Forced Closet Rehab

 Don't you hate to screw up right in the middle of something?

I had been putting off getting all of the winter coats and stuff that I have picked up since January moved into a place for storage until time to list for the fall. Those heavy wool coats are too much for plastic totes. I have a closet in the bedroom that I am now using for ebay photos, prep and shipping. It is a good sized closet with the ever popular Closet Maid wire shelving system. I have never been fond of the way this one was arranged. The long area for dresses and coats was way up high and the short area for blouses and slacks was way too low and the shelves were totally useless because a 12" wide wire shelf that is about 5" tall is only going to hold so much stuff and not 5" tall worth of stuff.

So, you can imagine what happened. I had it loaded, not fully loaded I thought, and it came crashing down. Almost broke my fingers on my left hand when the thing collapsed. Not to mention the tangle of stuff and holes in the wall. Sorry, but I didn't get any photos. Believe me it was a big mess.

I let it sit for a day before I had the courage to dig everything out and see what needed to be done. Holes in the wall from pulled out hooks and supports. Nothing bent or damaged but the walls.

I decided to just put a shelf across the back with a real wood closet rod that would support the Titanic. But because I didn't want to waste the shelves I tried to come up with a solution for how to best use them. The closet is 35" deep and the wire shelves were 36" long. Finally something working in my favor. So I think I have fixed the problem and now have lots of storage.
The right side of the closet with the floor and one shelf for shoes and another shelf and the tall shelf and hanger rod for short things, blouses and pants.
Above the hanger rod for short things I put another shelf to help use some of the space that 10' ceilings create. No one could stack something on those two lower shelves tall enough to use the excess space. Now you could put blankets, suitcases, Christmas stuff or anything you want to store. Just a step stool and you can reach it.
And I put the other shelf that I had on the other side of the closet just above the door for storage. All set except for the closet rod and support brackets that go under that wooden shelf across the back of the closet.

I didn't set out last week to totally remodel a closet but that is what I did. I took everything out, fixed the holes, painted the walls, reassembled the shelves, added a sturdy closet rod and hopefully made it better. Now all I need to do is find that dang stud finder so I can get the rod supports in place and fill up the closet again.

More trash talk...and a kitty

Well, from e-trash to hand written notes that trash my merchandise. I really don't understand why people feel the need to trash talk items. I failed to catch the missing snap back, it came off in the wash. I apologized and accepted the return and would have licked his boots.

Well, everything but the boots part.

Here is the note, misspelling and all.

"Tried to not go thru with this broken snap. also way to close for the rag bile. Very fair from excellent snap"

Did he mean rag pile and very far? Who knows. Glad that is done with. Not worried about feedback since he already implied that he would leave negative and ebay said I can get it removed if he does go thru with it.

Tuesday is bag day at my favorite thrift. A large garbage bag full for $10. Don't these folks know how much I can stuff in a garbage bag?

I can stuff exactly 83 items in a large garbage bag, and still tie the top as required. That is about 13c per item. Not bad. I found a pair of RL tartan plaid pajamas, gold crest, in the bins and those alone will more than double my investment. All of the 82 other items will just be more gravy.

I passed by a GW that I haven't been to in several weeks. It was late in the day and they usually aren't too  busy at that time of day. Didn't find much. An overpriced Vera Bradley bag that I passed on, new Land's End swim tops and a little kitty.
Well maybe, not a little kitty but same family. I debated about this item because of all of the recent negative publicity connected with the football program.I still picked this up and put it in my basket so I could check it on my phone. Check out the completeds and I think you will agree it was a good purchase.

Update:  3 hours and 18 minutes!!! thats how long the little kitty took to sell. I can't believe it went so fast and predictably it sold to someone in PA.

March sales have been so crappy that I cleaned it up and it will be up on Thursday. When I make that sale it will help to soothe the pain from the trash-talked shirt.

Happy hunting

The good...The bad

I am always amazed at sales on ebay. The things I think will sell sit and sit and sit. The things I really don't know why I bothered to purchase them much less list them go flying out the door. Like I tell SweetiePie, you never know what you will have to pack up on any given day. Eight inches of snow on the ground and I sell swimsuits, shorts and sun tea jars. Wool hats to Maine and Florida...on the same day.

The Bad
Everyone gets one of these on a regular basis."I want to return this". I know I will get returns. I try to deal with them as efficiently as possible. No emotion, just part of business. I had one last week that tested my intestinal fortitude severely!! A western shirt, missing the back of a snap on a pocket. I know I inspected the shirt before running it thru the laundry and it was fine. Everything was there. I didn't inspect after it came out of the dryer. Well, I guess I should have because apparently the back of the snap came off. No biggie, if I had found it I could have replaced with no problem.

This is the back, cool shirt

This guy had to trash talk the shirt and suggest that I was charging him $6 (return postage) to look at the shirt and said (twice) I deserved negative feedback  What? I explained that I had sent a return label thru ebay and all he needed to do was print it out and return the shirt at no additional cost to him. No problem, right? Finally after several heated emails from him (I was calm and professional) he grasped what he needed to do and has been silent. Gee whiz, it ain't rocket science just read your email and follow directions. So he finally printed the label and ebay tells me its on the way back. I hope that is the end of the story.

I think I'll make a new word: E-Trash, when someone describes the "terrible condition" of an item that they have purchased on ebay with repeated insults thru email

The Good
But there is always a silver lining. I sold a set of vintage king size sheets with pillowcases. Cotton blend percale from JC Penney, and a plus since they had the pillowcases included. They sold within a couple of weeks from listing them and I was happy to see them out the door.

But....I got them back last week. No notice that they were coming back from ebay or the buyer. Just this note in the package:

"I am returning this to you to re-sell. I do not need a refund. This is my own fault. I should have read the listing better! I love the texture of "vintage" sheets, I just don't love that they don't fit on my bed! They are beautiful, and I am sure someone else will love them. Your packaging was beautiful, as well as the presentation.
You obviously have a way to sell them, and I would rather that than my donating them to Goodwill. Thank you so much for your prompt delivery, and if I can figure out how to rate your service on EBay, I will, In the meantime, please re-sell them. Sincerely,"

I had to pick myself up off the floor. This has never happened in all my 15 years on ebay. So there are really nice people who purchase things on ebay. This return came right in the middle of the nasty, and unnecessary, emails from the shirt guy.

I have had these sheets for a week and have not relisted them. I don't feel comfortable doing that. I know what she said but I feel like I should send her some sheets that fit.

Should I contact her and ask what size she does need or just relist?

 My conscience says to contact her but I also don't want to offend her because she obviously wants to do a good deed. But what to do?

So there you have my good and bad week. Sales have been in the toilet, along with the bad weather. I did get to shop on Wednesday when the 99c racks were 2 for 99c. I was able to get winter things. But I really need spring and summer stuff.

Oh.....that means I get to go shopping again....right?

Don't need one...

This is what we have this morning.The weatherman said last night that we may get a dusting. So far we are up to 1/2" and down in the teens tonight and then another blast of snow tomorrow.

Looks like I'll be taking photos and listing and not worrying about getting packages out.

We did get the car out yesterday because we knew we needed to get a prescription that wasn't ready yesterday. On the way out to the car our regular postman came by. I only had two packages that I was going to drop by the post office. I flagged him down and asked him if he would take them and told him that I didn't have a bulk list. His reply? "Don't need one".

I don't know if that would be his response if I had 20 packages, but it's good to know in a pinch when I can't really leave the house and didn't schedule a pick up the night before that I can leave them for him to pick up.

My question of the day is, "If he doesn't need one, why does the postmaster need one at the post office?"

I love the view from our deck. There is a creek down the hill and we have lots of wild life. Deer by the dozens, ground hog, fox, raccoon, and about a million squirrel. Very peaceful with all of the snow.
 Hope everyone is safe and warm. I guess I'll just think about all the good stuff that I'm missing at the thrift stores...;)

Just Pick a Number & Postal Update

I was lucky in January with my 50% off coupon. I was in line at the check out before the 10am deadline and I spotted these under the counter.

North Face down filled boots, NEW North Face down filled boots. After a little research, I priced them at $65 and they sold in 2 days. Score!!! because there was a customer behind me in line at the TS that had already shouted out "if you don't want those, I do". I was thinking that "you'll have to rip these from my cold, dead hands", but I said "yes, I'll take them my grand daughter will love them". I got the the NF boots listed pretty quickly since winter is in full force and someone may just need them. 

 But I had these Diesel boots sitting in my listing tub for a couple of weeks. Just procrastinating getting them listed because they fit me and I was trying to decide if I wanted to keep them. Yes, I have jumbo feet. My SweetiePie said to sell them that I didn't need any more shoes. He's right, of course and I went ahead and listed them.

I researched and found only one pair listed at $50, in much nicer condition than these, a larger size and gray. But the reason I picked them up was the way they looked. All distressed and grungy on the outside, but the soles and insoles looked liked they had only been worn a few times. So I just decided that since I had sold the NF boots for $65 that I wanted $65 for these boots too. Poof, I just picked a number. Too low, too high I didn't know.

Sold in 2 days. So much for that gut feeling!! I love it.

Postal Update
A while back I asked about what everyone else did when they took their packages to the post office with postage already attached. Most replied that they just dropped them off with no problems. No one said anything about having to have a bulk shipping manifest. Some post offices apparently have special lines for bulk mailing.

Well I had several talks with the current postmaster and she kept trying to force me to use the bulk listing. I really have tried to figure it out, to no avail. I tried explaining that I couldn't figure out how to use the bulk shipping on ebay and print my labels/receipts the way I wanted to. She even called USPS to get a printout of the correct procedure. That printout was for Click N Ship and paypal customers. When I tried to explain that if I used either one of those services I would have to manually enter all of the tracking numbers and match them to the items shipped she didn't seem too concerned. She even told me since I get a commercial discount with ebay shipping if I didn't use the bulk listing that I would lose my discount and have to pay full price.

Let me repeat that. She told me that since I get a discount with ebay shipping, if I didn't use the bulk listing that I would lose my discount and would be charged full price. Charged by who? That little bit of information exploded in my head. I haven't checked with the USPS website but I'm pretty sure that the postmaster at my little post office would have a hard time collecting the additional postage from any of the ebay customers that come in our post office. After all there is another post office only two miles further down the road. I could always go there if she wants to act like a _____. (fill in the blank with words of your choice)

Until next time...just go with the gut.

Love 50% off Coupons!!

The coupon special at my favorite thrift for the month of February is 50% off of winter coats and sweaters. So I just had to go an use my coupons. The coupon is also good for 25% off of your entire purchase, but you have to choose which to use.  Choose, I can't choose!! So I'll just use two coupons. One for coats and sweaters and one for everything else. So while I was shopping I kept the coats and sweaters separate from everything else.

This is also the TS with the 99c rack, and sometimes it is 2/99c. These racks are outside under a sheltered area and it was late and it was really, really cold and the wind was blowing. And I was the only fool crazy person outside. Easy picking!!

I found several interesting coats. Sorry about the bad photos. I was in a hurry and the light from the big window in the dining room was messing up the colors. I was too lazy to reset my camera!!
This is a Travelsmith women's wool coat. The seams are flat stitched with overcast on the edges to reduce bulk. The sleeves are nice and long and you can fold them up for long or short arms. It also has a button out light wool lining. I didn't find any online now to compare with but it is a really nice long coat.
This is a WWII Swiss army coat, dated 1941. Green wool and very heavy. Well made and no holes. Someone "harvested" all of the buttons except the ones on the epaulets so I don't know if I will replace the buttons or sell as is. I can't find the buttons to match the two left. I may just put coat buttons on.
This is a J Crew stadium cloth, university jacket. Very light wear and the two slash pockets, just above the flaps, are still stitched together. Very nice.
A Cabela's field jacket, barn jacket women's size. Very nice condition, light wear.
This was on the 99c rack and is a beautiful ivory brocade coat. When I saw it I thought Bride or Mother of the Bride. Looks new and very dressy.
This isn't a coat and it was on the 99c rack. A brand new burgundy choir cassock. This brand wasn't on ebay, but similar ones were in the $50-80 range. What?????

So this is some of the items I found this week.I didn't get pictures of all the sheets I picked up for 20c each.
Yes, that is correct 20 cents each, 5 for $1.00. I couldn't believe it. They are in various parts of the wash cycle. I picked up 9 of the same design, and 2 sets of double, 2 sets of queen, 4 duvet covers (20c also) and 14 pillowcases. A twin sheet has about 3 yards of fabric so I have a massive amount of fabric all over the family room and laundry room. I don't always wash all of the sheets but these had a funky overpowering fabric softener aroma and I just hate that. I gives me a headache and I don't like that smell getting on other things.

So what am I doing here blabbing about what I found. I need to get my butt in gear and get this stuff cleaned and listed.

Old Dog Post Office Questions

I had a "request" from the local post office this week. I always take my packages to the post office to drop them off. I wait in line just like any other customer. I don't go to the front of the line and toss my packages on the counter and walk out. I have my packages organized and try to help the clerk by putting one on the scale as soon as they finish the last one, to keep things moving along. Boxed items first, flat items next and odd shaped items next.

Monday a new person, maybe the new Postmaster, told me I had two weeks before I needed to print out a bulk list of packages with one bar code to scan. I finally figured out how to do the sheet that they want but only after almost an hour on line to ebay to figure out how. Most of that time I spent on hold and then on hold again after the first "customer service" rep didn't have a clue to what I was talking about. Thankfully the next one did.

I only had two packages this morning so things were fairly simple. I only wasted two additional labels because I didn't know what order things were going to print. The receipt printed on the first label and that made the last label print on plain paper. So when I went to reprint, the label printed portrait instead of landscape and printed half on the label and half on the receipt end. Grrrrr....

I am an old dog and don't want to learn any new tricks.

My reasoning is the last Postmaster we had wouldn't let the clerks give anyone the receipt they printed out. You know the one with all of the tracking numbers. They had to throw them in the trash. But only for us bulk, ebay customers. When that Postmaster left, the rules changed and we once again got our receipt. So that makes me think it was just the Postmaster and her "thing".

My rambling question is this. Is the post office requiring this for items we deliver to the post office with postage already on the packages? Or is this just a local thing?

I asked about additional items that sell after the bulk list is printed. Answer: If it is only one, just include it with the other bulk items. How do they tell which one is the single one and which ones belong to the bulk sheet? Their answer:  they just pick one of the packages and scan, it doesn't matter. Well maybe not to them but it sure does to me. If the correct one doesn't get scanned ebay thinks it didn't get shipped. And that could cost me money in the end.

I am an old dog and don't want to learn any new tricks.

I didn't like the way my receipt printed out with just the name and address of the buyer. I just ordered 600 labels, one per page with receipt, and I want to be able to use them like I want to use them. The bulk way leaves the bottom blank. I like having my receipt print out on the bottom of the label. I take my receipt and do my accounting on the bottom, put it in a pile and then post the receipt in my accounting. (Dumb, but it works for me since I'm not a big box store) The new way I have no clue which item belongs to the address and there is no useful information on the receipt except the tracking number and address which is useless in accounting. Is there a way to keep printing labels the way I want to and still get a bulk listing?

Am I doing it wrong or just clinging to the old way?

I am an old dog and don't want to learn any new tricks.
And I also may repeat myself once in a while......