Taxes, fees, shipping… Oh my!

February 1, 2024

Yikes,
Just starting to figure out how much the costs are compared to what I’m actually making.

The picture only covers the last 30 days (I started about 3 months ago) but I was still learning as I set things up and wasn’t really listing with any regularity until a few days ago. Next month should be significantly better.

After expenses I get to keep about 50%. From $160 in sales, I got $85. – eBay gets $32, Shipping was $32, taxes were $10, then there’s the envelopes/packaging which isn’t included here.

I’ve been doing fairly well as far as the amount of sales compared to the number of items listed. I’ve sold about 30% of my listed stock since starting. My prices are very competitive and I shoot for a bit lower than the competition unless someone has priced something ridiculously low.

I’ve been watching a lot of seller videos and if I’m going to get anywhere though I’m going to be needing to sell more expensive and valuable items. This means jump-starting the process of listing some of our vintage/antique items. I’ve been holding off mainly because I’m still figuring out shipping. For DVDs, I use USPS, but for larger and heavier items I’m going to have to do more research.

— David

Was that Bob Dylan? No – Mountain Goats

January 30, 2024

The elephant wants out.

I had a psychologist tell me I was good at explaining complicated things, she also said I was severely mentally ill. So there’s that.

I’m probably going to be posting about selling quite a bit as I to turn the site into web store and work to grow it into a successful business. Having an open record of progress or lack of progress could end up with results that were/are completely unexpected and hopefully interesting. And you are here to be amused, informed and entertained, right?

If you’ve been following me for any period of time I trust that you expect that I will keep high professional standards. The site isn’t going to turn into a seedy dive bar, then again – once I start putting out some of the vintage stuff it may resemble a strip joint.

— David

DVD Boxes and Boxes of DVDs

January 23, 2024

On the site I’ll be using the eBay grading on DVDs:

Movies & TV, Music, Video Games

Brand new: The item was never opened or removed from the manufacturer’s sealing (if applicable). The item is in original shrink wrap (if applicable). See the seller’s listing for full details
Like new: The item looks as if it were just taken out of shrink wrap. It has no visible wear, and all facets of the item are flawless and intact. See the seller’s listing for full details and a description of any imperfections
Very good: The item is used but still in very good condition. There is no damage to the jewel case or item cover: no scuffs, scratches cracks, or holes. The cover art and liner notes are included. The VHS or DVD box is included. The video game instructions and box are included. The teeth of the disk holder are undamaged. There is minimal wear on the exterior of the item. The CD/DVD doesn’t skip. There are no fuzzy/snowy frames on the VHS tape. See the seller’s listing for full details and a description of any imperfections
Good: The item is used but in good condition. It may have minor damage to the jewel case, including scuffs or cracks, or to the item cover, including scuffs, scratches, or cracks. The cover art and liner notes are included for a CD. The VHS or DVD box is included. Video game instructions are included. The CD/DVD doesn’t skip. There are no fuzzy/snowy frames on the VHS tape. See the seller’s listing for full details and a description of any imperfections

I must admit they’re pretty strict and not much room for ambiguity. I’ll probably be listing more things in “good” condition that may deserve a higher rating. (Yeah right, even I rolled my eyes out of habit reading that… but it’s true – I have a huge inventory and don’t need the headache of disagreements over subtle scuffs on generic cases)

I’m currently having to learn how to set up a couple of things. As you can see the DVDs are synced but the pages need some work and not all the information about specific DVDs is showing up yet.

— David

Affiliates, Ads, Sales

January 22, 2024

Sounds fun… as I set up things here I realized I should write up some kind of policy for what I write or post about and what I sell or am involved with.
I can’t expect people to guess if I’m getting paid for something I recommend or point to.

Fair question – it’s never happened and if I were to be in some promotional or affiliate program I would think it would be silly not to mention it and make it clear. I am looking to learn more about affiliate programs but I’m not currently involved in any.

The North Texas Radio station has always been noncommercial and I pay for it out of my pocket.

The only ads I have ever had are new additions and they are currently on the bottom of the website, these are from my personal eBay store. Our home business is vintage and antique sales. I’m looking to expand that to mail order and starting off with movies and music to get the hang of it.

I’m not opposed to ads on the website, I’d love it if people bought “space” like in the old days, which I guess is a lot like the new days but it’s still not like the old days.

— David

I was the Son of an Efficiency Expert

January 19, 2024

It was his job title, it’s who he was.
From what I understand, the position was created specifically for him.

It was rough growing up, rules were odd. Think of OCD, ADHD, addiction and a bunch of other crap that runs the gamut from neurotic to full blown insanity.
It’s annoying, it’s tiring, it’s overwhelming, it’s inheritable.

One of the things I’ve learned that helps – the brain has trouble focusing on more than one thing at a time. If you can, when you’re stuck – focus your attention on something helpful, productive etc. Sounds sort of quaint, but what’s the alternative? Keep running the same script over and over in your head?

In other news, I have started selling on eBay, I’m still working on setting it up here.

— David

North Texas Radio

North Texas Radio

Iced Earth – Burnt Offerings – Cassette – Tested – Good

Season To Risk – Season To Risk – Cassette – Tested – Good

Sacred Reich – Surf Nicaragua – Cassette – Tested – Metal Blade – 1988

Chum – Dead To The World – Cassette (1996) – Tested – Good

Soundgarden – Ultramega Ok – Cassette (1988) Tested – Good

Glass Hammer – Live At Nearfest – CD – Good

Taxes, fees, shipping… Oh my!

Was that Bob Dylan? No – Mountain Goats

DVD Boxes and Boxes of DVDs

Movies & TV, Music, Video Games

Affiliates, Ads, Sales

I was the Son of an Efficiency Expert