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

....The weekend is half over and we even lost an hour as we sprung ahead with Day Light Savings time. I decided to go to the mall and check out the local dollar store. At times you can find gems here for only a dollar. I have found some good books in the past that have sold on-line for 10 to 15 times what I paid for them. As I have stated before, once you take the time to list an item and it sells, if you have a secodn or third identical item, it is only a matter of minutes to relist the auction. Buy Local and Sell Global! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

"I'm no activist, but I feel that this decade will prove pivotal in human history, with people connecting over the Net to do big things. I feel I should stand up, and help the people doing the heavy lifting, then get back to TV." ~ Craig Newmark (founder of Craigslist)

Greetings Joe and Stacey,
I'm going to open an account right now!

Thanks for the information.

Peace and Blessings,

Hi Joe, Have you ever heard of Liquidations.com? I saw them while googling and checked in on their site. They buy closeouts etc. Have you ever used them? I also saw that they were fairly close to where I live.

Good luck with Craigslist and eBay. I am sure once you sell a few items for cash and see the results, you will be on your way. You can do it! Good luck! Buy Local (Craigslist) and Sell Global (eBay)! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

I have not used liquidations.com but I have heard and used similar type of websites and/or liquidation stores (outlet malls). The best advice is check-out what they have available and then see what these types of items are selling for on eBay. You can look up a current item and a history of sales. Thge more you try the better you might do. Good luck! Buy Local and Sell Global! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Just wanted to let you know , I keep up with your journal daily. Really looking forward to meeting you at the edge. I love the way you keep a positive attitude.

Randy

Thanks for stopping by my journal. The past year has been a real adventure for us. We owe a great deal of gratitude to Dean because his books and programs have got us to where we are today. Dean is also so positive, he often says never become consumed with any negatives in your life, just focus on the positives and good things will happen. I believe this is great advice that I try to follow. The Gain the EDGE 2009 was tremendous, we can't wait to go the the Gain the EDGE 2010! Looking forward to seeing you there. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

...Monday is back again and its time to start planning and dreaming about getting out of the daily 9 to 5 grind. I often believe that eBay and Craigslist is a great way to make extra cash, but I have even read and heard stories from others that some people can make this a few time business. I believe the great thing is you can work as many hours each day as you want and you decide when to work, take a break or have a Wednesday off just because you want to go to the movies or attend your child's activity at school.

When I have a day off during the week, it has such a different feel to it than the weekend. The crowds are not as heavy at the stores or restaurants. It is nice to have the ability to find a parking spot close to the doors rather than always parking in an over flow lot like on the weekends. Today is the day to start! Where it goes is up to you! Buy Local (Craigslist) and Sell Global (eBay)! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

“When I started it, all I thought I was giving a little bit back to the community. Other people were doing a lot more. And I had no idea that this would become a thing of some small significance. It was just a little hobby and the only difference between a little hobby and what we have now is that we follow through.”
~ Craig Newmark (founder of Craigslist)

hey joe i just had to post and let you know i have a non refundable down payment on my car that i listed on craigslist.i am working on restoring power 11 hrs from home and i listed the 2000 chrysler 3oo m for 1490 and i pd 800 for it.i was offered 1300 cash on the phone.they went to my house to view and WHAM !! I MADE 500 IN A FEW DAYS. now i have to return home in a few days to recieve the total payment as i forgot to leave the paperwork home with my wife but WOW an extra $500 just for typing a for sale ad on craigslist is soooooo cooooool!! as you state many times this is an AMAZING opportunity for dgers to raise capital to invest with!! thanks joe for bringing this topic to the surface again for me!!
jay

That's great news! There is nothing like making that extra fast cash, way to go! A few transactions like this can really make the difference or even create enough for a down payment! Thanks for sharing your story because I believe other can learn and get inspire that they can make some extra cash with a hobby or items that could be in demand. Buy Local and Sell Global! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

...I was searching on the local Craigslist ads and found some items to call about today. I have a few friends that own small restaurants and/or fast food carry-out. they told me how expensive certain small equipment items can be. Thus, I am looking into a few local items on Craigslist and will consider selling them Globally on eBay.

My initial thought is if I can make minimum $50 to $100 per item, it could be a good niche to pursue. If the small equipment is heavy, it will probably need to be shipped by UPS or another carrier. Thus, shipping costs can be a key here. Good luck finding your treasures that will soon be cash! Buy Local and Sell Global! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

“Somehow we’ve worked with people in the community to build an online community. We’re not certain how it happened, except that we really do listen to people. We try to treat people like we want to be treated, and somehow we built a culture of trust.” ~ Craig Newmark (founder of Craigslist)

...I started off the day by ordering more of the Free US Priority Boxes from the US post office. These boxes are great for shipping and it helps to pinpoint the amount of shipping to charge your customers taht yo usell to on eBay. They have regular priority boxes, Flat Rate Priority boxes and APO Priority, and Global Priority boxes for shipping.

The great thing is based on where you are shipping and the weight of your item there is a box for you. A big tip for this business is peopel do not like to pay more shipping charegs than necessary so the mroe accurate you are with your shipping charges, the more likelyhood you will experience repeat vbusienss and sales. Good luck with your internet business. Buy Local and Sell Global! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

"I think it had to do with the obviousness of the collaborative approach and the consistent culture of trust that grew. It has to do with the everyday practice of universal shared values like “treat people like you want to be treated” and “give the other person a break.” Now and then, we should be our brother’s keeper." ~ Craig Newmark (founder of Craigslist)

I sold one item, it was a large, very unique music box/covered tin in like new condition from Charles Chips Co. The thing i didn't understand was shipping. I worked out to where I made less than $10 profit. Perhaps my listing criteria could have needed professional help, but what's holding me back from selling more online, and let me tell you that my house is FULL, is the shipping process. How do you not lose money in the shipping charges? Thanks so much for your help. I'm digging in head first. Getting great information from great people in the DG family ~ Thanks to all for your help! I understand the flat-rate boxes, that makes some of it simple, but what if it won't fit in those or it's a heavy item, large item, who knows--an engine perhaps? Any suggestions for any of this is much appreciated

CK in KY

Shipping is a key with this business. You want to ensure you charge enough but not over charge your customer. The great thing about the US Post Office is they have priority shipping boxes with a flat rate. If it fits it ships for that rate. If an item is large or an odd size, there are shipping calculators you can check for shipping the item to a destination.

To calculate postage for shipping via the US Post office, reference this link:
http://www.usps.com/tools/calculatepostage/welcome.htm

To calculate postage for shipping via the United Parcel Service (UPS), reference this link:
https://wwwapps.ups.com/ctc/request

I hope this helps. A last option is let the buyer know they will pay exact shipping charges based on their location. They can use one of the calculators above to get a general idea. Hope this helps. Good luck. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

....The weekend is almost here as I know I will need to photo several items and get them listed and sold this weekend. Photos and lightening can be a key to whether people bid on your item. Always ensure the lighting is good and you use the best photo possible. If you have a digital camera take several pictures because they may look different when they are smaller on the auction or computer screen. You can then choose which photo best represents your item. Buy Local and Sell Global! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

"Pretty much so, from the very beginning we had the blessing of very limited resources, which meant we couldn’t do fancy stuff that we thought might be good, most of which turned out to be not so good ideas. So instead, we just progressed in small increments. We progress a little on the slow side, which may mean we lose some opportunity. But we respond to real needs and try to do real well in terms of helping out people, that seems to work. I guess I remember someone saying that markets are conversations, and they were right." ~ Craig Newmark (founder of Craigslist)

….Friday is finally here and it will soon be the weekend. Such a great time to look for more deals and clear the clutter for cash profits. When was the last time you checked out items on Craigslist for your local area? I have an area in my basement where I like to have my shipping boxes and supplies. It makes it easier when I get everything together to ship. Here is another tip… When you ship to customers, include a little thank you note. It may go along way with repeat sales. There is nothing like getting your item as a buyer and knowing the seller appreciates your business. Good luck with finding and selling those deals. Buy local (Craigslist) and Sell Global (eBay) Believe and Achieve! - Joe

"What would happen within a marketplace if everyone had equal access to information and tools?. Would a level playing field enable individuals to compete alongside big businesses? What if members managed their own transactions and accountability?"
~ Pierre Omidyar (founder of eBay)

...Are you making any money clearing the clutter and selling on eBay and Craigslist? Today is the day to get started. Check out your local listings on Craigslist. See what is selling on eBay today and start making cash! Buy Local and Sell Global! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

“People were doing business with one another through the Internet already, through bulletin boards. But on the Web, we could make it interactive, we could create an auction, we could create a real marketplace. And that's really what triggered my imagination, if you will, and that's what I did.”
~ Pierre Omidyar (founder of eBay)

..I decided to go to the outlet mall on Sunday to get a fe thigns that I needed. I also like looking in several other stores whileI am there because sometimes I can find items that would be great for the eBay business. I also like to give away small free items with purchases so when I look, I may even buy items that can be my give away items with future purchases. Sports team merchandise is usually a good seller espeially before a season starts. With baseball around the corner many have Spring fever and are ready to watch the boys of summer. Remember always be looking for that next great deal because you neve know when it will present itself. Buy Local and Sell Global! 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)

hi joe just wanted to stop by and say my craigslist deal is complete!! made $500 for just typing an ad for a used car!!!! I AM SEEKING ANOTHER PRODUCT such as another used car or motorcycle or ANYTHING that i believe i can profit on to list on craigslist. I get really pumped when i find a deal to list ......ALMOST AS EXCITING AS A REAL ESTATE DEAL!!!
will keep u posted on the next craigslist money machine making deal !!
jay

Thanks for sharing the details of yet another Craigslist deal! That is great. Before long you will have enough seed money for a down payment or a rehabd project property to flip! Keep up the good work. I believe you are on a hot track because with the Spring and sumemr coming motorcycles, convertibles, jet skis or small fishign boats may be a great item. Good luck and keep us posted on all your awesome deal! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

The garage sales and treasures are coming. With Spring comes the time for Spring cleaning and clearing the clutter! What better way to make some extra cash on Craigslist and eBay. Make sure you check out Craigslist daily for any deals! Buy Local and Sell Global! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

"We all face the temptation freeze-frame the past, and project it into the future." ~ Pierre Omidyar (founder of eBay)

I wanted to report that I had some items that my father was looking to give away to somebody because he thought they had no value. They are called stainless steel milk cans. Apparently they sell for about $70.00 a piece on ebay. He gave them to me and I have been selling them for the passed couple of weeks. It has honestly taken only 30 minutes of time to take pictures,post them for sell, and ship them. Looks like we'll be able to get more money for RE investing. ah what a great feeling. gotta love ebay. time to go check on craigslist for some other treasures.

Thanks for sharing your story and insight. It is amazing to see what people want and collect. So often people are quick to throw away thigns that can be converrted into fast cash! It is so true that one persons trash is another person's treasure. Its working to have the ability to spot those gems that others do not see! Thanks again for sharing the milk can story. Soemtimes with this business you can generate a few extra hundred dollars a week and what a difference that could make for most people! Good luck with Craigslist, eBay and Real Estate! Buy Local and sell Global! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

First eBay millionaire: Ten-year rise of tycoon who started in a garden shed
By Jaya Narain
Mail Online News
March 16, 2009

When Mark Radcliffe started in business ten years ago, his parents' home was his office and their garden shed his stock room. But his tiny eBay shop soon became a major success, selling everything from mobile phone accessories to protein supplements. Now the garage has made way for a massive warehouse and 30-year-old Mr Radcliffe has become the UK's first eBay millionaire.

He owns a £700,000 home with a £150,000 Ferrari and a £118,000 Aston Martin in the driveway. His monthly orders of around 36,000 make him the largest eBay trader in Britain, based on sales, and the sixth-largest in the world. 'I still have to pinch myself - it's a dream come true,' said Mr Radcliffe, who is married with a one-year-old daughter and lives in Southport. 'All my mates had mobile phones and needed accessories so I thought it would be a good way to make money. Then I started selling computer accessories too and it just escalated.'

After reading about online trading, he launched his eBay store in 1999 using £200 he had saved up from his £7-an-hour wages as a trainee manager at Tesco. In 2003 he moved into a 10,000 sq ft warehouse in Merseyside and set up his brand, First2save, in 2005. Now he sells a range of more than 3,700 items, employs 19 staff and has an annual turnover of more than £3million. Mr Radcliffe plans to expand again to a 30,000 sq ft site and boost his workforce from 19 to 34. He says this will enable First2save to overtake the current leading eBay retailer, who clears 50,000 orders every month. His business offers 6,000 different product lines, from protein supplements to mobile phone chargers, computer cables and the popular Christmas lines of Scalextric racing kits and Hornby train sets.

Mr Radcliffe said: 'I could have continued working at Tesco and become a manager, which would have been a safe job but it would not have stretched me.' He said eBay offered a low-risk opportunity to set up a business compared with opening on the high street.

The credit crunch and a weak pound have affected business but hi-tech software keeps him informed of his profit margins. 'I couldn't have got where I am today without the right people to help. Also being aware of the latest technology has always been important,' he said. 'First2save has come a long way in ten years and it's astonishing what we've managed to achieve. 'The internet means that virtually anyone can succeed in business from a low start-up point. All it takes is a lot of hard work and determination.'

...The Craigslist and eBay business has the ability to become anything you may want it to become. You can make extar cash for today's cash needs or build up yoru business to make pots of cash for even real estate invetsing. The more I talk with people the more success stories I hear which is awesome! So what are you waiting for? Now is the time to take action! Buy Local and Sell Global! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

"Customer support quality varies very widely from company to company. All suggest that they're serious about customer support, and many fulfill that commitment, and many don't." ~ Craig Newmark (founder of Craigslist)

Meet the Millionaires of eBay
By Greg Holden
Entrepreneur.com
June 10, 2008

Millionaire # 1

Marat Denenberg, 25
Hackensack, New Jersey
Projected 2006 Sales: $1.8 million to $2.3 million
Description: New and refurbished disk drives and other computer hardware

An Education Outside the Classroom: Marat Denenberg was introduced to eBay when he was a student at Rutgers University, where he eventually obtained bachelor's degrees in computer science and economics. His roommate encouraged him to check out the auction site as a great place to find merchandise at low prices. "I used to avoid eBay because I thought it was only a place to buy and sell collectibles," says Denenberg, who soon learned that selling on eBay was a perfect way to put his double major into practice. "I discovered I could buy refurbished DVD drives from factories. I bought them in bulk, attached front plastic covers I had purchased separately, and sold them on eBay for a profit. Because the drives were now attractive, people were interested and bought them. [Each] cover only cost 15 cents, but it virtually doubled or tripled the value of the drive."

Secrets to Success: Like many full-time eBay entrepreneurs, Denenberg uses a third-party auction service pro-vider-in this case, a company called ChannelAdvisor-to build volume. He has also used his computer science background to develop customized software that streamlines shipping and addressing. These days, he completes 50 to 80 transactions per day, and averages $4,000 in daily sales. Having negotiated volume discounts with UPS, he also attracts a good deal of business by offering free shipping to customers who purchase directly through his website.

Planning Ahead: Even though he owns a successful eBay business and is leasing a 4,400-square-foot warehouse, Denenberg is not one to rest on his laurels. "I'm pushing the business forward on a daily basis," he says. "To a large extent, there's no finish line."

Meet the Millionaires of eBay
By Greg Holden
Entrepreneur.com
June 10, 2008

Millionaire # 2

Eran Dekel, 30
Mineola, New York
Projected 2006 Sales: More than $2 million
Description: Luxury designer menswear at 40 percent to 80 percent below retail prices

It's All Relative: Family members who are entrepreneurs helped Eran Dekel start his own fashion company. His brother-in-law, Darren Pamatat, founded SpaLook.com, which sells high-end skin-care products. "I saw him make millions from zero," says Dekel. But it was a chance connection with an uncle who owns a clothing store that started him in the fashion business. "My uncle asked me to help him liquidate some designer suits on the internet. Right away, I thought of eBay," Dekel says. "When the first suit sold for a 300 percent profit, a light went [on] in my head." The same uncle helped him find wholesale suppliers-one of the biggest hurdles for any beginning eBay seller.

Engineering the Sale: eBay challenges individuals to do their own market research to select, price and present merchandise. Dekel, who graduated from Cooper Union in New York City with a degree in engineering, saw such activities as an extension of his studies. "The problem-solving and analytical capabilities I learned in college really prepared me for this type of business," he says. "You have to perform both quantitative and qualitative reasoning in determining what products to sell and [you need to know] how to think outside the box when it comes to completing transactions."

A Risk-Free Zone: Selling apparel on the internet is no easy task. Sellers have to build trust among customers who can't physically try on their clothing. "We offer a money-back guarantee, free shipping and a free silk tie with every suit purchase," says Dekel. "We try to make it as risk-free as possible."

Branching Out: After finding success on eBay, Dekel was able to launch his own DeCalo Fashion website. And he shows boundless enthusiasm. "The potential for success is within each individual," he says. "You can't be afraid to take risks or try something new."

Meet the Millionaires of eBay
By Greg Holden
Entrepreneur.com
June 10, 2008

Millionaire # 3

Amy Mayer & Ellen Navarro, both 25
Chicago
Projected 2006 Sales: More than $1.4 million
Description: An eBay drop-off store that sells on consignment for individuals and high-end retailers

No Place to Hide: Unlike other young eBay merchants, Amy Mayer and Ellen Navarro, who run an eBay drop-off store, can't hide behind their telephone voices. Most of their customers are older than they are, and so are the students who attend their eBay business classes. "The fact that we're so young piques people's curiosity," says Mayer. "That makes it extra important to present ourselves in a charismatic and confident way."

A Dream Come True: Navarro always wanted to start her own business. "I wrote a business plan in my senior year of college," she says. Mayer and Navarro met while working at a clothing boutique. They talked about starting a business together and decided to open an eBay drop-off store--a new idea in early 2004. They research merchandise the moment the customer arrives and only sell items that will fetch at least $50 on eBay. They get a leg up on the competition by offering personal service and being located at a busy intersection where parking is readily available.

Growing Strong: After only two years in business, Express Drop moved into a 3,400-square-foot warehouse. Navarro and Mayer also started franchising their business concept. "You have to be professional at all times and always be thinking out of the box," says Navarro. "We don't just wait for clients to come to us. We pursue clients that can supply us with clothing. We see every single [entity] as a potential client, from the grandma on the street to Nordstrom."

Meet the Millionaires of eBay
By Greg Holden
Entrepreneur.com
June 10, 2008

Millionaire # 4

Chris & Lisa Rush, 30 & 26
Springfield, Missouri
Projected 2006 Sales: $8 million
Description: Audio and stereo equipment for use at home and in motor vehicles

It's a Family Affair: The mom-and-pop grocery store might be a thing of the past, but many eBay businesses keep their work all in the family. Chris Rush founded HiFiSoundconnection with his wife, Lisa, and employs his younger brother Tony, his brother-in-law Justin Cash and family friend Kevin Kenkel. "It lightens the stress factor," Rush says of the benefits of working with family members. And his team turns around a tremendous number of transactions, considering that the average sale price of an item is $96.

Music to His Ears: In 2000, Rush started buying sports collectibles on eBay. He quickly moved to selling car audio equipment, having installed car stereos since his teenage years for extra money. An initial $10,000 loan from his grandfather helped him during startup. "It started with an extra bedroom in a duplex. I filled that room, filled the garage, and we're now in an 8,000-square-foot warehouse," he says. "It's been a real rocket ride."

Keep the Customer Satisfied: Rush understands his customers because he is so close to them in age. "My demographic is 15- to 25-year-olds, and they are really impatient," he says. "We have to cater to people who click on things and make instant purchases. That generation doesn't want to wait. The biggest motivator for us is providing them with good service." The company recently added a toll-free phone number. "If a [customer] buys something and has problems installing it, we will guide him through the process."

Personal Touch: With its feedback system, eBay encourages sellers to provide prompt delivery and good service. But Rush's motivation goes beyond that. He welcomes hard work and the responsibility of running his own business. He especially likes selling to members of the U.S. mili-tary stationed overseas. "We provide distractions for them," he says. "It's like we're sending them a Christmas present. That's the most rewarding thing for all of us."

Meet the Millionaires of eBay
By Greg Holden
Entrepreneur.com
June 10, 2008

Millionaire # 5

Dan Glasure, 31
Ocala, Florida
Projected 2006 Sales: $2.5 million
Description: Model trains and train accessories

Needing a Bigger Piggy Bank: Dan Glasure's business experience goes back to age 8. "The first comic book I ever bought was Spider-Man No. 1. I bought it at a garage sale for a nickel. I sold it the same day for $100," he remembers. But that's not all. When the buyer asked Glasure where he had found the comic, he told him, "I'll tell you where the rest of them are, but you have to give me a finder's fee." He got his finder's fee.

On the Fast Track: Glasure started by selling comics on eBay, but "it was not until I traded some comics for a big box of Lego toys and the Legos sold incredibly well that I really saw what eBay could do," he says. Next, he started selling toy trains and accessories: "Today, we are the number-two seller in the whole Toys & Hobbies category on eBay."

More Than Child's Play: These days, Dan's Train Depot has sales of $20,000 to $30,000 each week. That success inspired Glasure to branch out to websites (www.brasstrains.com and www.danstraindepot.com), where he can sell directly to the public, and a brick-and-mortar store, which sells different items for train collectors than those he offers on eBay. With the help of one of his customers who is a professor at a university business school, he drew up a business plan and streamlined his company by downsizing his staff. "Everybody thinks you're not working at all, selling toys on the internet," Glasure observes. "It's a lot of work, but it's definitely more fun than the average job."