Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Well, did we survive the holidays?
Actually, spent Christmas blessedly alone...
except for two cats and a dog... played all those CD's I have that drive everyone else crazy and had one of the most relaxing days of my life...
Anyway, been listing like crazy over the last couple of days...
check it out if you're interested...
http://stores.ebay.com/luckypennyfleamarket
really, just a drive by post today...
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
got to gear up....
Everything just seems to be a bit more of a chore than it has to be right now...
I know people who publicly declare themselves Pagan every Thanksgiving so they don't have to deal with Christmas. I'm starting to understand them... Anyway, I guess I'll just spare the blog-world from my ranting...
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Well, I'm back....
anyway, it's not much of a stall, just an 8 x 9, but you'd be amazed at how much stuff you can fit in one of those...
listing driftwood for you reptile fans... you'll need it for those vivariums, or reptile cages, or whatever we're calling them this week, and I'll have a nice hand-tooled leather vest, as soon as I get the pics took, and there's always that stuff that you just list to see what happens...
Gearing up for Christmas.
Not looking forward to it...
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
getting ready for thansgiving...
Anyway, we're going to a restaraunt this year.
I don't want to cook, Mom isn't up to cooking, and of course my Sister ain't gonna cook, and even if she did I wouldn't be invited, so we're going to a restaraunt.
Don't know why. Never really liked Turkey anyway.
But I am wishing everybody out there a wonderful Thanksgiving, and hoping you have a great holiday season...
Sunday, November 19, 2006
business, this time of year, is slow... But I will just have to keep plugging along...
anyway, there isn't much to do about it, but keep listing and hope that everything starts to pick up...
We are moving into Christmas... so maybe some shoppers will come out of the woodwork...
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
well, I don't know...
So, the final outcome is that even though her auctions are breaking about fifty rules, she's managed to get a whole bunch of my online friends into trouble... and a few of them won't be allowed to post anymore, at least for a week, and I'm feeling a little guilty because I certainly took a few shots at her, and I didn't get any slaps, but I was contrbuting to the problem that got some of my friends slaps, and really it's all just disgusting...
Oh well, my friends will be back...
There really isn't anything I can think of doing right now... I guess that I'll have to kind of wait and see...
Maybe a voodoo curse...
Thursday, November 09, 2006
About this trading assistant thing...
Here's a few rules for anybody who's thinking about approaching me for selling things...
1) If it came in a box marked 'collectible' it's generally not...
Danbury mint, star trek & star wars figurines, etc... Are NOT investments. They are valuable for about one year, then the price drops and doesn't come back up for 25 to 30. Yes, I realize that Star Wars stuff is about 25 to 30 years old now. The problem is that everybody who bought it, put it up, and there are well over 5 million of the darned things floating around... With a few notable exceptions, it ain't worth my time to list...
2) I don't care what the collectors book says...
I am getting a little tired of explaining to people that even though the collectors book says that your baseball card is worth 500 bucks, the truth of the matter is that I can look over auctions on eBay for the last 30 days and tell you it's actually selling for about $75. And then, only if you're extremely lucky. Please, No amount of whining and/or self-righteous indignation on your part is going to change that. This comes under the collectible that really isn't... Yes it is collectible, but... If a company put out 500,000 of the things and everybody who bought them kept them, they're just not as rare as you think...
3) Don't bring me a catalog of supposedly wholesale stuff...
There are several supposed "wholesalers" out there who sell their catalogs to people for about $50 a pop, telling these people that they'll be able to sell this crap on eBay forever 100% profit, and you can have it drop-shipped from China too.... I am getting tired of setting people in front of a computer and showing them that their ever-so-valuable items are selling for 99 cents, and only about 1 in 20 listings are selling at all... So, no, I'm not going to be the trading assistant for these items because I'm here to make money, and this ain't gonna do it.
4) Don't bring me cheap Chinese knock-offs of watches, or purses, or anything else for that matter...
Along the same lines as #3... There are websites who auction of lots of watches with supposed retail values of 100 to 400 bucks each. Again, you have to pay $50 for the right to bid on these auctions... And the only person making any cash is the guy charging you $50. The watches themselves sell for 99 cents to 9.99, and only about 1 in 20 sell... So again, no amount of whining or indignation is going to convince me to sell this crap... I'm also very good at spotting fake purses. I have to be. If I list them, I will get kicked off eBay.
5) In reference to #3 or #4, there isn't a get rich scheme on the planet that holds water after a little market research. If someone tries to sell you a membership to a wholesale club or auction site... Remember, there isn't a legitimate wholesaler who works by making you pay for the dubious priveledge to see their stock... Also, if you type in wholesaler on internet search engines... None of those companies that show up are actually wholesalers... And I don't know of a single wholesaler who works that way...
6) Please don't bring me your handmade jewelry to sell.
I'm sorry, but every bored housewife with access to a Hobby Lobby or Michaels MJ Designs seems to have picked up a piece of fishing line and a few beads and declared herself a jeweler. At any point in time, there are well over 10,000 pieces of homemade jewelry on eBay, and unless you've got something really unique, (and lets face it, there are only so many ways to but a bead on a string) you're wasting your time. . . I'm sure your work is lovely, but there are so many of these pieces of homemade jewelry on eBay, that the majority sells for under 9.99. You're not going to make a profit, and I'm not going to make a profit, and we're all wasting out time.
Most of this jewelry is an impulse buy. People see it, want it, buy it. You can sell them off of a card table at the local crafts fair, or you may be able to convince a local boutique to stock them, but you're not gonna convince me to list them on eBay.
7) If you're in love with something, please don't ask me to sell it. Face it ladies, you may have paid $300 for a Dooney & Bourke purse, but you've since carried it around for a year and the inside is stained, the edges are scuffed, and no, I'm not going to be able to get more than 20 or 30 dollars for it.
8) Ebay is an auction. Which means that it will start at $9.99 and people bid up. Yes, it may sell for $9.99. But it is entirely possible that it will sell for 100.00 or even 2000.00. Trust me, if it's worth 500.00, people will bid it up to that. If nobody wants to give you 500.00, then it isn't worth 500.00, no matter what you say.
Well, I guess that's it for today.
Bet you can't guess who I had to talk to today, and about what... Just venting a little...
Now I really must get back to listing...
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
busy busy busy
Listed too much to list here... But if you're into retro Christmas stuff, there's some old Shenango plates you'll like, and there's some old kitchen appliances, and some brand new ones, and lord only knows what else you'll find... I've forgotten already.
Very very very tired...
Monday, November 06, 2006
model trains...
Anyway, more pics, 14 in total, in the listing, so check them out if you're interested... http://stores.ebay.com/luckypennyfleamarket
I just love listing cowboy boots... They usually sell pretty good, and it's amazing to see where they end up. I've sold at least half of them to France and Japan...
These are smaller sized, 6D, and will probably end up in Asia somewhere, although I've noticed locally that this tends to be a young kids first Young Mans boot, or sometimes women will buy a mans boot for the wider size...
These are impeccable, near mint, only the barest of usewear on the sole.
And these in suede are in good shape, but slightly more used...
And the Tony Lama's are 9 1/2 D, an easier size to sell, although these are in a slightly more used condition.
Guess we'll just have to see what happens with them, Started all the auctions at 9.99 with no reserve.
http://stores.ebay.com/luckypennyfleamarket
Sunday, November 05, 2006
don't know how they're going to sell, but they're cheap. I really am starting to get back in the swing of listing... And I have to list everyday. Got to get those sales up there!
Just a quick post... later...
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Well, I'm a little late, but I am managing to get the listing started... not too much going on. Here's the first... Staffordshire Ironstone Liberty Blue... 13 7/8 serving platter, featuring Washington Crossing the Delaware. The guys at replacements.com don't have one offered, but I'd guess between 70 and 80 bucks.
Next, the 12 inch platter, which the online replacement guys offer for 59.99. It's got a picture of the governors house in Williamsburg.
Don't worry, I'm not going to show you all of them here... after all, I do have a 12 piece place setting of the stuff. But I did say I'd put pictures in and there we are.
Went yard saling this afternoon, came up with som Gilmer Pottery, Some vintage Fire King, A lot of good stuff... But I'm trying to get the stuff I already have here on first.
Really should be going, Just taking a little break... and if you want to look more closely, go to http://stores.ebay.com/luckypennyfleamarket
Friday, November 03, 2006
Ahhhh, the relief of it all....
Actually, I will be taking pictures so that I can list this evening, and get the ebay store going again... all that's there is the standard store listings, and I need auctions up to get traffic.
I must say, I really do like ebay's new get it now thing...
I've been able to sell things that I normally would have to sit waiting on in the store. And it really seams convienient. I haven't bought anything with it yet, but to be able to go in, get all I want, and just make one payment for up to 10 different sellers, it makes it all much easier on the buyer. And let's face it, if it's not easy on the buyer, then they'll go elsewhere.
But, when I list tonight, I'll make sure that I post some pics here... I do have some nice things coming in...
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
November...
Met the new tennants for my building. Definitely a new game room. There will now be five game rooms in the complex, 2 legitmate bussinesses. I give the game rooms about 30 days before they get raided. And I know for a fact that one of the businesses is seriously considering moving out...
I'm well out of it. I was considering going to Canton for first Monday flea market... but everything is packed up and I just won't have time to straighten it out or arrange things...
The truth of the matter is that I want time off... I haven't had time to think even.
I will definitly miss some of my regular customers, but luckily I have a mailing list so that I can get in touch with them about the new stalls and such, so that will be helpful...
Just random thoughts today, nothing really new... I'm going to try to get a little more creative with the posts soon...
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Well, Happy Halloween...
Anyway, hope he enjoys his neg, it hurts him more than me... I'm certainly not losing any sleep over it, I have other things to lose sleep over... Not even sure why I mentioned it, It's just the cherry on the cake of my day.
Actually, no news today... There's really nothing to say, but I like the idea of journalling... I used to keep a regular journal all the time. But working 12 hour days got me out of the habit. Probably need to buy a notebook and start up again.
The cat is being vicious, the pug dog is being long-suffering, and I'm just being tired.
What a depressing post.
Sorry to anyone who had to read this...
Monday, October 30, 2006
oh so tired...
Deb was not amused when she was taking something out to the dumpster and three of the local "characters" were diving through it. She really wasn't amused when they grabbed the box out of her hand. After that, we wouldn't let her go out there alone, and either Peter or I would go out with her.
She then apologised, because she thought I was exagerating about the substance abuse problem. She now definitely knows that I'm not. I'm not exactly sure what she saw, but I can imagine.
So, so glad to be out of that store....
The DRAMA is almost done..!
Might be writing a few letters to congressmen about either legalizing gambling so they can control it or enforcing the laws they already have, but I won't have to deal with it in my face anymore. On the other hand, maybe I'll just let Karma take care of it... those guys do look like Karma's kicked them in the face a few times already...
Now that I'm through with my rant, I suppose I should talk about the ebay thing. As of November 4, I'm going to start listing again. I was going to start sooner, but I've spent the last 2 weeks working everyday, and I need a little time off.
I do have some great Staffordshire Pottery to list, Liberty Blue -colonial, full set of 8, and a model train, some everyday Gibson Pottery, and a few other nice little collectables.
I'm saying November 4 as the plan, but I may get it there sooner. Right now I'm so used to working like a demon, that the last day off I took made me a nervous wreck!
Regardless, when it's listed, I'll post a few picks here. Then I'll work on Getting the Google adwords set up, they should get some traffic. Wishing everybody well, Later...
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Kron table lamps
Listed this great pair of table lamps today. From KRON, right now the only pair of table lamps from KRON that are listed as far as I can tell... although there are a whole passel of the siamese cat TV lamps, and one of the giant black panther mantle piece lamps... for quite a large price.
My pair, I'm starting at 19.95. Don't have the auction # handy, but if you go to the store http://stores.ebay.com/luckypennyfleamarket and click on the categories retro or collectables, they'll be right there... and if the shipping seems high, it's because they weigh close to 11 pounds. Not to mention there will have to be a huge box...
right now, I'm basically wasting my time. I should be doing the last of the packing here, but quite frankly, I'm tired! Can't wait till this is over and I can get back to listing all this stuff on ebay... later folks.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Figgjo Flint
We've got some wonderful Figgjo Flint in the ebay store, not a full set, so I'm listing them piece by piece. Figgjo Flint is known nowadays primarily for restaraunt ware, but these are vintage to the 70's, and come from the turi-design ASTRID pattern... back when they were doing china for the home market...
Great pieces with camel, sienna and teal flowers... I'm not going to be too upset if I don't sell them, as I'd be perfectly happy to keep them at the house.
If you need a closer look at them, just click on the link.. http://stores.ebay.com/luckypennyfleamarket
The weather here today is kind of clouded over, and there's supposed to be rain later today... yep, it's fall in Texas.
Wish we had pretty autumn leaves here, but everything just gets muddy and brown...
Monday, October 23, 2006
Vending Machines...
well, I went ahead and listed the vending machine, hopefully, I'll be able to keep the Scammers at bay this time around... not a bad setup for under $600 if I say so myself. I know new they cost well over $3000...
don't know why He's selling them instead of trying to set them up somewhere, but that's his business isn't it?
Anyway, if you're interested go to http://stores.ebay.com/luckypennyfleamarket It's strictly a buy it now, immediate payment, local pickup only...
Well, Hello There....
The truth is that I started a blog, and then we closed the actual store that the blog was about, because we started a new business plan. After I'd done a little number crunching, I figured out that the brick and mortar store was taking 10 hours a day and making 20% of my sales. That had to go.
So now we are almost exclusively an online market - selling mostly on ebay. You want to see ebay... http://stores.ebay.com/luckypennyfleamarket click there and it will take you straight to it.
Of course, the listings are down right now, I'm packing up the old store and that's taking up 16 hours a day, but I'll be at ebay full force starting November 1. We are also an ebay trading assistant, which means that I get to sell stuff for other people. That's always fun.
I don't have much else to say right now. Actually, I have a lot to say, but I'm too darned tired to do it. Time for me to go to bed and get some sleep.
But do drop by sometime soon, I should be telling you about some of the buying trips... and maybe even posting pics of some of the more remarkable auctions...