Highs and lows of starting an eBay store - Rags to Riches - Episode 3

[@jillscherer8803]

I love that you’re doing this! I’m fairly new to eBay so I can totally relate! ❤❤❤

[@carrieathome]

More to come!

[@cherylyork3259]

I really love this series! It's fun to watch it grow. Thank you for doing this.

[@carrieathome]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@Tiz.jen73]

This is such a GREAT IDEA!! My husband and I talk about this all the time how someone with little to no money could build a biz (like I and you! did)!! I appreciate the details that you are mindful of like not using the supplies of your real biz and even shooting on the ground vs. the nice set up you guys have! You are awesome.

[@carrieathome]

Thank you!

[@laurenfitton2848]

I'm really enjoying this series! I've been checking my inbox for it every day haha

[@carrieathome]

Awesome! I’m so happy you’re enjoying it!

[@tinasorenson190]

I love this series! I have been binge watching all of your videos!

[@carrieathome]

Glad you like them!

[@Yeshanu]

Before I got my label printer, I used to put my labels in plastic baggies. Less tape used. Also, dollar stores can be a great source of FREE shipping materials. They get candy and batteries and other items in small boxes that would be the perfect size to ship out a shirt in. With a box cutter, you can resize larger boxes from the grocery store for items like jackets.

[@carrieathome]

Great tips!

[@lynn_b]

Yay Carrie! Love this series. Thank you for sharing. Go Carrie Go!🥳

[@ShaneUrbas]

Love this series so far. I just starting flipping this week. Thanks for the wisdom.

[@carrieathome]

You are so welcome!

[@ShaneUrbas]

@@carrieathome One more question if you dont mind. I recently picked up a bag of plushies that I'm selling individually. When recording profits. Should I just subtract the total cost of the bag from total profit once the whole lot sells. Or should I say divide the cost of the bundle to each individual plushie and then record what each individual plush sold for? I dont know if it matters or if its whatever way I feel comfortable keeping track cause it will come out to the same number in the end.

[@carrieathome]

@@ShaneUrbas yup! You can do it either way. We personally do it the way where you chip away at the cost of the lot with each sale and once it’s paid back, we know every sale beyond that is pure profit

[@CameronNewland]

Love your channel, and I must say that your struggles with pronunciation (chamois, Bonobos, etc) are simply adorable! Keep up the good work

[@carrieathome]

lol I try 😂

[@danafindwell]

Awesome series, Carrie! Just you wait, it won't be long before the velocity kicks in, this is exciting to see a new store from the beginning, woohooo!! 🥰

[@carrieathome]

Can't wait!

[@BecG8177]

Loving this series!! Go Carrie Go!!! You got this 👍🏼

[@carrieathome]

Yay! Thank you!

[@jennifermacias9048]

Thank you for sharing this experience with us! Much needed during a time of starting over with a lot of things in life and need to keep my head clear and this is a great challenge especially for us long term eBay sellers (since 2006 over here) ❤thank you for motivating us all!

[@carrieathome]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching :)

[@ron.quixote4640]

Let’s gooo. Great series!

[@carrieathome]

Thank you for watching!

[@brandystapleton7096]

Yay!! Let’s do it! Love this series!

[@carrieathome]

Yaaay! 🥳

[@technsports]

Can Carrie doooooo ittttttttt????

[@carrieathome]

👀 we’ll have to see! 🍿

[@BeachBarnThrifts]

Yes she can. I have faith. 😊

[@worddance7]

@@BeachBarnThrifts YES! She can!🙂

[@KYFlipNShip]

Thanks for the upload! Enjoying this detail. I’m at my corporate job but I have been reselling for five years on eBay, dreaming to work for myself someday especially now that we have a child, it’s nice to see the ins and outs

[@carrieathome]

It definitely has its highs and lows! I think it takes certain kind of mindset to be able to ride those waves to make it to the other side.

[@MsMVH]

I love that you've created this for us and im learning so much! Thank you Carrie 😁

[@carrieathome]

Happy to help!

[@lovekimberleyday9232]

Yay loving this series ❤

[@Cimmerianmusic]

Yes another video

[@liberty121]

Thanks for this series!

[@Bobbie-Loves-To-Thrift]

I'm excited to see your progress! Thanks for sharing ! How many items do you think it will take listing daily? To reach the $3000 a month goal?

[@carrieathome]

I’m not entirely sure right now but I should have a good indication within the next month!

[@LaWerejaAmericana]

I’m loving this! As I’ve started selling things I find for free and hopefully will be able to get to the bins next week, will be my first time there 🙏

[@carrieathome]

The bins are an interesting world! I don't know what yours is like, but I know mine is pretty calm. Hopefully yours is calm too!

[@markfarr4889]

This is so much fun watching. Im kind of jealous. I think I need to start a new little store

[@carrieathome]

Do it! The small but mighty stores are nice and snappy!

[@DaydreamAboutNiceThings]

I love this series !!

[@carrieathome]

Glad you’re liking it!

[@sunnyday1639]

The struggle is real! Thanks for another great video!

[@carrieathome]

Thanks for watching!

[@ocarstens6045]

Awesome series! I’m currently trying to hit the same goal so it’s like we’re working side by side 💪🏻

[@carrieathome]

Let’s do this!! 💪

[@shariburns6263]

Loving this series. I have a suggestion for the labels that you print on your home printer. Print them at a smaller percentage size to make them smaller and it also saves on ink. Then cut more excess paper away before putting on the package. It will look better and take less tape. Got to save every penny 🤓

[@carrieathome]

I should definitely try cutting out the label!

[@elboogie7021]

Or you can ger the qr code once you purchase the label, and let the post office print the labels for you.

[@Outdoor.pixels]

Awesome video! I resell and don’t know much about denim. I think it would great if y’all could make a video about what brands you like to buy. Thanks!

[@CarolGuidi-r8f]

Ok, so I'm here immediately checking Facebook Marketplace in my area and all the Carhartt jackets are $40 and up. waaah!

[@patrickcummins7476]

Great series! Can't wait to see how you grow this business!

[@carrieathome]

Thanks so much!

[@karmenmrak]

Yay love the series!

[@carrieathome]

Thank you for watching!

[@fairybasket-mushrooms-wild533]

Love the series Carrie! I think the key is to not be sales greedy (top dollar), but to MOVE things! Question, did you end up mailing priority for the jacket bc of your timing mistake? Obvs that was not $10 for shipping... but what shipping label service do you use for your successful store to get shipping costs down? Thanks! Looking forward to more videos!

[@carrieathome]

I shipped Priority Mail, got extra insurance, and bought a signature request and it cost me around $12 total for all of that. I usually use Ground Advantage for everything else but I didn't have a polymailer to use on the jacket so I used a free Priority Mail box. :)

[@cakemkrcody]

I did my first bins pickup Monday morning. Next time I'm bring gloves haha

[@carrieathome]

I don’t blame you! I’ve considered that but will I ever remember? I don’t know lol

[@RebeccaMorris-v6m]

I love this series it will be fun to see how long it takes you.

[@carrieathome]

Thank you! I’m worried for myself lol

[@teambruno1282]

This is so real.. I love to see more of these. 🥰

[@carrieathome]

More to come!

[@RandomKeto]

Very nice! I'm listing 1-2 daily now and have started getting slightly more consistent sales!

[@carrieathome]

Keep it up!

[@Tkilla808]

This is dope. Keep on keeping on. I remember when I started my store lol. I was pokemon cards only for awhile. Now I do everything lol and do it well. Congrats on the sales

[@carrieathome]

Thank you!

[@Lachina007]

Hi greetings from Tijuana Mexico I loved this series 😍

[@carrieathome]

Hello! Glad you’re enjoying it!

[@soniaz1487]

Love seeing this series.

[@cadm1676]

Been waiting for this one!!

[@carrieathome]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@cadm1676]

@@carrieathome it was great! I noticed y'all stopped using flat rate padded envelopes for your usual sales and have switched over to ground advantage, have you noticed it being cheaper long term? Thanks again!

[@carrieathome]

@@cadm1676 definitely cheaper! We used padded flat rate and was losing money in shipping, then we switched to cardboard flat rate and broke even. Now we are using polymailers with ground advantage and making a little on shipping. I don’t know what ground costs on average for other parts of America but I’m centrally located so that may be why it’s so much cheaper.

[@cadm1676]

@@carrieathome fair enough! Thank you! 🙏

[@Raiders1154]

Great video Carrie!

[@carrieathome]

Glad you liked it!!

[@SalvagedSoul1111]

Love this challenge you're doing! ( Chamois is pronounced " shammee" where I live.)

[@carrieathome]

I would have never guessed that!

[@jessicawu5706]

That’s how I’ve heard it too!

[@nielsenslady]

Addicted already.👍🏻

[@boldfinds]

Another great one! I need to beef up my funds to catch up 😂

[@carrieathome]

Let’s goooo!

[@jmeleedill]

I’ve just started selling, I’m curious, do you actually have a store subscription? Are you using promoted listings? I’d love to know more about how you are actually sing some of the eBay tools and marketing to build your store. Thanks! So excited for this series!

[@carrieathome]

I don't have a store subscription, I'm not using promoted listings, and not using any tools yet. When I do, I'll be sure to document that :)

[@DaydreamAboutNiceThings]

What size poly bags do you use ? Where is the best place to purchase them ? By the way yesterday I listed our first 5 items ! I hope to list another 10 today at least ! Coffee always first !

[@carrieathome]

Nice! Our polybags are 12x18 and I get them off Amazon :)

[@worddance7]

I love these videos. Thank you. Have 1 question: how did you research what tops to buy that would bring in the cash quickly??

[@carrieathome]

I look at the sell thru rate of each item I come across that I think might sell well. I'm trying to pick up items where there's an equal amount of items selling to how many items are listed, at least close to it.

[@worddance7]

@@carrieathome Thank You So Much

[@Theclosetscratcher]

Oh how I wish I had started this way! 😂 You live & learn. Lol!

[@carrieathome]

It’s so true, thanks for watching!

[@pokebro210]

Hey Carrie and Kyle!! Best of luck with the series Carrie!! Hey btw what calculator was that you showed on the video to show your profit? Thanks have a great weekend 😊

[@carrieathome]

It’s a website called eBay Fee Calculator 😊 have a great weekend too!

[@pokebro210]

@@carrieathome thank you 🙏

[@dbzfannnnnnn]

Awesome job Carrie! Like others I'm also in the beginnings of an ebay store, so your content is awesome What are you finding your views are for your sales??

[@carrieathome]

Thank you! Are you asking where to see how many views your items are getting?

[@dbzfannnnnnn]

Nono. Asking how many views your item received, before you made the sale

[@carrieathome]

@@dbzfannnnnnn oh! Well it’s skewed for this store because I have a lot of views coming from viewers wanting to watch the store. For my main store, I typically get from 1-30 views before it sells. But sometimes I have hundreds on random items lol

[@ericacasey2547]

Cool idea. You didn't wait to see if the buyer keeps the item though. What if they return it

[@carrieathome]

For the sake of the series, I'm not going to wait around for 60 days until the return period closes.

[@annettedavis5936]

Loving this series! Would love some tips on how to more traction on my eBay listings? Thanks so much

[@carrieathome]

Definitely send out offers to watchers if you have any! I also recommend dropping the price down periodically to see if a couple dollars off may make the deal 👍

[@Chwiny]

Great series

[@carrieathome]

Thank you!

[@Kristin8275]

You’re doing great! I’ve been trying to sell on eBay for a month and have only had two sales. It’s a little frustrating. I feel like I can’t build any momentum. Maybe things will get better soon; you motivated me to send out offers for my two most trafficked items. Not thrilled about accepting less that I hoped for, but I have to get things going. ETA: Will you pay yourself before you reach $3000/mo?

[@carrieathome]

Some of the money is better than none of the money! But I get it, Kyle wants me to hold onto things longer to get more money but I get impatient lol I probably will pay myself while I’m building up to $3000/month but it would be whatever is extra from how much I want in my ebay funds.

[@ccuba2010]

Great series! How are you selling those so fast? Ive been listing good items with a 50-100 STR since last month and haven’t sold them yet. Are you dropping the prices each day? Would love to know what you do to get faster sales, thanks.

[@carrieathome]

Something to remember, even if something is 100% sell thru, it may still take the full 90 days to sell. I have been dropping the prices down every so often and I make sure to send out offers. If you aren’t getting many views on your items, you may have it in the wrong category or there may be an error somewhere.

[@apriljames3096]

Love this challenge as it’s helpful for resellers. Do you know how much time you’ve spent weekly on the new store/shop? As a single, homeschooling parent, I’m trying to get an idea of how many hours one might put in for a shop that produces 2k-3k a month. Thank you!!

[@carrieathome]

I’ll have a better idea of how much time I’m putting into it in about a month!

[@ravynbast]

Ive been selling on ebay off & on random things for decades, but only started trying to flip for 2 months. I've sold a grand total of 4 things across 3 markets. It is a painful start.

[@carrieathome]

Yea it’s even difficult for me to get going with another store because my brain just isn’t wired for it yet. Let’s keep trying! We’ll soon get a groove :)

[@jimd1617]

so good!

[@carrieathome]

Thank you!!

[@leanngunsten5617]

Do u have a bins in St. Charles or do you go to downtown StL? Thx!

[@carrieathome]

There’s a bins in Bridgeton!

[@Gen.Admission]

lets gooooo! 🔥

[@PatriotGirl1776]

You GO GIRL!!!👍🏻✅😎

[@Picking4TheLow]

When you sold the carhartt jacket, you went shopping for more inventory right away? Doesn’t eBay wait until the item is delivered before they deposit your earnings into ur bank account?

[@carrieathome]

That’s correct! However, for entertainment purposes, I went shopping. I sold the jacket a week ago and just got the funds today.

[@Picking4TheLow]

Cool videos! I subscribed 💯

[@TracEyMonster]

What is the best practice with pricing? Price which also includes shipping and buyer pays for return, or do you also pay for the return?

[@carrieathome]

I price items I n the middle to upper portion of the market for my main store. I charge the buyer shipping but I pay for the return. 👍

[@TracEyMonster]

@@carrieathome Perfect! Thank you for the input. I wasn't sure which way would be most effective. I'm slowly building my eBay as much as I can this month with a new niche since I'm going on this journey with you. It's not the same niche as you. Totally different. The plan is to stock up this month the most I can, gotta put the shop on vacation for a week (going out of town), then when I return in May I'll be marking items down like you mentioned a previous video $1.00 a day to see what happens. It'll be interesting to see what happens.

[@TracEyMonster]

What Facebook group(s) are you in that you recommend joining? I don't see any of that info in the description.

[@carrieathome]

I recommend looking into @technsports group! He’s on KZbin with all his links :)

[@ShhDweeb]

I have a question, how do you find goodwill bins locations? A simple google search? If so I don’t have any near me, unfortunately.

[@carrieathome]

Sometimes Google will have them listed as Goodwill Outlets!

[@ShhDweeb]

@@carrieathome the GOAT! Thank you! Loving the series btw, my fiancé and I are just starting our journey so it’s really neat to watch you guys progress kind of alongside us. Looking forward to the next video!

[@spencerpetree294]

You can also sell stuff to others inside the bins without buying it yet then you’ll have some money

[@carrieathome]

Totally! We do in-the-bins shopping for our jeans store sometimes.

[@mjmollman]

@@carrieathomecan you explain this?

[@joycekitler9652]

Is eBay holding your funds being a new account? You’re spending your profit as items sell not waiting for funds to be in hand or am I missing something.

[@carrieathome]

Yup! They hold it for a week, for entertainment purposes, I went out shopping with an IOU lol

[@shawnmariemann]

I really wish you would include the amount you need to put aside for taxes off your profits. Rarely do people show this and it is a big bite that you must plan for. Even if you ignore it initially it comes back at some point and can be a rather large number.

[@carrieathome]

Everyone’s tax situation is different. Some have more write offs than others, some have kids, some don’t. It would be best to learn about taxes from your cpa/accountant vs a non tax lady on the internet :)

[@shawnmariemann]

@@carrieathome That is true but even if just saying "Not all of this is really profit, your taxes will have to come out of this and you should work with a tax accountant" would make it better. So many people believe you do not owe taxes unless you hit a certain point and that is just incorrect.

[@carrieathome]

It’s true! $600 is all you need to sell and boom, taxes start hitting.

[@mstemptingtreasures4060]

🎉🎉🎉

[@DaydreamAboutNiceThings]

Who do you use to print your own labels for USPS ? We use Pirate Ship.

[@ForevertheYoungs]

eBay shipping is what I use the most. Pricing is the same as pirate ship and it saves a step. If I’m shipping outside of eBay I use pirate ship.

[@carrieathome]

Just like ForevertheYoungs said! I just print directly from ebay.

[@Sarahmama6]

I think one reason to use Pirate Ship is that you can pay with a credit card. Then you can get whatever points or miles your credit card offers as a perk for charging it on that card.

[@jacksonduval4995]

What website or app are you using for the calculator?

[@carrieathome]

It’s a website called ‘ebay fee calculator’

[@jacksonduval4995]

@@carrieathome thank you so much!

[@evanwoodson5402]

How are you feeling about the transition from jeans to tops? Are you enjoying it? Do you prefer one over the other?

[@carrieathome]

I don’t really know yet. I don’t like that I don’t have as much knowledge on shirts as I do jeans lol

[@evanwoodson5402]

@@carrieathome I completely understand. I've been leaning more towards jeans and denim recently and then landed on a massive lot of women's clothing that I couldn't turn down, so I've been trying to learn as much about both as I can but definitely feel like the niche of jeans carries a much easier learning curve. Thanks for sharing your journey! I was laid off in January and have had a very hard time getting back to work so hoping reselling might become the full-time thing.

[@evanwoodson5402]

Learning so much from you! Redid my inventory system and built a similar photo station to yours.

[@bill2461]

Why do you say you shouldn't have bought the tommy b or the eileen? You profited off both??

[@carrieathome]

They’re fine! I’m just trying to go for higher profits right now. I’d definitely pick them up later!

[@doskingjz5764]

For people that don't have a printer can just get the QR code and scan it at the post office.

[@carrieathome]

Yea! I should try it out one time to see what that’s like. 🤔

[@dannyboone3430]

@@carrieathomeqr codes work great if you only have a couple packages. Lots get confusing though! Love the video

[@Fred-ck1gh]

07:00 Thats not coffee, that's stained water...

[@carrieathome]

I use light roast, it can’t get as dark as dark roast but it has more caffeine and that’s all the matters lol

[@MajelCats]

I think it’s risky hand writing notes or even printing a note and putting that on the garment. Anyone have an issue of transfer? I just started selling clothing, listed 1 then 2 then 3 then 4 then 5 each day…got a sale.

[@carrieathome]

I haven’t heard that before but I guess it’s always a possibility!

[@fullhousefinds817]

Could you add free items to the store? Could hit up family, and curb alerts.

[@carrieathome]

Totally!

[@ychongy]

Are you promoting your listings?

[@carrieathome]

Not for this store currently. I’ll probably do that a little later on

[@WrightDreamer]

❤❤❤❤

[@mikeandpaulah6473]

$47+$25? How did you get the net + cost of goods?

[@carrieathome]

It’s $47 profit (sale price minus fees minus cogs) plus the original $25 I was paid back to purchase the item (the cogs).

[@mikeandpaulah6473]

@@carrieathomeThat app must take that into account. I get it. Thank you for the great videos!

[@PatriotGirl1776]

Carrie, I think this time (this store) the # of Items in your store won’t make a difference to get to $3k. I think the “golden rule” of selling “1%” of the store per day is based on an average and takes into account the Sellers experience. I BELIEVE YOU WILL KILL THE STR, and struggle to keep Items in your Store! That’s what my Money is on! Go get ‘em!

[@carrieathome]

Sounds like a good bet!!

[@robintrauth-iv5rx]

Ask friends and family for donations

[@Source_and_sell]

I agree with the other comment. It’s pronounced Shammy (like a shammy for your car). Good pick up! Awesome vids!

[@carrieathome]

I would have never guessed that lol thank you!

[@Source_and_sell]

@@carrieathome lol most people mispronounce it. I only know from watching other YT’ers lol

[@cheddartreez6826]

Chamois is pronounced shammee.

[@carrieathome]

Such a fun word!

[@fdr7888]

Question: Is the gas you use for all the driving around not included in the daily costs?

[@carrieathome]

I’m not that technical with the numbers. Mainly because gas is minimal. I’m not going to count the food I ate or the electricity I used either.