Friday FIVE

This week's five is a list of the top five things I always check when I log on...

1. MSN - I must know what's going on in the world. This is my homepage and I can quickly see any breaking news (which I also have e-mailed to me), national headlines, world news, entertainment gossip, sports headlines, and most recently - current Olympic coverage. Must be informed!!!

2. My e-mail - I can log onto my work e-mail over the internet and I check it often. I use it as a personal account as well. I probably should get a hotmail account, but I'm too lazy to check TWO accounts. Through my email, I also keep track of a yahoo chat group I belong to and I have each post e-mailed to me.

3. eBay - Gotta watch, bid, buy & sell!!! Those of you who follow my blog know that I love eBay. I am addicted and I don't care. It is such a rush to win a really good auction for next to nothing. I have scored the cutest clothes for my girls for fall and I just won a Batman costume for Dallin for Halloween - he's so excited!

4. Facebook - I'm pretty new, but it amazes me how many people I have reconnected to through this networking site. It's fun to build your profile and put fun and quirky things that represent your likes and interests. For example, I get daily quotes from The Office and from Friends. It makes me smile.


5. Blogger - Duh - I love to check on my favorite blogs and see the comments made on my entries. I also use my blog to connect to some of my other favorite links and websites. Technology is awesome.

eBay Selling Tips

Keeping in the theme of this week's unintentional topic (and because one of my commenters asked me to) I will share some of my successful tips for eBay selling. I in NO way proclaim myself to be an expert, but I manage to make a nice re-sell amount in selling my kids outgrown clothing.

• One of the most important things you should consider is your item's title. It only allows for 55 characters, so you have to choose your words wisely. This is how buyers will find your item, so it needs to include as many key words as possible. For example, I sell mostly children's clothes so I will list the name brand (Gymboree), product line (Sweet Cherries), clothing article (Dress Tights) and size (3 3T). Now I use up as much room as I have left to add extra stuff like the season (Fall Winter BTS - which stands for back to school), condition (EUC - which stands for excellent used condition), gender (girl), and a more descriptive word of what I am selling (LOT, outfit, or set).
• Many people wonder should I sell my items individually or group them into a lot? I do both. If I have a piece that I feel will stand well on it's own, I don't add anything to it. Most buyers are looking for clothing for their kids because the season is changing or their child needs a different size, so they are likely looking to replace a large part of their child's wardrobe. Lots help your buyer get the most bang for their buck and can also attract a lot more interest since their is a variety of items being showcased.
• Know when to sell. It seems silly to get out fall/winter things in July when it's 100+, but back to school is huge in July. I usually sell winter coats and Halloween costumes in August. Same with selling summer clothes in January/February - it's snowing and you are selling swimsuits and flip-flops. Don't forget Easter outfits in January too!
• Sell brand names for the most part. I have the most luck with Gymboree and GAP by far. But now that Dallin is in bigger sizes, Abercrombie and Ralph Lauren are also good sellers. Old Navy and Children's Place (TCP) sell reasonably well too - especially when combined in lots with some of the other high end brands.
• Be descriptive! Think of what you buy and what is important to know about purchasing used clothing. I include the following statement in every auction I put on eBay... All items are in new or excellent used condition, unless otherwise noted (no rips, stains or holes). I take great pride in my children’s items and am very picky – you will NOT be disappointed. Please read all descriptions carefully. Smoke free & pet free home.
• Start your pricing low with no reserves. Yes, it is a gamble if you will get the amount you are hoping for - and you won't always get it! But, buyers are far more likely to pay attention to your item if they think they are getting a good deal - and as people bid it creates interest and others will want to see why your item is so popular (cause they don't want to miss a good deal either!).
• Take the best pictures - I lay my clothing out on the floor in a brightly lit room. Arrange matching outfits together and show close-ups of details. You can purchase picture packages when you sell on eBay - I take full advantage of this option.
• Communicate with your buyers. I check my eBay messages multiple times daily when I have items for sale. Fast responses are always appreciated and give you credibility. I also send out a message confirming I have received their payment and their item has been shipped. ***And always remember to leave appropriate feedback!!!*** Feedback is gold on eBay and both buyers and sellers deserve feedback to add to their overall eBay ratings.
• Invest in a postage scale. It saves time and money to know exactly what your items weight so you can charge the appropriate shipping. Be sure to factor in packaging/handling costs such as eBay fees, Paypal fees and/or package materials. I keep this at a minimum though.
• Get a Paypal account. It is safe and it makes money transferring very easy for you and your buyers. I don't buy from people who don't have Paypal accounts.I love to use flat rate mailing boxes. For a set price (currently $9.80) you can mail up to 70 pounds in a designated box. It is the same price no matter where you send it in the US (international rates are higher, but it is a good option if you sell outside the US).
• If you are selling lighter items, use the lightest weight packaging possible - usually a large manila envelope or a Tyvek bag.

Hope this helps! I'd be interested in hearing how some of you do in selling your items - and maybe you have some additional tips that would help me too! Oh, and put a link on your blog if you are selling, you never know where a potential buyer may come from, plus we'd all love to see what you are doing! Happy selling!!!

Hallie's eBay

OK, it's an eBay week cause here's another post about it...


This is Hallie's new coat I just won on Ebay.





I love it - the inside is striped, the pockets have flowers on them and it has a jacket that detaches from it.


I was so excited to win it. As soon as it was mine, I showed it to Hallie and said, "Look what mom bought you an eBay". To which she replied, "I don't like purple - I like blue." That would have been helpful information to know five minutes beforehand.


Oh well, she'll learn to like purple cause I also got her this purple outfit from the same seller.

eBay update

So my eBay selling went pretty well last week. I made just over $400. I still have Scott's xbox for sale and it has been bid up to $255 (hopefully it will still go higher). It has another day. I have some more winter things and Halloween costumes to sell next month, but I am pretty pleased with my progress so far. I heart eBay.

eBay Project

This photo looks like a huge disorganized mess (luckily it's tucked away in my craft room in the basement), but actually I have these clothes sorted into very specific piles to sell on eBay. They are last fall/winter's items (mostly Audrey's) that I am going to sell. I will be listing them over the next few weeks (saving the heavy winter things and halloween costumes for early Sept lisings). Anyone want to make a guess on what they are worth??? I will post what I make this month when the last item posted in July is sold. I'm hoping for $300-$400, which is about what I made on the summer clothes I sold in February. They are mostly Gap and Gymboree, so they sell really well and are in very good condition! You can check it out starting later this week on my ebay page - rachelreyn - just click "view items". I'd better get to work. I need to take pictures and write up item descriptions...

Friday FIVE

1. Strawberries. I bought a huge container of fresh strawberries from Costco yesterday. They are beautiful! Last night Hallie and I made chocolate covered strawberries for dessert. I had a very happy family.

2. I am addicted to ebay. I love to sell things, I love to buy things, I love to watch things, I love to hunt for things, I love ebay. It's a sickness - and I don't care if I am ever cured.

3. I love to look at homes for sale. Even though we have been in our home only 1 year, I love to see what's out there and I love to look at photos of other people's homes (inside) and get ideas for my own house. I have copied several things I have found on real estate listings for decorating my own house.

4. This is my favorite lipstick. It is Cover Girl Lipslicks in Precious. Yes, it's purple. I don't look good in reds, I wish I could wear them, but I look silly - like I got into my mom's make-up drawer and didn't know what I was doing. I have one of these in every purse and diaper bag - plus one at work. I love them.
5. Someday I am going to Scotland. Scott promised he would take me. Last week I saw a special on the Travel Channel about Scotland and it is my trip of choice right now. BTW, any of you familiar with Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel? She travels all over the world and shows the best places to visit, stay, eat, tour, etc... I want her job.