posted on April 28, 2001 11:34:35 PM new
Several months after I starting selling on ebay (Oct 99) I read a post on here that had me ROTFL. At the same time I thought (to myself of course) I wish I had those problems! I laughed so much my spouse got on the other computer to read it all.
The post was about everyone's house and how the ebay stuff had taken over! The kid goes away for a weekend and his space is taken over etc. Off to college and no room when he returns! The stairs used to sort like items. People even put up pictures! It has funnier then all get out!
Well, I finally made it! ebay has taken over. I starting selling on ebay full time almost 2 months ago now and just had to have inventory -right!?! I can not even park in the garage any longer. My spouse refuses it give up his parking space. (We have a 3 car garage with room for 1 car.)
One day the kids went to get a towel out of what was their linen closet. Guess what...NO MORE TOWELS! I combined them with ours in the other closet and you guessed it ebay stuff. The spare bedroom is nothing but ebay stuff. (We better not have a guest.) Half our 6" long walk in closet is full of ebay stuff. Around the dining room I have stacked each days listings with a post it note with the closing date on it. I have been sorting the previous truck load of stuff and it is all over my front room. The last truck load is semi sorted in the garage...but I need to put it somewhere.
My mother in law lives in the basement - She went away for Easter weekend and my spouse warned her she better hurry back, before ebay takes her space.
I need more space! Or need to stop reading ebay outlook and write descriptions! I try to list 20+ items a day but I buy about 400 items a week. Who am I kidding I got about 800 this week!
So what does your ebay house look like? I am too embrassed to post pictures. Gosh, I can not even stand it when someone comes to the front door.
[ edited by RichieRich on Apr 28, 2001 11:39 PM ]
[ edited by RichieRich on Apr 29, 2001 12:05 AM ]
posted on April 29, 2001 12:27:02 AM new
I do not sell junk. I sell all new with tag large size men's and women's clothing.
You got to get it when the price is right. A big and tall person store going out of business so I could by the inventory at a very low price. We are talking this summer seasons items. I could not pass this up!
The week before the opportunity to get Ralph Lauren stuff at a very low price.
Speedo swimsuits $1.99.
Come on, I make a good living selling quality clothing. I sell at low starting prices and no reserve. I got to buy when the buying is good.
I do not live like Sanford & Sons. I do need to figure out how and where in the house to "put it away". I am working on that with build racks and shelves.
posted on April 29, 2001 01:19:27 AM new
I think someone's jealous that they don't have the inventory you do.
Congrats on your great purchase!
I have "warehouse" shelves in my garage. I have shelves in my guest room, I have shelves and tables in my computer room. I deal with collectables, which don't always sell the first time around. I do have a ton of stuff just hanging around, but I make it fit my decor... very ecclectic!
I know you can't decorate with large clothing, but you might try the shelf idea.
Man, you reminded me... mum in law is flying in for a visit next weekend. I had better see if I can find the guest bed under all that stuff!
posted on April 29, 2001 03:24:03 AM new
I live like Sanford & Son!!! ROFL! I have "stuff" stacked everywhere. Have turned dining room table into permanent photo studio. Plastic crates full of listed items, unsold items. Somebody help!!!
I'm afraid a burglar will break in, get scared and run back out!
posted on April 29, 2001 05:28:51 AM newYou have arrived!!
Good Score, RR!
I've mostly just got an eBay Sanford & Son office. Anyone who sees it wonders how I can spend so many hours a day in here and not get claustrophobic! Milk crates work great to separate and stack clothing ~ the one's where you can see through the sides. Five high and you can still get into them without toppling 'em over!
Congrats!
only ZOOMIN here
posted on April 29, 2001 05:41:32 AM new
Sara I think you might have been up too late when you made that post.
Laptopper's post was not a personal attack, it was a comment on the situation.
Chill out.
posted on April 29, 2001 06:07:31 AM new
Sadie & Son here! But I lived like that before eBay. I've been a pack rat all my life - now at least I can tell myself there's a reason to be one.
My minimum "neatness" requirements are: an escape in case of a fire, and a clear path to the coffee maker. Think of it as entropy.
posted on April 29, 2001 06:35:21 AM new
Sadie: Right on...and my wife is an enabler to her packrat hubby.
Laptopper: as Sergeant Hulka once said "Lighten up,Francis!"
A scenario for you.On a Sunday drive in the rural midwest once said while passing a fragrant farmstead, "Ewww,WHAT is that SMELLL!?!? The driver smiles and replies "Money"
Same deal with an ebay house(any resemblance to posters living or dead is purely coincedental, albeit slightly humorous)
I have two restaurant style metal shelving units behind me now.Kind of an ebay "on deck"
circle.
Sturdy and orderly.The looks I get from non ebayers usually include a furrowed eyebrow.
The looks I get from fellow sellers is "Ya lucky stiff,theres some featured item stuff there"
A knowing nod and wink to you,Richie Rich.
posted on April 29, 2001 07:15:07 AM new
Until a few months ago we were renting this tiny little 2 bdrm house. I had a very small office that was packed full of stuff and my car (I have a mid-size SUV) was often full to the top also. Then we bought a 4bdrm house with a 20 x 25" room upstairs which is now my office. Sure is nice to not have to store things in my car anymore! And I can't stand clutter so I have places to put everything now neat and tidy.
posted on April 29, 2001 07:22:41 AM new
Hey an Ebay House is just an Excuse for a Genetic disorder. I got mine from my mom! lol Never got rid of anything. Eventually gave me ALL of my childhood toys! I was in Heaven! Now I can justify all of my collectibles filling our shelves and basement to my husband because I just call it all "My Ebay Stuff" He doesn't realize that to him it means....Stuff to Sell on Ebay.. To me it means....Stuff I probably bought for myself from Ebay to keep! LOL
posted on April 29, 2001 07:46:48 AM new
Good for you RR on your success! Over time you will find a system that works for you! Wish I could find that kind of inventory!
posted on April 29, 2001 07:57:02 AM new
GREAT BUYS!
I too have an ebay house, we live in an old farm house that if you open a closet , all you see are books.
My husband hates it though which has been a hugh pain for me. He was away this weekend so I packed up 15 boxes of books in categories so I could sell them this week . Funny how he never complains about the money these items bring in. Actually he hasn't even figured it out that we now pay out bills rather than re mortaging every few years and with that bonus , I intend to retire with a small pension ~ and do ebay full time! So a full house with books everywhere and I a few other items like material ~ picked up wool material with lining material + osh kosh material this weekend for $ 2.00 and they is a hugh amount here! Figured they would sell quite well.
Though I admit I am a packrat and love garage sales and of course love all the books that I buy.
Good luck on your sales and your house!
posted on April 29, 2001 09:23:02 AM new
I aspire to an ebay house. Selling is easy compared to finding the stuff! With a full time job it's a pain. I'd love to be overloaded!! Hey, I have a couple grown kids I'd like to replace with inventory (I love them,but they need to leave MY nest!)
posted on April 29, 2001 09:38:20 AM new
Congratulations - you are going to be a powerseller
Actually, you still got a ways to go. I have not used one of my shower stalls for years because of stuff in there. When you start running out of places to take a shower, than you truly have an ebay house.
posted on April 29, 2001 10:01:35 AM new
commentary - I made it to powerseller this month already. Yeah! Another exciting ebay moment no one understands.
Shower space. I have not thought of that. We have 4 bathrooms- gosh do you really need them all. We have 2 tub/shower combinations, another tub (used only once to be sure there was no leak) and another shower. That one we use daily!
I love the shower space idea. When I tell my spouse about it I'll be shot!
posted on April 29, 2001 10:58:09 AM new
Is most of the stuff material that has already sold and waiting payment? Or do you just buy faster than you list?
I've been working hard to keep my number of auctions up...but this past week has been a poor selling time, so now I'm wondering about the wisdom of stockpiling inventory. I do books though, maybe not as good sellers as new clothing.
posted on April 29, 2001 11:18:32 AM new
Reading this thread kind of makes me want to cry. I had an ebay house too, until about a week ago. My boyfriend has always hated the clutter and about a week ago we decided that I'm finally going to quit ebay and get a "real" job. Our house is really too small- we share a tiny 2 bedroom and he works out of the house as well. And Sharkbaby, I know exactly what you're talking about with your inventory in the car- I've still got some of that too.
Anyway, interviewing has been hell, and cleaning everything up has been even worse. Every time one of our friends comes over and says "wow, it looks so clean in here!" I go into the back yard and start crying. I MISS MY EBAY HOUSE!!!!!
Anyway, RichieRich, good luck with your selling. It sounds like you are enjoying yourself immensely and I am terribly jealous!
posted on April 29, 2001 12:26:28 PM new
Hey my horse has an ebay house!
The extra income allows me to board him in a nice facility rather than a pasture with a walk-in enclosure. Oh and his turnout blanket is an ebay blanket...oh and his hay and feed and worming and all that "stuff" are ebay "thankyouverymuche$$$"
My house has a cabinet that I keep my ebay loot in now. So if the big one comes, I can get under that table!
Congrats Unknown!
And anyone who has the kind of volume that warrents that kind of inventory!
Thanks Sara! I think those kind of comments are personal attacks "How selfish" is pretty personal.
Besides, who didn't love Sanford and Son as a kid? (or a grownup kid!)
posted on April 29, 2001 01:05:25 PM new
I think a lot of my Ebay "inventory" is stuff that I've tried selling two or three times, that I just refuse to give away.
posted on April 29, 2001 01:22:08 PM new
I'm seriously thinking duplex. One side to actually live in and the other side eBay!
This can work!! Off to see real estate listings in my area. Just so tired of leap frogging and literally leaping from room to room! I want simplicity--with my eBay in an entire another space. Help!! Drowning in eBay goodies--and can't navigate through the house!
posted on April 29, 2001 03:53:29 PM new
On a more serious note, you can help relieve some of the tension by...
1. Get shelving that goes up to the ceiling and put them in your garage. I like the plastic - 5 shelf ones sold by Costco. You can put them back to back and store quite a bit of stuff.
2. Sell off the bulkiest items first. Look around and get a pile of those together and make a resolution that they will be listed this upcoming month.
3. See if you can find someone local who does ebay. See if you can unload some of more difficult to describe and ship items on them. This will help you to get more items listed and sold.
4. Take the items that generally do not sell for a whole lot and start them all off at a $1. This will reduce storage time as no need to worry about unsolds and relisting. If you give a couple of items away, so be it. But, you might get some pleasant surprises as $1 openings may generate more bidding.
5. Continue to buy but delay receiving the goods. Pay with checks so they will hold for clearance. This will give you more time to clear some room in the house. Avoid the bulky stuff unless high profit potential.
posted on April 29, 2001 04:13:25 PM new
*S* I've had an Ebay house for years. I do have one lucky thing going for me. Over a year ago, I closed my small business that was open to the public, and attached to my home. Now, instead of the inventory in 2 rooms of the house and the kitchen, I keep it nice and ... ummmmmm organized ( yeah right) in a 34 X 38 room. I know where most things are ...... ummmmmm usually *L* Although, it's really fun to dig through a few boxes that got placed "over there for now" and rediscover items to sell.
posted on April 29, 2001 04:51:02 PM new
My problem is that I can't pass up on any book that might sell. I like selling my "new" stuff first! People in thrift stores and the second hand stores like me so much that they now will point out " here's one you will like" or " we saved the whole box for you to go through!" What a deal! However, I have filled every closet, one room and 3 book cases with books that might sell and that doesn't take into account my own books back east at my mom's ( waiting for me for 28 years~ I go home take a box or two of truly collectibles ) and then sell to pay my trip!
I get to see mom more often that way! and she
loves going through boxes of ex library books and says Who buys this!
Anyhow storage is a problem with books as they take up so much space and there are so many in my small town!
I often say " I will give it up " to my husband when he complains ( which is less and less as I make more and more money! and say Oh honey, I just put x number of dollars in the account to pay so and so bill ( usually his !) but really I can't give it up ~ I AM ADDICTED ! I keep looking for my high seller ! one that I can really retire on. Come back soon CAgirl~ ups and downs aplenty but nothing like a sleeper auction that rolls its way to the top and you go WOW.
posted on April 29, 2001 05:49:43 PM new
Enter our palatial home! About 6 ˝ years ago, about 6 months pre-ebay, we bought a County Inn and converted it into a home, all 10,000 sq. ft of it – we loved the large, open rooms, but when I first walked in, what was the Inn’s front dining room is 25 feet wide by 100 feet long, highlighted by 2 magnificent, and enormous chandeliers and I thought, I’ll never get this furnished – but then came the Internet, and eBay and Web sites – now I cringe when somebody wants to see our unique home – the front dining room is now used for storage, boxes, antique furniture, etc., etc., but it is lighted by those elegant chandeliers! Don’t use the front bathroom, even though it has 4 potties, it is packed full of storage items. Certainly, you can use the back bathroom – actually it doesn’t have any storage items in it (probably the only room in the house that doesn’t) Of course, I could always show them the upstairs , but that is filled with shelves and product, but not to worry, we can retire to the Great Room (2,500 sq. ft) and watch TV, but be careful don’t touch anything on the computer desks – yes I said desks, two 8 ft desks with computers – mail stacked in boxes, 4 floor to ceiling shelves (12 ft ceiling) filled with all sort of collectibles – but step right in – it could have been palatial, but we enjoy on line more. Fortunately, we are both rather reclusive, and this arrangement suits us to a T but it is far from the elegance we had initially planned.
We have left our local customers, and most of our casual friend in the dark, with their illusions, they still imagine the endless crystal, and antiques which they envision are totally filling our house – OH, if they could actually see it! :0
