Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Tax Time Hits Stormdrane Hard, Stuff Headed For ebay...

After doing my taxes, I've found that I owe quite a bit more than I thought I would, and my savings were dented by recent work I needed done on my 15 year old truck.  So, I've started digging items out of my collection/gadget drawer to sell on ebay, and hopefully dig myself out of this $ pit of woe before the gubmint deadline.

Many of the items have been shown with previous knotting projects posted on my blog, and others I'd put away to use as gifts for friends and family, or for my personal use and collection.  I started listing some items yesterday, and have added a few more today, all in auction format, starting at $0.99 and free shipping, just for the U.S. at this time.

Unfortunately the cost and delivery time frame of shipping international means I had to leave that selling option out.  Sorry, to my overseas friends and followers that would like to help.  I may be adding more items throughout the week, and if I end up having to borrow money to pay my bills, I may continue putting things up on ebay and include international and overseas buyers that may be interested.

My current concern is getting screwed with the shipping.  I plan to use USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes, that offer tracking and some insurance and usually faster delivery times(not always), and can be shipped from home without further spending on burning fuel and time going back and forth to the post office.  But, at a starting shipping rate of $5.95 for the small box, and ebay/paypal rates and fees, I could possibly end up not making anything on some items, or worse, lose money and have to pay out of pocket to make up the difference...

*I do get a small percentage of every VENOM mochi by Stormdrane drawstring backpack sold, with 'Stormdrane' logo, knotted zipper pull, and stitched paracord handle, so every sale on those helps too. 

Being an Amazon Associate, sales on Amazon generated through those links on my blog bring in a little bit, as well as the Google ads displayed at the top of the page and in the sidebar, and watching my YouTube videos provides support too.  I know I need to make some new ones as traffic has been on a decline.  

This year makes it a decade since I started my blog, so thanks to all those that stop by and share an interest in knotty things. ;)





10 comments:

Dobes said...

Would have liked to help you out and buy a couple things but since you require PayPal and for whatever reason they think my email is not valid to set up an account, I am unable to bid. The payment would come from the same card so unfortunately I think you are limiting your success with this requirement. Good luck.

Dobes said...

I gotta tell you stormdrane, you really make it difficult. So now I finally get PayPal to accept my email address and I bid on an item. I'd like to bid on more and you won't allow it? Your rules are hard to understand for someone who needs a financial boost.

Stormdrane said...

I merely set it up the ebay auctions currently for U.S. sales only, and payment by PayPal(which should work with credit cards and banks).

I don't know why it's not letting you use PayPal unless you're not in the U.S., or maybe they have to confirm your account first.?

I remember some of the other settings had to do with the option prohibiting bidders with no feedback or negative marks against them. I'll have to look and see what other fine print they may have that I missed that would limit bidding...

Dobes said...

Well I don't know. I was able to finally bid on one item. I am in the US and have no negative marks using eBay. Now I have never left feedback for what I've purchased but I can't imagine that being an issue. In any case, I have my item to watch, wish I could bid on more but I hope others do. You have some great items to auction. Good luck.

MATTLBS said...

I'm trying to either own some of them, or make sure you make money off the deal from whoever beats my bids. Good luck brother! It'd be an honor to own anything tied by you.

Rise Abuv said...

Hello Stormdrane. Man you have been such a big inspiration/motivator/teacher to so many people that would love to show some support. I want to get a few new knot books so I will get them through your Amazon links. That brings me to my next thought. I'm pretty sure that I have mentioned this before, not sure if you like the idea or not but, If you made a book, "Stormdrane A gallery of Awesome" it would sell. Pretty well I imagine because, one , you have helped so many of us, and two, the awesome. Seriously, your time and dedication to this is imense, for that we are Thankful, this generations Bud Brewer man. So thanks. Lets see that book one some coffee tables!

Jose Nieves-Cortes said...

Don't see any items up on Ebay so someone was faster than me and snatched them ;)

The link for the "referral program" from Mochi isn't working. I'll have to hide some of my other bags so I can convince the missus that I just HAVE to buy a new one..

Stormdrane said...

The ebay auctions ran for five days before ending, but since I'm still short of where I need to be, I have to sort through the collection/gadget drawer for some more things to list, and soon with the tax deadline looming...

I don't know when/why the referral link went down on the Mochibrand site. I checked it when I made the blog post and it was still up then. I'll take the link out of the post for now, but will check to see if it comes back up and link it again if it does. :)

Unknown said...

I am looking for a med alert bracelet made like this

Stormdrane said...

There are some folks on ebay/etsy/facebook groups that do custom paracord work by request/commission that may be able to make whichever design you had in mind. One of the larger groups is Parachute Cord Crafters, you might start with a look through some of the work posted there. ;)