Craigslist vs. Ebay - seems like a common topic these days. I, many months ago, was purchasing items on Craigslist or Ebay and then reselling the item on Craigslist for a small profit.
I made $50 or so in around 3 weeks, but in the end I felt like I was pulling one on people and I stopped.
I agree with the other comments - small and easy to ship = ebay / large and not easy to ship = Craigslist
Another point in this biased argument is that if the shelves are cleared then you can always get a rain check. So if there is a particular item you have a coupon for but they are out (this happens frequently w/o extreme couponers) of the item get a rain check. If you are really concerned get to the store the day of the sale; according to theory the extreme couponer does not go on the first day because the time dedicated to couponing. I am in no ways an extreme couponer but I am starting to do more couponing, but my experience is that these people do donate a majority of their purchases to NPO's, I think there is more evidence to this than to hording.
Name me 5 eBay sellers who pay postage on auctioned items? This point is a no-brainer - shipping is always extra (and from the looks of the eBay listings I've been seeing lately, is actually an extra profit center, as most sellers charge WAY more than the actual postage to ship).
Shipping is not only expensive, but there's less accountability when it comes to long-distance transactions on Craigslist. You're less likely to get scammed if you deal locally. And while it's true Craigslist meetings can be risky, just meet in public and don't go alone. I made a comic the other day about all the things NOT to do: http://blog.mangomoney.com/how-to/the-misadventures-of-a-craigslist-rookie
Also, there's a great free app you can download to your iPhone called BuddyGuard (www.BuddyGuard.org) that's intended for personal security in these types of situations.
I have been told by the customer service folks (and overheard them telling others) at my regular Costco store that if the executive membership didn't pay for itself they would refund the money. I've never needed to test them, but how could you go wrong?
After seeing an info-mercial (yeah, I know...) about the hooks that can hang super heavy pictures, I had to have them. BUT, these guys are so tricky! They get your credit card number first (all automated phone call)..THEN, they make you listen to ..I think was AT LEAST 10 other offers of items for sale!!! They know you won't hang up because the system has your credit card!! Oh, I was SOOO mad by the end of that call!!! But to make it even worse, the darn hooks didn't work in the old house I was living in because the walls had some kind of wall in between!!! ARrrrrghhh!!!
We bought a cheap glorified kiddie pool that was deep enough that code enforcement would require a fence around it...who would pay for a new fence to go around an inflatable pool?
It never makes sense to pinch pennies and lose dollars. Instead of the time committed to extreme couponing, it would be more valuable to pursue a better economic activity. It is better to look at your finances from a big picture and see how cost can be trimmed down.
I had regular chores that my children were expected to do and those were not linked to their allowances. My rationale is, we all have things we have to do because we are all members of our household and therefore have to participate in it's upkeep. (And it illustrates our family...ness)
I also provided a small allowance, as we all need to figure out how to budget our money - and to learn what's important to us. We also offered a funds matching program for saved money.
Thirdly, there were from time to time additional jobs that could be done for extra money. And I was always willing to help come up with ways to get more money.
We kids were not paid for doing any house chores, whether in our rooms or just general like washing the dishes or doing laundry. Definitely not for doing homework or anything that was our assigned duty.
If we wanted to earn money, we had to figure out a way. We recycled, sold lemonade, had yard sales and did other things (I created designer doll clothes and accessories). It did encourage us to have a business-oriented outlook, which has served us well throughout life.
I paid for six months on a dating website...Met a guy from a nearby town.We dated for a year.he ended up draining my bank account,writing bad checks and other criminal behavior..I was homeless,lost my two dogs and everything I owned,and spent three months in a homeless shelter.That was over five years ago and Im still struggling to get my life together....
Commodities pricing has always been a bit of a mystery to me, especially when it comes to gasoline. There are just so many variables to consider. I think Steve makes an interesting point about the declining purchasing power of the dollar. It seems logical to me that if the dollars purchasing power slips, you’re not going to be able to buy as many things as before. Everything else equal, it seems to me that the only thing we as consumers can do to deal with the rising cost of gas, is to try our best at managing our fuel consumption. I know gas is one of those things that you simply must buy, but there are many ways that we can all save a bit here and there. I would recommend this artilce for a few easy tips on saving gas. http://blog.mangomoney.com/how-to/six-ways-to-drive-farther-on-your-dollar
What a great article, it’s truly remarkable just how many things we don’t really need. In fact, most of the things that I cherish most are super cheap. Check out this list for some great ideas for inexpensive things to do. I will admit that not everything I love to do is on the list; but it's a start. Check it out and let me know what you guys think.
Worst purchase was our water softener system. It was one of those units sold door-to-door (like Kirby vacuums - another bad purchase). We financed through their company and are still paying the stupid thing off. It works great, but then again so would several other cheaper options (combined)!
I was once pressured into buying a gym membership. I think I went twice the whole year. It was not a good fit for me.
It is a three-way tie - My house, law school and a baby wipes warmer. The last was by far the most useless, but also the least debt-inducing.
Craigslist vs. Ebay - seems like a common topic these days. I, many months ago, was purchasing items on Craigslist or Ebay and then reselling the item on Craigslist for a small profit.
I made $50 or so in around 3 weeks, but in the end I felt like I was pulling one on people and I stopped.
I agree with the other comments - small and easy to ship = ebay / large and not easy to ship = Craigslist
Another point in this biased argument is that if the shelves are cleared then you can always get a rain check. So if there is a particular item you have a coupon for but they are out (this happens frequently w/o extreme couponers) of the item get a rain check. If you are really concerned get to the store the day of the sale; according to theory the extreme couponer does not go on the first day because the time dedicated to couponing. I am in no ways an extreme couponer but I am starting to do more couponing, but my experience is that these people do donate a majority of their purchases to NPO's, I think there is more evidence to this than to hording.
GREAT article! I just printed this out to keep as a reference guide. THANKS! :)
Name me 5 eBay sellers who pay postage on auctioned items? This point is a no-brainer - shipping is always extra (and from the looks of the eBay listings I've been seeing lately, is actually an extra profit center, as most sellers charge WAY more than the actual postage to ship).
Sounds like the theme is: if you can ship it, eBay, otherwise, Craigslist.
Shipping is not only expensive, but there's less accountability when it comes to long-distance transactions on Craigslist. You're less likely to get scammed if you deal locally. And while it's true Craigslist meetings can be risky, just meet in public and don't go alone. I made a comic the other day about all the things NOT to do: http://blog.mangomoney.com/how-to/the-misadventures-of-a-craigslist-rookie
Also, there's a great free app you can download to your iPhone called BuddyGuard (www.BuddyGuard.org) that's intended for personal security in these types of situations.
I Like you on Facebook as Selene Montgomery
Our worst purchase was our first house. It was on a busy road, lousy workmanship, and lower level was always wet.
I have been told by the customer service folks (and overheard them telling others) at my regular Costco store that if the executive membership didn't pay for itself they would refund the money. I've never needed to test them, but how could you go wrong?
After seeing an info-mercial (yeah, I know...) about the hooks that can hang super heavy pictures, I had to have them. BUT, these guys are so tricky! They get your credit card number first (all automated phone call)..THEN, they make you listen to ..I think was AT LEAST 10 other offers of items for sale!!! They know you won't hang up because the system has your credit card!! Oh, I was SOOO mad by the end of that call!!! But to make it even worse, the darn hooks didn't work in the old house I was living in because the walls had some kind of wall in between!!! ARrrrrghhh!!!
We bought a cheap glorified kiddie pool that was deep enough that code enforcement would require a fence around it...who would pay for a new fence to go around an inflatable pool?
It never makes sense to pinch pennies and lose dollars. Instead of the time committed to extreme couponing, it would be more valuable to pursue a better economic activity. It is better to look at your finances from a big picture and see how cost can be trimmed down.
My worse purchase was cosigning for a loan for someone who did not take the agreement to get good grades seriously.
A college education.
I had regular chores that my children were expected to do and those were not linked to their allowances. My rationale is, we all have things we have to do because we are all members of our household and therefore have to participate in it's upkeep. (And it illustrates our family...ness)
I also provided a small allowance, as we all need to figure out how to budget our money - and to learn what's important to us. We also offered a funds matching program for saved money.
Thirdly, there were from time to time additional jobs that could be done for extra money. And I was always willing to help come up with ways to get more money.
We kids were not paid for doing any house chores, whether in our rooms or just general like washing the dishes or doing laundry. Definitely not for doing homework or anything that was our assigned duty.
If we wanted to earn money, we had to figure out a way. We recycled, sold lemonade, had yard sales and did other things (I created designer doll clothes and accessories). It did encourage us to have a business-oriented outlook, which has served us well throughout life.
A membership I had signed up for. I couldn't opt out until I had paid about $1000. Never even used it.
I paid for six months on a dating website...Met a guy from a nearby town.We dated for a year.he ended up draining my bank account,writing bad checks and other criminal behavior..I was homeless,lost my two dogs and everything I owned,and spent three months in a homeless shelter.That was over five years ago and Im still struggling to get my life together....
I did it today, i'm trying to give sense to my life thanks for lend us your idea.
Commodities pricing has always been a bit of a mystery to me, especially when it comes to gasoline. There are just so many variables to consider. I think Steve makes an interesting point about the declining purchasing power of the dollar. It seems logical to me that if the dollars purchasing power slips, you’re not going to be able to buy as many things as before. Everything else equal, it seems to me that the only thing we as consumers can do to deal with the rising cost of gas, is to try our best at managing our fuel consumption. I know gas is one of those things that you simply must buy, but there are many ways that we can all save a bit here and there. I would recommend this artilce for a few easy tips on saving gas. http://blog.mangomoney.com/how-to/six-ways-to-drive-farther-on-your-dollar
What a great article, it’s truly remarkable just how many things we don’t really need. In fact, most of the things that I cherish most are super cheap. Check out this list for some great ideas for inexpensive things to do. I will admit that not everything I love to do is on the list; but it's a start. Check it out and let me know what you guys think.
Worst purchase was our water softener system. It was one of those units sold door-to-door (like Kirby vacuums - another bad purchase). We financed through their company and are still paying the stupid thing off. It works great, but then again so would several other cheaper options (combined)!
Probably an art print that I'd bought at a Beatles convention when I was 18 or 19. Paid $300 for it, and I've never put it up on the wall.