posted on September 28, 2001 05:02:35 AM
Sorry for the length...
I have a lot of merchandise, too much. Most all of it is leftovers form different "lots" I have bought over the last year or so. It's paid for--the best pieces out of each lot have been sold to more than enough to pay for the rest. I've got enough pieces that I could probably do nothing but list auctions 7 days a week for the next year and that might make a dent in it. Most of it is under $5 items. Not very exciting and very tedious to list auctions like that.
In other words, I've already separated the wheat from the chaff and now I have the problem of getting rid of the chaff. I say "chaff", but it has some value.
This is why I'm continually looking to buy more--to get the more exciting pieces, then I get more "leftovers". It's to the point where I have to do something. My garage is quite a mess.
I've taken some to local auctions a few times and it brings squat (maybe .01 per piece). Actually, the more you take to auction at one time, the less it brings overall.
Goodwill or Salvation Army probably wouldn't take it (it's vintage electronics parts, worthless to a "layman".
I've been thinking of listing a single lot of 4000 pieces on ebay just to get rid of some of it, but it will go for $0.15 per piece if I'm lucky, probably less.
posted on September 28, 2001 05:10:43 AM
at this point it is costing you to have this stuff sitting around
list it all as one lot .15x4000= $600.00 take the money, clear out room to work and live
move on.
spock here......
posted on September 28, 2001 05:35:30 AM
$600.00 for leftovers or chaff isn't too bad.
I bring my collectible/antique chaff to a flea market and do wonderful for chaff.
Is there any type of computer or electronic show that you could set up at and sell box lots in your area??
posted on September 28, 2001 05:36:28 AM
Looking at it the right way, is getting rid of it to make room for more profitable items.
How about $9.95 lots of 5-10 like items with a couple of $5 items and the rest of lesser value?
If it doesn't sell on the first go-round at ebay maybe you can find a specialty electronics site or other free sites and want ads you can cut and paste it to.
No way out of it, if you want more than 25 cents, it's gonna take some time. Now would be a good time to sort it out and get it ready tho while we're kind of waiting for bidding to return to near normal.
If your income warrants it, you could always donate it and take the tax write off.
Good Luck and hope someone comes along with some better ideas.
I would love to donate this stuff and get a tax write-off. But they probably wouldn't take it (I will look into that today). This would be the easiest way of all for me to get rid of it.
Goodwill and Salvation Army have to be a bit selective on what they take, otherwise people would bring totally worthless junk to them all the time.
Once I tried to donate a floor model showcase, the department store type, and Goodwill refused to let me donate it! Said they couldn't use it (it was in decent shape, not trash). Salvation Army did take it however.
Mildreds
I don't know about electronics shows in my area, but I'm not a "show doer" type of person.
The last show I did was a total flop and it kind of soured me on it--for good it seems. It was an antique show and people weren't spending money for better pieces. The biggest sale I made all day was $20.00 and I didn't have nearly enough cheaper items (I took mostly better stuff to make my tables look good, when what the buyers really wanted were bargain items). Other vendors were cleaning up on cheaper items.
[ edited by loosecannon on Sep 28, 2001 06:09 AM ]
posted on September 28, 2001 06:26:29 AM
loosecannon,
I definately agree with those suggesting that you take your leftovers, group them in good-size lots, and start them out at low prices. If your best pieces from each of your purchases paid for your investment, then anything you get from the leftovers is basically pure profit. You might want to start the lots out at $1.00, no reserve, and see what happens. You'll probably be amazed. One piece of junk = no bids, two pieces of junk = no bids, a whole pile of junk = a whole pile of bids! However... you may want to wait until the bidding in your categories have reached normal activity before you start clearing these out. Good luck!
posted on September 28, 2001 07:15:03 AM
Loosecannon,
I've been in the same position a few times with vintage electronic parts. If you are acquainted with any ham radio operators in your area, borrow a few copies of 73 or QST magazine from them and chase down some of the advertisers in them. There are several companies that are looking to buy these types of things. They already have the buyers and they need the merchandise. I once did a cleaning out of the garage when I moved and came up with a large box of transmitting triodes and tetrodes and oddball tubes. A company in Florida paid me over $1000.00 for them, and told me to give them first shot if I could come up with any more of the same .
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
posted on September 28, 2001 07:18:57 AM
loosecannon, if you live in Delaware, I'm having a yard sale tomorrow for the same reason and you're more than welcome to join. All those box lots have left me with too much odd stuff. I only have a 10 X 16 shed and it's full. I did find a great peanut supplier ($10.49 for 14cuft.) But the bags are so big and they take up a lot of room.
posted on September 28, 2001 07:22:40 AM
eauctionmgnt
The better pieces more than paid for what's left. It's like anything else. The good pieces can sell for quite a lot, the rest is a tougher sale, and for a lot less. I mean a lot less, because of demand. Certain ones are in demand, others just ain't.
My wife just told me that she doubts that we can get a deduction for charitable contribution anyway (to Salvation Army). She says that's for individuals, not businesses. Not sure if I believe that but that's another thing I have to look into.
posted on September 28, 2001 07:26:45 AM
This may seem like a painful option at first, but did you ever consider just throwing it in the dumpster and take a loss on your taxes?
I agree with you that there does come a time when it's just not worth the time/effort to fool with the stuff anymore.
No, I would not throw it away. There is only so much of this stuff around. Most of it is not made any longer and will never be made again. Of course, that doesn't mean that much of it will significantly increase in value over time because you still have the supply/demand factor. While looking for this stuff in my travels I hear quite often "We threw that stuff away just last year". Makes me cringe.
barbkeith
Not too close to Delaware unfortunately. Missouri. But thanks and good luck with your sale.
sparkz
That's what it is. Tubes. More than a pickup load. I do know a hammie or two around here and I'll ask around.
posted on September 28, 2001 07:46:59 AM
Since you've already made enough money from the "good stuff" out of the boxes, why don't you list the leftovers as one big lot for Auction for America?
This would help you, by clearing out some space, and help a good cause at the same time.
posted on September 28, 2001 08:02:58 AM
iluvladybugs
I won't be doing that for a couple of reasons.
I haven't listed any AFA auctions and probably won't be doing so. Billpoint is one reason. I don't have a problem with charitable contributions and have already donated some through Paypal and will be giving more as I can.
The other problem is having to give free shipping. These would be large, fairly heavy lots and that would not very practical for me.
posted on September 28, 2001 08:16:39 AM
I've been having TONS of success with my excess inventory on the (former) Bigvine website. It's a quasi 'barter' website, where you get "trade" dollars which you can use to purchase services from other members of the site. So far, I've got a new pbx phone system, several gift certificates, magazine subscriptions, and I've hired a web developer to produce a new website. Have a look at their site http://www.bigvine.com (they were recently bought by Allbusiness, so you'll get redirected), I'm optimistic about this site.
posted on September 28, 2001 10:24:41 AM
loosecannon--this sounds like my ongoing problem! The better stuff will be at auction in November. I donate all unsaleable books to Goodwill and deduct at their shelf price. My accountant told me that was completely legit--the deduction shows on my personal return, not my business return.
I have had great success offering box lots on ebay. Divide the lots a bit to keep shipping somewhat reasonable both from a cost and packaging standpoint. Then turn that stuff into cash. With a ham radio operator in the family, I know they are always anxious to have more stuff they might need some day! List in appropriate category and it should all sell well.
posted on September 28, 2001 11:12:39 AM
This is even more work than I thought it would be! I'm putting together a box lot and it will be way over 1000 items. Maybe 1500 items. I'm packing it as I go, stacking neatly, and it's time consuming. Going to run it on ebay. If it works out well with this 1st lot, there's more to deal with!
Thanks for all of your suggestions and help.
[ edited by loosecannon on Sep 28, 2001 11:16 AM ]
posted on September 28, 2001 12:06:31 PM
I had the same problem, leftover beanies, etc. from those times when I had to purchase two other beanies before they'd sell me a rare Maple. I had a garage sale last week and cleaned out the leftover stuff! I made about $100, but even better, I got to sit outside in the sun all day yakking with people. Also, I LOVE to haggle and so it was fun for me. I made sure to price everything at least 20% over what I wanted so that everyone would feel they got a deal. And since I'd already made my $ off this stuff, everyone DID get a deal.
Anything left over, I donated to the Salvation Army. Oh, and I made a point of not selling JUNK... it just grosses me out when I go to a garage sale and people have obviously just plopped down a box that's been in their basement for twenty years, full of old ball bearings, dust, and dirty old toys. Of course you can sometimes find treasures there, but ick!
posted on September 28, 2001 01:29:10 PMbarbkeith What section of Delaware are you?
I live in Glen Mills, PA, ten minutes from the DE state line. Very near the Concord Mall in Wilmington, DE
If I don't go to Wildwood this weekend, may have to go with a friend to help close up her summer place, I might stop over to your yard sale & say hello & maybe even see something I want.
email me @
[email protected]
posted on September 28, 2001 09:45:02 PM
<<<<Oh, and I made a point of not selling JUNK... it just grosses me out when I go to a garage sale and people have obviously just plopped down a box that's been in their basement for twenty years, full of old ball bearings, dust, and dirty old toys. Of course you can sometimes find treasures there, but ick! >>>>
LOL.. seems these are the only garage sales that I ever end up at.. LOL... My grandma sure has good luck w/ Garage sales though, she can really HAGGLE. I just can't do the haggle thing, I'd have to dress down for fear of looking "snotty" for haggling over something...
posted on September 29, 2001 01:04:44 AM
Loosecannon I feel your pain. I have jewelry coming out of every nook and craney. I have some very good pieces and not so good pieces. This is what I am going to do. I am going to list my items on BIN and hope they go for at least 4 - 5 dollars, either in a lot or by the piece. This way if I list 100 auctions I have made $500.00. This is way more then I paid for it. This year I did not go to garage sales. I did go to estate sales but not many and I still have stuff coming out my ears. I have a staff of 1 (myself) and I hope starting soon that I can list at least 10 - 15 auctions a day. I list through auctionwatch so that is about all I can do because of the speed. I figure I will get done in a couple of years. Good luck
posted on September 29, 2001 03:32:25 PM
Jewelry is one area where I sell a lot of box lots. Flea market dealers love them and pay plenty. So do people who just love old glitz. Listing and FVF are lower when you list a lot and you can combine good with not so good--just be sure you describe accurately and take a picture of everything.
My last lot of about 75 pieces went for over $500.
posted on September 29, 2001 05:06:11 PM
I have the exact same problem with jewelry lots. There comes a time when the mental aggravation of having clutter just isn't worth it, so small "junk lots" are the way I've gone on eBay too. Well actually, not all of it's junk but certainly low-end stuff. Some of these lots have really done surprisingly well.
More importantly, there is a certain sense of relief and freedom of getting rid of the clutter. And . . . it makes room for the better stuff to come flowing back to you . . .
posted on September 29, 2001 08:19:11 PM
Well, I listed the lot yesterday. It's slightly over 1500 pieces. They aren't going crazy on the bidding but I've received a few bids.
You know, this stuff was pretty expensive (at retail) when it was made and sold. Now, some pieces have skyrocketed in value over what they once were, but the vast majority of it is worth a lot less than original list prices. They are currently going for under 2 cents apiece. They would still be a bargain at 20 cents but I can't make them bid.
Maybe I'll get lucky before it's over. If I can't get a price I won't be listing more this way, that's for sure.
.
Also, I LOVE to haggle and so it was fun for me. I made sure to price everything at least 20% over what I wanted so that everyone would feel they got a deal. And since I'd already made my $ off this stuff, everyone DID get a deal.