Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Always Say "Yes" to Free Stuff Part 2!

Hello! So, I have a confession to make......sometimes I'm not crazy about the free stuff that others give me to sell! I think it is more fun to go out and find my own stuff that I think looks interesting or unique or whatever! Sometimes when I do get free stuff from people, I take way too long to get it listed! Anybody relate? Take for instance these vintage sewing machine attachments. Buttonholers to be exact. I actually thought they were neat and I have done my share of sewing in the past but I didn't know if there was a market for these old things! A friend had given them to me to sell if I wanted. They were her mothers and she didn't want them or have a use for them. They sat around my office area for a few months before I finally got around to researching them and listing them. I listed the pink set first and then after doing more research I realized that I could probably do better by just selling the rest in a lot. I made a nice little profit of $42.47 for both listings! It only took a little less than 2 months for them to sell and they both sold within an hour of each other to different people! I thought that was crazy! And now they're outta here! I should have got to it sooner!

 Sewing Machine Buttonholers and Instructions
Free - Sold for 35.95 - Profit $30.93

Singer Sewing Attachments
Free - Sold for $13.45 - Profit $11.54

This next item is a book about trains that my 3rd daughter Gabby gave me to sell. Her ex-boyfriend was really into trains and I don't know if he gave her this book or if she just bought it on her own but she didn't want it anymore....she says she hates trains! 😁😁 I also had this book sitting around for awhile waiting to list it and it actually sold the same day I listed it! I should learn to never let anything sit around for awhile.....but some things are just more fun to list than others! At least this was fairly easy to photograph and then to ship!

Train Book
Free - Sold for $12.00 - Profit $10.27

These 3 items sold on the same day and they were given to me free! I made a total of $52.74 that day on things people gave to me! If I could do that much in sales every day it sure would help!

How many of you are "gifted" things for re-sale?

Thanks for stopping by! I will be back tomorrow with part 3! ~~Pam


Sunday, January 29, 2017

Always Say "Yes" to Free Stuff! Part 1

Hello Everyone! I'm sorry it's been so long (again) since I've written! So much going on all the time, as I'm sure all of you have lots going on too! I was just thinking of what I could write about and realized that I've actually made a nice little chunk of money over the past couple of years from things that people (mostly my family) have given me to sell. Ever since my husband lost his job over 3 years ago I've been trying to sell more. He is working 3 different jobs now but we still need some income from me to help make ends meet. Anyway, my mom and sisters and even my older daughters have given me things that they decided they didn't want or even things that they've found at yard sales and thrift stores that they thought I could sell for some money.....bless their hearts! :) I appreciate it so much! I thought I would write a few posts just showing the different things I have been given and what the profit is.....here goes!

My daughter Brittany went to a couple of auctions awhile back and ended up getting a tub of plush bears for a dollar! I think they were on a table of other things that she actually wanted. She gave me the bears to sell. I researched them and most weren't selling for a ton of money but every little bit helps! I still have several more in my shop waiting to sell. These have sold since December:

Boyd's Bear Eugenia
Free - Sold for $8.95 - Profit $ 6.60


Boyd's Bear "Peepers P. MacDonald"
Free - Sold for $8.95 - Profit $8.27


Lot of Bears
Free - Sold for $10.95 - Profit $8.57

Winnie the Pooh Classic Plush
Free - Sold for $21.95 - Profit $17.32

Pier One Imports Blue Plush Bear
Free - Sold for $13.45 - Profit $11.44

So I  made $52.20 clear profit on the bears so far after fees, supplies and postage!

Next up are a couple of Shark vacuum attachments that the same daughter let me sell. She cleans houses and businesses for a living and she loves the Shark vacuum. She has gotten at least 3 over the past couple of years and she doesn't need all the attachments so I made a little money on these:


Shark Vacuum Attachment Dusting Brush
Free - Sold for $8.00 - Profit $7.01

Shark Vacuum Attachment Rotator Brush
Free - Sold for $11.50 - Profit $9.67

So the total profit in December and January from just what my daughter gave me is $68.88! I know it's not a ton of money but every little bit helps! I think also that I probably priced things a little lower than I might have if I had to pay for them. Sometimes you just want to move stuff fast!

So always take what someone else wants to give you. Sometimes they're just going to give it to Goodwill or throw it away and you might as well take it and make a little money! I'll be back with more on Tuesday! Thanks for stopping by! ~~Pam