Just a old gypsy girl trying taking a new journey reselling. What I'm learning as I go. Use to write about my life, but that is now officially boring.
This is a Hodge Podge of items. Some art etc. Gos knows what the heck is in the box! 20$
The head looking up from the box fascinated me. So I go this box for 5$
This is my new life. My daughter moved in with us while she reassesses her life and situation. I secured a storage unit for her but her things are scattered all over the house! Added to my death pile, it is overwhelming. My husbands dementia which took a nose dive when my step daughter died has evened out. Easier to deal with when he is not seeing people in the house or thinks he needs to go to work. With joining this Death Pile Demolition group on FB I have kicked up listing. The new large light box is a blessing and I am able to take a slew of pictures on my new Galaxy 21 (also a Godsend) and have five listings up in less than an hour.
A good problem to have is having to box up things for shipping. It takes me literally hours! Every day. So if I have to go pick up my auction winnings (I know, I should not be bidding, I should be listing) in S-ville, that takes several hours. Shipping takes several hours because I am a dumb ass and have no printer (that works), so I go to the library or Staples, print out my labels, manage to put them on all the packages in the car, then go to one or the other Post offices, Fes Ex across the river, and UPS on the other side of Jeff. Once I deal with 3 dogs, a husband with dementia, cooking, washing dishes, caring for a cat with diabetes, sometimes spending hours searching for a misplaced item, taking pictures and listing - I'm in sensory over load and fretting because my house is a wreck. Did I mention the mouse in the kitchen? I have caught one (he fell into a soup pot) and do have the heart to kill whoever is left. I believe it is one mouse. I have not seen him in days. But he is still here.
I have sold a lot the past two weeks! I am at (almost) 40 items, Half the month to go. I have no illusions that the 2nd half will be profitable as the 1st half, but I'm on a roll never the less.
Old listings that have sold.
Hard to sell Willow Tree without Box. Got this early summer too,
There is a lot more but since I am using my phone now I will have to figure out a way to document before selling. Can not load up pictures from Ebay after selling.
I joined a group on FaceBook called Death Pile Destruction. The name says it all. The purpose is to get rid of your pile in varies manners. Such as donating, throwing away and last but most important POST WHAT YOU HAVE LEFT.
And you are not suppose to source until you have your DP under control.
Since I have become aware of the group I have taken a good look at my Death Pile. It's overwhelming. And the problem is over sourcing. Lat week I went to one live auction with LO. He was in a foul mood so we left after a couple of hours. I did manage to secure what I wanted on the smalls. I missed out on a strange wooden horse that was not perfect. I figure it would go into my collection of misfit horses, but we left before it was up. Also I wanted to dip my toe into furniture. There were two curio cabinets that were similar to a barrister bookcase that were very enticing. I could really use one. But, we were long gone before they even moved to that area of the auction.
I was enticed to bid on the I-71 Auction House. I always get good stuff from there. I had my eye on a Glamour Lady Head Vase. At the end of the online auction someone jumped in and began bidding on the lot. I thought they would bid until they won it so I maliciously continued to bid until "oh no". I ended up with the lot for 40$ plus fees so 444.
Good thing an item from the lot (Earl Bernard hand mirror circa 1960s) sold for 45$ yesterday.
My other auction house I won a lot of tea pots for 5$ (plus fees).
I am addicted. But, I'm taking an oath not to source until the liv auction next week.
I have been listing on the average 5 items a day. Sunday I sold 8 items. That's a record for me!
My light box arrived yesterday and I figured out how to put it together, not I have to figure out how to use it!
But I did not mind it. I miss it. I miss my Mom. I suppose that is something you never get over, never recover from. Do you really want to recover from missing your Mom?
Since I am inserting personal revelations and observations, here goes again.
We had a graveside service for my Step Daughter. I miss her too. very much. My other step daughter came up from Atlanta. Asked how I was going I replied that I was in denial, that in denial was the only way I could cope with it, and taking it day by day. She agreed she was in denial also.
Today is the Celebration of Life. LO was having a good day for the Graveside Service. I expect him to have another good day this afternoon, though he does have Sundowners. I imagine the excitement and the stimulation was good for him. I realize we need to insert more stimulation of every kind into his routine.
Walking the dogs, going to the gym, perhaps joining a prayer group?
Meanwhile, I find excused to not list items. The garage is cold and forbidding. The excess of items is overwhelming.
There is a new group I have joined on FB. The main purpose is to support each other to list our outstanding inventory and to encourage each other to not source until our unlisted inventory is put up for sale.
That is very difficult but doable. I have not taken a pledge or anything, but I do need to come up with a plan. I have been called out as not having a solid plan to reduce my hoarder lot. That really caught me off guard! Do I have a plan? No. Well sort of.
In January, when I will no longer have the 1500$ debt payment (reduced to 700) I will test the waters of having a booth at the Peddlers Mall. I will learn how to do things, what works what doesn't, my strengths and weaknesses, whether I like it or not.
And I just need to stop sourcing. What I LOVE. Where else can you have the rush of nabbing something exquisite and KNOW you are going to triple, quadruple your money. That's called addiction.
Two items I posted this morning before heading into the frigid garage. (and got in and wasted time posting!)
BTW - Didn't sell a thing yesterday.
It has been along time since I have had days where I have not sold a thing. But, I had two of them this week!! Yet, I was still able to sell 12 (maybe 14...) items. A great week because I sold a Barbie Vinyl 1962 Lunch Box for 175$ Paid 10$ And yesterday I sold a Syracuse Porter Bowl from the 1920's for 85$ I paid 50 cents for it. So a very good week. I even went over the 4 G's on E-bay. it was only a day then dropped back to the high 3800 - 3900's. I'm aiming for 5 G's.
Mercari has just died. It is November 21st and I have sold only 4 items on Merc. I think it could be a combination of things. A lot more sellers entering the Market from E-bay and 1st timers. And I am selling some high end stuff that typically does not do well on Merc. It was my bread and butter for a long time. Last year it was practically my only platform.
These antique bisque porcelain baby dolls sold for 30$. I noticed they were getting a lot of likes on Merc so I listed them on Ebay and they were gone that day!
These Shiny Brite's sold in a heart beat when I posted them on Facebook. Also received an abundance of likes on Merc. They are old old. Someone will love and cherish them. I listed them and described them as best as I could. The close up pics did show the age - wear. Sold for 24$ on Facebook. I was asking 45$ but I believe these are from my first Lincoln auction way out in the county that I have made my money back several times. Got the Airforce Bag, the wading boots - two things off the top of my head. Packing these are going to be a nightmare.
It's been a tough crazy few days. And I came to the realization that my life, as I knew it before, is over. I am going to have to adjust and as much as I am in despair and my heart in shambles, I am going to have to find the opportunity to improve myself. To grow. Is it possible at my advanced age? Aren't things settled in?
For example, I am a loner. Now I can never be alone again. Maybe when I dream. But my dreams are even interrupted with 3am phone ringing asking me if I am at work.
*Sigh*
I had a very good week end. Took five packages to the PO on Monday and an additional three on Tuesday, two today. I think. Life, interrupted.
Auction yesterday where I was able to pick up two llardo's for 5.80$ each. One is titled Debutant Woman (kind of an oxymoron don't ya think?) and she is worth north of 200$ I got 35 Barbie Hallmark Ornaments and a Royal Haegar I wanted and can not find one like it on E-bay or anywhere.
I picked up a beautifully encased Horse Racing Mint Julip glasses representing the Triple Crown of The KY Derby, Preakness, and finally the Belmont. I confess, I have not checked the date. I'm hoping it is 2015 for American Pharo or 2017 for Justified.
A bunch of Boyd Bear figurines because I could not help myself. They are so cute.
I was the only bid on a set of incomplete Bavarian plates (dessert plates and cups and saucers, a gravy bowl) for 2$ which I sold to a High Roller (she showed up late) for 30$ Yay me.
Several weeks ago at the Auction House in the middle of nowhere I bid on this lot of earrings. And this
In this lot I found the six pairs of Chr Dior clip on's which so far have grossed me &170 (less fees - natch) and I have a lot more to go. Anything now is pure profit! I have several more Dior's and a host of costume jewelry Trifari, Monet etc.
Today I slipped away (much trepidation) and headed towards my new Honey Hole. I picked up a bag of silverware and tossed it into cart. BINGO. In bag, among the Wm. Rogers and the Stainless were six pieces of Century Sterling.
E-bay - 79 bucks! I've been very lucky.
I'm determined to get a lot of jewelry on auction site tonight. Another of my favorite sites, this one is great. I love the platform it is hosted on. You are able to check the lots by low to high.
From Swisher. Have had forever (several months, since summer) and finally listed.
What items do you find and can't wait to get home and list? This is a Secretariat Bobblehead. I paid dearly for a box of 7 items (50 plus 5 plus 6%) So around 58/7 = 8.30 per. I've sold a Secretariat Bobble head w/o a box before for excellent profit. I should be able to do the same with him and recoup most my investment. The rest tis gravy.
The gravy. Seabiscuit. One of the 7 items in the lot. Once again, purchased Tuesday and up with in a couple of day!
I love these Melmac Allied Chemical cups and a sugar with lid. Found at the new Honey Hole. Reminds me of my Mom. You would receive these items as a premium for shopping at A&P. At least that is what I remember. Mom choose the blue color. I like this vintage pink! Maybe a movie set or a TV period piece from MCM will find them. By them.
A Barbie which I over paid for at the Old Honey Hole. I have had this for quite awhile. Paid 19.99 plus 6%. Reason I know this? It had about 15 or more 19.99$ little stickers all over it. I bought 2 of them and sold the other. Did not make a profit on that one. I suspect this will languish on the platforms for awhile as I priced it so to make my money back. I hate to lost anything.
I took a chance and bid and won a lot of earrings from the Auction Up 71 for 20$. What a great surprise. Five or six sets of Chr. Dior chip on's. I have sold 2 of them for about 120$ Less fees of course. But my initial 20$ is reaped and I have lots and lots of clip on sets to list. Gravy. This is Trifari enamel leaf with gold tone. In excellent condition. From the 80's I would guess.
What a lethal combination!
I'm bored with some of YT video reselling people. Please, no more trips to the Goodwill or the Thrift store. Or following you to the yard sales! Just bored silly. I've narrowed my viewing ship to about three people. The AP - he is so helpful and his no nonsense approach is what I prefer. DR is good too, thought he is in a category with a business plan that is 180 degrees different from mine, I still pick up good psychological coaching from him. My favorite "look what I found" is the AN who is so knowledgeable and so endearing that I thoroughly enjoy his jaunts into antique festivals etc. And, added points, he's from Kentucky,
I'm depressed for other reasons. My sales are okay. Not rocking like before (last year and earlier this year). But okay. I can net 1 grand a month still. My COG's are helter skelter, but I know when I'm in the profit zone because I mainly purchase lots. At the auction. And the Bins.
I'm depressed because of my personal life. So much has happened in the past month. It was difficult leading up to the crash, but nothing like this. I like my anonymity. I loved being Alphawoman with only a very small group of people knowing who I was. The anonymity allowed me to explore my writing abilities, which I have to admit got pretty good. But, they have waned..I digress.
No one reads this humble little blog. It's for me. Yet, what if? Who cares. Right?
My step daughter passed away last month. It was not a shock as my LO and I were constantly saying " I fear She is not long for this world". She has been in and out of hospitals since May. Alcoholism and Drug addiction ruined her liver and ammonia build up destroyed her. I miss her. I have used her as a sounding board about LO. His dementia. I realize it was a lot for a daughter to carry, but I did it for my Dad.
Me and Dad when I was a baby, He would have turned 102 the other day. He's been gone 13 years.
I did not inherit much from either parent. I'm not certain where I get my personality traits, but when I think about the best of both my parents, I lack in evry category. Both had high IQ's in the 140's. I'm just a normal moron. Most of my siblings are extremely intelligent. I blame it on my big head (see picture) and the two days my Mom was in labor with me. Probably oxygen deprivation. Lol.
Both my parents were gregarious and had many many friends. They volunteered extensively. They were joiners, leaders. They were religious and faithful devout Catholics.
They were frugal and careful about money. When they died, the church was filled to capacity with people who came to honor their memory. I still occasionally hear a story of their generosity and support. I could go on but I'll stop here.
I have turned into an introvert. Maybe I always was one and just didn't know it or recognize it. I have lots of friends, had lots of friends growing up. Going to college. Always fit in at any place I worked. I do not shun away from people and hid, I just prefer to be alone.
Thus my problem with what is happening with my LO. I can not leave him alone any longer. If I am gone for more than an hour, he takes to the street looking for me.
I have to take him with me everywhere. I hate it. It's not fair to him the way I react, the way I feel. He did not ask to become sick. I took these vows for better or worse. I remember.
Be careful what you wish for. I wanted to be married so badly. And now I am. Now I have to pay the piper.
That's it for now. Needed to write.
I'm about to wipe out my SD card and start another batch of listing pictures. I have to retake some pictures for listings I have already posted. I put the Light too close and a few are overexposed. Nevertheless, here are a few that I posted and sold within the past several weeks.
Just sold this from the new Honey Hole (AKA Second Chance) 69cents a pound sold for 30$
Oh the things you can find on the Internet. Especially Facebook. There is no limit to the groups you can join (unless they require you to purchase a subscription... damn you D.R.!!) On one of the groups there is a gentleman who has a plethora of information on how he makes his "side hustle" successful and it is good stuff. I truly believe you have to have positive attitude to make things happen. Is there any other way? I would love to make a list of everything that is holding me back, but the simple truth is that it is me and my attitude towards the situation I have found myself in. Facts are that it is all in my perception of the hand dealt me and it's up to me on how to play it.
I had a great October! And my listings are slowing down due to unforeseen circumstances ...... like life. But I can make all the excuses I want, the simple truth is I must make time and I must motivate myself.
This is what I've sold recently.....
Where do you go to be surprised by what is on the shelves that you can flip and make a bundle. It was the Goodwill in C-wood. I found a load of back seamed stockings that I sold to several gentlemen and for 59 cents per package, I made a killing. !! Yes, I loved that. And when I found the five Monster High Dolls from a limited edition offering even without the packaging I sold it for around 100$ Cost to me was about 10$ And the vintage 1930ish Fiesta ware? Sold one piece for 230$ Bought it for 4.99$ Sold another piece for 50 something and donated the 3rd because it had a chip. Sold the 4th piece but the buyer asked for a refund because the lid had a hair line crack in it, which I disclosed but not good enough to his liking. I found some other things there, a Starbucks coffee mug and a vintage Marlboro coffee mug. Found a Canon Rebel DSLR in a camera bag with a diffuser lens for 4.99$ But, it dried up. New management was hired and the place changed. The racks of purses, which I had no interest in since they consisted mainly of Vera Bradley, the loads of toys and dolls, the jewelry jars (found a Tiffney bracelet in a 40$ jar) the shelves of hard goods were all decreased. I have been there three times and have not purchases a thing.
The GW Bins in C-Ville have become a dumping ground for junk. I have heard from a very good authority that the staff are required to bring anything of perceived value to a separate area of the warehouse where it is put on Shop Good Will and not put on the floor for the resellers and the pickers to treasure hunt. Also, the hard goods are DUMPED into the bins without regard to breakage.
I found lot of great stuff at the bins before the change. Now it is mostly junk.
But, another Bins opened in the town across the River. This is a new facility and I have really found some treasures there! I think they are focusing on the clothing and missing out on the hardgoods.
Like today...I found four Fiesta ware coffee mugs in excellent condition. No chips or cracks or chiggers. I fund a Lenox Tea Pot worth conservatively 50 bucks. I found a silver plated jewelry box that is beautiful. I found vintage Pyrex, Fire king and Enesco today. Also some marked MCM glasses and some gorgeous MCM 1960ish dinner plates.
I like this place. My new Honey Hole. I needed it.
Had a good week. Still not up to the numbers I had earlier this year and sales continue to be slow on Merc and non-existent on FBMkt but Ebay is sustaining me and keeping me from having a full blown panic attack and melt down.
Sold this cute little fellow very quickly. It sat on my Bookcase for a long time. Can't even remember where it came from!!
Sold the musical Hummingbird Trinket box in a bundle. Has not been delivered yet. I love/hate Fed Ex Express. Sometimes it takes 2 weeks to get delivered. A nail biter.
Not a big sale, but a sale. Got these three Nutcrackers in am estate warehouse sale. All you could stuff in a bag for 5$ so I sold for 15$ (less fees). So, in the black. Have other stuff to post from this bag, but I have a death pile that has taken over the garage and I have no idea where the rest of the bag could be let alone what else could be in it.
This was my big sale of the week and also the source of my Buyer Remorse. I won two of them for 100$ total in an antique auction (I have no business being there as it was mainly high rollers). But he sold for an offer of 90$ which I took...because of my buyers remorse. I have not listed the 2nd one yet, but I am going to hold out for the asking price of 129$.
Monster High sold but was immediately asked for a return/refund because buyer changed their mind. I have a sinking feeling I am going to get a different doll returned to me She sold within hours of posting. I hate to loose money, but this is in the black already from a lot of Monster high dolls I purchased awhile back. I overlooked this one!! I can only hope she is returned to me in a respectful manner as I shipped her. But, I'm a cynic.
Sold these Frankoma Bowls in a few days once posting them. I have more!! I need to dig thru my death pile and get these bad boys posted. I believe I got these from my favorite Auction house. I have 4 of them.
This is an old listing that sold. Yay rah. I got this from 2nd favorite Auction House. It has a defect that I clearly pointed out in the listing description along with the metal bleed. Maybe bought for a prop? It is rather vintage and since I had it, I listed it.
That was the week that was.
I'm Bacccccck.
After the disastrous end of September and lack of money, I have been at it full steam ahead. I have found some wonderful things to flip and I am trying to be more judicious in my bids, because that is how I roll, with in person and on line auctions.
But nothing compares to the BUYER GOOF I made today by not understanding the asking price of an item and thinking I was bidding 25 bucks, I was actually bidding 250$ and once I realized my error there was no way out. No one else was bidding. SHIT CRAP HELL DAMN.
I have no idea the value of this bronze horse on a marble base. It has a name on it but for the love of God I can not make it out and can not find any variation of the name. I am at a loss. I think I made a very grave mistake, especially since I can not afford a 250$ boo boo. goof.
So, its only day 9 of the month and I have the rest of the month to hustle and get back in the black.
Because the next on live auction is next Friday and then the following Tuesday.
I have it so bad.
This is what I went for and I got!
It's a thrill when I get home and unpack the items which I frantically wrap up in paper that K brings to me along with sturdy boxes. I never really register what I have in there! Oh, I know there is a set of pewter mugs and a pitcher. I know there is a piano baby, but most the time I unpack and uncover a beauty like the about cream and sugar set. Gorgeous. I have found similar items posted for too cheap in my opinion. So, I went higher thinking my "reputation" for exquisite packing and items as described.
Also, this week I have made numerous trips to Goodwill, not to source (because I have stopped sourcing from a typical store) but to drop off items that are either slightly defective or I can not sell.
Numerous.
Items include a portable sewing machine I won in an auction from my old auction house for 5$ Guess what? I could not stop at just one. I have two portable sewing machines from that house! Now I just have one. Will I ever crack it open and revisit threading a bobbin? We will see.
Cook Books, Christmas items etc. etc. etc.
I have challenged myself to list my clothing. I have a plethora of sweaters, jackets and blue jeans. That is just the tip of the iceberg. My death pile is too overwhelming.
I only spent 20$ last week sourcing. I bid and won a box of vintage Jim Beam Decanters.
That's all the news that fits.
It is a well known fact that if you are going thru your old inventory and touch an item, that item is likely to sell within a few day. Happens to me all the time. You would think I would learn to sort through all my inventory once a week! Ha ha. What ever it takes.
So this happened. I sold two Wedgewood plates that I listen in April and for the life of me could not find in my inventory room. Recently I have invested in Bankers Boxes and have numbered and lettered the boxes so inventory is easily found. But, before that it was housed in plastic tubs with inventory sheets.
So, as I was pawing through EVERYTHING I put the hot pink Minnetonka boots. They sold the next day.
I also sold an Orange Swirl Art Glass Modernistic Style verses saying in the Murano style. It could be Murano but I could not find the sticker or mark. I've had it up since June (maybe..lol)
An Audubon print from the 1940's which I picked up from the bins last hear and have had listed for quite some time! My first print/artwork sold. I got positive feedback also. Yay me.
A coral and silver necklace I bough way last year and have had listed since last summer. I first listed at 350$ and gradually came down. I let it go on a 100 offer. I think I paid around 36$ for it, so good profit despite the loooooooooooong wait.
After my dismal week last week, this week was much much better. I netted close to 400$ after fees. I have not factored in my COGS. I will have to really buckle down and from now on when I list to acknowledge the cost associated with the sale.
I wish I had taken my love of old things more seriously long ago. My daughter who tags along to the Auction and to pick up some on line Auction wins made the comment that she hated to go to the Antique Houses with me when she was a kid. But loves it now (its a gene from my Mom).
I would take her to Goss Street Antique Mall. A grandiose three story affair that at one time may have been a train station and office building...? Long gone now, turned into condo's I think but remains alive in my memory. There are lots of places still around town but this place was special in the sense that it was dark and dusty and had those spectacular old wooden floors, big large windows that spewed in rays of sunshine in which the dust bunnies dances. The booths full of old discarded junk. The top floor was furniture. That dark goth style large wood monstrosities that use to be the staple of the turn of the century Victorian Homes.
If only I had money at the time, which I did not and was why I was entertaining my skeptical and bored daughter by dragging her to Antique Malls.
If only I had realized that one could make a career out of knowing things. Because it ain't easy when you are my age (old decrepit Baby Boomer) but I try.
I have invested about 60 bucks in a plethora of books ranging from Occupied Japanese Porcelain to Breyer Horses. As an investment and to sell. Ha ha. Lady Head Vases I have up for about 150$ I thumb through them and soak up info. One can pick up a lot of information by pictures and just recognizing the value in things.
Off to track down a lost Wedgewood Plate and pack up two items.
Keep on keeping on, never give up, go what you love regardless of the barriers and the slow times.
