14 Easy Tips to Help You Conquer Shipping Fears

January 23, 2018 by Florence 25 Comments

Potential new sellers, stymied by fears of shipping, can’t move forward with their goals. I remember feeling that way myself! Here I show you 14 Easy Tips to Help You Conquer Shipping Fears. I use the services of the USPS (US Postal Service) because they are consistently cheaper than other carriers like Fed Ex and UPS. Another service on the scene for shipping packages is Stamps.com, affiliated with USPS.

In this post, you’ll find lots of basic information, but the best way to learn about shipping is to start with the basics.

What to Know about Shipping Before You Start Selling

You don’t have to go to the Post Office to ship your packages! Who wants to stand in line??? I sure don’t! You can pay for postage and print labels…all from home, as long as you have a printer.

Exception…When You Might Want to Drop off Packages Yourself:

To Avoid mail theft

Mail Theft is a growing problem, especially around the holidays. Thieves steal, not caring whether the item is desirable or not. It’s a big concern for folks living in apartments, garden homes or townhouse communities where porches and front doors are clearly visible from the street. Authorities recommend shipping to and from work, or soliciting a trusted neighbor to help you.

My method that works so far: If I have larger boxes, I leave a note for the carrier inside the mailbox with the flag up. Because my front door is located far enough away, I can hide them a bit behind a pillar and potted plants. The carrier comes up the driveway eliminating the need to schedule a pickup which has to be done the day before. So far, no problems, but I worry about it. I used to leave packages ready at the mailbox, but no more.

How Shipping Rates are Determined

All shipping rates are determined by weight of item in the box with packing materials, dimensions of box, and destination zip code.

Invest in a Postal Scale to weigh packages. They are inexpensive.

At the end of the post, you will find suggestions to get you started with basic shipping supplies. If you purchase, I will earn a small commission to help support this blog, but it won’t cost you a penny more. See my Disclosure policy here.

A kitchen or bathroom scale is not adequate. I admit I started with a kitchen scale, but quickly found it was not weighing items accurately. Weights came out higher than they actually were.

I’ve been asked how to decide which shipping rate to use. This is where a postal scale is handy. On any selling site, you must know what the item weighs, and box dimensions. Shipping rates are always determined by weight and distance.

Essentials every new seller needs:

We assume you already have computer, printer, and copy paper. The essentials below are dependent on what you plan to sell.

Postal scale
Boxes or mailers
Packing Tape
Bubble wrap
Ruler or Sewing Measure

Packing

You can get plenty of shipping supplies for free if you know where to look.

I only buy bubble wrap, packing tape, and padded mailers.

You should wrap or pad most everything even if it’s not breakable.

I wrap almost everything in bubble wrap. I shipped 3 suitcases to a buyer years ago. No padding in the box whatsoever. The oldest, most desirable suitcase arrived dented. Now I use styrofoam sheets packed around suitcases as protection.

Padded bubble wrap mailers are NOT enough protection for most things, and non-padded envelopes are practically no protection.

Starting out, I sold vintage Barbie stuff. I used a non-padded envelope to ship an outfit with the Barbie high-heel shoes. Because I was ignorant and trying to save money, I used no packing material. The shoes weren’t breakable, but they arrived crushed.

Being professional is important for your brand and reputation.

A no-brainer, right? I mention it because of buyer turn-offs below regarding packages they have received.

PACKAGE TURN-OFFS:

I promise…I’m not making these up!

Items wrapped in diapers

Packages wrapped with plastic grocery bags or dry cleaner bags.

Used sandwich bags to wrap an item

Boxes with roach carcasses in the bottom, and even a live roach crawling out of one.

Buyers complaining of a dented box (Not much you can do about that beforehand!)

Shipping in a diaper box or Raisin Bran box doesn’t look very professional

Shipping in a Tampon Box

Knowing how to pack is a learned skill, which takes practice. It’s not the Post Office’s fault if your item arrives broken. Rule of Thumb: Pack it to withstand being thrown into the back of an empty postal truck from 4 feet away, or smushed by the weight of heavier boxes. Forget writing Fragile on the box.

I shipped a ceramic mug a couple of years ago. The box was way too small for it, but I didn’t have the right size at the time, so I took a chance. Bad move. I heard the mail carrier throw it into the back of the empty truck and I cringed. Yes it was broken. Refunded the buyer’s money. It doesn’t pay to take chances.

Insurance

To insure or not: It is recommended you insure expensive, valuable items or electronic devices.

Options: Insurance is already built into Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, and Priority Mail International. It doesn’t come with other services like First Class Mail, Parcel Select Ground, and others. You can buy it through USPS, or 3rd parties like Shipsurance or U-Pic, which usually offer broader coverage and less hassle.

I seldom buy insurance because I don’t deal in electronics or very expensive items.

Types of Boxes

Difference between Flat Rate boxes and regular boxes.

examples-of-flat-rate-boxes — These are Flat Rate boxes

Flat rate boxes come in several sizes and are good for those who sell certain size items and know what size box works for them. Flat rate is only for Priority Mail. Some boxes carry a Priority Mail Express option as well. More information about using flat rate boxes and limitations here.

When I started selling, I had no idea what a flat rate box was. So what are the differences? Other than looking different, here are the pros and cons.

PROS:

Ships heavy items up to 70 lbs for the rate set as long as it fits in the box

Boxes are free and delivered directly to your door

You have the advantage of a new, unused box to ship your items

“If it fits, it ships” for the rate set for the size box

Insurance is automatically provided up to $50 for Domestic/$100 for International

CONS

“If it fits, it ships.” Since I sell vintage pieces of all shapes and sizes, most of the time my stuff doesn’t fit. Even the largest size box doesn’t hold much.

You can only use their boxes if you’re shipping Flat Rate. You can’t use them if you just happen to need a box that size, but plan to ship another way.

You can often ship cheaper without using Flat Rate

Packing Supplies

Invest in good quality packing supplies.

Don’t Buy Cheap, Off-Brand Packing Tape! (like the one below.) Buy good quality to begin with. I recommend 3-M or Scotch. I bought a case of cheap tape, which lasted several years…ugh. Pretty pathetic quality…I used twice as much trying to get it to stick. Do dust your box before applying tape. No tape sticks to a dusty box no matter how good it is.

Use the lightest weight, most effective packing supplies you can. What are the lightest weight packing supplies? I’m glad you asked because I conducted my own study!

I measured 5 oz of 6 different packing supplies comparing their volume for usability:

Bubble wrap

Styrofoam Peanuts

Foam Rubber

Air pillows

Newspaper

Brown Butcher Paper

Conclusion: No surprise that air pillows came in #1 for lightest weight packing supply, and newspapers last. Newspapers and brown butcher paper provide almost zero protection.

Common Postal Services

Familiarize yourself with the various postal services. Each have their requirements and limitations.

Domestic:

First Class

Priority Mail

Priority Mail Express

Media Mail

Parcel Select Ground

International shipments:

First Class Mail International

Priority Mail International

Are you overwhelmed yet? In overload? Don’t worry. As you start selling, this will become second nature. I didn’t learn everything in the beginning. I learned it here…in The School of Hard Knocks!

why I charge 50% to sell for you — My Certificate

Hopefully you won’t be going there because I’m giving you the basics! Just like anything else, you learn by doing.

Anyone else have tips and tricks to share?

Etsy Ebay Sales December 2017…Best Month Ever

January 7, 2018 by Florence 32 Comments

It’s been another great month for Etsy Ebay Sales December 2017…Best Month Ever! 46 sales in 2 Etsy shops, and 2 on Ebay. I’m sorry this is a bit long, but hang with me if you can. Get ready for a photo-rich post, and let’s dive in!

Etsy Sales December 2017

Vintage Southern Picks

If you’re new here, I have 2 Etsy shops: Vintage Southern Picks and SquareDanceNWestern.

I’m anxious for you to know that my monthly Etsy sales reports are meant to be helpful to other sellers, not to brag.

Set of 5 Vintage Christmas 45 records with the Mitch Miller Orchestra. I’ve had these so long I can’t remember what I paid for them! Sold $16.00

Such a unique photo found at an estate sale…a woman from the 1920’s with bobbed hair and flapper dress. Person who bought this loved it. Sold for $22.40

Set 3 Aunt Martha’s Hot Iron Transfers…have had a long time. Sold $7.99

Fascinating book from the 40’s~”Berlin Diary” about the rise of Hitler, written from the perspective of a journalist living during those years. Very interesting book which I read a good bit of. Sold for $20.00 to a man in Austria. (Paid $1.) Several were on Etsy at the time of listing.

When I list books, I make it a point to give an in-depth description…more than just a sentence. I take photos of the table of contents, or outline in some way. It helps if you’ve read it, but we can’t always do that. If it were me buying a book, I would want to know details beyond a single sentence. Does it help sell it? I think so.

I’ve bought lots of sewing supplies as lots, where many items are dumped together, which is where I found this full set of Boye Crochet hooks. Can’t remember what I paid for them. Sold for $16.00.

Can someone tell me if crochet hooks and tatting hooks are the same thing? Or what tatting hooks are? I know nothing about either one.

Vintage Christmas Candoliers often displayed in windows…Sold for $23.20

Large homemade Christmas tablecloth found at an estate sale. I didn’t ask much because I didn’t like the way it looked with a big seam down the middle. Paid $4/Sold for $12.00.

I usually buy cabinet knobs if they’re in any way unusual. Paid more than I like to for these at $4. Sold $24.00

A vintage Christmas tablecloth I ruined by over-soaking to remove stains, but guess what? It didn’t do a thing for the stains, but my overzealous efforts left it with blotchy faded color, so I sold it cheap. $8.00

Can someone share with me a good way to clean vintage linens that won’t remove color?

I know nothing about these pretty Fawn Better Homes & Gardens Christmas plates. This is a sandwich plate size. I doubt they are vintage, but it was given to me by a sweet cousin, so I listed it. Sold for $8.80

Unusual wooden cigar box with 2 ways to open it. Believe I paid $2. Sold $15.00

These decorative glass jars took a long time to sell, but they eventually do. Normally, I wouldn’t buy them, but they were so cheap at a flea market for $1/ea, I couldn’t pass them up. Sold for $22.00

I found this colorful afghan at a basement estate sale, and it was pretty, but musty. I hung it on a clothesline in our hot attic a couple of days, and that took care of it. Paid $1. Sold for $44.00.

I’ve had this Cross Pen and Pencil Set a long time and never checked to see if it worked. It did. Paid $2. Sold for $30.00, and mine was one of the lower cost ones.

Full bottle of English Leather took forever to sell. On sale, and someone wanted more off!

Paid 50¢. Sold for $12.00

Vintage Floating Fish Knife. Paid $1. Sold for $13.60

Vintage Fur Muff…been trying for 3-4 years to sell this, so I guess it helps that it was especially cold this year…LOL. Sold to someone in Vermont. Paid $1 and I had to make a little sewing repair. Sold for $28.00.

I did a lot of embroidery back in the day and the next 2 pieces are part of those projects. I’ve been selling off each one. I’d rather sell them this way and get a little for them than have them end up in a garage sale for $1/each! Unfortunately, you never get what these are really worth. Sold for $15.00

I had a most unusual request to “wrap” this to protect it during shipment. If I ever wrap something in bubble wrap, this wouldn’t be it! But I did it to please the customer. Sold for $15.20.

Vintage Oil lamps have been good sellers, but I don’t buy the plain ordinary ones. If you notice, this has a more unusual base and the filler cap embedded into the glass. Paid $2.50. Sold for $44.90.

I’ve had this a long time, but not listed long. Ed Hardy Cologne, which is an off-brand, but it was full, had the box, and would make a nice Christmas gift. Has anyone heard of Ed Hardy products? I hadn’t. Can’t remember what I paid for it…probably $1. Sold for $7.19

Sweet little Occupied Japan figurine, made to look like the popular German Hummels. Paid $1. Took me an hour to find it after it sold because I’d already taken it out of my inventory to put in my next garage sale! Sold for $20.00

I fell in love with this thrift store find…a rustic pig napkin holder only to find there were already 100 of the exact one on Etsy! Paid $1.99. Sold for $16.20.

Another thrift store Christmas sleigh I thought so pretty. Can’t remember what I paid for this. Sold for $14.40.

Pink patchwork quilted throw found at an estate sale. Paid $4. Sold for $23.20

Reagan Paper Dolls Booklets…selling for a friend. Sold for $8.00. Unfortunately, these don’t bring much.

Selling for a friend, this Double Picture Frame required quite a bit of repair to get it in salable condition. Frankly, I was surprised it sold because my photo didn’t do it justice. Sold for $19.99

I’ve had this a long time too. Can’t remember what I paid. Sold for $16.00

Silverplate trivet has taken forever to sell. I won’t buy them again, (although I have another in my shop now.) Hoping it will sell before 3 years passes! Can’t remember what I paid. Sold for $14.39.

I found a big box of quilting supplies for $8 at an estate sale. In it were 8 quilt tops, and other fabric scraps. The next 2 are from that lot, and I’ve sold all 8 but one. Sold for $17.60

The 2nd quilt top….sold for $26.99 right after Christmas.

This was such a charming key holder, which if you remember, was in my post “And Then There’s What Won’t Sell” It finally sold this year for $15.16.

I found this pretty little pewter chamberstick with etched glass globe at an estate sale last year for $2. Sold for $21.59.

A friend who does weddings gave me a humongous garbage bag full of white tulle, used once for pew markers, so I decided to try selling it before it landed in my next garage sale. I figured it wouldn’t sell, but it did. This is just a fraction of what I have on hand. Sold for $9.60.

I found these wooden castanets at a thrift store. I believe they were souvenirs, and I figured they wouldn’t sell either, but they did. The right person came along looking for castanets to celebrate her 90-year-old flamenco-dancer-mother’s birthday! Sold for $16.00.

One of 4 “Josef’s Originals” unmarked mouse figurines found at an estate sale a few months ago. Paid 50¢. Sold for $6.40.

I’ve had these Vintage wooden suit/slack hangers a long time and never listed them because I didn’t think they would sell, but they went to Australia. Sold for $28.00 with shipping of over $60.00

SquareDanceNWestern Etsy Shop Sales

Brass Square Dance belt buckle I’ve had on hand a long time. Sold for $16.00

Selling for a friend…a Commemorative 50th Anniversary Houston Livestock Show Belt Buckle. Sold for $28.00 after Christmas.

Ladies stretchy black Square Dance belt. Sold for $17.00

Ladies Red Square Dance Flat Shoes…sold for $21.00

Men’s Two Western String Ties in Black and Navy…sold for $6.00

Selling for a friend…Abalone Western Belt Buckle…sold for $30.00.

Selling for a friend…Men’s White Western Shirt with Embroidered Flowers…sold for $22.00

Ebay Sales

When researching the value of this Sony Walkman Cassette Player/Radio combo, I learned that the lowly cassette is making a comeback! Who knew? They’re not worth a whole lot, but certain ones appear to sell. If anyone is like me where nothing is beneath your notice, check it out. Paid 50¢. Sold for $25 to a guy in Canada, who told me to wrap it very carefully.

This is an Estee Lauder solid perfume compact. She has a whole series on these made in various forms such as frogs, other animals, fans, etc. They’re always decorative and beautiful. This was complete with the original box, original papers, original pouch, and not used, so I could sell it for more. Selling for a friend at $90.00

That’s it. Hope you enjoyed it, and if you haven’t overdosed yet on what’s sold for me on Etsy and Ebay, you can whet your appetite by checking out more posts below.

Please Pin! Thank you!

I’ve had several requests for posts on shipping, so stay tuned for that this month!

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The items below are ones often needed for those wanting to embark upon a hobby of selling online. If you make a purchase, I receive a small commission, but you don’t pay a penny more. For more info, please visit my disclosure policy here.

Smokin’ Hot November 2017 Etsy Sales

December 11, 2017 by Florence 39 Comments

Hello Friends!

Before it gets too far into December, I want to share my Smokin’ Hot November 2017 Etsy Sales. 42 Sales in 2 Etsy shops…woo hoo! It was a good month! Normally I would be posting this as of yesterday…Sunday…but I probably watched one too many Christmas chick flicks, and played one too many Magic Jigsaw Puzzles this week! But I’m about to make it up to you, so grab a seat and a cup of Christmas cheer, and we’ll dive in.

These are sales from my main Etsy shop, where I sell vintage of all types. I’m having a store-wide 20% off sale right now. Hop on over to see if there’s something you can’t live without!

Here are my Smokin’ Hot Sales for November!

Whenever I can find an empty Bates List Finder Address Book, it goes very quickly…sold for $22.88

I asked a lot for this because it was in beautiful condition…sold for $35

Black Floral Sewing Box, in very nice condition…sold to a gal in Australia for $30. She paid over $60 in shipping.

Vintage Celluloid Hand Mirror…sold for $29.95

Gorgeous Vintage Chenille Bedspread…had several stains, but sold for $48.00

Set of 4 Christmas placemats, an estate sale find in Tennessee…sold for $17.00

I made the mistake of trying to get stains out of this by soaking it for several days, but it removed color too (not the stains). A darling Vintage Card-Table Tablecloth. Sold cheap at $7.60

Christmas Wrapping Paper Lot…sold for $6.00

1 yd Cat fabric…sold for $9.99

Over 3 yds Fall Fabric…sold for $24.00

Another Tennessee Thrift Store Find. It was gold and I painted it white…a Wall Mount Fancy Plant Holder…sold for $22.00

First time I’ve ever lucked up on a Double Wooden In/Out Tray…sold for $42.00

Eagles LP Record with “Desperado”…. sold for $11.00

Emerald green Crown Bottle Made in Italy…missing the stopper…sold for $6.99

Set 12 Faux Emerald Napkin Rings, which could double as Christmas ornaments…sold for $20.30

An “Ugly” Christmas Sweater, which wasn’t so ugly, but it’s a great keyword to use to get more eyes. Sold for $20. It was also never worn.

A garage sale find from a while back…an apparently unused Hallmark Recipe Box with a set of recipe cards…sold for $12.00

Hollywood Regency Tissue Box Holder….in great shape….sold for $23.82

Family size Holy Bible…sold for $45.00

Large wooden cradle…sold for $50, but it arrived damaged, so I refunded all their money, including shipping costs. Remind me again not to sell and ship items this large!

Vintage Hinged Powder Box…love these vanity items from the 50’s-60’s era! Sold for $15.50

Another thrift store find from Tennessee, only to return home to find multiples of the same thing on Etsy, but it sold at $16.80.

“Dot and Jim” First Grade Primer, dating from the late 60’s, a recent estate sale find. I just knew it wouldn’t sell, but it did! $11.08

Natural wood Recipe Boxes, not my taste, but they always sell for me….$18.75

I was tired of this Metal Tabletop Christmas Tree sitting on my hallway floor all year, so I finally sold it! Us pickers run out of places to put things sometimes! Sold for $30.00

A recent estate sale find…Needlepoint Christmas Pillow…sold for $20.00

Pair of Old Lamp Base Parts…sold for $25.00. Always grab lamp parts when you see them if they’re cheap. You can piece them out, even if you don’t know what the parts are called. I’m still selling off the last box I found.

Over 50 Vintage Wooden Sewing Spools…sold for $29.99

Pair of really old Owl Bookends (in our bookcase as long as I can remember). Can’t you just see these in a library somewhere? And that’s who bought them…$34.00

Part of a set of 3 Faux Oil Paintings found in Tennessee…sold for $23.99

3 Vintage Raffiaware Mugs…sold for $26.50 with free shipping.

A recent estate sale find…Small Oval Mirror Tray…sold for $14.80

This was my first Jewelry Box Makeover, but it took forever to sell….$30.00

Darling Vintage Metal Cake Taker, but on the small side…sold for $22.00 to a gal in Norway.

Cute Vintage Wood Recipe Box…sold for $15.96

Vintage Tower Camera…sold for $20.80

Remember in this post I talked about what won’t sell? This ne’er do well finally sold after being renewed 5x! Waterford Number One! Maybe offering free shipping did the trick. Just glad it finally went! $25.42.

I’ve had this Belt Buckle forever, and it finally sold. $18.00

Another wooden Humpback Pirate Chest Men’s Jewelry Box. It has a funky finish on it, but remember I said in this post to always grab these? It’s because they always sell, even when they have a funky finish. Sold for $22.00

ALWAYS grab these ceramic Christmas trees. This was missing 6 bulbs, but it still sold within 24 hrs. I should have asked more. $20.00

And in my SquareDanceNWestern shop, these sold:

Men’s Purple Western Shirt…$22.00

Men’s Black and White Check Western Shirt…$18.99

The next 2 items were bought by a lady who had to take part in a “Hee Haw” play.

Square Dance Blouse…sold for $15.00

Pretty Green Christmas Poinsettia Skirt…sold for $28.00

Christmas Square Dance Apron I made myself, but it had stains on the front…$16.00

Pair of Men’s Collar Tips, missing a stone…sold for $9.00

2 Men’s Western Ties, designed to be worn with scarf rings…sold for $12.00

Men’s Western Bolo…sold for $18.50

Sorry this was so long, and I hope you stayed with me! What was your favorite? Did you learn anything new?

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Ebay/Etsy Sales Recap for October 2017

November 12, 2017 by Florence 40 Comments

Hello friends,

Here again with another Ebay/Etsy Sales Recap for October 2017! 39 sales! Very happy about that. Biz is definitely picking up with the holiday season coming on.

Sales in VintageSouthernPicks Etsy shop:

2 rolls vintage contact paper…found in a country farmhouse…sold $22

Solid brass Teacup Display Holder….found in a Tennessee thrift store….sold $28

Beautiful handmade crochet tablecloth…paid $2. Sold for $55. The buyer emailed to tell me that according to tracking, it was delivered, but she didn’t get it. I hate those kinds of cases because usually the buyer expects the seller to do something about it! But she didn’t and it’s the first time in 19 years of online selling that this has ever happened. She assumed someone in her condo community got it by mistake, so she waited on pins and needles hoping the person would be honest, and give her her package. After several weeks, she let me know she got it.

This was a cool Fox Head Letter Opener made in England. Sold for $19.99

Shadowbox-size trio of green frogs…sold for $12,00

Over 100 wooden furniture buttons…found in the same country farmhouse….sold for $9.50 with free shipping

Set of 4 glass knobs….sold to someone in Canada for $17.50

Vintage glass hypodermic syringe…sold for $15.00

Vintage hand fan…sold for $12.50

Fresh hickory nuts gathered out of my yard & sold to someone in Japan for $8.50. They paid over $34 for shipping. I had some concerns about whether these would clear Customs, but I took a chance and sent them anyway.

Vintage Oil Lantern…sold for $23.00

Vintage Pan Am dishes….sold for $12.00

Vintage plaid check Sunbonnet and Apron…sold for $22. I was surprised it sold this time of year.

Vintage red plaid tam for men…sold for $32.00 (I believe I paid $2)

Vintage plaid tam for men #2…sold for $32

Vintage Quilt top…sold for $22. I bought a big box of quilt tops, fabric remnants, and pieces of quilts at an estate sale for $8. This was one of the prettier quilt tops. The others really aren’t very attractive, and they’ve been slow sellers. I have sold several things out of the box though, and made back all my $8, and then some.

A gal was buying this Theodore Roosevelt Paper Doll booklet for her husband…sold for $7.00 Go figure.

Vintage brass padlock…only about an inch long…sold for $8.50

Starbella yarn…sold for $8.00

Vintage Tea Infuser…sold for $10.99

Sewing trims….sold for $12.00. In my opinion, these were worth more, but you have to keep your prices in line with what other people are asking.

Unopened White Shoulders perfume….sold for $20.00. This was a sister birthday gift. The buyer emailed me after the sale to say she gave me the wrong address even though her sister had moved some time ago. Nothing I could do about it, of course. I told her that people sometimes won’t return items not meant for them, which is true. I never heard back from her, and I don’t ask. It just opens a can of worms if you do.

Christmas Heart plate…sold for $16.00. I’m not sure this was vintage. Someone gave it to me, and I wanted to try selling it, so I put it in my Etsy shop.

Over 4 yds Christmas Western fabric…sold for $39.90

Sales in SquareDanceNWestern Etsy shop:

The next 4 items were bought by a local theatre company.

Darling ruffled white Square Dance blouse trimmed in red rick rack…sold for $15

Solid green ruffled Square Dance blouse…sold for $20.00

Green Square Dance dress trimmed in white and pink lace…sold for $28.00.

TIP: It’s much harder to sell dresses, especially if they’re non-elastic, because these are usually custom-made for an individual. They don’t routinely fit everybody. Size small Square Dance skirts or dresses are also very hard to sell. (I have sold them, but they take much longer.) Most in the Square Dance community are…ahem, cough, cough…overweight adults…who haven’t seen a size small in quite some time.

How to recognize a Square Dance dress, blouse, or skirt in a thrift store: think 50’s attire…big full-circle skirts with lots of ruffles and lace. Skirt lengths usually look short. Although they do make longer length skirts. Blouses are ruffled with plenty of flounce, puffed sleeves, and/or lace.

Funny story: We were out-of-town going to a Square dance function and were with our group at a restaurant for lunch. Some lady came up, looked me up and down, and said, “Uh, you know that’s been out of fashion for some time.” And I’m like, “huh?” I guess she thought I felt like dressing 50’s that day. All I needed was some bobby sox & rah-rahs, you know?

Darling red and white Square Dance dress…sold for $30 (this was totally non-elastic)

White Square Dance blouse…sold for $24. A lady calling herself “the blouse collector” bought this. I didn’t know people collected blouses.

I sold this for only $14 because it had a small stain, a small hole, and the elastic was wearing out.

Autumn-themed Square Dance Apron/Overskirt…sold for $22.

Mustard yellow Square Dance petticoat…sold to a gal in Ireland…$25.00

Trivia for the Day: Did you know Square Dancing is done all over the world? The calls are always in English, even if it’s in Japan, for example. We went to several National Square Dance Conventions, where we danced with people from other countries. They couldn’t speak much English, but they knew the Square Dance calls!

Darling ladies’western shirt. It had 4 stains on it, but it was so cute, I listed it anyway, revealing all flaws. Sold for $10

Cute little crinkly cotton black sleeveless top with big ruffle. Could be worn off-shoulder. Sold for $20.

Men’s Western shirt…sold for $18.00

Men’s White Western Shirt…sold for $17.99

Another Men’s Western Shirt with Embroidered Yoke…sold for $14.99. Sold cheap because one of the snaps didn’t work.

Indian Head Western bolo…sold for $14.00

One Ebay sale….my husband sold a Lowell Wrench for $45 (not pictured)

So there you have it for October.

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Ebay Etsy Sales Recap September 2017

October 22, 2017 by Florence 33 Comments

Here it is the middle of October, 2017, and I’m just now doing the Ebay/Etsy Sales Recap September 2017. Better late than never, I suppose. Can we all agree that the year is flying by? It was a total of 32 sales in 3 shops.

EBAY ETSY SALES RECAP

Ebay Sales:

Just one sale on Ebay, and here it is…a Fred Bear 24 hr Emergency Candle. Sold for $32 and I probably could have gotten more, but there were no sold stats to compare to at the time I was listing it.

Funny Story: Hubby saw this at a thrift store one day when we were out, and put it in the cart. It was $1, and I remember thinking, “What in heaven’s name are you buying THAT for??? We don’t need it,” but he can hardly resist a gadget. I didn’t say anything. Only to find out later, these things are collectible! It was gone in 24 hrs. of listing it. Can you believe it??

Etsy Sales for Vintage Southern Picks

This was a fun sale…a Gag Gift Walking Cane…one of those “Over the Hill” gifts. It had a rearview mirror, rabbit’s foot, and plastic bicycle horn attached to a bamboo cane…cute as could be, and I found it in a neighbor’s trash can! Sold for $16.

10 Large Wooden Buttons…sold these for $4 with free shipping. I made a little on them.

Vintage Makeup Mirror…I bought this for $6, which is more than I like to spend for these. Usually I can find them for $1-2, but I bought because they sell well. Sold for $30

I had to do a lot of work on the salt shaker when I bought these. It had corroded so badly that the cap wouldn’t come off. Finally we got it off, but a lot of corrosion remained about the lid, which is what happens when people leave salt in the shaker. It took a long time to sell. I bought these Filigree Silver Salt and Pepper Shakers because I thought they were pretty, but never again before I check that lid thoroughly. Sold for $20.00

The next two items sold together for someone doing a Farmhouse kitchen. Napkin Holder combo sold for $18.95…

And a Wooden Mail Organizer on which I painted some doily stencil designs…sold for $28.

I bought some sewing stuff at an estate sale in Tennessee, and this Sewing Trim was one of the items. There were a lot of factory flaws within the trim, but there was 36 yards of it, so it sold right away for $19.00

And at that same sale I bought one of these storage containers full of sewing notions. These types of empty containers are all over Etsy. I wasn’t sure if it would sell or not, but it went right away….$9.00

Vintage Recipe Boxes usually do fairly well…Sold for $18.00

I bet you don’t know what these are! I didn’t either. Someone running a yard sale gave us these saying they were Vintage Piano Handles, used to move an old piano around. I just knew they wouldn’t sell. In fact, I had already removed them from the package to put in our next yard sale. If that didn’t work, maybe burn them…haha. But they sold for $16. Just goes to show…sometimes those odd quirky things are what appeal to people.

This was a really quality Pewter cup I found at a thrift store in Tennessee. I wasn’t sure how old it was, but it was signed “Frieling Zinn” 95% pewter, made in Germany. It was covered with various postal delivery designs on the sides. I wasn’t able to find out much about it, so I priced it cheap at $15.99.

This is a really nice letter opener, which had a pocket knife attached. Sold $21.99

Stack of Nancy Drew books, which were reprints. I got them cheap, but I will never buy again. They took forever to sell. $20.00

This was a really pretty and somewhat unusual framed wall mirror that could also be a jewelry tray…found at a thrift store in Mississippi. Sold for $35.00

Here is a large jewelry box that opened out like you see below…really big. When I bought it, I didn’t notice that the outer lining was off in some places, completely exposing the bare wood underneath. Don’t you hate it when you don’t notice major flaws like that? And then, to top it all off, I offered way too much on it…$10, and they said, “yeah, we’ll take 10!” Well, I didn’t see the flaws at that time. The lighting was poor, and my eyesight isn’t good either, so I overpaid for it.

I attempted the fix which you see in photos…decorative paper which I decoupaged on. I didn’t want to paint this, and I didn’t want to attempt to finish removing the outer lining, so I did what I could to disguise the issues. I really hated it, but didn’t know what else to do.

The saving grace of this whole fiasco…was a vintage jewelry set (Rhinestone brooch and ear bobs) overlooked in the case, which sold last year for $48.

The case sold for $44.00, and the person who bought it, seemed delighted. It ended well.

This was a piece of Lamp Salvage, identical to a piece sold last month, $15

More pieces of lamp salvage…set of 4 Bobeches, made out of pot metal, and paint chipped. Sold for $24.00

Wooden In/Out Tray, shipped all the way to Australia. Sold for $28.00

Set of Embroidery Hoops…sold $11.00

This is a Mini Hand Mirror, only 4″L. Sold for $21.00

A US Flag Belt Buckle…sold for $17.50

A darling little Ladies Crochet Hat Pincushion…sold for $8.00

Empty Baccarat box…sold for $9.00. I had no idea an empty Baccarat box was appealing to anyone. Originally I had it with some other old jewelry display cases I was selling in a lot. Two people emailed me wanting to buy the red box alone, so DING…DING…DING, that told me I should sell it separately. I told the first person I would sell it to him for $10, and I never heard from them again, but I ended up selling it for $9. So yes, people will buy empty boxes!

In fact, I have to tell you this little story too. I was going through some things up in the attic a few years ago, and found a vintage Vogue Ginny doll box (empty). I almost threw it in the recycle bin, but I thought, “no, I’ll see if I can sell it on Ebay.” Would you believe that empty box sold for nearly $50??

Sorry this is so long y’all. I have a few more…

Sales from~SquareDanceNWestern…my 2nd Etsy Shop

This was an outstanding beautiful men’s western shirt of my husband’s….very Roy Rogers-looking…only worn a few times. Sold for $69.99

I’ve had this uncut Western shirt pattern on Ebay and Etsy off and on. Finally someone bought it, and paid Priority Mail Express to get it there. Sold for $15.65