You HAVE to try this!! EBAY your way to DISNEY!!

[Lollipop Mom]

For those people who have found a way to obtain those packing peanuts and/or small boxes for shipping from anywhere other than buying at a store, how do you do it?

I get TONS of bubble wrap, that squishy soft sort of wrap and peanuts for free from a local furniture store. Their furniture comes to them wrapped in sheets of the squishy wrap or bubble wrap, accessory items come in bubble wrap and/or peanuts. Since this stuff is BIG, that's a lot of packaging! I asked about it at the customer service area and was told that I could drive around back and take as much as I wanted. They sort it in the back into bins of each type of material and it gets tossed if no one takes it. You don't have to go inside and ask for it or anything, just pull up and help yourself. Each section of wrap is rolled up with the ends taped once so they are easy to grab. I just bring a big box and scoop out some peanuts.

As for boxes...check the yellow pages to see if there is a box manufacturer in your area. If so, ask about buying their irregulars. I get boxes for between 3 cents and 15 cents each depending on size. Most of the time I ask for 20 of whatever size and end up with about 30-40 of them. The guy doesn't count, he just grabs a big section of them for me. In most cases what is wrong is that the gap between the flaps when it's folded is a fraction of an inch wider than it is supposed to be. By the time you tape it up, you can't even tell. I get lots of nice comments about packaging in "nice new boxes" in my feedback.

 

[DMRick]

Gosh..I don't know what to respond to first LOL

For those people who have found a way to obtain those packing peanuts and/or small boxes for shipping from anywhere other than buying at a store, how do you do it? If you don't feel comfortable posting it here, please pm me with your ideas.

I get mine on my corner..at a Christian bookstore. We pick up a few times a week when going by. She gives us so many, in spite of sending out 60-75 packages a week this time aof year, we have enough to share with others. Check out any gifts stores.

And like DMRick stated, that is how they get around paying lower FVF... but it is still cheating the ebay system.

I actually shouldn't have said they are cheating eBay (is that what I said LOL?). What I meant, is, they aren't cheating you. eBay actually allows reasonable shipping and handling charges, and eBay must think those are reasonable..since I'm sure someone must have reported him. Since it's possible the guy is paying someone to pack (yah, right) maybe to him, it's reasonable. I just don't get upset when people overcharge, since I go by the total as mentioned..eBay will have to take care of themselves.

Still no information on the Pal Mickey however. I pulled the seller's contact info and have a legit phone number

I need to check those out on eBay and get mine up. We bought at the old price, brought it in the parks one afternoon, and forgot it after that. I was going to keep it, but I think not.

 

[C.Ann]

Still no video.. Darn..

I received two other packages though and one I am absolutely THRILLED with! The container - and the items inside - are TWICE the size of what I expected!! My son-in-law is going to LOVE that gift!

Also wanted to mention that both items were packed EXTREMELY well - even though I paid hardly anything for the items and very little for S&H..

Yes - there are GOOD sellers out there!

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Thank you all for your comments. You've been quite helpful.

I stopped by the craft store over lunch today and checked the prices on everything I have on hand. I got back to the office and calculated the prices per bead, clasp, etc. and came up with real costs for the bracelets and I'm ironing out details as to what markup I want to go with and how that might relate to my labor charge. I've also decided to go with First Class postage (based on thoughts here, TY) and shipping in a bubble mailer. It should cost about a dollar for both.

I'm not completely satisfied with the finished bracelets pictured on the link a few pages back. I went to michaels.com and learned a few things to make them better and need to go buy a few things to finish them nicely.

I'm anxious to make the name bracelets and thought of a design I'd like to use and modify for each bracelet I create. After the holidays I should be able to get the supplies I need and start building and listing.


*********************************************


On to another topic now - I keep getting "hung-up" in Turbo Lister when I try to calculate fees or upload without calculating. I probably need to reinstall TL, but should I uninstall first and then reinstall or should I try downloading it again without unistalling? If I uninstall, will my list of items be stored and reappear after reinstallation?

 

[DMRick]

oh my goodness, what a nut I got. Someone asked for something special, and I took the time to recolor his item. He bought and did a pay it now on Dec 16th. I printed it, and shipped the next morning, the 17th, delivery confirmation. I also shipped 30 other items that day, after being up til 4 am to finish everyones order.

I got this email:
OK, I am beginning to think something might have happened to my BUY IT NOW transaction as I have not heard anything from you. I am perplexed as I have submitted my payment, inscription, color choice, and pertinent information to you via PAYPAL at 1325 HRS on Tuesday, 16 DEC 03.

I guess I expected you to process the transaction within a few hours of receipt of auction close by e-Bay and receipt of my PAYPAL payment. I am NOT mad at you and I will NOT leave NEGATIVE feedback. I am concerned that I will not have the item by Christmas.

I got this email:

I have to say, the note I wrote back (where I apologized for sleeping first, before shipping his package) was not a very nice one LOL. Oh..and my note to him on the 16th, confirming the transaction, according to AOL, was unread.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

He must think the elves are working the overnight shift

 

[DMRick]

He must think the elves are working the overnight shift

This elf did..I was up til 4 am processing all the last minute orders LOL

 

[Madi100]

oh my goodness, what a nut I got. Someone asked for something special, and I took the time to recolor his item. He bought and did a pay it now on Dec 16th. I printed it, and shipped the next morning, the 17th, delivery confirmation. I also shipped 30 other items that day, after being up til 4 am to finish everyones order.

What a nut! Well, I'm glad he won't be leaving you negative feedback. What a nice guy. He must be feeling generous since it's the holidays and everything

 

[jennymouse]

Originally posted by Mrs. Snowgod
Check out this auction!

What a hoot! Be sure to keep reading through to the added comments after the bidding started!

Not anything I'd actually ever say to my customers, but kind of feels good to see someone else say it!
__________________________________________________


Joy

I love it! I'm actually going to watch this one. There was an auction some poor guy had up for his Xwife's beanie babies that was similar.

So what is everyone doing as far as auctions next week? Are you still going to run some? I've been thinking about letting what little I have close and start up again the Sunday after Christmas. I've got a bunch of stuff to list, but I've had a nasty old cold and haven't felt like fooling with creating the listings.

Now, I've got to consentrate on trying to create a little Christmas cheer for the family. This is the first Christmas since Mom died in May so it's a bummer, but, I've got this new grandbaby to ease the pain. http://members.sparedollar.com/jennymouse/Haleys-homecoming-016.jpg (Typical grandmother)

 

[waughzee]

What a precious angel, Jenifer!

 

[dmensing]

Re: For a laugh...

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Mrs. Snowgod
Check out this auction!

What a hoot! Be sure to keep reading through to the added comments after the bidding started!

Not anything I'd actually ever say to my customers, but kind of feels good to see someone else say it!
__________________________________________________

What a bummer! It looks like they pulled the plug on this auction. Not unexpected, but it was humorous.

Dan.

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by jennymouse
I've got this new grandbaby to ease the pain.

What a sweetheart! She looks so tiny!

 

[jennymouse]

Originally posted by dmensing
What a bummer! It looks like they pulled the plug on this auction. Not unexpected, but it was humorous.

Dan.

I certainly don't know everything about eBay yet for sure, but what rule did it break? Was it the way he was talking to the bidders or the auction itself?

 

[jennymouse]

Originally posted by jcemom
What a sweetheart! She looks so tiny!

She's a sweetpea for sure. This was taken the day she came home from the hospital. She weighed 7pd 10oz. She's a wee bit bigger now as she's one month old today. With this cold I haven't seen her since Saturday.

 

[jennymouse]

Oh, I meant to tell you all about this. I had a ceramic kitchen set (salt/pepper, napkin holder, spoon rest) new in box thing I sold and made $5 on. On my feedback the guy gave me a positive, but said "Item smaller than picture." They're normal sized, not miniatures. Now, I try to get good close ups and have good large pictures, but didn't know I needed to state that photos aren't "Actual size." Geesh. Anyone ever get that?

 

[cpl100]

Oh, she is adorable! Wish I had one!

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

Jenifer, she is just beautiful! How wonderful for you... congratulations.

Regarding how our auctions are doing.... I'm having an excellent week! New buy-it-now's every day, many on things relisted for the second time! I have bids on 3 of 5 items ending tonight (hallelujah - they didn't wait until the last 5 minutes! ), and watchers on several ending Sunday. And I would have had more ending tonight, but several already got the BINs mentioned earlier!

I'm planing to list several items to end 12/26... the Sparedollar forum made mention of that as a good day for eBay shoppers... I was thinking to possibly end a few high-ticket items on Thursday evening (Christmas day), on the late side, for folks with money to spend after all the guests have gone home. Any thoughts on that strategy?

BTW, there is usually a free listing day around Christmas... I think someone mentioned it recently but it bears mentioning again. Don't know the details or how much notice is given, but it would certainly be worthwhile to have some listings ready to go!

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

The (ahem) 'gentleman' who listed the bike chassis & had the auction pulled has relisted.

Here is the link.

He explains the issue... hmmm wonder how long this one will stay up?!?!? He isn't quite as inflammatory in this one, but it's still quite a good read. Hope he continues to post commentary as the bids come in.

 

[pjlla]

GOTTA LAUGH.... did you see how many hits that site has??? When I just looked the counter read "1844"!!!!!!!! I'd love any one of my auctions to have even a fraction of that!!!!!!!!!......P

 

[pjlla]

I'VE GOT AN EBAY SELLER QUESTION.... for my ebaying friends out there. How long do you wait before you file NPB? Quick story.... I sold some books on Dec. 7. My auction clearly stated the following...."I accept Paypal, m.o., cashiers check, personal check. I expect payment within 5 days after end of auction". (of course, I am VERY flexible with that 5 days). When the auction ended the winner emailed me and said...."I received the winning bid on the**********. How do I pay you?"

I immediately emailed back with the information regarding payment options, including my address.

The next day I get another email "What is Paypal?"

I again immediately email back explaining what Paypal is, but stating that if he didn't have an account, it would probably be faster/easier for him to just send a check or m.o. I also explained where he could get m.o.

It is now 10 days later. I have heard nothing more. I have received no payment. How much longer should I wait? I did send that "reminder invoice" about two days ago. Still no response. I sent another personal reminder today. AM I BEING WAYYYYY TOO IMPATIENT? Thanks for any feedback.......P