Thrift Shop Pickups - Page 47

timfsu2k · 07-20-2014, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOFcollector

i have been selling the tshirts and polos in flat rate envelopes. how do you guys ship hoodies/sweaters? what is the cheapest way?

I use a lot of Regional Rate boxes. They are Priority but without weight limits and are cheaper than flat rate boxes.

Astroburn · 07-20-2014, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOFcollector

i have been selling the tshirts and polos in flat rate envelopes. how do you guys ship hoodies/sweaters? what is the cheapest way?

I was doing the flat rate envelopes for a while, but had quite a few people gripe about the higher shipping costs. So i raised my prices and offered free first class shipping instead. Send em out in poly bags now.

As far as hoodies/sweaters, i stuff em into a flat rate bubble envelope. If they dont fit, then i just use a small box.

katho54 · 07-20-2014, 10:13 PM

Picked this up today paid 2.00 goes for around 50.00 on ebay

HOFcollector · 07-20-2014, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timfsu2k

I use a lot of Regional Rate boxes. They are Priority but without weight limits and are cheaper than flat rate boxes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astroburn

I was doing the flat rate envelopes for a while, but had quite a few people gripe about the higher shipping costs. So i raised my prices and offered free first class shipping instead. Send em out in poly bags now.

As far as hoodies/sweaters, i stuff em into a flat rate bubble envelope. If they dont fit, then i just use a small box.

Thanks amigos!

Just sold my Vintage Remington Streamliner Typewriter

Paid: $14.99
Sold: $100.99 DLVD

After shipping and fees, net profit of $53.53

shrevecity · 07-20-2014, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOFcollector

i have been selling the tshirts and polos in flat rate envelopes. how do you guys ship hoodies/sweaters? what is the cheapest way?

for tee shirts and polo style shirts I have some boxes I use for Hot Wheels and small carded action figures that work well. They often weigh less than 12 ounces when packed. for other shirts the padded flat Rate envelopes are my best friend. These also work goo for single pairs of blue Jeans

RedsRule · 07-20-2014, 10:34 PM

Question for you guys- Do you just look around until you find something you think you can make a profit on? Do you look it up on your phone, etc while you're in store to see, take risks, etc?
I'd like to try this sometime but I'm afraid I'd overpay for a bunch of crap lol and be stuck with it.

HOFcollector · 07-20-2014, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedsRule

Question for you guys- Do you just look around until you find something you think you can make a profit on? Do you look it up on your phone, etc while you're in store to see, take risks, etc?
I'd like to try this sometime but I'm afraid I'd overpay for a bunch of crap lol and be stuck with it.

the first few times I went out I looked up everything on my phone. It is a good way to know exactly what you are buying and a good idea of what you can sell it for.

After awhile you can pick out some things that you know you could profit on without looking it up, but always have the phone if necessary. If i take risks it is on things that are very very low dollar items. For example I bought 3 sealed disney VHS tapes the other day, figuring they probably weren't worth much, but for $.50 each, why not?

Astroburn · 07-21-2014, 01:48 AM

@RedsRule

I started with sports related t shirts, jackets, etc. added Harley Davidson t shirts, hard rock cafe, band shirts, and anything else i would consider "cool".

But it took a while to see what interests other people. Eventually you will get a feel for what people buy, and at what price. In the store, I personally will not pay more than two bucks for a tshirt, on average ill pay ten on jerseys. Sweatshirts are harder, because they cost more in the store, and cost more to ship.

Go out, and get a feel for what the stores in your area have, and go with your gut feeling. If it looks like something you would buy personally, then pick it up if the price is right.

Oh, and inspect the stuff as best you can. Sometimes i get excited to find something that i dont notice the hole in the pit or thread unravel until i get home during prep.

And let us know how it goes!

TwinGnats · 07-21-2014, 03:42 AM

I thought you guys might be interested in this. I did an analysis of the first big run I did on New Years Day. This was my first real run, I had been only looking for stuff for 4-5 weeks on a small scale. I did a longer drive to the south metro where the higher volume stores were. I was pretty much only looking for sports and I was not looking at general mens apparel. I would argue had I been able to do this again I would have spent the same amount at two stores rather than four. I would have been able to put down some of the duds and picked up some more good stuff. I assume if all I did was this one run my time invested once I've sold everything is about 10 hours.

Purchases: $190.49
Current Inventory: $113.99 (52 Items)
Sales: $553.13
COGS: $76.50 (32 Items)
Profit: $258.96
Cash Flow: $144.97
Cash Flow + Current INV = $258.96
Mileage Writeoff ($.56/mile) = $42.17

If all I do is sell what I have left for exactly what I paid I'm looking at $216.79 profit when it's all said an done. So about $20/hr for a newbie. The profit takes out all ebay/paypal fees, shipping fees, packaging costs. The only thing it doesn't account for is listing fees (store fees). Since I can get a listing plus three relists I assume that might be worth one month of my store, $20 that could theoretically be applied to this run. That would knock it down to 196.79 potential profit on the low end. That being said I'm still selling things from this run. I had a total of 84 items purchased. My sales distribution by month by item was:

Jan: 9
Feb: 9
Mar: 6
Apr: 1
May: 1
June: 5
July: 1

shrevecity · 07-21-2014, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedsRule

Question for you guys- Do you just look around until you find something you think you can make a profit on? Do you look it up on your phone, etc while you're in store to see, take risks, etc?
I'd like to try this sometime but I'm afraid I'd overpay for a bunch of crap lol and be stuck with it.

I have gotten to where i just go with my gut. I have developed a good sense of what sells and what don't even without keeping taps on all brands. I also am aware of what brands to avoid, unless its just something unusual or very cheap.

At garage sales I tend to take more chances as you are more rushed but often prices are cheaper. for stuff outside of clothes my general rule is if its unusual or not seen everyday and less than 1.00 I snag it.

Patsfan · 07-21-2014, 06:46 AM

On clothes I've gotten fairly good at it so I don't look it up in store now. Pretty much everything else I look up if I think it's something, glad I did over the weekend or I wouldn't have picked up the Winnie the Pooh plush or the Easton bat I got pictured on the last page or above.

Addison · 07-21-2014, 06:54 AM

Did slightly better than I thought with the USA Soccer Dri-Fit shirt I got...Thought it was worth 15-25, but glad I was wrong!

Nike Authentic Team USA Soccer Jersey Shirt Dri Fit Small Flag World Cup WOW | eBay

Bought: 6.81
Sold: 86
Net profit: 65.53

adub03 · 07-21-2014, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Addison

Did slightly better than I thought with the USA Soccer Dri-Fit shirt I got...Thought it was worth 15-25, but glad I was wrong!

Nike Authentic Team USA Soccer Jersey Shirt Dri Fit Small Flag World Cup WOW | eBay

Bought: 6.81
Sold: 86
Net profit: 65.53

well it doesnt hurt that its a great time to be selling it! very nice sale, congrats.

Addison · 07-21-2014, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adub03

well it doesnt hurt that its a great time to be selling it! very nice sale, congrats.

Thanks! Great point!

Got selling limits raised today...guess I need to buy more

Srt42004n · 07-21-2014, 07:02 AM

Ive been hitting the thrift shop on 50%off day and my two items that i accepted offers on over the weekend have been paid for. Now to wait for Saturday and the local flea mkt hopefully alot of sports goods

HOFcollector · 07-21-2014, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Addison

Did slightly better than I thought with the USA Soccer Dri-Fit shirt I got...Thought it was worth 15-25, but glad I was wrong!

Nike Authentic Team USA Soccer Jersey Shirt Dri Fit Small Flag World Cup WOW | eBay

Bought: 6.81
Sold: 86
Net profit: 65.53

that is a great sale! congrats!

Addison · 07-21-2014, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOFcollector

that is a great sale! congrats!

Thanks!! Hope it doesn't ever come back to this house

TOMBB25 · 07-21-2014, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOFcollector

i have been selling the tshirts and polos in flat rate envelopes. how do you guys ship hoodies/sweaters? what is the cheapest way?

I ship all my shirts, under 13 ounces in poly bags.

Hoodies/jackets I usually try to ship flate rate, med. flate rate box is about $8.50 or so after my TRS discounts. I make sure that I'm making a decent profit on anything like that otherwise it's not worth is since I ship for free.

Srt42004n · 07-21-2014, 11:53 AM

Just swung by another shop they had some Steve and Barrys varsity jackets $11 ea i passed not sure id see any profit they had 2 Hurricanes and 1 army

shrevecity · 07-21-2014, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Srt42004n

Just swung by another shop they had some Steve and Barrys varsity jackets $11 ea i passed not sure id see any profit they had 2 Hurricanes and 1 army

I used to turn a nice little profit buying Steve and Barrys stuff in store and reselling it. The store nearest me was 7.99 on everything.

ChicagoCubsWS · 07-21-2014, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Srt42004n

Just swung by another shop they had some Steve and Barrys varsity jackets $11 ea i passed not sure id see any profit they had 2 Hurricanes and 1 army

$11 is a bit high..I usually buy anything under $10 and have sold a couple for $50.

shrevecity · 07-21-2014, 01:43 PM

UGH, I hate days like this, was getting ready to list some of todays finds and on 2 of the shirts I bought I found flaws i missed. One of them I paid 1.00 for the other I paid 2.00 for, but I will be able to wear it myself so not a big deal. just hate making those kinds of mistakes. The good news is one of my scores today should pay for everything plus some.

kennyk92 · 07-21-2014, 01:47 PM

a couple weeks ago at a yard sale i picked up 6 boxes of 1992 cards the special edition ones with the american flag on them i got them for a total of $12 talk about a steal there

g8rzfan · 07-21-2014, 01:53 PM

Heading out to do some thrifting in a couple hours. My stores do most of their "stocking" in the evenings and that's when we find some good stuff.

Srt42004n · 07-21-2014, 02:25 PM

Just got back...

$80 later---just checked the Star Wars game all pieces are there... Average sales $20-30 could be a good deal

07-20-2014, 10:13 PM	#1153
katho54 Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 199 Tom-Kat	Picked this up today paid 2.00 goes for around 50.00 on ebay Attached Thumbnails

07-21-2014, 06:46 AM	#1161
Patsfan Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 1,913	On clothes I've gotten fairly good at it so I don't look it up in store now. Pretty much everything else I look up if I think it's something, glad I did over the weekend or I wouldn't have picked up the Winnie the Pooh plush or the Easton bat I got pictured on the last page or above. __________________ GO REDS!!! Collecting Joey Votto and Matt McLain autograph cards Also collect cool Dayton Flyers basketball memorabilia.

07-21-2014, 06:54 AM	#1162
Addison Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: ...on the beach Posts: 7,276 Addisond	Did slightly better than I thought with the USA Soccer Dri-Fit shirt I got...Thought it was worth 15-25, but glad I was wrong! Nike Authentic Team USA Soccer Jersey Shirt Dri Fit Small Flag World Cup WOW \| eBay Bought: 6.81 Sold: 86 Net profit: 65.53 __________________ \m/(>.<)\m/

07-21-2014, 07:02 AM	#1165
Srt42004n Banned Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 17,653	Ive been hitting the thrift shop on 50%off day and my two items that i accepted offers on over the weekend have been paid for. Now to wait for Saturday and the local flea mkt hopefully alot of sports goods Last edited by Srt42004n; 07-21-2014 at 07:04 AM.

07-21-2014, 01:53 PM	#1174
g8rzfan Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Reynoldsburg, OH Posts: 5,359	Heading out to do some thrifting in a couple hours. My stores do most of their "stocking" in the evenings and that's when we find some good stuff. __________________ If You're Not A GATOR You're Just Gator Bait! PROUD FEMALE COLLECTOR!! ALWAYS SEEKING USA BASEBALL NEED: 2010/11 SP AUTHENTIC Steve Alford Letter Autos A,O,R

07-20-2014, 10:34 PM	#1156
RedsRule Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Northern Kentucky Posts: 605	Question for you guys- Do you just look around until you find something you think you can make a profit on? Do you look it up on your phone, etc while you're in store to see, take risks, etc? I'd like to try this sometime but I'm afraid I'd overpay for a bunch of crap lol and be stuck with it.

07-21-2014, 01:48 AM	#1158
Astroburn Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 271 AstroBag5	@RedsRule I started with sports related t shirts, jackets, etc. added Harley Davidson t shirts, hard rock cafe, band shirts, and anything else i would consider "cool". But it took a while to see what interests other people. Eventually you will get a feel for what people buy, and at what price. In the store, I personally will not pay more than two bucks for a tshirt, on average ill pay ten on jerseys. Sweatshirts are harder, because they cost more in the store, and cost more to ship. Go out, and get a feel for what the stores in your area have, and go with your gut feeling. If it looks like something you would buy personally, then pick it up if the price is right. Oh, and inspect the stuff as best you can. Sometimes i get excited to find something that i dont notice the hole in the pit or thread unravel until i get home during prep. And let us know how it goes!

07-21-2014, 03:42 AM	#1159
TwinGnats Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Fridley, MN Posts: 1,645 PopCultureArchives	I thought you guys might be interested in this. I did an analysis of the first big run I did on New Years Day. This was my first real run, I had been only looking for stuff for 4-5 weeks on a small scale. I did a longer drive to the south metro where the higher volume stores were. I was pretty much only looking for sports and I was not looking at general mens apparel. I would argue had I been able to do this again I would have spent the same amount at two stores rather than four. I would have been able to put down some of the duds and picked up some more good stuff. I assume if all I did was this one run my time invested once I've sold everything is about 10 hours. Purchases: $190.49 Current Inventory: $113.99 (52 Items) Sales: $553.13 COGS: $76.50 (32 Items) Profit: $258.96 Cash Flow: $144.97 Cash Flow + Current INV = $258.96 Mileage Writeoff ($.56/mile) = $42.17 If all I do is sell what I have left for exactly what I paid I'm looking at $216.79 profit when it's all said an done. So about $20/hr for a newbie. The profit takes out all ebay/paypal fees, shipping fees, packaging costs. The only thing it doesn't account for is listing fees (store fees). Since I can get a listing plus three relists I assume that might be worth one month of my store, $20 that could theoretically be applied to this run. That would knock it down to 196.79 potential profit on the low end. That being said I'm still selling things from this run. I had a total of 84 items purchased. My sales distribution by month by item was: Jan: 9 Feb: 9 Mar: 6 Apr: 1 May: 1 June: 5 July: 1

07-21-2014, 11:53 AM	#1169
Srt42004n Banned Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 17,653	Just swung by another shop they had some Steve and Barrys varsity jackets $11 ea i passed not sure id see any profit they had 2 Hurricanes and 1 army

07-21-2014, 01:43 PM	#1172
shrevecity Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 28,059	UGH, I hate days like this, was getting ready to list some of todays finds and on 2 of the shirts I bought I found flaws i missed. One of them I paid 1.00 for the other I paid 2.00 for, but I will be able to wear it myself so not a big deal. just hate making those kinds of mistakes. The good news is one of my scores today should pay for everything plus some.

07-21-2014, 01:47 PM	#1173
kennyk92 Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 292	a couple weeks ago at a yard sale i picked up 6 boxes of 1992 cards the special edition ones with the american flag on them i got them for a total of $12 talk about a steal there

07-21-2014, 02:25 PM	#1175
Srt42004n Banned Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 17,653	Just got back... $80 later---just checked the Star Wars game all pieces are there... Average sales $20-30 could be a good deal Last edited by Srt42004n; 07-21-2014 at 02:32 PM.