posted on July 4, 2001 02:11:58 PM new
I thought I would start a topic about storage and organization!
I sell clothes and have a 2 bed condo. It is getting to be a real issue about where to store my listed clothes as opposed to where to store my to be listed clothes.
Right now my listed is piled in a corner on the floor and my closet is full of to be listed but I don't have any more room for more inventory and my floor is getting pretty full!!
I am already spilling over into my bedroom but wish I had a bigger house and or a garage right now!!
posted on July 4, 2001 03:08:25 PM new
I bought 4 clothing racks with the covers. It keeps dust and other dirt off the clothing and hanging them on hangars keeps them looking better.
These racks cost about $20 at KMart and Lowe's.
El
"The customer may not always be right, but she is always the customer."
posted on July 4, 2001 05:54:13 PM new
LOL... only have a 1 bedroom apartment and every closet and shelf is crammed with stuff that needs pics taken and descriptions written. I already have about 100 pieces of Pyrex stored in those rubbermaid containers that fit under the bed. They went in there after I took the pictures and wrote the descriptions. Now I go through hell everytime something sells, cause I didn't label the bins. (I was sure I would remember HA!) Selling has gone from a hobby to a mental illness for me...look for me on the next Jerry Springer Show when he features those people who have to negotiate paths through their junk to get from one end of a room to another.
posted on July 4, 2001 07:19:58 PM new
I have stuff that is on auction hanging on four bars that hang from my ceiling. Then I have one rack on wheels for the longer stuff, another rack on wheels for the stuff waiting to be pictured. The second bedroom closet, and many plastic bins and horizontal surfaces hold my stuff waiting to be moved to the picture rack. I have begun to believe that organizing this stuff is not possible, but I keep trying.
posted on July 4, 2001 07:20:56 PM new
My storage problem is those priority boxes! About a year ago...I ordered some priority boxes from them. Well...They keep sending them to me!
I have a 2 1/2 car garage, and I would say, 1/4 of it is boxes.. Since there is no more room in there, I am putting them under beds, in closets, any where I can find an empty space.
I guess they are trying to tell me something, like sell more, so they can make more money!
posted on July 4, 2001 08:42:03 PM new
>>Selling has gone from a hobby to a mental illness for
me...those people who have to negotiate
paths through their junk to get from one end of a room to another. <<
LOL Same here! I now have a 12 X 25" heated storage unit! At home though, I have 9 big, labeled plastic bins of items to auction, a hanging rack, and a room devoted to the entire tangle. As items sell, I get them ready to mail so all that packing doesn't at one time. But it seems like there's always ONE item I can't find though~ and I'd just promised to mail it tomorrow!
posted on July 4, 2001 08:46:45 PM new
This is right up my alley!!!!!! I have a medium sized country home that has a FULL basement of plastic tubs, part of the garage, the upstairs hallway, the utility room, my front screen porch, a shed and half of my living room.....<g>......I got so burned out that I just could not face one more description, photo edit and listing so I just stared at it, and finally got motivated when the free listing day rolled around....three of my chairs in the living room PLUS the couch are filled with listed/ and almost listed as we speak....Sure feels good to know I am normal....at least with my fellow ebayers.....LOL
Not Minx on Ebay!
posted on July 4, 2001 08:49:24 PM new
I just added a room onto the house strictly for eBay stuff. It isn't even finished on the inside, and is completely full - front to back, top to bottom - with items to be shipped and items to be listed.
The fun part will be moving all that stuff out so I can finish it (you know, put in insulation, a ceiling, carpet, walls, etc.
posted on July 4, 2001 09:48:40 PM new
I keep all the packing supply in the garage. We have 3 car garage with no room for the cars, I say because of the lawn mower and bikes (LOL)! That will change July 9th when DAV comes to pick up all the stuff I decided is not ebayable.
My guest room was converted to a large walk in closet since the major of whet I sell in big & Tall mens and big & Beautiful womens clothing. I have 12 heavy duty plastic shelves in there and a 10 foot double metal pipe that runs the length of one wall plus the orginal closet. The center of the room is filled with stuff I do need to get on the 6 bags of store type hangers I have managed to collect.
Along the walls of my dinning room I have nicely folded piles for each day. That is the already on ebay room. After the day closes the unsold items go on the table until they are relisted. Each pile has a post it note on the wall with the closing date. This works great for me.
On FLD day I listed 84 items some closing the 5th some the 8th. I have all that stuff still in my office because I just have not separated it into the right days yet. The piles have fallin over and they are in the center of the room. It is getting hard to get around here. But I have no choice since it will be the 5th really soon I have to get it move to the dining room! I also have a 7 foot closet sleeve in here with stuff I need to list (This was my first room I took over in the house) I also have 2 6 shelve bookcases with stuff to list on both and one shelve of things for packing like tape, scissors, tissue paper etc.
I have a 8 foot table with 2 computers, a scanner, a dot matrix printer (I never used) on it along with all kinds of papers. The printer I used is sitting on the 4 draw filing cabinet (that nothing ever seems to get filled in).
But ask me where anything is...I know! I really do know!
posted on July 5, 2001 03:44:23 AM new
I just moved to a large home with a lot of floor space. I'm thinking of just piling my Ebay stuff (to be sold) in large plastic bins, stacked high, behind some dividers (but where can one find these?), in one of the corners of the great room. I hate to take the stuff out to the musty, hot, cobweb infested storage shed. Surprised that not many have mentioned renting a storage facility!
posted on July 5, 2001 04:56:26 AM new
One room down in the basement: stuff I've listed on eBay that didn't sell that's going into one of two yard sales this summer.
Another portion of the basement: stuff with bids, or listed on eBay, or waiting to be shipped.
A bookcase in the basement (about 8 feet wide and waist high): books that have been listed whether bid on or not. There are two boxes sitting next to it that haven't been "filed" in alphabetical order yet.
Okay, that part is pretty organized. Now for my living space:
My office: One box of books - pics taken; waiting for descriptions. Another box - I'm not sure what's at the bottom, but there are video tapes and books piled on top. Leaning against anything that doesn't move: framed pics, prints, etc. - one is for my bedroom, some are for consignment, and one I think I'll list. In front of my desk: four huge boxes of books, and three smaller boxes of books - no pics no descriptions. In one corner - bags with goddess only knows what. Oh, there's a pile of games. Under the table on which I take pics: some of my stuff I moved to put the boxes of books in front of my desk. Next to my desk: a pile of books that were bought in lots that singly aren't worth listing (i.e. yardsale fodder). On top of the large file cabinet: a pile of books - haven't a clue as to why they're there. Three items that need pics, one that's listed, and one I'm holding because when I looked, someone had three of an item that's usually collectible on auction at the same time (must've found them in an old warehouse or something). In the closet the roommate is supposed to use for his clothes: various clothing and a chenille bedspread I haven't taken pics of yet. (aaaaaaaaargh)
Living room: 4 boxes of books. Then there's a ton of stuff under the coffee table - don't know what the hell it is. And a pile of stuff growing up one portion of the wall - again I don't have any idea what it is.
I try I really do. Get it all organized, then three yardsale weekends later - it's taken over my house! Helllp!
Edited to add: I forgot: one out building of stuff I carted off from a library sale LAST SUMMER (no books) and haven't done anything with yet - it's all yardsale stuff though, no eBay stuff.
posted on July 5, 2001 06:26:36 AM new
I have two largest size rented storage units, a booth in an antique mall, a former family room, a former garage, a former guest room. We haven't seen the top of the dining room table since last Christmas.
My problem is that the family room needs new carpet. Since I have moved auction headquarters to that room and filled with shelves full of the most current items, the enormity of moving all that stuff out is just too much.
We need to walk thru the family room to get to our small packing and shipping room but some days that seems like a maze in one of those old movies.
I think there may be a business opportunity for someone who does auction organizing? Or maybe rents out office/storage space at reasonable rates? If I lived in the country, I would build a pole barn and move the whole thing out there. Deed restrictions won't let me put any buildings in my back yard here.
I am having dreams about the pictures of that super organized garage I saw here. Gotta sell faster--I want some of my home back! But it is VERY NICE to know I am not alone!
posted on July 5, 2001 10:02:17 AM newashadowdancer - I used to have a supply of Priority Mail boxes myself, but gave some back to my local post office. Apparently, they do not get certain sizes and appreciated it when I gave them the boxes.
RichieRich - I too have a dot matrix printer that I never use. I'm tempted to configure it for the Express Mail triplicates, but I wonder if its worth the space it takes up. :?
I can really understand your situation. 1 bedroom condo for me. I had a rack purchased at kmart for awhile, it really wasn't sturdy enough and I wanted one that had the ability to hide things away attractively.
I purchased a heavyduty chrome rack from Hold Everything catalog and also the matching cover. The cover is a heavy duck like fabric that give the rack the look of an amoire.So its very attractive while storing all your ebay garb away.
I think the rack was $150 and the cover was $75. Its more expensive than the Kmart racks that you can buy for $40 but it well worth it in quality (it won't come apart like the less expensive ones.) And it stores triple what I could on my old rack.
It doesn't appear to be online, but you can request a catalog at:
http://www.williams-sonomainc.com/com/hld/hld_cat.cfm#
posted on July 5, 2001 12:35:03 PM new
I just do (mostly) books and things can be difficult. The only thing you really to do is keep the listed and the unlisted separate and easy to find...no small matter. A third pile should be reserved for anything that has a bid. I'd clip a shipping label to anything that has closed successfully...a real time saver.
posted on July 5, 2001 01:09:30 PM new
Computer room closet holds my stuff. I have the trading cards stored in the long white trading card storage boxes, each labelled for the different set its holding. these are sitting on a set of cube shelves we picked up at Sam's Club - excellent storage for the space in the closet. One the shelves themselves are my shipping supplies - boxes and bubble mailers mostly. Hanging from the clothes bar up above are plastic bags for holding Pokemon plush toys (when I have some in stock) - sorted by listed w/ bids, listed w/o bids, sold and waiting for payment, plus inventory waiting to be listed broken out by supplier (so I can tell how many I have from which supplier to let them know which ones to reorder for me).
The bags also work for the doll clothes and other handmade items I've been making (since they are small). I might someday branch out into bigger and better items - sweaters and afghans and so on, when time allows.
So that's the closet.
I also have a 4-tray on wheels storage thing next to my desk for more mailing supplies (envelopes, toploaders, plastic sleeves, and tape), and storage of smaller things I don't want running around.
On the left side of my desk, I keep the rest of my mailing supplies, envelopes, address labels, stamps, mailing tape (brown and clear), my hanging folder storage box for filing receipts, tax forms, and other such things.
In the 2 small storage areas under my monitor are my digital scale and boxes for collecting stamps off incoming payments (I'm a stamp collector as a hobby).
To the right are the trading cards currently listed on Ebay and half.com in separate boxes, and envelopes for purchases completed and awaiting payment. I also have a mail sorter to hold priority mailing labels, customs labels, insurance and DC labels, as well as envelopes to hold incoming checks until the weekly deposit to the bank, and two ledger books I use to keep my monthly records for preparation of monthly financial statements for my auction business. Two 3-ring binders hold my GL for the year and copies of my financial records.
posted on July 5, 2001 01:15:00 PM new
I took over a room in our basement (the unfinished part) and put up cheap metal shelves all around (about $16 each at Home Depot!) - I have tried to organize them into separate shelves for each type of activity i.e.
- shelf for received/bought, no pics
- pics taken, no description yet
- described and listed/launched/waiting to be launched
- up and running
-sold
It means moving things around but it does seem to work. The problem is getting the small item (the one lace doily I need to ship out) stuck between 2 larger ones (2 huge tablecloths, who knows if they sold or not in the last auction?) - it gets confusing! But I am improving.
One suggestion: Office depot has stackable trays for $6 for 6 trays - they are fantastic for labels, post office small items (receipts, forms, etc..), FedEx stuff etc... - keep on near packing area - it's helped a lot - the top tray has pens, tape and such. Makes the whole thing much neater!
posted on July 5, 2001 01:36:27 PM new
I live in a tiny 3 bedroom ranch. I used to have an ebay room, until some crazy idea came over me to have another kid. So, then I started taking over the basement. Hubby wasnt too happy with that, but I promised to keep it confined to one area. Slowly but surely my stuff started taking over his tool chest, shelves, over the washer/dryer, you name it. We were fighting about it too much, so I had to reorganize once again.
Now, my ebay stuff stays in my car until I am ready to list it. I used to cruise around in a Toyota but it wasnt big enough. Had to go get a Ford Wagon. Now that baby is loaded up. Similar to Sanford and Son. I dont let my stuff pile up anymore either. I list every week, everything I have. No more piling it up all over the place. Once items are listed, I literally throw them into these huge lawn leaf bags and fling the bag in my closet until auction ends. Then I pack everything up in those Tyvek envelopes and throw them back into the bag, which goes back into the closet. When I need to close the closet I have to run and throw my body against it so it stays shut! It is pathetic, but we no longer fight about my ebay clutter....
posted on July 5, 2001 01:48:49 PM new
I love this thread. It really does seem like trying to keep it organized is as difficult for others as it is for me. I have a room that items are folded (if clothing) or stacked in bins. It was originally (and still will be someday!! ) going to be my dining room. Items that have been photographed are in one area, and items that are listed are in another room, my office. I actually work out of my office. I not only ebay, but do computer and bookkeeping for quite a few not for profits. Between the file cabinets and computers, I find room to put more bins. I package items as they sell and stack them in another section of the "dining room", in bins from the post office. It can get very confusing, but isn't that part of the charm of it?
posted on July 5, 2001 04:00:02 PM new
pumpkinhead, the mental picture of you throwing yourself up against the closet door to close it made my day! I laughed for 15 minutes straight!
Thank you!
El
"The customer may not always be right, but she is always the customer."
posted on July 5, 2001 07:34:07 PM new
I also have a small two bedroom condo and we had to suddenly make room for my mother in law with Alzhiemer's when her husband died.
I rented one of those self store rooms that are heated and airconditioned - $123.00 a month for a 10 x 10 with two doors and two light sockets.
I was worried about adding another expense to the budget but this is a real upscale part of town and the self store has many businesses using it and the dumpster diving rights there have more than offset the rent. I made a $610 sale from a thrown away item the first week. a fully functional engraving machine.
I have gotten other machinery - beany babies furniture - drugs - computers/keyboards and monitors - display cases - post cards - copper scrap - printers - laser toner cartridges - wonderful books - stepper motors - office supplies. It is simply unbelievable what people throw away.
posted on July 5, 2001 07:54:15 PM new
I live in a small house,use alot of metal shelves to store E-Bay goodies.But lately alot of the floor space has been taken up in my E-Bay pit which I use for an office.I had a mouse running lose in the house,but it finally got to crowded,I either piled stuff on it and killed it or it left because there wasn't enough run for it to run around anymore.Can't put the stuff in my vehicles,thats where all my Flea Market stuff is at.
posted on July 5, 2001 07:59:08 PM new
gravid, how do you get INTO the dumpsters to get the good stuff? Can a slightly dumpy, not so agile person like myself do the same thing?
El
"The customer may not always be right, but she is always the customer."
[ edited by eleanordew on Jul 5, 2001 07:59 PM ]
posted on July 5, 2001 08:07:56 PM new
I know a 70 year old lady that's an expert dumpster diver. She ain't poor by no means (drives a new Town Car). She takes a 16 year old Grandson, and makes HIM climb in the dumpsters.
Who Need's a stink'n Sig. File?
