It's been a week since I told you all about my obsession with FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon). I've purchased more supplies and product. We've rearranged our house so I have a work area (formally known as the dining room) I've shipped out six boxes and now I sit and wait. Nothing has been received by Amazon yet. I wasn't prepared for the long wait from the time you drop off your boxes at UPS and I'm not the most patient person in the world.
The second set of boxes were much easier to pack and ship. I had more of my supplies (boxes, bubble wrap etc.) and had researched the hell out of everything so many times that I actually felt comfortable doing it. I'm kind of embarrassed about my first shipment now and hope they don't reject some of my stuff . Live and learn.
I got a call today from someone at Amazon congratulating me (Ebay never did anything like that, that's for sure!)
I've set some goals for myself and allotted time each week to shop/pack and ship. I'm trying for approx 30 items every week. Amazon pays every 14 days. My first "pay" period will be on the 9th. I don't expect to break even or anything by then but I am excited to see some sales.
I've spent approx $550 so far in supplies/product/apps/.
My most exciting purchase was a yoga thing that I purchased for $18.97, when I went to check it out on profit bandit it showed sales from $89-130! I bought two..I'll see how quickly they sell and then maybe run around and see if I can find more all over the county!
Happy Hump Day Y'all! What are you doing to make today fabulous?
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Selling Online
For over a week now I've been totally lost in the world of Amazon. It all started with Betty Crocker Rich & Creamy Rainbow Chip Frosting. One of my friends mentioned that she sold it on Amazon and made a lot of money because it's hard to find or discontinued or something. I was impressed but didn't think much of it. A few days went by I think before I reached out to her on facebook and asked "how did you even know it was a hard to find/discontinued item that could bring in $$" .She sent me some links to check out and groups on FB to join and mentioned FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon). It perked my interest, and then I watched several youtube videos on the subject of FBA Amazon and was blown away. People are making some serious bucks on this. It brought back memories of the early 90's for me when I was selling tons of collectibles on Ebay. It was a lot of work but I enjoyed the extra money and the ability to do it while also working a full time job. The downside for me was all the trips to the post office and the follow up on auctions that were won but late in being paid for.
When I learned the FBA handles all of the shipping and customer interaction I was sold. All I had to do was buy stuff and send it away to Amazon..right? Well ...it's not exactly that easy. If it were everyone would be doing it, Right? My process so far...I set up a FBA sellers account on Amazon. Then I put in a few products around my house to see if they were worth selling (most were not). My friends told me to download the app Profit Bandit on my smart phone and head to the stores. The app was $15.
Saturday morning as soon as the stores opened I headed out to Target and Big Lots. I learned Saturday morning was not the best time to hit Target. They were restocking their shelves so the clearance sections were blocked with workers and pallets and boxes. I managed to try a few items and then ventured over to Big Lots. Of course I looked for that Rainbow frosting first..no luck. Then I went to the health and beauty isles. There are a lot of items that are not allowed (Nail Polish, Hair Spray, Etc.) So I wasn't sure yet if I was doing it right but my app helped me at least know if the products I was looking at would show a profit or a loss.
I then came home and started putting the product into my selling area on Amazon so it could get ready to be shipped. I was so nervous about the entire thing that I watched even more videos and learned that there is so much more that I need to know!! There are stickers and labels that have to be on things (sold as a group, suffocation warning labels, expiration date labels , etc.) and even rules on packing supplies..no popcorn, shredded paper etc...
I'm still in the way early stages of learning and doing this but I'm super excited about the possibilities and love the numbers that I am hearing from my friends that are selling on Amazon. I have now ordered a laser printer and the proper labels and shipping supplies so maybe by the weekend I'll have my first shipment ready to go out!!
Mostly I'm proud of ME. My normal M.O. would be to just rush thru and not read the rules and then when my shipment was rejected for breaking the rules I'd just quit. This time I've taken my time, met with my friends that are actually doing this and making money, watched every video i could find on the subject, joined a bunch of facebook groups with other people doing the same thing and asked questions. :) Go me!
I look forward to blogging later about this and telling you how I'm doing. Amazon payments go out twice a month I believe , not sure if everyone is the same but my friends get their payments on the 3rd and 17th. I'll report back on the 3rd and let you know 1. if my shipment went out 2. if I made any sales 3. how far I am from breaking even from my initial investment.
Don't think that you have to spend a lot of money on product. Books/DVDs/Toys/Games are big sellers and you can find those at Goodwill, garage sales, in your house etc.
Wish me luck!! If you are a FBA seller let me know how you are doing !
How to sell on Amazon
When I learned the FBA handles all of the shipping and customer interaction I was sold. All I had to do was buy stuff and send it away to Amazon..right? Well ...it's not exactly that easy. If it were everyone would be doing it, Right? My process so far...I set up a FBA sellers account on Amazon. Then I put in a few products around my house to see if they were worth selling (most were not). My friends told me to download the app Profit Bandit on my smart phone and head to the stores. The app was $15.
Saturday morning as soon as the stores opened I headed out to Target and Big Lots. I learned Saturday morning was not the best time to hit Target. They were restocking their shelves so the clearance sections were blocked with workers and pallets and boxes. I managed to try a few items and then ventured over to Big Lots. Of course I looked for that Rainbow frosting first..no luck. Then I went to the health and beauty isles. There are a lot of items that are not allowed (Nail Polish, Hair Spray, Etc.) So I wasn't sure yet if I was doing it right but my app helped me at least know if the products I was looking at would show a profit or a loss.
I then came home and started putting the product into my selling area on Amazon so it could get ready to be shipped. I was so nervous about the entire thing that I watched even more videos and learned that there is so much more that I need to know!! There are stickers and labels that have to be on things (sold as a group, suffocation warning labels, expiration date labels , etc.) and even rules on packing supplies..no popcorn, shredded paper etc...
I'm still in the way early stages of learning and doing this but I'm super excited about the possibilities and love the numbers that I am hearing from my friends that are selling on Amazon. I have now ordered a laser printer and the proper labels and shipping supplies so maybe by the weekend I'll have my first shipment ready to go out!!
Mostly I'm proud of ME. My normal M.O. would be to just rush thru and not read the rules and then when my shipment was rejected for breaking the rules I'd just quit. This time I've taken my time, met with my friends that are actually doing this and making money, watched every video i could find on the subject, joined a bunch of facebook groups with other people doing the same thing and asked questions. :) Go me!
I look forward to blogging later about this and telling you how I'm doing. Amazon payments go out twice a month I believe , not sure if everyone is the same but my friends get their payments on the 3rd and 17th. I'll report back on the 3rd and let you know 1. if my shipment went out 2. if I made any sales 3. how far I am from breaking even from my initial investment.
Don't think that you have to spend a lot of money on product. Books/DVDs/Toys/Games are big sellers and you can find those at Goodwill, garage sales, in your house etc.
Wish me luck!! If you are a FBA seller let me know how you are doing !
How to sell on Amazon
Friday, April 18, 2014
It's in the mail...
For as long as I can remember I have loved getting mail. I signed up for every free catalog out there. When I'd get free samples it was like Christmas. Not much has changed. I've joined several FREE sample sites, I check in at walmart.com and often get free samples offered by them. I follow some great facebook pages that post several free deals everyday (Sea of Savings is one)
One site I joined that is FREE is called Pinchme.com , every several days a few products become available. Not everyone has the same samples, they determine them by how you fill out your profile.
Some examples of free items I've gotten this last month or so are: Rachel Ray grain free dog food (the dogs loved it, but I didn't like the way it changed their smell so after buying a few bags I've gone back to Iams. )
Dishwashing detergent tabs, protein bar, Special K protein drink, Gevalia Coffee, BB Cream, Omega 3 pills, etc.
A few of the mailings that I pay for are for beauty bags (Glam bags) etc. Birchbox and Ipsy , I'll include the links if you'd like to check them out. I get points and products for referrals. Each cost $10 per month and can be canceled at anytime. I usually get about 5 products each month, some full size product and some sample size. Birchbox sends one goodie (food, or non make up item like a hair bow for example) Ipsy is all make up, nail poilish, hair product like hair spray or oil. I enjoy getting both but if I had to say which is better most months I would lean towards Ipsy. Something I like better about Birch Box is that they send a little card in the box with info about all of the products and what they cost full size and how to apply them. Some of the Ipsy products I have had to go look online to see what they were or how to use them because the sample did not say.
Here are the Products .
Some info about the April Birch Box. There were five items in the box. The Bee Kind lotion smells delicious and feels really good on. Full size cost $15.
One site I joined that is FREE is called Pinchme.com , every several days a few products become available. Not everyone has the same samples, they determine them by how you fill out your profile.
Some examples of free items I've gotten this last month or so are: Rachel Ray grain free dog food (the dogs loved it, but I didn't like the way it changed their smell so after buying a few bags I've gone back to Iams. )
Dishwashing detergent tabs, protein bar, Special K protein drink, Gevalia Coffee, BB Cream, Omega 3 pills, etc.
A few of the mailings that I pay for are for beauty bags (Glam bags) etc. Birchbox and Ipsy , I'll include the links if you'd like to check them out. I get points and products for referrals. Each cost $10 per month and can be canceled at anytime. I usually get about 5 products each month, some full size product and some sample size. Birchbox sends one goodie (food, or non make up item like a hair bow for example) Ipsy is all make up, nail poilish, hair product like hair spray or oil. I enjoy getting both but if I had to say which is better most months I would lean towards Ipsy. Something I like better about Birch Box is that they send a little card in the box with info about all of the products and what they cost full size and how to apply them. Some of the Ipsy products I have had to go look online to see what they were or how to use them because the sample did not say.
Here are the Products .
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| APRIL BIRCH BOX |
The hair product is Oi All in one milk. Full size $28. I had to look at the card to see how to use this. It's a leave in spray that delivers volume,shine and detangling and heat protection. I have not tried it yet.
The perfume is wonderful! One of my favorites. Harvey Prince Yogini, full size $55. I will buy this product but would not have ever known about it without it being in my birchbox probably.
Lip /Cheek cream the Balm How 'Bout them apples? full size $32 . Very pale rose color. Not crazy about it , I prefer my lip color to be in a stick. :)
To get your very own BirchBox next month please use my referral code https://www.birchbox.com/invite/2tsr8
Ipsy glam bags often have nail polish. They are full size so you can re-sell them on Ebay if nail polish is not your thing.
I loved getting the Ghiradelli chocolate and the mints last month. The body lotion was fantastic too. My only complaint was no real make up and my perfume sample was broken so no perfume either.
The Ipsy Glam Bay for April...also 5 products. I love the Urban Decay eye liner, I've had several samples of the BigSexyHair root pump, they all are great so I'm sure this one will be too.
Elizabeth Mott eye shadow, The dr. brandt® microdermabrasion I used this morning and thought it was very nice. My not so crazy choice was the Mary Kay at Play lip gloss. The color is nude and I didn't see the point.
Join me on ipsy and subscribe to the Glam Bag! You get 4-5 beauty products every month delivered to your door, for just $10. Michelle Phan curates the bags! Check it out here: http://www.ipsy.com/r/44in
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| Ipsy Previous Month |
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| PInchme Free Samples |
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| Birch Box Previous Month |
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| Free Sample |
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| Pinchme Free Samples |
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| APRIL IPSY GLAM BAG |
The Ipsy Glam Bay for April...also 5 products. I love the Urban Decay eye liner, I've had several samples of the BigSexyHair root pump, they all are great so I'm sure this one will be too.
Elizabeth Mott eye shadow, The dr. brandt® microdermabrasion I used this morning and thought it was very nice. My not so crazy choice was the Mary Kay at Play lip gloss. The color is nude and I didn't see the point.
Join me on ipsy and subscribe to the Glam Bag! You get 4-5 beauty products every month delivered to your door, for just $10. Michelle Phan curates the bags! Check it out here: http://www.ipsy.com/r/44in
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
April 9 2014 WOW Another weekly update
I am pretty impressed that I'm updating weekly again. Not that there is a ton to update on but I like looking back week to week to see what has been going on.
The work started on our house this week. Today is the third day. The dogs are about to drive us crazy with all the barking but it will be worth it. The front of the house already looks amazing. I kept thinking I would get pictures so i could do a before and after but of course I didn't, and when i came home Monday it was already too late. FAIL
We started watching Game of Thrones this weekend. We have now watched all three seasons and it's only Wednesday if that tells you anything. Awesome show!! Many late nights because we had to watch just one more. As if we needed one more show to be totally addicted to!
The work started on our house this week. Today is the third day. The dogs are about to drive us crazy with all the barking but it will be worth it. The front of the house already looks amazing. I kept thinking I would get pictures so i could do a before and after but of course I didn't, and when i came home Monday it was already too late. FAIL
We started watching Game of Thrones this weekend. We have now watched all three seasons and it's only Wednesday if that tells you anything. Awesome show!! Many late nights because we had to watch just one more. As if we needed one more show to be totally addicted to!
Another week of spring breakers brought on some excitement. Tenants locked out right after we've left the office of course so we had to drive back up. Late night parties with complaints by the neighbors , causing a late night trip to the key to check things out. Everything was under control..over cautious (nosy) neighbors. Fun times.
And...an almost tragedy. Vic got back home from the late night trip mentioned above and our baby D.J. (the spoiled rotten favorite miniture dachshund of ours) ran out the door to chase our cat (both solid black) in the dark of the night. After nearly having a heart attack DJ decided he was afraid of something across the street and turned and ran right back into Vic's arms! (thank you Spirit!!!) For the rest of the evening he stayed glued to Vic. Ever since we brought DJ home as a puppy when ever he was scared or hurt he found comfort in Vic's arms. The rest of the time he's 100% mommas boy and can be found in my lap.
That's about all the fun that's fit to print.
Have a blessed week.
Saturday, April 5, 2014
April 5 2014 Another week in the life...
Wow...another post and only a week or so has passed. I may just get this thing down after so many years..lol (Don't hold your breath!)
Not a ton has happened since my last post. I changed my hair color..and I love it! I've worked two Saturdays to monitor all of the spring break crowd coming in. I have to control the keys so tenants that are suppose to check in at 3p.m. don't arrive at 9 a.m. before the condos are even clean or empty of other tenants. Fun times. So far today we've had a toaster not working, ceiling fan not working (they didn't turn it on at the wall) dead bolts that could not be figured out until of course Victor drove up from Venice and then all of sudden it magically works and so on...fun times in the property management field.
We got an estimate for some work on our home and hopefully that work will start next week. New soffit and fascia for the house. Hopefully we'll be ready to finalize the sale by the middle of May. We had not really been telling anyone about this but I see that Vic put it on Facebook today so the secrets out! Is anything really REAL until it's on facebook? lol
I'm getting excited about summer...so many fun plans, babies, warm gulf water, visitors and lots of work around the house/yard!
Some pictures since my last post of my world...wow, I didn't take many pictures this week...must.do.better.
Not a ton has happened since my last post. I changed my hair color..and I love it! I've worked two Saturdays to monitor all of the spring break crowd coming in. I have to control the keys so tenants that are suppose to check in at 3p.m. don't arrive at 9 a.m. before the condos are even clean or empty of other tenants. Fun times. So far today we've had a toaster not working, ceiling fan not working (they didn't turn it on at the wall) dead bolts that could not be figured out until of course Victor drove up from Venice and then all of sudden it magically works and so on...fun times in the property management field.
We got an estimate for some work on our home and hopefully that work will start next week. New soffit and fascia for the house. Hopefully we'll be ready to finalize the sale by the middle of May. We had not really been telling anyone about this but I see that Vic put it on Facebook today so the secrets out! Is anything really REAL until it's on facebook? lol
I'm getting excited about summer...so many fun plans, babies, warm gulf water, visitors and lots of work around the house/yard!
Some pictures since my last post of my world...wow, I didn't take many pictures this week...must.do.better.
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| New hair color |
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| Cool shirt I got for Vic Go Cowboys! |
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