Author Topic: when to cut losses on items bought to flip on ebay  (Read 2453 times)

strummerjoe

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when to cut losses on items bought to flip on ebay
« on: February 10, 2017, 09:32:38 AM »
I've used ebay as a steady side hustle for flipping thrifted clothing on and off for the past decade, and have lived with a partner in a uncommonly large apartment for three years, however, we are downsizing to a new space in the next couple of months that will have about half the square footage that we currently enjoy.

My partner is a true minimalist, and takes time every month to cull her possessions and donate/discard things that she feels she no longer needs. I have the opposite personality, and gasp at the idea of tossing something that might net me $5 after fees and shipping online.

In our current, large space we haven't butted heads, we both have our own personal areas to use as we please and without judgement, but as we approach our moving date she has started growing more concerned about our ratio of possessions and especially frustrated with the 5-6 duffel bags of clothing that "aren't mine! Just going on ebay". It has started to put a strain on our relationship and I am starting to fall victim to analysis paralysis on what I should do.

I have easily cleared the amount of money I initially spent on the clothing I am currently holding with my sales over the past year, but I could also stand to make another $700-1000 over the next 2-3 months if I tough it out and move every piece I have left. (ebay gives you 50 listings per month without an upfront fee, and putting all 120-150 items on at once would have an impact on my profit after adding it to shipping/seller fees from ebay and paypal which are steep already)

again, this is a side hustle, I may be a pencil-stache but I max out my 401k match, put money in my vanguard every month, and adhere to an aggressive budget, I will not be in significantly better or worse shape regardless of the decision I make here.

Is it worth the strain on a committed relationship to try and squeeze a few extra hundred dollars during a time (preparing to move in the Northeast in the middle of winter) that is already stressful? Should I put it all back in goodwill and be thankful that my net worth is up from the effort over the course of the last few years? Or should I stick it out and sell everything to the best of my ability?

to give a lit more detail: most of these items are polo shirts, dress shirts, sweaters etc. I get them for $2-7 and generally make $5-15 profit (after OG cost, shipping, paypal and ebay fees) pet item.

thank you to all in advance for helping me get this question out of my head and onto paper.

pbkmaine

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Re: when to cut losses on items bought to flip on ebay
« Reply #1 on: February 10, 2017, 09:50:17 AM »
Relationships are more important than profit, unless you're Ferengi.

GizmoTX

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Re: when to cut losses on items bought to flip on ebay
« Reply #2 on: February 10, 2017, 09:51:20 AM »
If you don't have the time to do your share of packing for the move AND sell the ebay stuff, then obviously you donate it. The issue is running out of time, which means your partner ends up with more of the load. The fact that you are still holding stuff gives you your answer, IMO: donate it now, not later. No, it's not worth the stress.

Samuel

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Re: when to cut losses on items bought to flip on ebay
« Reply #3 on: February 10, 2017, 10:15:57 AM »
Either donate or group them by size and style and sell in a few lots to recoup something

But don't move with them.  Moving is stressful enough. Be nice to your partner.

MayDay

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Re: when to cut losses on items bought to flip on ebay
« Reply #4 on: February 10, 2017, 11:10:32 AM »
Don't move them. 

Find a shelter that has residents applying for jobs and donate them. 

nexus

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Re: when to cut losses on items bought to flip on ebay
« Reply #5 on: February 10, 2017, 03:56:50 PM »
+1 on the suggestions here :)

-> Sell in a lot/bulk to get something back out of them. You're already in the green so additional profit is a win for you and a win for your SO when its gone

-> Donate it. Not worth the relationship issues. I also run an eBay side hustle specific to tennis stuff, but am finding that the time it takes to take pictures, post the add, respond to questions, package, print shipping label, then mail is barely worth the few bucks I net per transaction (for anything under $20 anyway). Factor in the gas you're spending going to the place to buy your inventory & then if you drive to the post office to drop orders off and you're making less than you think (if those apply to you). But yeah, it's fun and perfect for times when I have nothing better to do.

-> Compromise and reduce to 1 bag worth of stuff that you think will provide the greatest profit-per-item, then donate the rest.

-> Donate it all, get settled into your new place, then slowly rebuild your inventory over time as you get accustomed to sharing your new, smaller space.

Best of luck!

meghan88

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Re: when to cut losses on items bought to flip on ebay
« Reply #6 on: February 10, 2017, 04:38:04 PM »
What everyone else said. 

But maybe a compromise would be to sort through and identify a specific number of items that you know would get you the biggest profit.  Maybe 10-20 items.  Donate the rest.  Would that work?  That way, it's win-win, and I'm sure she'd appreciate the effort.

waltworks

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Re: when to cut losses on items bought to flip on ebay
« Reply #7 on: February 10, 2017, 06:06:53 PM »
If you have a job that involves a 401 that you are maxing out, $5 items on ebay are *literally* not worth your time.

Sell any items that are worth $50+. Donate the rest.

-W

strummerjoe

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Re: when to cut losses on items bought to flip on ebay
« Reply #8 on: February 11, 2017, 08:55:44 AM »
thank you all for the input, I think it confirms what I already knew in my gut. My grandmother would be appalled at the idea but my father would definitely agree that the health of the relationship is not worth straining for a few short bucks.

thanks again!