chattel help

[jsansi]

Doing some chatteling. Its going good, but I'm not selling things quickly. Usually taking a 2-3 weeks to move an item.

I always check prices against ebay sold listings. So I'm buying and selling below those prices. Not sure if I'm doing something wrong to get items to sell faster.

I know I can list on ebay, but after the ebay, paypal, and shipping fees (like a large stroller) would likely eat any potential profits.

Suggestions?

[GordonJ]

Originally Posted by jsansi

Doing some chatteling. Its going good, but I'm not selling things quickly. Usually taking a 2-3 weeks to move an item.

I always check prices against ebay sold listings. So I'm buying and selling below those prices. Not sure if I'm doing something wrong to get items to sell faster.

I know I can list on ebay, but after the ebay, paypal, and shipping fees (like a large stroller) would likely eat any potential profits.

Suggestions?

You don't give much to work with, but, in general try better copy. If you are not using eBay to sell, then is this mostly local? Where do you advertise?

In general, you will find more pics and longer reason why copy to be your friend when wanting faster flips.

Now I believe in faster (lower) profits rather than holding something for that long, one week is too long, so 2 to 3 weeks might mean you are giving up quicker turn over for bigger profits. I believe that circulation beats storage or holding every day of the week.

Now there are a lot of Chattelers these days, and some like to hold and store stuff, even have storage places, garages filled...and it works for them.

So without knowing too much about what you are doing, the one piece of general advice would be....work on your copy, especially headlines, and give the reader a reason why you are selling this thing.

Gordon

[jsansi]

okay... here's one copy of the CL ad:
https://reno.craigslist.org/bab/d/sp...131160129.html

Maybe CL is just not where folks are nowadays. Unfortunately still waiting for facebook marketplace approval. Though I've posted a similar ad on the local buy/sell FB group.

[GordonJ]

Originally Posted by jsansi

okay... here's one copy of the CL ad:
https://reno.craigslist.org/bab/d/sp...131160129.html

Maybe CL is just not where folks are nowadays. Unfortunately still waiting for facebook marketplace approval. Though I've posted a similar ad on the local buy/sell FB group.

I see there are many strollers listed on your craigslist site, yet none on the Reno Facebook marketplace. And you have a Reno yard sale/online group to post it in.

Did you pay anything for this, or did you buy it to flip?

I would tell a story. Maybe put kid in one, or a doll, the one you are keeping and put the one for sale next to it.

Two Strollers. ONE Kid. Make an offer.

Bobby has chosen. We pushed him around the streets of Reno in both strollers, and although he fell asleep in both of them, we think he likes the one on the left.

But, truthfully, Bobby didn't get to decide. We're not letting our two year tell us what to do (anymore than he already does).

The clean, sanitized, like new McLaren has to go. WE have spoken. Bobby probably won't even notice. But you will note how smooth this foldable, lightweight stroller pushes, handles even the most bumpy sidewalks in town with ease.

Your babe will be fast asleep in minutes, or you can just let him or her take in the neighborhood. Protected from the sun, your child will appreciate the smooth ride.

And since we don't need two strollers, we'll accept any reasonable offers, so make us one.

OH, make your offer on the stroller, we're keeping Bobby for now, but check back when he hits his teen years, we may have changed our minds.

Asking 83.75. We need the change for the pop ring machine inside the Discount Drug Mart store (for us, Bobby has his binky, we need ours).

INFO.

Be creative with your ad, first job is to get it read, then a reason why you are selling, and sometimes humour will work with these mundane, but a story almost always works faster than a description.

And post it in all the free places at your disposal.

Gordon

[jsansi]

I bought it to flip ...

I appreciate the help Gordon. Feels like however much I think I know, I don't really know anything at all. I'm reworking and testing the ads now based on your suggestion.

[GordonJ]

Originally Posted by jsansi

I bought it to flip ...

I appreciate the help Gordon. Feels like however much I think I know, I don't really know anything at all. I'm reworking and testing the ads now based on your suggestion.

I don't sell it, the report, haven't for a long time, but it has been around for 25 years in various forms.

Here is what I've learned. FEW, very few ever took the time to build networks. I once had videos posted on Youtube, and it was a big part of the report.

But most of the Chattelers were very part time, made some deals, then got back to what they were doing before I distracted them.

The number one question was always WHAT to sell. And it is the number one stumbling block, because MY answer has always been, it doesn't matter WHAT it is, is it something someone wants and is there profit in it?

Follow some of the current people who buy and sell for a living, and that becomes pretty clear.

In the original report, I did a big section on the PSYCHOLOGY of buying and selling and how to use that both when buying and then when selling.

My general advice I gave here, BETTER COPY (or reasons why) is one part of it.

Knowing one makes their money on the BUY, is also a big part of it. Today, the tools, like eBay sold listings, craigslist, Facebook market place are all places to learn what people want and have paid cold hard cash for.

Also, I've learned Chatteling pops up again and again, when jobs are lost, people need fast cash, or get desperate.

I explained it took a year to build up your networks, by visiting those buyers of chattel, the local bike shop, music store, collectibles, thrifts, outlets, consignments, etc., etc.

Today, almost all of it is being done online, with either pick up, shipping or delivery, as more and more retailers were forced to close.

Get to know WHY people sell for undervalue, and then use good copy writing skills to tell a story why someone should buy it from you, and pocket the difference.

Gordon

[unpinkpanther]

Originally Posted by GordonJ

I don't sell it, the report, haven't for a long time, but it has been around for 25 years in various forms.

Knowing one makes their money on the BUY, is also a big part of it. Today, the tools, like eBay sold listings, craigslist, Facebook market place are all places to learn what people want and have paid cold hard cash for.

Get to know WHY people sell for undervalue, and then use good copy writing skills to tell a story why someone should buy it from you, and pocket the difference.

Gordon

Hey Gordon

Thanks again for sharing the information you did on the Sprint to Freedom-Chattel Report.

I think the concepts of the Parade of Life and the Bike Metaphor for Building Networks are solid GOLD.

(I also chuckle whenever I read the sections where you tell the reader to use the coloured markers enclosed, but that's another story altogether!)

I'm curious: if you were to update that report for today, what is the KEY part you would focus on?

[GordonJ]

Originally Posted by unpinkpanther

Hey Gordon

Thanks again for sharing the information you did on the Sprint to Freedom-Chattel Report.

I think the concepts of the Parade of Life and the Bike Metaphor for Building Networks are solid GOLD.

(I also chuckle whenever I read the sections where you tell the reader to use the coloured markers enclosed, but that's another story altogether!)

I'm curious: if you were to update that report for today, what is the KEY part you would focus on?

The part I would focus on are the 12 weeks, and start it at 1k dollars, telling the readers that at that level and a consistent 20% would get them to "freedom" much faster, and I would probably make it twice a week for transactions, to go even faster.

I would take out the Parade of Life, the psychology parts and maybe put more advertising into it.

Thanks for asking.

Gordon "Mr. Chattel" Alexander

That's interesting because the parade of life and psychology parts are my favorite.

I do agree with scaling up to begin with, if possible.

I've been having some fun buying "drum machines" on Craigslist then reselling them on Reverb, which is a marketplace for used musical instruments.

A used Drum Machine, depending on the model, can sell for $200 to $800.

A lot of young guys buy a drum machine, maybe play with it once if at all, then it collects dust in a drawer for a few years until they decide they want to just get rid of it for cheap.

It's pretty easy to flip these on Reverb or eBay and profit anywhere from $100 to $150 average.

The only wrinkle is finding ENOUGH of these at the correct price to flip for profit, but one or two a week is doable.

[GordonJ]

You and I are in the minority. I like the psychology parts too.

I like the drum machines and used to flip a lot of equalizers back in the day of "real" stereo equipment (talking turntables, tuners, amps...all that fun stuff). I once was big into cameras, in fact, how I got started.

But one needs a supply, and when I first wrote the original Chattel Report, I found the mundane, ho-hum everyday stuff would sell faster. Then, once the Internet allowed such things, I searched for PRICES only.

The 12 steps in the report could be started at any level, even a 9 year old could start with 10 bux and keep it going...but in the spirit of

THE SPRINT TO FREEDOM

Rather than the marathon ... If someone started at 1k, it would only take six weeks to get to a 1k a week profit, and two deals would put them in the 100k a year range. And truthfully, it is (for me) easier to find 200 bux in profit in something selling for 1k, than it is to find 20 bux in something selling for 100.

But as long as the transactions keep one in the black, it is whatever works. I would guess that beat machines (are they similar) and all things home music would be good chatteling today.

Thanks for sharing.

Gordon

PS "...my Arabian drums, should I put them by the gate, or sad eyed lady should I wait". Would Dylan leave the "drum machines" by the gate?? Someday, I want to make a movie from his JACK OF DIAMONDS. Someday.

Originally Posted by Anonymous

That's interesting because the parade of life and psychology parts are my favorite.

I do agree with scaling up to begin with, if possible.

I've been having some fun buying "drum machines" on Craigslist then reselling them on Reverb, which is a marketplace for used musical instruments.

A used Drum Machine, depending on the model, can sell for $200 to $800.

A lot of young guys buy a drum machine, maybe play with it once if at all, then it collects dust in a drawer for a few years until they decide they want to just get rid of it for cheap.

It's pretty easy to flip these on Reverb or eBay and profit anywhere from $100 to $150 average.

The only wrinkle is finding ENOUGH of these at the correct price to flip for profit, but one or two a week is doable.