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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ClearSkies on October 29, 2007, at 16:54:36
Or more precisely, taking over someone else's, who is retiring. I wouldn't call it a collectibles business; probably more properly a junk collection. She would scour garage sales and then sell the stuff at collectibles shows. After 40 years the lady knew what she was doing.
My husband and I have bought the business - inventory and all the equipment for setting up at the fairs. We're buying a van to get to the shows. AND I'm considering setting up an internet store. Any advice to give, fellow babblers? I haven't even ever used eBay, that's how naive I am. No clue.
But I am excited.
ClearSkies
Posted by Phillipa on October 29, 2007, at 22:38:00
In reply to Starting a business, posted by ClearSkies on October 29, 2007, at 16:54:36
Clear Skies ebay is how we are supporting ourselves now. Here's the link to our site. And Greg just added a store. Go under ebay sellers and look at 252GregB. Any questions about how we obtain products you know how to get me. Also he's a powerseller and l00% positive feedback you can read. Phillipa
Posted by ClearSkies on October 30, 2007, at 8:26:49
In reply to Re: Starting a business » ClearSkies, posted by Phillipa on October 29, 2007, at 22:38:00
> Clear Skies ebay is how we are supporting ourselves now. Here's the link to our site. And Greg just added a store. Go under ebay sellers and look at 252GregB. Any questions about how we obtain products you know how to get me. Also he's a powerseller and l00% positive feedback you can read. Phillipa
Thanks, but I'm looking for information about people who have started their own websites, not those who have eBay businesses. Thanks, though.
CS
Posted by Poet on October 30, 2007, at 9:00:08
In reply to Starting a business, posted by ClearSkies on October 29, 2007, at 16:54:36
Hi CS,
I babblemailed you a link to a friend of mine's online business site. They also do trade shows and sell on ebay. Neither has quit his day job, but they do okay online and real well at trade shows.
Good luck. When you get on line, you'll have to send us a link so we can shop.
Poet
Posted by ClearSkies on October 30, 2007, at 14:33:44
In reply to Re: Starting a business, posted by Poet on October 30, 2007, at 9:00:08
Thank you! I will take a good look. There are some great resources out there from places like eBay, PayPal and the like to help build these things. Not only am I a newbie but also have a lot to learn.
Names I'm throwing around for the business are:
Time Travelers
Les Puces Americains (inspired by the great flea markets of France)I don't want it to be too hoity-toity, and it won't be garbage either. Well-groomed Sanford & Son fare.
CS
Posted by Phillipa on October 30, 2007, at 20:11:22
In reply to Re: Starting a business » Poet, posted by ClearSkies on October 30, 2007, at 14:33:44
Clear Skies be very specific in where you will or will not ship and also the shipping prices have all changed as the postal service as seriously gone up in price and don't ship till paypal says the customer has paid. Phillipa we ship to Canada, England, Spain, Australia but not some other countries and there as I'm sure you know customs to go through and good luck.
Posted by Phillipa on October 30, 2007, at 20:22:19
In reply to Re: Starting a business » ClearSkies, posted by Phillipa on October 30, 2007, at 20:11:22
Husband just said that ebay draws l60million people around the world. Lots of bayers also have their own websites and use ebay to draw to their website. Also each store has it's own name and your templets and graphics are unique just you can be as simple or fancy as you choose. Met a young girl who has sparkles all over her products 26 with three kids and also you can ask others if looking for something different or unique where would you first shop? ps that young girl is clearing $2000 a month on top of hubby's income. Phillipa ps I have her website too.
Posted by Phillipa on October 30, 2007, at 20:30:03
In reply to Re: Starting a business, posted by Phillipa on October 30, 2007, at 20:22:19
oops sorry to be a hog but husband said not to forget to mention his store is called Chloe's Eclectic. Phillipa
Posted by ClearSkies on November 2, 2007, at 20:12:54
In reply to Re: Starting a business » Poet, posted by ClearSkies on October 30, 2007, at 14:33:44
We've actually gone through ALL the stuff we bought, and have weeded out the things we've deemed "unsaleable." Our community is having a garage sale tomorrow, so we've got our opportunity to clear the decks and start afresh - this feels great. I'm not letting anything come back into the garage - all the items have a one-way ticket out of the house.
We bought a (used) minivan. We're looking into getting our resale license for the state. We've seem where the great, gaping holes are in our inventory, and where we've got a surplus (um, glass vases or bowls, anyone?). I mean, they're nice and all, but we really have an awful lot of them.
So far, this is fun.
CS
Posted by Poet on November 3, 2007, at 15:47:01
In reply to Garage sale tomorrow, posted by ClearSkies on November 2, 2007, at 20:12:54
I hope someone came by who needed mass quantities of glass vases.
One-way ticket out of the house is very smart. If nobody bought it give it to charity.
Definitely look into a resale license. My friends who sells things online have a small shop and they couldn't get an antique sellers license in their community so they sell everything as resale.
Good luck with your busines and clearing out the house.
Poet
Posted by Phillipa on November 3, 2007, at 19:09:01
In reply to Garage sale tomorrow, posted by ClearSkies on November 2, 2007, at 20:12:54
Clear Skies got any Fiesta, Red Wing, Hull Art ones as Greg would be interested. Also at ebay go to 252Gregb as we met a girl who worked as a compurter programer and turned us on the some templets different styles for different goods very nice you can see some on only a few of our goods . I do like the snowman one with a kids sweater and bears and ice skating you do have to click the item and scroll down. Also on some coaches different style all together. There are over l00 different templets to use. Thought this might help with you web design. And hope the sale went well for you in your new business venture. Phillipa
Posted by ClearSkies on November 3, 2007, at 19:43:56
In reply to How did it go?, posted by Poet on November 3, 2007, at 15:47:01
Well, we happened to watch a DVD the night before about buying and selling at flea markets, so we took the advice and set up early - real early, like 6:30AM. People were out with flashlights checking everything out!! Wild! There was one single item that we'd put out that got snatched up as a "sleeper", but I really think that it was a bogus item, or at least an imitation (and it was priced as such). Of course, my husband immediately started kicking himself for letting the thing go, but what a fascinating experience!
We sold about half the stuff during the sale - most of it for less than we'd marked it at, which was completely what I expected. The rest I plan to take to my favourite charity shop. It was a really satisfying experience to see people get enthusiastic about the things we had - if they only knew we have an entire garage full of even BETTER junk!
I'm in the process of getting a resale license from the state so we'll be able to "do" the shows. I really want to do this business properly and make a go of it.
CLearSkies
Posted by ClearSkies on November 3, 2007, at 19:45:35
In reply to Re: Garage sale tomorrow » ClearSkies, posted by Phillipa on November 3, 2007, at 19:09:01
No, none of that stuff - this lady mostly had glass and only glass. I posted to Poet about the garage sale, it was hard work but a lot of fun! I think I'm going to like this.
Thanks
CS
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