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Topics - Alias300

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61
Other Forms of Selling / Networking
« on: December 29, 2012, 11:55:49 AM »
First, I apologize or the double post.   Just answered a topic in the newbie section but since its a frequent question I'm adding it here......I'll just add a bit.


It's a little ghetto but I sell a lot from the trunk of my car.    I always go to the same gym, gas station, grocery store, auto parts store, dive *ss low life corner market.....

Get to know employees, locals, regulars.  Find what they are into, mention what I have.....

Or if a got a 'lot' of items ill even open my trunk while pumping gas, causally strike up convo to others then "oh....hey....you interested in <item>?"

Also, I'm on a lot of forums.   Everything from automotive to movie sites to health/fitness.   Eventually you "meet" people and talk turns to more personal stuff and bingo. 

Instead of buying items and finding a buyer, a lot of times it's having a buyer and trying to find items.

I keep a notebook with names an numbers and types of things people are into.   Find a unit or item at estate/garage sale and I can call them and see if thy are interested.

Also helps since I can pre-research items.  Know a bit about them and value.
I know nothing of camera lenses.   But this mechanic wants a telephoto.   First, never would have guessed he was into photography had I not brought up what I do, have, can get...
But by talking to him I got a possible costumer and I  pumped him for info....rule #1: always get people talking then sit back and LISTEN.   You'll get more answers then if you asked the questions.  :)

Now, I have yet to find what he wants but due to talking to him and researching wht he was talking about I've found several money makers at estate sales.

Guess it comes down to networking.

62
The Lounge / Been away again...
« on: December 07, 2012, 09:16:45 PM »
Hey all.

Been outa the game a while.   Last 6 weeks been doing 2-3 hours/day doing physical training.  Up to 15lb free weight curls!   lol.     Let me say, having your bicep cut off and reattached sucks!   

Plus I was filling in as Chair for a non-profit.

Basically have just been worn out. Need to jump back in cause my bank is dwindling quickly.
Mostly picking since, tho way better, still not to the physical level of cleaning out lockers.
But getting my lists together to try and find one small ones.....hopefully......maybe.....

63
Craigslist / CL Sellers are nuts too.....
« on: October 14, 2012, 02:08:29 PM »
Since we have a 'buyers are crazy' I thought I'd hate the other side.....

Emailed a guy for a jetBoil system and cooking pan.

Wanted $100.   Emailed, very polite, said keep my email, if he can't sell elsewhere, contact and I'll pay $50.

I got a huge ass rant about he is so sick of low ball offers.....the system is $140 and pan is $60.

I emailed back with links to a site.
  Online the jetBoil he is selling is $72.99.  Pan is $24.99.  With tax that's a little under $110.   Free shipping.    Why would I buy used when I could get new, with warranty, for $10 more?
....
He emailed back:  your f**king nuts!  I've never seen these systems for less than $140!  I don't know where our getting your information but do your research!!!  I said NO LOW BALL OFFERS!! 
....

Wow.  I'm nuts?  I sent you  the links!  There's the research! That's what I can get it for new.



Then there is he other seller, he has posted the same Ad three Saturday's in a row.  I've emailed each time and he hasn't replied. 




65
Craigslist / Bring change
« on: October 07, 2012, 11:43:20 AM »
The old Craigslist buyer scam of only bringing $40 for $50-$60 item seems to have changed.

Now I'm running into guys that show up for a $60 item but bring a $100 bill and two $20's.  Guess they seem to think that way it doesn't look like thy are trying to short you.....?

For safety I never bring much but I'm making sure I have change.
This morning I sold an item for $20 and guy only had a $50 and a $10.  Didn't even ask if I could break the $50, just tried to hand me the $10.  


What's messed up with guys trying to strong arm me on price is if a peron is cool, friendly, professional.....9 out of 10 times if they examine it and say its really not worth x-amount to them, will I take <lesser>x-amount.....I usually will.   No need to hustle me.   Some items I can't, mark up is just to small.  But most I add in a little room for haggling.

This mornings item I got for $1 just yesterday.  Totally would have taken $10.  I really didn't expect a call when I priced t $20.  But try to hustle me?  Nope.  Got change.  Enjoy.  See ya.

Really thinking of getting Sqaure so I can take debit/credit.

66
What's it Worth?? / Bottle of wine price
« on: October 05, 2012, 06:36:31 PM »
Hit an estate with a real wine cellar.  $2/bottle. 
Mostly stuff I knew.  Generic. But for $2 grabbed some unknowns.  Xmas is not far off, ya know?

Found all but one online. Sick of searching.

Anyone know anything about  1977 Twin Oaks Zinfandel?   :-\

67
The Treasure Chest / Finally got what I was looking for!
« on: October 04, 2012, 08:56:23 PM »
Got a unit yesterday for $20.    Only contents was a liquor box, a back pack and a broken shoe shine box.

Really just bid since it was a decent looking NorthFace pack.  Probably $50 new.  Nothing special but I could use it.....

Pack was full of crappy hiking stuff.  Got maybe $20-$30 of day hike gear.  Nice little stove but tips over. 90% went in trash. 

Shoe shine box got trashed along with 90% of its contents too. 

Box?  Another 90 percenter.  BUT.....<back story> I use to do well selling those old hand crank meat grinders.  People would pay $25 for them and I'd get them at estates for $1-$5.   Then the estates got wise and started charging like $10/ea.   and other started selling.....now they are all over Craigslist .....anyway, I've always wanted the 'salesman sample' meat grinder.   You know, mini version he would go door-to-door selling.

So in the box.   Got it!   No idea why I want it.  Just kitchen decoration but with the other stuff this makes a good $20 spend.

This is not mine.  Just a random eBay link to show what I'm talking about:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-4-P-T-Corp-Aluminum-Meat-GRINDER-Salesman-Sample-complete-Working-/251160775614?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a7a594bbe


68
Stories about Storage Auctions / A little inspiration
« on: August 08, 2012, 12:32:43 PM »
For all those who don't believe people keep high value items in storage units.....


As I've posted elsewhere, I've been on the look out for a Hoosier Cabinet to restore.  (to keep for myself)

Old co-worker/ pseudo girlfriend (still good friends) called last week and said her deceased mother has one in storage that I can have if once they load moving  truck I'd drive it....they are scared to.

Wasn't what I was looking for but helped out anyway.....

Turns out they didn't even know about storage unit until the lawyer was going thu old bills and called facility.  It was just going into the process to be auctioned.   

So open it and it is trashed.   This did not look good.  Lots of stuff but all boxes were water damaged. Place smelled.  I'm thinking this is, just from being so full, a $500 locker.

Hidden behind stacks of boxes;
there is the Hoosier ($700-$1000). Which you could see part of but didn't look like anything good
Brand new leather couch, still in original shipping plastic, and delivery reciept with price of $6500
Antique leather topped end tables with not even a scratch on them!
And.....the ladies safe.  Which ended up great for my friend since it was all investment papers.  Bonds. CDs.   Nothing we could have turned in.    But had about $400 in coins (retail, not sure what she'll get for them)

But the boxes?
OMG!   Thirty high end purses in like new condition.  23 pairs of high heals still in box and lowest price tag was $180.  Big box of scarves that my friend said sell used for $20-$30 each. 

Ton of other stuff.  Clothes, household, high end kitchen stuff...



And some of your holy grails was found too!   Gold and guns!

Okay, not much.  Piece here and there.  Few Tiffany pieces but the dime-a-dozen, low price stuff.  Pretty sure one bracelet is even fake.  But all told I'm guessing at $500-$1000 in resale value.....no clue on scrap value.

And same with guns.  Got a big smile when I found a derringer ....but it's new. They sell for $150 on the high end.
Other was a .380 that you can get for $100 used.



Anyways, we did a mental price count, totally conserviive, low end, price to sell......and still we figure she has an easy $10,000


Ton to go thru.  So much is water damaged.  Top boxes are all mice dropping and chewed up stuff.

Thought I'd give a little inspiration that thre are still good units out there slipping thru the cracks.
Another month or unobservant attorney and this one would have been ours!



Now it's just negotiating price on my services to sell it all!   ;)






69
The Lounge / Wood glue
« on: July 13, 2012, 10:36:28 AM »
Quick question...

What's your favorite wood glue?


Have a pretty simple repair to do. Foot on an end table is broken off.
Drilled out wood dowel, pop'd a new one it. Was very suprised how easy it was.
Not much experience in working with wood and less in this area.

So, I used my standard 'gorilla glue' that Ive used on just about everything with no problem.....until now.
Got up today, looked table, all proud of myself.....until I moved it and foot fell off.   >:(

I swear I've used this glue on wood before but it didn't penetrate at all.  Just cracked right off.
Stuck to dowel great but was able to pull out like a popcicle.

Before I run out and get some actual wood glue does anyone have a favorite they can recommend?

And while I'm at it....
When I drilled out old dowel I enlarged the hole a wee little bit, hardly any, but new dowel isn't totally snug.
Is that okay or should I drill out each side and use a larger dowel?

70
Craigslist / "Wanted" section of CL
« on: July 08, 2012, 09:30:18 PM »
It's time to sell my battery collection again so did my usual search on CL wanted to find who's offering he best price.

Started reading thru and first noticed people are pretty much asking for stuff free for them to sell themselves but.....

Did find a few posts on sh*t I have.  Don't offer a great deal but stuff I ws gonna toss or donate anyway.

Going to have to remember to take a stroll thru that section everyday......

71
Picker's Paradise / Can't win'em all....
« on: July 06, 2012, 07:03:43 PM »
I picked some old flashlights a while back.  $2-$3 each.  Really cool looking and for that price figured I could at least get my money back.  Turned out they ranged from $20-$60 on eBay and people are bidding hard.

So last week was at an estate sale and saw some same style's, really old, so picked them up at $5 each.

Just went and researched them ANnnnnnnd.....people have them listed for $5.   ::)
And in better condition.   And.....no bids.  :-\

At least they work and kinda cool looking.  Guess I'll toss them in the pantry for my own use.  Tho, the battery cost more than a new, better, rechargeable lanterns.   ::)

...
Also, kind shocked I haven't been able to move the Vices I picked at $10/ea.  they range from $180-$450 new.   Asking $50-$125.  All are like new. Used but not beat at all.
Not a bite!   Going to have to load'em up a shop them around.   Sell them from the trunk of my car at 7-11 if I have to....    ;)

72
Garage Sales / Rummage sale pricing<question>
« on: July 03, 2012, 11:00:53 AM »
Have two charity rummage sales coming up.
One to support my friends Autism foundation where they teach children with autism computer skills (such a challenge but helps them so much. You should see these kids. They are awesome)
Second is for other friend opening a private school (k-6) cause local public school is so over crowded.
Needs funds so he can enroll anyone that wants, not just the rich kids.


At both there is a question on pricing items.  Majority of people say toss it out and let people make offer.

I say, tag it.  To many people walk away if no price. Embarrassed to ask, think its to much....
And if it's marked $10 thy can talk you down or you can mark it down, thy think they got a deal.

It's a psychological thing.  People will pay more.

Plus, your going to get people working there that either think something is valuable and price to high and it won't sell; or price things way to low.  $1 for things people would be happy to pay $5.

Already, I've donated some coins. One is a set of war time steel pennies. All three mint marks in one case.
They wanted to ask $20.   I donated them cause who ever had them polished them and burnt the steel.  Has that rainbow look.  The set sells for about $1.50, $3 at coin shop.  But one person saw on eBay that one penny was "listed" at $14.99.   Not sold, listed. And it was an uncirculated penny.
People just don't know what thing are worth or the art of pricing for negotiation.


Anyway, for you yaurd sell'rs and swap meet people, what's been your best pricing strategy? 
Tag sale or open offer?   



On a positive note, I've cleaned out some inventory that's been sitting and for good causes.
All the jeans.  Low value coins.  Lots of Nintendo DS accessories that GameStop wouldn't take.
(I seem to be a magnet for DS stuff....)
Just all that little crap, $1-$5 items, that you never seem to get round to selling......


Im rambling. Point of order.  Yard sell pricing techniques.  Suggestions.  Thank you.

73
Stories about Storage Auctions / Wasted morning....
« on: June 27, 2012, 03:21:45 PM »
Four auctions and three cancelled.
Fourth was two units.  First was a closet with weights from like the 70's and garbage. Literally garbage all over.  Looks like renters were able to come snag their stuff and left crap.

 Second unit was really nice for scrapper. 20x20 packed full with hot water tanks and washer/dryers and like. Didn't take a genius to tell this was an appliance graveyard.  Looked like they had even been plucked for parts.  One guy opened at $10 and no one bid against him.  Can scrap himself or take the easy way and just have scrappers come pick it up at discount.  Either way he got a nice little pay day!

I was tempted but I haven't done scrapping on large scale in some time. And I'd almost have to call scrapper for pick-up and since I've never done it, don't know who pays, pays what.....
Would of taken me more than the 24hrs they give to clear out and this facility is spendy so renting unit for month would of cost me a pretty penny.

Figured this guy looked like it was his thing.  In fact, I'm thinking he knew, and came, for this unit cause as I left he was pulling up a huge flatbed truck with cherry picker and loooong trailer.  Not the type of vehicle (or trailer) you see at our average auction.
Why drive up price on him for something I'm not sure of.

But for me it was a waste of $10 of gas a several hours....   :-\

This makes 11 auctions since taking medical and I've won ONE. And it wasn't anything to brag about.  I admit, Im pretty picky due to circumstances but this is getting old.   I keep saying I'm not going untill  I'm better and can have a better choice of units to bid on but I get bored and head out anyway......   ::)


74
Craigslist / CL iPad app
« on: June 26, 2012, 09:38:09 AM »
Just wanted to throw out that the CL iPad app sucks.  Use to work but after new update.....

First I go to post and I can't just log in.  It pushes me to web based.  Finally after proving myself I can use app.
Then every post I make it makes me do a text verification AND still go to email and click verification link for every post.

So I post all my goods, finally, and this morning went to check on one.....couldn't find it. Next, not there.

Not a single item was posted!
App says they are.  Email says they are.   But I've looked in every possible way and nothing.


Anyone else use CL app for iPad and have you had problems?  Fix?

Might explain why I'm not doing so well selling on Craigslist the past two weeks....



75
The Lounge / Shipping by train
« on: June 05, 2012, 10:41:31 AM »
Little known fact....or forgotten fact.
The US actually has a rail system.  Next time ou have a large (or small) item to ship check out Amtrak.
They say they have restrictions on size and wieght but if you line up help to load it they will work with you.

Downside(s)
Some station masters won't ship anything over 50lbs no matter how much you....ah....."tip"
They will only pick/drop at major stops. Read: major city.
And it takes a while. Seattle to L.A. is 4 days.
And you have to get it there. No door-to-door service.


Definitely not a everyday shipping method but one to remember.  Cost $120 to ship a scooter to L.A. 
Shippers wanted $400.....which is ridiculous considering I sent a car to Virginia for $600!!

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