Indiana-Joe's Epic Adventure Journal as I continue my successful journey through the Cash Lands of eBay & Craigslist Treasures!

The weekend is almost here, time to clear the clutter for cash! Buy Local (Craigslist) and Sell Global (eBay). Believe and Achieve! - Joe

"I want people to be entrepreneurs, but I want them to do it for the right reasons, because they think they can change the world, because they think they have got something of value to give to the world. Not because they think they can make a lot of money." - Pierre Omidyar (founder of eBay)

Thanks, Joe, I did see your feedback!

Another question, what's your shipping system? Do you do the USPS flat rate shipping system?

Vincent

I like using the US Post office flat rate boxes. If I sell anything large or heavy, UPS is usually a better option. The more sytems and processes you create, the better and easier the overall process becomes. Buy Local (Craigslist) and Sell Global (eBay). Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Keep up the great work. Thanks for sharing your info.

Thanks for the nice comments, I really appreciate it. I hope 2010 is a better year for many of the DG family and I hope I can offer some tips to help everyone along the way. Good luck on all your fuutre deals. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

....It time to clear the clutter and start making cash with Craiglist and eBay. Have you trated yet? Spring time in my area means garage sales and I always like hitting several of these sales to find those little treasures. Be sure to get a jump start and you too can make some extra cold hard cash! Buy Local (Craigslist) and Sell Global (eBay). Believe and Achieve! - Joe

"Don’t let people who you may respect and who you believe know what they’re talking about, don’t let them tell you it can’t be done because often they will tell you it can’t be done, and it’s just because they don’t have the courage to try." - Pierre Omidyar (founder of eBay)

....If your wondering about additional items to sell on eBay or Craigslist, do you have a hobby you enjoy and might even be consider even an expert on? So often we have hobbies like camping, biking and fishing. We know the value of products and what items may sell for. You can even check on-line (Craigslist / eBay / other stores) and see what similar products are selling for or what they might even have sold for. Good luck and lets hear about your Craigslist and eBay success stories! Buy Local (Craigslist) and Sell Global (eBay). Believe and Achieve! - Joe

"When you look at the accomplishments of accomplished people and you say, ‘Boy, that must have been really hard,’…that was probably hard. And conversely, when you look at something that looks easy, that was probably hard. And so you’re never going to know which is which until you actually go out and do it." - Pierre Omidyar (founder of eBay)

Its always great to have a day off and do th things you want to do. I went to a local discount store and found some Leepfrog game cartriges. These are going to make nice gifts but could also be a good item for eBay. These cartridges normally cost $20 to $25 each but this discount store had a few still available at $4.99. This screams great gift or ebay sale! Its items such as this that can make you fast cash on eBay. I hope everyone is considering making a few extra bucks because the time is now that the thrifty shoppers are looking on eBay to save money. Buy Local (Craigslist) and Sell Global (eBay). Believe and Achieve! - Joe

"I was just pursuing what I enjoyed doing. I mean, I was pursuing my passion. It is not really work if you are having fun…that was the case with me." - Pierre Omidyar (founder of eBay)

Hey Joe,

Mom just mentioned that she's wanting to starting putting some of her stuff up on eBay, too. So I should soon be both an entrepreneur and a multi-tasker!

Vincent

Thanks for sharing. I know you will have success in both making some extra cash on eBay and investing in real estate. The more information you learn and apply, the greater the success. Good luck and keep us posted. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

I hope you took advantage of the great deal to order Dean's new book "Your Town, Your Real Estate Profits". The book is packed with some unbelieveable information, tips, techniques and strategies. Just think if you need a little extra cash to order the book, try Craigslist or eBay. Clear the clutter and make some cash. Buy Local (Craigslist) and Sell Global (eBay). Believe and Achieve! - Joe

"We don't have much in the way of a business strategy. Like no business plan. Which I say to torment all my friends who are VCs or MBAs. That's always entertaining. The deal is, it's a mixture of luck and persistence." ~ Craig Newmark (founder of Craigslist)

Joe,

EBay has put food in my mouth, many times over.

I do the same--buy local, sell nationally.

Thanks for sharing. It is a great way to turn unwanted clutter in cash! Buy Local (Craigslist) and Sell Global (eBay). Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Have you seen those great end of year sales? The total blow-out sales? I went to JC Penny last weekend and they had up to 70% off some seasonal items and even already discounted items. I could not believe I purchased some thick coat type vests with a hood, originally $50.00 each mark downed to $4.99. This could be the next hot eBay auction for me, but I must admit I am keeping them for myself. Have you found any hot year end deals? Buy Local (Craigslist) and Sell Global (eBay). Believe and Achieve! - Joe

"The Internet is changing everything, and has changed the world in such a short period of time, and will continue to change things in very positive ways that we have yet to anticipate. I’m very excited by the prospect of what we haven’t seen yet." ~ Pierre Omidyar (founder of eBay)

This weekend, I am setting up my website and the ball will be rolling. I will be setting my goals on my weekly $ amount. I have a lot of stuff that I bought quite cheap and other things that were given to me. Guess, this is the time for purging and money making for real estate. Thanks Joe and everyone who contribution in some form or another. God Bless.

Sandra

Thanks for sharing and please let us know how it goes. We found it is a great way to make extra cash. Extra little bit adds up and you never know where it may lead you. We wish you continued success in all your do! Buy Local (Craigslist) and Sell Global (eBay). Believe and Achieve! - Joe

This weekend I will pick up some boxes from the post office. I want to make sure I have ebough supplies for when I need to ship out some items. Poeple that bid, win and pay for their items usually like thme shipped out as soon as possible. Buy Local (Craigslist) and Sell Global (eBay). Believe and Achieve! - Joe

"What makes eBay successful.. the real value and the real power at eBay is the community. It's the buyers and sellers coming together and forming a marketplace." ~ Pierre Omidyar (founder of eBay)

Hey Joe,

Well, I've delivered three packages (non-eBay related!) for my Mom in the past week and, thanks to cutbacks in the hours the postal service is giving their workers, I've stood in line for more than TWO hours to deliver those packages (Thank goodness for good books!). My question is, do you try to mail your packages in bulk to save yourself trips, or are you fortunate enough, like we are, to have an Automated Postal Center (APC), where you might quickly mail products yourself? Thanks for going along with me for my brainstorming!

Vincent

Mailing items can be kind of an art. If you ship by USPS priority mail, you can get setup where they pick it up if its ready to go. Otherwise in my area, the time to mail is to know the times to avoid such as right when they open, just before they close or around lunch hour. Usually if you know the best times it works out the best to save time when mailing. Diferent post offices also usually offer different times, I am fortunate to be close to about 4 different post offices. Hope this helps. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

The weekend is almost here, time to clear the clutter to get ready for makign some cahs. Has anyone staretd their Craigslist and eBay efforts? Let's hear about more stories of success or questions during your own epic adventure! Buy Local (Craigslist) and Sell Global (eBay). Believe and Achieve! - Joe

"I think those challenges are really critical and really important. What you learn from them is, of course, kind of what they say, ‘If it doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger,’ and it’s true. And what you learn from those challenges and those failures are what will get you past the next ones." ~ Pierre Omidyar (founder of eBay)

I am enjoying following this thread. Thanks for sharing the idea and all the great pointers!
I have a question on mailing. You know the flat rate boxes that USPS has (for a certain $ amount, no matter how much the content weighs). I use those to send things to my daughters in Tulsa. But I keep forgetting to ask this question at the post office. Can you pre-pay the postage, have them label the boxes, and have them on hand to just throw in the mail? Or do you definitely have to go to the post office desk to do the mailing. Wondering about that since they always ask what the content is, if you want it insured, signed for, etc..
Thanks if you have any tips on that. (Might save a trip to the post office and get those Ebay items out same-day)
btw, I love finding stuff on Craigslist Mostly RE, but I've bought a ton of other personal things, too. And I know several people that have done really well with the eBay sales. Keep up the Epic adventure! (I like all the quotes from Pierre Omidyar, too! Thanks!)

Rina

Good point, Joe! Thank you! I went on eBay yesterday and discovered that you can search "completed listings" for products you're looking at! I thought I was going to have to tag some items and then see what the results of the auction were going to be. Not anymore!! I started scrounging through the football/basketball/hockey/golf and soccer (yes, even golf and soccer) cards buried in the attic.

Vincent

before I moved from Canada to the USA. I sold or gave away alot of "stuff' or "crap" as my husband calls it. I really downsized to get moved. I am now cleaning houses for a landlord. It is amazing the treasures that people leave behind. Just this last weekend someone left 3 (yes 3) brand new "Pendleton" blankets, still in the wrapper. I know that they are approx $200.00 new. I will keep one and sell the other 2. Thanks Joe for sharing. I will keep you up to date any other treasures I find and sell.

Shereen

Hey Joe,

Just thought of this: do you get charged a fee once the lot gets sold or do you get charged whether you find a buyer for your lot or not? Thanks!

Vincent

Thanks for the nice comments and stopping by the journal. With the priority boxes you can have the mailman pick them up from your home. Due to safety requirements anything weighing more than 16 ounces must be taken to the post office or picked up. They have the safety questions they run through about package contents ("anything liquid, fragile or perishable..."). The following is a link to the USPS website for printing postage on-line:

https://sss-web.usps.com/cns/landing.do

We usually go directly to the post office because it is pretty convenient for us. I hope this helps. Buy local (Craigslist) and Sell Global (eBay). Believe and Achieve! - Joe

The history on eBay of items sold is extremely helpful in seeing what sells for how much and determining some of the "hot types of items" on eBay. What if you were at a garage sale and saw a bunch of old 1980's style electronic games. You could look on eBay to see what they sold for and know if you are getting a great deal or not. Often if you find older items in the original packing this can get a better price on eBay. The little things can make all the difference. Good luck with your eBay auctions. Buy Local (Craigslist) and Sell Global (eBay). Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Thanks for sharing yoru story with us. It is so true when people move they often leave things behind either intentionally or unintentionally. Sometimes the movers or the cleanign crew can find some gems. My friend that works for a moving company has a basement fileld with furniture and appliances. Often people movign like the friendly movers and give things away they no longer need. Thus, a local moving company could be a resource for finding some opportunities. Buy Local (Craigslist) and Sell Global (eBay). Believe and Achieve! - Joe

There is a small insertion (listing) fee that you get charged and they a final value fee based on what your item sells for. These are just part of the costs of doing business.

Per eBay's website:

What does it cost to sell on eBay?
The cost to sell on eBay varies depending on which eBay site you’re selling on, and how you list your item. When you sell an item, you’ll be able to review your fees on the listing form before you submit your listing. Your total cost will be a total of the Insertion Fee, Final Value Fee, and listing upgrade fees. Here’s how it works:

Insertion Fee: When you list an item, you’re charged an Insertion Fee for the listing. The Insertion Fee is based on the starting price and the category of your item. If you specified a reserve price, the Insertion Fee is based on the reserve price amount.

Final Value Fee: If the item sells, you’re charged a Final Value Fee. The Final Value Fee is based on the final sale price and category of the item. It does not include shipping costs.

Listing upgrades: If you add upgrades to your listing, such as a subtitle, extra picture, or highlighting, there will be an additional charge for each listing upgrade.

To determine the cost of selling your item, refer to the following link:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/fees.html

Good luck and I hope this helps. Buy Local (Craigslist) and Sell Global (eBay). Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Today was an overcast day that was dark and dreary with a cloud cover through-out most of the day. I often think of these types of days as a hearty bowl of thick chili with saltine crackers type of day. The type of day where you want to stay at home, relax a little and maybe even sell a few items on eBay.

I would like to hear from other DG Members and if they could share the best item they sold on Craiglist or eBay. Or what was your best amount you made in a month for internet sales? I believe this will motivate others to take action make some extra cash today as they pursue their real estate adventure! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

"When you look at the accomplishments of accomplished people and you say, ‘Boy, that must have been really hard,’…that was probably hard. And conversely, when you look at something that looks easy, that was probably hard. And so you’re never going to know which is which until you actually go out and do it." ~ Pierre Omidyar (founder of eBay)

My wife went to a dollar store (everything for a $1.00) and bought some doll clothes. We started the auction at $1.00 and charged enough for shipping to cover that expense. One of the outfits sold for $30.00.
That was by far the largest profit we made on a single item.
Bob