blue magic markers, either with prices or names identifying the owner.  This detracts or can ruin a sale. 

What do you use to remove these marks (and/or store or mfg stickers)?

There are some very colorful ones (small, swirled colors in glass) which I use in "artsy" items I create, other than that it just goes in the trash.

I have seen buyers get lockers with plastic gargabe backs full of unprocessed m*rijuana; best bet on those seems to be to call the cops. Transporting something like that could be a disaster if you got stopped for a broken tail-light.

You?

Um, so what's up with all the posting and moving of new topics? It's really making a mess of the forums.

Haven't you heard? There's a new admin in office.

Years ago when I started selling at a flea market I couldn't believe people were out in the dark with flashlights looking at stuff as the vendors set up before dawn.

It varies during the year of course and during this last winter vendors set up later than usual so the flashlight guys didn't have much to look at.

If they don't come before sunrise, a certain number come just at or a little after looking for deals. I set up my tables but don't put anything out and the go looking for deals myself.

How is it in YOUR area?

  Yeah right. They got out while the getting was good.

Merging with another company is not "biting the dust" IN MY HUMBLE OPINION. Let us know when the merger of the two goes out of business.

I haven't tracked this accurately, but I did hear an interesting story from a fellow who concentrated on selling clothing (good and bad).

He was down to the point of selling off the bad clothing at 50 cents each and said it certainly wasn't uncommon for people to buy 12 pieces at that price ($6 total) and this guy had a lot of clothing.

Anyway, at the end of one Saturday he said he finished the day at $600 (all clothing).  I don't know if he saw my jaw drop or not, but INSIDE MY HEAD it didn't take much to calculate that was 1,200 pieces of clothing. Even if each of his customers bought 6 pieces that would be 200 transactions in a 6 to 8 hour day, or 30 plus transactions an hour.

Needless to say, I don't believe him, and by the way. He's no longer selling at my flea market. 

You?