Craftsman Curse - update

[ssdave]

I've posted before that I'm cursed with Craftsman.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=389247

Every tool lot I get has a few, a few dozen, or a hundred in it. I can't get rid of them as fast as they accumulate. A while back I got serious about trying to get rid of them. I posted them for what people on here were claiming was give-away price; no takers. I put up a poll and put up a lot of 900 in the classifieds for $1600, then reduced to $1250 to go with the poll. No takers but I had some amusement out of the replies about the value.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=385146

Then, I got serious about selling them, added more I'd weeded out of my main box, counted what was there, took pictures and put an ad up for 1000+ pieces for $1250.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=433449

No takers, so I started selling individual sets here and on ebay, and kept track of the net return after shipping and ebay fees. As I've found more pieces, I've added them to the lot at $1.25 each, as I've sold, I've subtracted $1.25 each.

So far, I've sold 177 pieces for a net after expenses of $711. Remaining are 967 pieces, price is $1093.50.

Turns out the lot has been quite lucrative to sell on ebay and in sets here, instead of selling the lot. It's been a bit amusing, too.

 

[lardy1]

I just put a pretty big Craftsman lot in the local auction. Too many odds and ends in my life that I'm caring less and less about.

 

[cptn_zippy]

I have found I get considerably more $$ for stuff I sell on eBay, Craig’s, OfferUp, etc. vs GJ. Everyone here is looking for a “You ****” price (myself included).

J

 

[Jason280]

Selling in bulk is not only more difficult, but will result in lower prices.

 

[LB-1911]

I have found I get considerably more $$ for stuff I sell on eBay, Craig’s, OfferUp, etc. vs GJ. Everyone here is looking for a “You ****” price (myself included).

J

As a reminder -

Note: The Garage Journal is not a classifieds site.

We have a classifieds section just so that users can help each other out with deals and finds.

If you are here looking for profit, please don't post.

Source of above @ ★★★ Classified Rules - Read before posting! ★★★

 

[JR 42]

Yeah, I'm up to my eyeballs in random Craftsman sockets already, can't imagine buying a pile for anything less than peanuts. Glad to hear you found a way to make money on them- it gives me hope.

 

[jasonphelps]

I've been trying to sell mine for $1 each shipped which might net me $.50 and still no takers.

 

[measuredtwice]

I've been trying to sell mine for $1 each shipped which might net me $.50 and still no takers.

How do you ship? Are you shipping without tracking?

Sale price $1 shipped
Final Value Fee: $0.10
PayPal Fee: $0.33
Total Fees: $0.43
Net Proceeds: $0.57

If you make $0.50 then that leaves 7 cents for shipping.


Btw, USPS rates went up again at the end of January.

USPS Mail Class (effective Sunday, January 26, 2020)
First Class Mail Letter (1 oz.) - Retail/Post Office Rate* $0.55
Priority Mail (1 lb., zones 1&2) $6.95 and up
Priority Mail Small Flat Rate $8.30
Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate $15.05
First Class Package Service (1-6 oz.) $2.74 and up
Parcel Select Ground (1 lb., zones 1&2) $6.92 and up
Retail Ground (1 lb., zones 1&2) - Retail/Post Office Rate*
Formerly Parcel Post and Standard Post $7.50 and up

 

[jasonphelps]

I'm selling for $1 per socket but in lots due to shipping. For instance, I can sell 7 sockets with free shipping and shipping costs me $3.50 or so.

 

[measuredtwice]

I'm selling for $1 per socket but in lots due to shipping. For instance, I can sell 7 sockets with free shipping and shipping costs me $3.50 or so.

That's still pretty rough with a net of around $0.33 per socket. I wouldn't have the patience but I tip my hat to those that do.

$7 shipped for 7 sockets
Final Value Fee: $0.70
PayPal Fee: $0.50
Total Fees: $1.20
Shipping: $3.50
Net Proceeds: $2.30 (total for 7 or around $0.33 per socket)

 

[jasonphelps]

It's not really about making money, but trying to get them to someone that will use them.
I think ebay and paypal fees are ridiculous. I wish there were better competitors out there.

 

[measuredtwice]

It's not really about making money, but trying to get them to someone that will use them.
I think ebay and paypal fees are ridiculous. I wish there were better competitors out there.

It's especially difficult with values that are close to the cost of shipping. China has the advantage. It costs less to ship 1/2 pound of tools from China to Detroit, for example, than it costs to ship from Chicago to Detroit. When shipped from China, the package will land in Chicago and be delivered to Detroit by the USPS. So it goes the same path but the difference in shipping costs Americans more to buy from Americans.

 

[Parrothead]

China has the advantage. It costs less to ship 1/2 pound of tools from China to Detroit, for example, than it costs to ship from Chicago to Detroit. When shipped from China, the package will land in Chicago and be delivered to Detroit by the USPS. So it goes the same path but the difference in shipping costs Americans more to buy from Americans.

This is absolutely true. I have purchased a bunch of different things from AliExpress and it’s stunning to me how much I can purchase and have delivered.

As an example, I bought 50 fiberglass reinforced cutting discs for my Dremel for $4 delivered to my door. They’re every bit as good, if not better than the actual Dremel discs. $4! LED H11 fog light? $11. To my door. They work great and have for a year. Should they fail, I’ll order another pair for $11.

 

[seber]

I'm selling for $1 per socket but in lots due to shipping. For instance, I can sell 7 sockets with free shipping and shipping costs me $3.50 or so.

How do you ship for $3.50?

 

[demarpaint]

Subscribed.

 

[cherrybomb]

Pay them forward to a high school mechanic class,vovational school or somebody working on their vehicle just so they can get to work.IMO its just not worth it.Thats how I was brought up.There are probably guys out there, that would appreciate your excess.

 

[Davefr]

I think ebay and paypal fees are ridiculous. I wish there were better competitors out there.

Really??? 10% to Ebay and 3% to PP is ridiculous to reach the entire world of buyers??

Have you priced auctioneers, estate sale companies, pawn shops, consignment stores, flea market tables and compared net proceeds? Or the tiny fraction of the price you'd get at CL or at a G-sale?

If there's a better ROI option, I'm all ears?

 

[Two Speed]

No takers, so I started selling individual sets here and on ebay, and kept track of the net return after shipping and ebay fees. As I've found more pieces, I've added them to the lot at $1.25 each, as I've sold, I've subtracted $1.25 each.

Not too surprising really. Unless someone is looking for a large lot of tools to buy, takers will be far and few between. Also, it is psychologically easier to drop 100 bucks on some tools online, than 1200 bucks, even if it is a smashing deal (again, unless you happen to be looking for a majority of the items in the lot).
And given the nature of this site, we're more apt to fill holes in a set or get a kit or two we don't already have, or just can't say no to.

Alex.

 

[finn]

New Husky sockets were going for $59 for a 200 piece set at Home Depot.

Those Husky sockets are reportedly made by Apex, same as some of the Craftsman were.

That’s about $.33/socket

 

[Black300zx]

Turns out the lot has been quite lucrative to sell on ebay and in sets here, instead of selling the lot. It's been a bit amusing, too.

By selling in smaller sets you open yourself up to MANY more potential buyers. Not many people want or need 1000+ tools in one purchase. Many people want and need smaller sets.

 

[Locker537]

Make sets for friends and family and give them away...

 

[cptn_zippy]

As a reminder -

Note: The Garage Journal is not a classifieds site.

We have a classifieds section just so that users can help each other out with deals and finds.

If you are here looking for profit, please don't post.

Source of above @ ★★★ Classified Rules - Read before posting! ★★★

Well, based on my observations of the classified section, save other than an occasional free item, people aren't exactly looking to give away their stuff to help a brother out.

J

 

[nelstomlinson]

Around $20, price plus shipping, is the sweet spot for impulse purchases for me. Make up ``sets'' you can peddle for $20-ish. A dozen wrenches or screwdrivers or a dozen sockets and a ratchet for $20 buy it now and free shipping would probably move pretty well.

 

[jasonphelps]

How do you ship for $3.50?

Well of course it depends on the weight. If they are 1/4" drive, the smaller sizes aren't very heavy. Anything up to 8 oz. is about $3.25 I think. USPS First Class.
A set of 1/2" drive I'll ship priority flat rate. and it's $7-8.

 

[lardy1]

I find eBay to be very disappointing. Shipping eats your lunch. I'm having some success at the local auction. Actually, I'm getting more than I thought I would.