This posting is total BS

Just a quick post to let you know I am still here.  Have a had a rough couple weeks that have prevented me from updating this blog.  I will have something cool in the next couple days.

Thanks.

Goodwill Thrift Stores

Goodwill Industries

Goodwill is a 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization.  They provide job training, employment placement services and other various programs for those with disabilities.  They operate a network of retail thrift stores stocked with donated items to run their organization.  It was founded in 1902 by Reverend Edjar J. Helms of the Morgan Methodist Church of Boston, Massachusetts.  Today Goodwill operates over 2600 stores and an online auction site - shopgoodwill.com.  In 2014 they did over 5.37 billion dollars in revenue.  

Shopping Goodwill

Goodwill uses a color coded price tag system to manage their stock.  It rotates in this order:

• BLACK    
• CLEAR
• BLUE       
• YELLOW  
• GREEN    
• RED         

Every Sunday they change the color and for that week that color is 50% off.  So look at the tags when shopping.  I mostly check out 50% off neckties.  After 6-7 weeks anything that is really good is usually long gone with some exceptions.  Around where I am at Inkjet printers and ink seem to go overlooked, if you know what store to look in.  Below are some examples of the tags.

Usually is it pretty easy to tell what color the tag is but see below.

All three of these are considered 'blue'.  The one on the left is the normal 'blue' tag for clothes.  In the middle is a 'clear' tag with a blue sticker and blue plastic price tag holder.  This is also blue.  The blue price sticker is like what you will find on something bigger like a puzzle or houseware.  The one on the right is also a 'clear' tag but it has the 'blue' plastic price tag holder.  Pay attention to the tags. 

Pricing consistency 

As far as I can see there is none.  It seems to be up to the individual store or employee.  Most notably is in the clothing section.  One store will have neckties for $1.99 and others $3.99.  Some will consider "Polo by Ralph Lauren" a premium shirt while others will not.  I have found a complete working Keurig coffee maker for $19.99 at one store and one in pieces, same model $29.99 at another.  Puzzles can go for 99 cents to 4.99 for no reason whatsoever. 

Preferred Customer Card

If your purchase is over $10 it is good towards a stamp on a 'Preferred Customer Card".  Every $10 gets you another stamp.  Once 10 stamps are on the card it is good for $10 off.  They staple the receipts to the card and need those back.  Photocopy them to keep for your own expense records.

To find Goodwill stores near you just type in "goodwill near me" in the Google search box on your smart phone.

Accomplishments February 2016

I did not get much done on my 2016 Q1 Goals.  Number 7 "Beer on weekends only by April" I did mark.  I got a Keurig at Goodwill and now am drinking more coffee and tea and less beer.  It is a step.  Put number 3 on hold for a couple reasons.  I don't know if in the eyes of the IRS I can keep my business and personal eBay accounts separate.  Number 1 is also on hold due to injuring my right knee while servicing an ATM.  Three weeks later and I cannot kneel on it still.

Business wise I am out of the gates.  My Sole Proprietorship is 100% legal.  I got an EIN from the IRS.  City and County Tax receipts.  DBA and the legal notice in the local paper.  State of Florida DDR1 for collecting taxes.  And finally a business checking account.

I did my first listing on February 16th.  It was a 7 day auction and did not sell.  I relisted it as a 30 day buy it now with a make offer.  My first sale was a Pelican i1015 case for a iPhone 4-5 and my second sale came soon after.

 

It was a busy month finalizing the legal stuff and going around getting things to sell.  I made 41 trips to various thrift stores, 63+ garage sales and a couple flea markets.  My eye is getting trained and I am learning what to look for.  I seem to be zero'd in on Keurig coffee makers!

Social media marketing was also started on Twitter and also Pinterest.  Twitter is pretty easy for me but I am still baffled by Pinterest.  Soon...

Next month

Getting signed up for Amazon FBA is the big one.  I have a ton of books that must go and a bunch of puzzles I have found thrifting.  I am also excited about retail arbitrage.