Apron Thrift Girl

February ReSellers Listing Challenge Week 4

February ReSellers Listing Challenge

How did you do in week three and four of ATG's - ReSellers Listing Challenge?

It's interesting how one week away from home can throw off a business. While I did very well with purchasing new inventory on my trip, when I did turn my eBay store off of vacation, sales have been extremely slow. I was only able to list 6 items since Monday. It took me one day to empty the van and sort inventory.

My goal of having 200 items in my store fell rather short. Right now I have 132 live listings.

Rather than be disappointed though in the challenge I feel grateful that I could step away from my business for a week for an emergency visit up north and still be okay. I adore the flexibility and freedom that we have in our line of work.

The other thing I realized is how much I enjoy thrifting on the road. I hope to take a few trips this summer mid weeks to thrift.

What did I learn from this Challenge?

I have made it habit to every day find inventory to photograph. I made time to edit the photos and place the items in my "To List" box. Each morning when I wake at around 5:30, I would sit down and list at least a couple items. This habit will gradually fill my store. I hope to have around 300 by summer since I again plan to enoy the time with the children rather than do a lot of work.

I mentioned this on Facebook yesterday but another thing that I realized (and happen to realized around 4 times a year) is that just because I can sell an item that is for sale at a thrift store or yard sale, doesn't mean I have to. It doesn't mean I want to.

Yesterday I found a little plastic bins with vintage Girl Scout items in it. I had no passion or interest to sell these items online. I felt torn though because they seem like good inventory. In the end I found a 14K gold pin in the collection which is worth around $45 dollars. I smiled when I found it and placed the rest of the items in my yard sale box.

I buy too much every week. I have such a hard time turning away from something that I can sell for a profit. I have offered on ATG Facebook that if anyone in Sonoma County or nearby needs some inventory I have some to sell at near cost. For example I have 6 Vera Bradley bags. I have 2 bins (if not more) of clothing that include brands like Betsy Johnson. As I continue to purge, I will have lots more to pass on.

This doesn't mean that I'll stop buying things that are a mystery. That's where the real money can be made. It just means that I can leave items on a table that I know that I can sell.

I think this challenge has made my goals for 2012 clearer and that has taken some stress away. It's not easy to create and recreate a business year after year. This job fluctuates with changes on eBay, Etsy, in your own life, within your family and of course with what buyers are looking for. Being flexible is the key to success.

What did you learn in this challenge?

February ReSellers Listing Challenge Week 2

February ReSellers Listing Challenge

How did you do in week two of ATG's - ReSellers Listing Challenge?

My week went really well. As I began to list inventory, inventory began to sell. You really can't sell what isn't listed.

I listed 28 store items.

I sold 11 of those items for $412.91.

I sold an additional items that were listed before last week for $337.15

I don't feel that I worked too hard to list these items either. I grouped them together by theme and got through them rather quickly. Listing soon became habit again. It felt really good to be working.

The hardest thing for me now is having to put my store on vacation today. The children and I are heading North tomorrow to visit my mom who has been moved from hospital to a convalescent home. I need to get all my transactions sorted and completed before we go. I'd love to leave Dave in charge of my business while I'm away but I don't think he'd appreciate that very much. I plan on taking some work with me and write listings in the early morning on Ink Frog. I can schedule them to go live at a later date. I'll probably move my eBay store off vacation mode on the Friday before we head back home in order to take advantage of weekend sales.

I can't wait to hear how you did this week in the challenge.

Here's what I'd like you to do in order to take part in the challenge:

1. Comment today and tell us your Listing Challenge Goal.
2. Add a link to your ReSelling Venue/Store (optional)
3. Continue to tally up your listings since items hopefully will start to sell and disappear from your active listings.
4. Grab the Button above and spread the word. We want to motivate & inspire.
5. Check in every Wednesday until February 29th. Share your progress in the comments.
6. Share your link here every Wednesday to show us how busy you've been. (optional)
7. On February 29th, share whether you've reached your goal and if you wish, share how many of your Listing Challenge items have sold.

Let's share our motivation.

Let's share our inspiration.

This challenge is open to any ReSelling venue whether it's Etsy, eBay, Flea Markets or Antique Mall. My main focus will be eBay.

If you are joining the Listing Challenge you have an option to share your ReSelling Venue with us. Links should be to a venue where you sell 2nd hand items.

February ReSellers Listing Challenge Week 1

February ReSellers Listing Challenge

Are you ready for week one of ATG's - ReSellers Listing Challenge?

The first official post is today. I can't wait to hear how your first week went, what your current goals are and to see the links to your fabulous stores.

How did my week go? This challenge got me working again. It was the right inspiration to get me to open up Inkfrog and start my first ebay listing. I listed 18 auctions and store listing. 3 of those items sold. My goal was much higher but that is okay. I like having a goal in my mind that is difficult to reach.

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers regarding my mother. She is still quite sick but seems to be getting past the worst of it. The doctors gave us some very discouraging information but my mom is a fighter. We are planning to drive to Washington this month to see her which may alter my own listing goals. As Suze Orman says, "People first."

This next week, I'm going to continue listing on eBay. I've decided to tackle the countless mugs and cups that I have been collecting and get them listed. I just listed the most darling English fine bone china mugs this week and two of them sold. They were so sweet that I had to keep one of them. I typically pick up Far Side and Sandra Boynton mugs and of course the Starbucks City Mugs. They can sell for as little as 25¢ at a yard sale which makes a nice easy profit when selling them on eBay. My goal next week is to list 20 items. My month goal is to reach 200 items in my store.

Here's what I'd like you to do in order to take part in the challenge:

1. Comment today and tell us your Listing Challenge Goal.
2. Add a link to your ReSelling Venue/Store (optional)
3. Continue to tally up your listings since items hopefully will start to sell and disappear from your active listings.
4. Grab the Button above and spread the word. We want to motivate & inspire.
5. Check in every Wednesday until February 29th. Share your progress in the comments.
6. Share your link here every Wednesday to show us how busy you've been. (optional)
7. On February 29th, share whether you've reached your goal and if you wish, share how many of your Listing Challenge items have sold.

Let's share our motivation.

Let's share our inspiration.

This challenge is open to any ReSelling venue whether it's Etsy, eBay, Flea Markets or Antique Mall. My main focus will be eBay.

2012 ReSellers Listing Challenge - Intro

February ReSellers Listing Challenge

I just completed filing my California sales taxes this morning. My eyes are sore from working on excel spreadsheets for the last 5 days, my bank account has less money in it than it did this morning but they are done and I can go back to focuses on ReSelling.

The most positive thing about doing this years taxes is realizing this:

I sold $53,818 of used merchandise in 2011. **mostly used**

I did this from working at home and doing what I love. That just amazes me. I also didn't work much this summer. I got off the computer and I spent time as a mom with my children. I worked very hard in February and in the fall. The rest of the year I worked part time around my children's schedules. What more could you ask for in a job that is your passion?

I do reinvested much of my money back into my business buying more inventory. I constantly buy and constantly sell. Okay so maybe I have more inventory than I sell but I always look at it as my tangible savings account.

What was really eye opening was discovering that my best eBay months were March & November. Each of those months followed the ATG ReSellers Listing Challenge.  You can't get better proof that what you put into this business is immediate in the rewards. Has anyone else looked at their numbers for the year? Did you have something similar with sales after the challenge?

It's been very hard for me to start up on eBay again in 2012. The holiday season left me tired and worn out. I enjoyed backing off of eBay and working on Amazon. It's such a different model and pace. I'm also trying to take Little Shop to a local level and sell items to my customers from the Waldorf Winter Faire. I haven't quite worked out how to offer both local and non local shipping with Storenvy. Does anyone know?

Last week I tried to take photos of jewelry to get back slowly into eBay but so far I've listed just two items. I need this challenge as much as anyone. I've asked on Facebook and those that answered are excited about the challenge.

Are you ready to accept and take on ATG's - ReSellers Listing Challenge?

The first official post will be on Wednesday, February 8th but your listings can begin tomorrow on February 1st!

Here's what I'd like you to do in order to take part in the challenge:

1. Comment today and tell us your Listing Challenge Goal.
2. Add a link to your ReSelling Venue/Store beginning next Wednesday. (optional)
3. Begin to List your items on February 1st - don't forget to tally up your listings since items hopefully will start to sell and disappear from your active listings.
4. Grab a Button and spread the word. We want to motivate & inspire.
5. Check in every Wednesday until February 29th. Share your progress in the comments.
6. Share your link here every Wednesday to show us how busy you've been. (optional)
7. On February 29th, share whether you've reached your goal and if you wish, share how many of your Listing Challenge items have sold.

Let's share our motivation.

Let's share our inspiration.

This challenge is open to any ReSelling venue whether it's Etsy, eBay, Flea Markets or Antique Mall. My main focus will be eBay.

Will you be joining us on Wednesday?

October ReSellers Listing Challenge - Week 4

Apron Thrift Girl's - ReSellers Listing Challenge

Are you ready for week 4 of ATG's - ReSellers Listing Challenge?

Here's what I'd like you to do in order to take part in the challenge:

1. Comment and tell us your Listing Challenge Goal.
2. Add a link to your ReSelling Venue/Store. (optional)
3. Begin to List your items - don't forget to tally up your listings since items hopefully will start to sell.
4. Grab a Button and spread the word. We want to motivate & inspire.
5. Check in every Tuesday until November 1st. Share your progress in the comments.
6. Share your link every Tuesday to show us how busy you've been. (optional)
7. On November 1st, share whether you've reached your goal and if you wish, share how many of your Listing Challenge items have sold.

 
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This challenge isn't just about what you can list and how many items you might sell. It's about taking a step back and reviewing your business.

Last February I realized how inefficiently I work. I can't tell you how easily distracted I am. Seriously, just that soft ping of an email coming in send me to my inbox to see what has arrived. And then since I've left my listing it means I can quickly check my gmail account. Then I may as well see if anything new is on Craigslist. I'm completely and utterly distractable.

My work day is very short. In fact my listing days are really just Tuesday and Wednesday. Monday I work on sorting through everything. Thursday is a half day at school and I usually just do bookkeeping, organizing and maybe a bit of listing in the morning. Friday I'm back out in the field scouting for new inventory.

Eight months after the February challenge I realize that I work differently. I'm still not terribly fast at listing but I am definitely able to list more. I still get distracted from time to time but I CLOSE down the facebook page so that I won't even be tempted to pop in and take a look. As you all know, one peek and you get sucked into watching another funny cat video.

What have I learned this month?

I have too much inventory.

I have too little time to list.

I want to increase the amount of money that I sell each month.

It's really just a simple math formula that I need to evaluate and solve. I need to find balance between selling and listing big ticket items (between $150-$800) and small items ($15-$75). I need to stop buying anything that I can sell. It's very hard for me to see an item at a garage sale that they have priced for 50¢ that I can sell for $12. I need to walk away more. I want to keep my focus on Mid Century Modern.

Remember that we don't have a boss that keeps us on track. We usually are the boss, the secretary, the bookkeeper, the employee, the delivery person and so on. Most of us are a one man/woman show.

It's important to look at our business often and see how we can be more efficient.

Now back to the challenge. Although I'm not near my goal of 200 items in my store, I have sold a lot of items. I've also organized my office which means that I will be able to work better in November and December. I currently have 128 items in my store. My sales for the last 30 days is $1967. Overall I'm really pleased with October.

What has been the biggest insight into your business during the October Challenge?

October ReSellers Listing Challenge - Week 3

Apron Thrift Girl's - ReSellers Listing Challenge

Are you ready for week 3 of ATG's - ReSellers Listing Challenge?

Here's what I'd like you to do in order to take part in the challenge:

1. Comment and tell us your Listing Challenge Goal.
2. Add a link to your ReSelling Venue/Store. (optional)
3. Begin to List your items - don't forget to tally up your listings since items hopefully will start to sell.
4. Grab a Button and spread the word. We want to motivate & inspire.
5. Check in every Tuesday until November 1st. Share your progress in the comments.
6. Share your link every Tuesday to show us how busy you've been. (optional)
7. On November 1st, share whether you've reached your goal and if you wish, share how many of your Listing Challenge items have sold.

 
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Where in the world has October disappeared to?

Seriously, between the weather which has been in the 80's and leaving town for 5 days, I'm completely confused about what date it is let alone what month it is.

What did I do today?

I spent every extra minute listing auctions since it was an eBay free listing day (up to 250 auctions).

I do realize that I'm the world's slowest lister. I tried to figure out why. I think it's because I get caught up in the research.

And that I probably want the listing as near perfect as possible. While that may not sound like practical work advice, I think it's just the way I work my auctions. Photography, description and using the correct key words in the title are all very important to me. I prefer to list high end items and hopefully sell to people with high end taste that include a high end budget. For me, it's worth taking the extra time to make my listings look as fabulous as possible.

I listed 16 auctions today. When I added up the potential starting bid prices it came to $1633.89. Some of the starting prices are high and some I've even had to guess because I couldn't find many prices to compare to. I do plan on probably half of the listings not selling and ending up in my eBay store. Between the Listing Challenge and the listing sale, it certainly got me motivated to list today. I've really struggled with energy since I've returned form my trip so working at the moment is challenging in itself.

My goal for the month is 200 listings. I'm at 132 and feel rather behind. Thankfully today re-lit my fire a little bit and I hope to continue to churn out the listings for the remainder of the month.

Curtis Jere Wall Sculpture that was found in Sonoma last Thursday. I should add that Keiran actually spotted it in the thrift store yard area. I think it had just arrived. You can see the listing here.

Thank you to all of those that are taking part in the October ReSellers Listing Challenge. Here's to week 3.

If you are joining the Listing Challenge you have an option to share your ReSelling Venue with us. Links should be to a venue where you sell 2nd hand items.

October ReSellers Listing Challenge - Week 1

Apron Thrift Girl's - ReSellers Listing Challenge

Are you ready to accept and take on ATG's - ReSellers Listing Challenge?

Do you want to join ATG's ReSellers Listing Challenge?

Here's what I'd like you to do in order to take part in the challenge:

1. Comment and tell us your Listing Challenge Goal.
2. Add a link to your ReSelling Venue/Store. (optional)
3. Begin to List your items - don't forget to tally up your listings since items hopefully will start to sell.
4. Grab a Button and spread the word. We want to motivate & inspire.
5. Check in every Tuesday until November 1st. Share your progress in the comments.
6. Share your link every Tuesday to show us how busy you've been. (optional)
7. On November 1st, share whether you've reached your goal and if you wish, share how many of your Listing Challenge items have sold.

 
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My listing goal for this month will be to hit 200 items in my store. I'm at 113 right now. So while 200 doesn't sound like a big goal, remember I'm hoping to sell a lot of items too which means that as I list, I items will sell. It's a good kind of problem.

My October Goal is to sell at least $3000.00 worth of inventory on eBay and $2,000 on Amazon.

Thank you to all of those that are taking part in the October ReSellers Listing Challenge. Let the challenge begin!!!!!

October ~ ReSellers Listing Challenge

Apron Thrift Girl - ReSellers Listing Challenge

Are you ready to accept and take on ATG's - ReSellers Listing Challenge? The first official post will be on Tuesday, October 4th but your listing can begin today!

Do you want to join ATG's ReSellers Listing Challenge?

Here's what I'd like you to do in order to take part in the challenge:

1. Comment this Tuesday and tell us your Listing Challenge Goal.
2. Add a link to your ReSelling Venue/Store. (optional)
3. Begin to List your items - don't forget to tally up your listings since items hopefully will start to sell.
4. Grab a Button and spread the word. We want to motivate & inspire.
5. Check in every Tuesday until November 1st. Share your progress in the comments.
6. Share your link every Tuesday to show us how busy you've been. (optional)
7. On November 1st, share whether you've reached your goal and if you wish, share how many of your Listing Challenge items have sold.

 
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My sales from the February listing challenge were phenomenal. I had a personal record breaking month and my sales continued to do well all spring. It really changed my entire business.

All of the work that I accomplished in the challenge last February paid off in ways that I never imagined. The most important thing though is that it left me with a healthy business bank account.

The next 2 1/2 months are the biggest retails months of the year and I want to stay on top of listing. I often find myself distracted by facebook or by the chime of an email. I need this challenge as much as anyone.

I need your motivation.

I need your inspiration.

This challenge is open to any ReSelling venue. My main focus will be eBay.

Will you be joining us on Tuesday?

Monthly ReSeller's Listing Challenge

My April Numbers:

• eBay Sales for the last 30 days: $2353.78 (actual sales before fees)

I don't have my other numbers gathered yet. It felt as if I took the entire month of April off so I'm overall very happy with my eBay sales. I'm pretty sure my sales through bookselling will be at least a $1,000 if not more.

My Goal for April was to get my average listings to 150. I wasn't able to achieve this at all due to my little ReSelling burnout. I'm okay with that. I have to be otherwise I wouldn't get back on the ReSelling wagon. This week I have focused on books and I must say the change was lovely. For anyone with a scanner personality a little bit of change is sometimes needed in business.

My Goals for May:

• list 100 store items on eBay
• list 300 books and media items to Amazon
• List 20 items in Little Shop
• List 20 auctions

I'm going to really try to reach my numbers and hopefully hit above my targets which would keep me in line for my Summer Investment goals.

If you have any ReSelling questions or conversations please join us in the Yahoo group ReSellers Guild.

Would you like to join the challenge? What are your goals for April?