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Daily Writing, Side Hustles

Past Attempts at Starting a Business

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In late 2012 I first heard about Bitcoin and started learning about how it worked and its potential to replace fiat currency. That never really came to fruition as we now know, but the world is perhaps getting more comfortable with the idea of transacting with crypto on occasion.

In 2013, I decided I wanted to buy one of the ASIC mining machines from a European company, it was called a Neptune or Saturn, I think. I didn’t have enough money in savings, so I headed to Suntrust (now Truist) and spoke with a loan officer.

My loan application was rejected; as I had no verifiable credit history. The only thing on my report was a credit card that had been opened without my consent back when I lived in Astoria, OR, by Wells Fargo, back during that scandal.

So, I went off to build a credit history, and that led me to Doctor of Credit and the FatWallet Forums.

First Business

I picked up several personal credit cards (Delta Blue) and also started mining Litecoin with a couple of old computers. I formed a Sole Proprietorship (Kasanje Technologies 13′-20′) and applied for an ITIN number, which I then used to apply for business credit cards.

All this while still working at nearly minimum wage for CVS/Health. At my peak I had 80k in personal credit and 14k in business credit. This was sometime in 2014-16. Of course by then the chip technology had vastly improved and the mining rig I originally wanted was obsolete.

Many things happened during my crypto period. I added more GPUs to my home rig, I fell for several scams, I bought and spent a couple hundred bitcoin on aging equipment, and my final mining venture was buying several Apollo Scypt miners. I still have those in my closet.

After some lightning strikes in 2019 and legal trouble in 2020, I closed the business and sold my remaining bitcoin to cover a portion of my debt. I had gotten a $3,500 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) from the Small Business Association (SBA) during COVID. I managed to pay it off in 2021, by paying $100 every month.

A couple of months later, Bitcoin hit 10k and I lamented my decision to sell. I would had enough to more than cover my expenses and been left with profit had I “HODL” a bit longer.

Second Attempt

In the course of my legal problems I struck upon the idea of building a talent agency for YouTubers. I don’t know what I was thinking, but I managed to convince myself enough to file Articles of Incorporation and start an LLC.

This is an old bad habit of mine going back to elementary school. I’ll often come up with an idea and create a framework around the idea without actually having any content to fill the space.

I still do it on this website, where I get hooked on a subject and then go out and design a template tailored to the topic without knowing anything about the topic or even knowing where to start researching.

Typically, I finish the template and then lose interest in the topic. That’s my Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) at work.

I had named the business “Bliss in Bloom: Influencers LLC,” I think it was the moment I came up with the name that triggered my old habit. I made social media accounts and a website for it. I designed business cards and had them printed. I went all out; without any idea of how to recruit anyone to join my idea.

That’s all it really was, just an idea. I went all in on an idea.

I did this recently when I coined the MSTT (Marginalized, Sexualized, Traumatized, and Trivialized) acronym. That led me to writing up a post, but all I had was those 4 words, so I had to research and build from the ground up.

That post didn’t really go anywhere because, its not in this site’s niche, and there really isn’t anyway to refer to it in conversation without things getting uncomfortable.

A week after forming the LLC I closed it. But I didn’t do it right, and I got a strongly worded letter from the NC Secretary of States office. I had to pay a small fine and then properly close the business.

3rd Times a Charm?

In July of 2024, shortly before graduating from Vance-Granville CC, I started selling items on eBay in earnest. I had previously sold Star Wars novels on eBay back in 2014-16, so my account had a good rating and history.

I had been getting a bunch of thrifting and reselling videos in my YouTube feed and that led me to getting hooked on the idea of being a full-time reseller.

So far its going slow, but I am making a small profit. Last year, I was in the red by about $30 come New Years Eve. This year, I should be finishing off with around $500 in net revenue from my eBay shops.

My main shop is (fatwalletrefugee). I sourced mostly men’s apparel from Goodwill, Safe Space, and Cause for Paws in the beginning. Over time, I picked up the odd women’s garment, mostly items with the tags attached.

After awhile I hit my free listings limit and looked up whether you could have more than one store. It turns out you can have multiple shops, they just need to have separate email address associated with them.

I have shops for women’s wear (lafemme1st), golf apparel (golfforless), and home hardware/automotive/building supplies (kingcastle).

Golf for Less is the sportsperson's apparel shop that won't hurt your wallet. Enjoy low fixed prices on all shop items, New and Used. Golf for Less, where we always: Aim for green on the field and green in your wallet.
At King's Castle Home Improvement, we believe every home deserves to be a fortress of comfort, style, and functionality—your castle should be as grand as you envision. From expert renovations to premium materials, we’re here to help you reign supreme over your domain. Upgrade your home today and transform it into the palace you deserve. Please reach out to us directly with any questions you may have. Note that we offer free, no-questions-asked returns for up to 30 days after purchase. If you're not happy with the item for any reason after purchasing, simply open a return, send it back for free, and we will refund your money in full. Thanks, and have a great day!
Step into style without stepping out of budget! At La Femme 1st, our women's apparel shop is your destination for high-quality, trend-forward fashion that won't break the bank. Experience a perfect blend of value and elegance, designed to empower you to look and feel your best—every day.

Earning as of November for these other shops are:

  • Lafemme1st: $379.94
  • GolfforLess: $237.92
  • King Castle: $113.46

On my main account, I recently signed a revenue purchase agreement with Liberis (Oct. 30th). I received a $600 deposit to my bank in exchange for 30% cut of my daily sales. There was a $79 fee for getting the agreement completed.

Supposedly, this will be paid off sometime in June of 2026. My sales for the 4th quarter had plummeted so I am a bit concerned. But the 600 bucks was well spent paying down my AMEX balance after that trip to Washington State (Domestic Travel: Washington).

I had tinkered with the idea of this website being a part of my business, but I still feel its more of a hobby, especially now that I have purged the site of certain content (Hard Choices). Although, I have come up with a compromise that I think will allow some wiggle room.

Since I graduated from my college and am now holding a nice Business Degree, I ought to make some use of it.

So here are some tips for getting started with entrepreneurship.

Funding a Business

Securing funding is important for small business success and needs a smart approach to financing options. Considering personal risks and control can help you make informed choices that match your long-term goals.

Where do I get the Money?

Determining how much money you need is the first step in choosing the right funding source, like self-funding, investors, loans, or a mix of these.

Most places will want you to borrow a minimum amount ($1,000) they can charge interest on. For small amounts you might get sent to a Cash Advance site so be careful.

  • Self-funding means using your own money, like savings or family help, which allows you to have complete control over your business.
  • Crowdfunding is a low-risk way to keep full ownership while getting support from many contributors. I used Kickstarter for an art project once. IndieGoGo is another option.
  • Small business loans help you keep control of your company while getting needed funds. A good business plan and financial forecasts can improve your chances of getting better loan terms.
  • Venture Capital is a good choice for startups looking to grow quickly and willing to give up some ownership for funding.
  • Grants offer funding that does not need to be repaid, but competition is tough. Many grants are available for women and minority-owned businesses, like the Amber Grant.
  • Microlending can help startups that can’t get bank loans. It offers small loans that are important for starting up, though they come with interest payments.
  • Peer-to-peer lending platforms connect borrowers directly with investors, often offering better terms than traditional banks.

Small Business Administration

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is crucial for new businesses. It provides funding options like SBA-backed loans, which reduce risks for banks, helping entrepreneurs get financing.

They also have loans and resources for veterans, women, minorities, Native Americans, and rural businesses.

Using the SBA’s counseling and training services can greatly help entrepreneurs in securing funding and managing their businesses. Your local community college likely has a business aid office.

Long-Term Success

Selecting the right mix of funding sources (family loan?) for your business is essential. Entrepreneurs should consider options like personal savings, loans, grants, and investors, while keeping a balanced approach.

Taking into account risks, control levels, and financial knowledge can help in successfully financing business operations.

Continuous learning and consulting with financial experts (on Reddit) can help optimize capital structure, leading to new opportunities for business growth.

That’s it for today. It’s been rainy so I haven’t been out photographing towns this week. Expect a new Travel post sometime next week.

Thanks for reading!

Side Hustles

eBay Sales 2025 (Q1-3)

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I was checking the dates on another series, WordAds quarterly, and realized I had spaced out the eBay reports.

My last report for eBay was Q4 of 2024.

Early Difficulties

It had been a decidedly slow year for me with my sales prior to the start of the fourth quarter. I also made a $280 blunder along the way, that didn’t help my bottom line by any measure.

I had given some though to looking for other employment after considering my auto insurance bills. I’m keeping that on the table for the time being.

I of course did try to get work after graduating, but found I couldn’t pass the background checks, which led me to self employment.

June and September were my worst months, bringing in under 100 dollars. March through May were excellent by comparison averaging 433 dollars per month.

Estate Sale

In January, I attended my first estate sale. I bought a biker jacket that turned out to be not what I was expecting, but it was actually worth quite a bit. I managed to sell all the items I got there and made a nice profit.

Resourcing

I continued to purchase new inventory at the Treasure Hunt store and Goodwill for a time, but eventually gave up on the Goodwill. Earlier in the year they had stopped accepting American Express at my local Goodwill store and so I stopped going.

I think I went back a couple of times and used my Altitude Go card, but for the most part I got hooked on dollar day at the bin store.

I lost my head at one point and ransacked the bins for all of these swimsuits.

In all I bought 67 swimsuits that I will likely never be able to sell.

Treasures Found

But I have picked up some good items.

I have a large collection of Target brands including Wild Fable, Shade & Shore, and Future Collective now listed on LaFemme1st. I have received deposits of $379 from sales on LaFemme1st so far this year.

The majority of items from the mentioned brands have been swim wear, so these sales are mostly seasonal. But I have had some holiday sales, so I remain hopeful. All of the items are new with tags attached.

I am keeping a list of my Target brand sales included in the eBay Style Code Catalog post. I hope this post will become a resource for other sellers.

Bin Purchases and Pricing Legend (Jan-Oct)

After the recent trip to Washington, I decided to halt purchasing new stock for my shops. I have been good so far and have not visited either the Goodwill or the Treasure Hunt bin store this month.

Wednesday makes up the vast majority of purchases for me at the bin store. I did decide to stop buying air and water filters. There is just too much competition for them on eBay.

Filters also take up a large amount of space and they are heavy. The bag I have them in is a real killer to move about the room.

I’ll see about returning to the store next year in January to see if all the swimwear is gone. I hope to find more dresses and tops. Maybe some jeans if I am lucky.

Personal Health

I’ve also made some changes in my life beyond reselling. I have removed milk, candy, and coffee, from my diet. I am making this change now rather than wait for further bad news from my doctor.

I remain on medication for cholesterol, but I expect my numbers will improve soon. Cutting out candy will reduce my chances of developing type 2 diabetes and eliminating coffee will improve my sleeping habits.

I’ll be turning 40 in nine days. I’m not where I had planned to be, but I am still alive, so I will count that as a boon.

Errant Literary, Side Hustles

Settling back in to old Routines

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My first week back home from the vacation to Washington is nearly over. I think I slipped right back into old habits for the most part. Other than the loss of my watch, much is the same.

On Monday, my eBay shop came off of Time Away, and traffic, organic and promotional, returned to my listings.

I have received 6 orders so far. 3 for FatWalletRefugee, 2 for LaFemme1st, and an AprilAire filter through KingsCastleHomeImprovement.

In the weeks before leaving on my trip, I was involved in getting funding through Liberis for my eBay store.

For several months now, I have seen a banner notice saying I qualified for funding.

I had done some due diligence over on Reddit to see what other sellers had to say about the funding offer. I encountered mixed feelings among the comments.

In the end I decided to go for it. But as the trip approached, I decided it wasn’t a good time to initiate the “loan,” so I declined to sign the contract and after some messages, I let Liberis know I would reapply when I got back.

So two days ago, when I logged into eBay, I saw two banners. One for $600 in funding and the other for a line of credit valued at $1,100. I must say, the line of credit was appealing, but I was wary of the pitfalls of debt and decided to stick with the $600.

It’s not actually a loan per se. What I signed is a revenue purchase agreement. I agreed that 30% of all of my sales would go to paying off the lump sum funding I received. There was also one-time fee of $79.

The estimate I was shown said it would take 4-6 months at my regular rate of sales to pay back the $600 funding.

I received the money in my bank account yesterday and used it to pay off the American Express card that I use for sourcing products.

I also switched to GEICO for my car insurance, so I had another $1,120 charged to it today. I’m saving around $640 annually with this switch in insurers.

Although, I had a heck of a time getting through the application process. Somewhere in this world there lives a web designer; an employee of GEICO, who really needs their head smashed in. I said as much in the exit survey.

Actually, I toned it down. But that web form made me violently, violently angry. I finally got it done after having to clear my cookies and resubmit the form 3 times. No back or undo function. Utter eejits, all of them.

Next goal for my business is to not spend a penny on any new goods. I have backlog of unlisted products, I should be able to finish the year in the black.

Side Hustles

eBay Style Code Catalog

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I find it slightly annoying when I search for a style code and Google insists there are no results related to my search. This happens often enough that a post like this has become necessary.

This post is mostly for my own records, but the data may prove useful for others, so it’s not being written on a post-it note.

Further Uses

I’m adding more information that is adjacent to the list.

  • Helpful tidbits for when I am out sourcing and don’t know what something is or how to describe an item for a listing.
  • More detailed descriptions of women’s clothing.
  • A separate list for white-label apparel sold at Target.
Thrift List
  1. Further Uses
    1. Style Code Catalog
      1. Textual List
      2. Visual List
    2. Amazon LPN Codes
    3. Women’s Garment Types and Styles
      1. Outerwear
        1. Women’s Tops
        2. Camisole
      2. Undergarments
        1. Bras
        2. Bralette
        3. Young Adult Bras
    4. Target Clothing Style Codes
      1. Wild Fable Swimwear
      2. Wild Fable Clothing
      3. Shade & Shore Swimwear
      4. Future Collective by Target

Style Code Catalog

Textual List

CodeBrandTypeStyleThemeMaterialOrigin
TL111278Greg NormanShortsChinoGolf, Activewear, Sports90% polyester, 10% spandexJordan
R86271 (Navy Keg)ZeroXposurT-ShirtAthleticSun Protection UPF 50+100% PolyesterChina
A509516QuiksilverButton Down ShirtCasualTropical, Surfer62% Cotton, 38% PolynosicIndonesia
1366130Under ArmourActivewear ShirtAthleticSporty, Chrome96% Polyester, 4% ElastaneHonduras
K53190NauticaFleecePulloverSailing, Golf55% Cotton, 45% PolyesterVietnam
1366691Under ArmourT-ShirtPulloverSport, Jacquard100% PolyesterJordan
UA-NSCRAT3-010ArcadeBeltCustom Fit (40″ max)Adventure, TSA CompliantPolyester,Plastic, RubberChina
B71603NauticaShortsCasualGolf52% Linen, 48% CottonBangladesh
j9657mpzlpButtons by Francesca’sMini DressPulloverParty, Cocktail95% Cotton, 5% SpandexChina

Visual List

The distinction between men’s and women’s for the Under Armour Velocity series appears to be the necklines. Men’s features a crew neck while Women’s have a V-neck.

The firm selling the Arcade belts has an official eBay account, and all of the pictures I found online were from the manufacturer.

It is generally advised not to use the brand’s photos in your listing; take your own photos to avoid getting flagged for copyright or trademark issues.

I have received a VeRO take-down in the past from Samsung for misuse of images and trademarks.

If you need an image and can’t take your own, you can use any of the ones included in this post.

Amazon LPN Codes

An LPN Label is a pre-printed label with a unique number that only fits one pallet or one box. At Amazon warehouses, any item marked “non-deliverable” is affixed with an LPN sticker regardless of whether the item is new or a return.

When reselling, it is important that we check the product’s condition, because often the LPN-affixed packages may have been used by the customer. You’ll encounter this more often with clothing items than with things like hardware or office supplies.

There are distinct patterns in the leading letters of the codes, and some codes have been determined.

CodeStatus
LPN NNew
LPN RRReturned
LPN PM?

Women’s Garment Types and Styles

Outerwear

Women’s Tops

Blouses, tanks, t-shirts, halter, crop tops, and more.

I’ve noticed an odd trend of listing tank tops and camisoles as vests, which is inaccurate. A vest is a piece of clothing, like a jacket without sleeves, that is worn over other clothes for warmth or protection.

Camisole

Camisoles can be both innerwear and outerwear; their function depends on the material, design, and how they are styled. Traditionally, camisoles are worn as an undergarment (innerwear) for coverage or layering under sheer tops and blazers.

However, with their variety of colors, designs, and fabrics, camisoles can also be worn as a standalone top (outerwear) for casual wear, sleepwear, or even dressy occasions.

Undergarments

Bras

The purpose of a bra is to provide comfort, support, and shape to the breasts, though the specific reason for wearing one varies widely among individuals.

For those with larger breasts, a well-fitted bra supports the weight of the breasts, which can prevent pain in the shoulders, back, and neck.

Bras provide a layer of coverage, preventing nipples from showing through clothing, which is important for modesty or to conform to social expectations in certain settings.

Bralette

A bralette is a lightweight, wire-free, and often unpadded undergarment designed for comfort and a natural look, providing soft support without the structure of a traditional bra.

Bralettes are versatile, serving as everyday bras, undershirts, or even outerwear, and are available in various materials like lace, mesh, and cotton, with options for removable padding and different styles such as seamless, strapless, and racerback.

Young Adult Bras

Prioritizes comfort, proper fit, and age-appropriate style with adjustable features like straps and bands.

Featuring soft, breathable fabrics and wire-free designs to accommodate growth and prevent irritation. Comfortable bralettes for everyday wear or supportive sports bras for an active lifestyle.

Target Clothing Style Codes

The following are items I have had to look up when listing items on eBay.

I think Target is generally good at keeping sold-out listings active on its site for some time after the season ends. This makes it easier to find all the specifics of an item we want to resell.

I’ve included links to my eBay listings so you can see photos. I don’t have an unlimited amount of space on-site for photos, so I am prioritizing the mobile game wikis.

Wild Fable Swimwear

Item #NameUPC
238-18-0549Bow Trim Low-Rise Extra Cheeky Side-Tie Bikini Bottom (M)196761364977
238-18-1204Low Rise High Leg Ultra Cheeky Bikini Swim Bottom Black (XS)198420118181
238-18-0336Underwire Adjustable Red Bikini Top (S)196761365097
238-18-1394Removable Rosette Bandeau Red Bikini Top (XL)198420131500
238-18-3838Bralette Orange Hibiscus Print Bikini Top (S)198850409637
238-18-2959Powder Blue Smocked Bralette Bikini Top (XS)198850060838
238-18-0821Pucker Textured Contrast Binding Triangle Bikini Top Orange/Yellow (S)196761345600
238-18-0824Pucker Textured Contrast Binding Triangle Bikini Top Orange/Yellow (XL)196761345402
238-18-1203Wild Fable Women s V-Front Low-Rise High Leg Cheeky Bikini Bottom (XXS)198420116705

Wild Fable Clothing

Item #NameUPC
331-15-2047Square-neck Sleeveless Maxi Side-Slit Bodycon Denim Dress (1X)198850179172
331-05-6970Peek A Boo Lace Mini Skirt Gray (XL)198850132658
238-25-5565Jacobean Denim Shorts Mid Rise EasyRigid (00)198420574062
331-00-8284Interlock Halter Tank Top Gray (M)198850587366
331-05-7144Pull On ‘Whatever’ Boxer Shorts Striped (L)198850325753

Shade & Shore Swimwear

Item #Name UPC
238-24-1963Ribbed Adjustable Drawstring Medium Coverage One Piece Swimsuit (L)198850892590
235-25-5590Jacobean Print Mid-Rise Medium Coverage Bikini Bottom (S)198850496507
238-24-0357Shirred Waistband Medium Coverage Bikini Bottom Brown (L)198420102357
238-24-0268Ribbed Low-Rise Cheeky String Green Bikini Bottom (XL)196761373108

Future Collective by Target

Item #NameUPC
258-10-0304Alani Noelle Relaxed High-Waist Green Trouser Shorts (L)

text

Shopping

La Femme 1st

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About Us

Our mission is to provide customers with a seamless shopping experience and quality clothes at affordable prices.

The apparel in our shop has been sourced from a variety of sources, including thrift shops, yard sales, and liquidation stores.

Feel free to make an offer on any of our garments. We offer free returns on all items.

For delisted items, message us through eBay @LaFemme1st or drop a comment on this post.

Featured

Women’s One Piece Backless Swimsuits Deep V Neck Laced Up Adjustable Cheeky Tie ($8.99) Available in Small (Orange), Medium (Red), Large (Red, Teal), Extra Large (Red, White).

Sweaters

Buffalo David Bitton Sweatshirt Women’s 2XL Pink Pullover Top Stitched (SOLD)
Jouica Women’s Turtleneck Oversized Sweater (12.99)
Dressbarn 2x Sweater Cowl Neck Cable Knit Turquoise ($14.81)
7th Avenue Design Studio Women’s “Bow Blouse” ($13.99)
Lane Bryant Sweater Women’s Size 18/20 Maroon (SOLD)
Turnbury Sweater XLT Blue 100% Extra Fine Merino Wool V-Neck (SOLD)

Shirts & Tops

ExOfficio Women’s Dryflylite Long Sleeve Shirt w/ Dual Front Zipper Pockets (SOLD)
Adidas Ultimate Tee XL Women’s Pink Polyester Cotton Stretch Activewear (SOLD)
Alice & Trixie Sleeveless Tank Top (24.99)
UA Women’s Heatgear Tech Shirt Vented Athletic (8.99)
Free To Live T-Shirt Green Women’s Large (Delisted)
Coupe Collection Women’s Blouse Plaid French Cuff Embroidered (Delisted)
1250 North Ladies XL White Dress Shirt 100% Cotton ($22.99)
UA Velocity Short Sleeve Shirt Jacquard Camouflage (SOLD)
Jackets & Pullovers
Columbia Jacket Women’s 2X Teal Switchback III Full Zip Hooded Water Proof +Size (SOLD)
ONLY Sherry Cropped Bonded Biker Jacket Moto Orange Size 36 ($28.99)
Mondetta Women’s Cozy Fleece Shirt Jacket (SOLD)
Lands End Women’s Metal Button Weather Resistant Coat with Detachable Hood ($24.99)
Philosophy Republic Clothing Women’s Faux Leather Olive Green Jacket ($22.99)
Nike Element Shirt Women’s Large Dri-Fit Running Gray 1/2 Zip ($11.88)
Pants & Shorts
Secret Treasures Pajama Bottoms soft Plush Sleep Lounge Pants Women’s size Small (3 Sold | 7 Available) ($6.25)
RAINBEAU CURVES Women’s Plus Size (22-24) Navy Capri Yoga Pants (SOLD)
Women’s PFG Tidal II Shorts Blue – Plus Size 2X 5L (SOLD)
All In Motion Women’s Gray Camouflage Mid Rise 5″ Run Shorts ($20)
7 for all Mankind Dojo Flared Wide Leg Trousers Mid Rise 25 (30×30) Made in USA (SOLD)
New York & Company Bright Pink Sateen 4” Gramercy Shorts Size 18 ($11.99)
Apt.9 Shorts Size 16 Torie Mid Rise Cuffed Blue Hawaiian Cruise 98% Cotton Blend
Member’s Mark Ladies Lounge Shorts 4 Way Stretch Relaxed Fit 2XL Polyester Blend
Old Navy Shorts Women’s 16 Bermuda Railroad Striped Cotton Twill Chino Clubhouse
G Gradual Women’s High Waisted 4″ Bermuda Shorts with Side Coin Pockets Athletic
Other Items
Abercrombie Fitch Beanie Scarf Set Knit Yellow Yarn Vintage Clothing 100% Wool (SOLD)
Kolob Women’s Leopard Print Hat 100% Polyester Flexible Crushable VTG (SOLD)
Official Trump 2024 Hat “Save America Again!” Embroidered Pink Cap for Women ($25.88)
Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Nourishing Oil w/ Vitamin E, 4oz, Natural Scent (Delisted)
Side Hustles

Wholesale Ninjas

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I greatly regret this purchase. What I received was largely junk and included several unsaleable, expired, and defective items, including items that were illegal to sell without a license.

The seller is quite aware of the problem with their product and has carefully worded their terms of service to shield themselves.

I strongly advise anyone considering Wholesale Ninjas, DON’T DO IT!

I recently took a chance on a liquidation shipment from a wholesaler. I had been watching YouTube videos and came across this company, Wholesale Ninjas, being talked about by Lindey Glenn (@LindeyGlenn).

I used a discount code for $25 off a shipment, which brought my total to $280. I selected the 100-piece Personal Care/HBA package for purchase. It took maybe three days for the package to arrive. It was sent via FedEx.

I posted about the order on the Flipping subreddit (r/Flipping) and had a rather productive conversation with several community members.

I even went ahead and live-streamed the unboxing. I didn’t have the 50 subs necessary to go live on the FatWalletRefugee channel, so I opted for GameGirlsGallery, which has 1.8k subs.

The box included 100 items. Most of which turned out to be CVS/Health products. Ironic that I worked at CVS for over 12 years before starting my own business. The store-branded items included 9 boxes of bandages ($4.99) and 4 boxes of lidocaine wound care gel (9.99).

There were 6 makeup remover pads and 2 hair towels, 3 Konjac body scrubs, 2 boxes of condoms ($14.99 each), an adult toy ($59.99) pretending to be a “health aid,” and 5 containers of athletic drink powder ($20-25).

That makes 31 items so far.

The were a bunch of Burt’s Bees products included in the shipment. 7 Dark Spot Corrector (), 8 Moisturizing Cream, 2 Glow Booster, 2 Day Lotion, 2 Night Cream, 1 Eye Cream, 1x Lip Balm.

There were 5 face masks, 1 shampoo hair dye combo, 3 lip balm singles, 1 twin pack of EOS lip balm (dirty), 1 partially used tin of Burt’s Bees facial cream, 3 Beauty Revolution hair sprays, 3 nighttime eye creams, 3 facial rollers of the same brand, and a hair cap.

We’re up to 75.

1 pack of BIC razors, 2 Schick Hydro Razors, an Oral-B toothbrush, a Colgate toothbrush, Children’s Dimetapp: 3 Cold & Allergy, 2 Cough & Cold, 1 Multi-Symptom, and 1 Combo Pack, plus a Dollar General generic Mucinex.

Some body-shimmer, biotin, tampons, and some other assorted items were in there, but I don’t recall exactly, and they are at the bottom of the box.

I can see from checking comps that several other sellers on eBay are ordering the same boxes I did. But the numbers look good for sales. Most items are 20% or higher on the sell-through rating. Free Shipping and Free Returns appear to be standard among listings.

I will initially undercut the other sellers a bit so I can clear this box and get my seed money back. After that, I will price a bit more in line with the trend.

I suspect the bigger sellers have repeat customers who have bookmarked the shops. I decided not to promote the listing for now. That may change if I don’t see any movement.

The expiration dates on all the items were at least October 2025, and many were 2026/2028, so I was happy about that.

I don’t think I’ll be able to sell the individual items like the lip balm or the face masks. I will make a pile of the items that are not worth flipping and count the value ($2.80) per item against my sales.

I paid $280, so I’d like to double that to $560, or at the very least get back my investment with a break-even return.

Side Hustles

Estate Sales, FBM, and a Moped

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I recently sold a moped ($200) on FBM and gave another away for parts. I received cash and later realized I couldn’t put it in my online bank account.

My only use for it was as “fun money.” So this week I’ve been treating myself to crafted coffee at the local Packhouse drive thru. I’ve also been buying goods on FBM using the cash.

I had them in my garage for many years, and my family wanted them gone. We may be moving in the next 2 years, so I figured it was a good excuse to let go of some heavy material goods.

After listing the scooters I looked around the market and found several listing for mens apparel that caught my eye. Last month I bought $33 worth of clothing on FBM.

From one of the lots, I was able to quickly flip a Foundry and a Territory Ahead button-up shirt for an $18 profit. I found the clothes are in better condition than those I find at the Goodwill.

I encountered a reseller on the market after we were chatting a bit over the price on some jeans. It was encouraging to meet a comrade. I think I will keep checking FBM for more good clothes.

I managed to sell that motorcycle jacket with the Terminator patch sewn on it. Even though it wasn’t an original, the underlying Biker jacket was a vintage piece and had great value.

FMC Bikers Leather Jacket

Unfortunately, the eBay selling fees ($11) and promotions ($12) cut into my profit. I paid $35 for the jacket at the estate sale, and I listed it for $75. It sold at full price, but my earnings before COGS were $47.

So, I only earned $12 on the sale. I’m just glad I didn’t offer free shipping. That would have killed me.

I’ve started listing some of my mother’s and grandmother’s vintage shirts and coats.

Among the collections, I came across a vintage Grateful Dead shirt with an Om symbol in the “Steal Your Face” skull design.

I checked the comps and decided to list it at $149 for now. It has an original Double Apple Nepali collar tag. The shirt predates the licensing of the brand and subsequent mass manufacturing of Jerry Garcia merchandise.

Side Hustles

Readjusting to normal sales

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Now that the holidays are over I have seen a big drop in the number of weekly sales on eBay.

I had gotten used to the idea of getting 3 or more orders in a day or having an arm load of packages to take to the post office each week.

Since December 30th, I have had only 2 sales. I sold a Columbia women’s vented fishing jacket and some O’Neil men’s red board shorts.

I did miss a few days of listing new items. We got a kitten for Christmas and I have been devoting a lot of time to playing with and filming the kitty. We are once more a cat family.

We named her Mei Mei. It means little sister or plum blossom 🌸.  We hear it used a lot in the Chinese dramas my mother likes to watch.

I almost finished the year with a positive balance on my spreadsheet, but I visited a Goodwill on the same day we got the kitten. I spent $62, on some Foundry and LL Bean button up shirts. I also nabbed a Carhartt Force quarter zip sweatshirt and tee shirt.

My goal for January is to not buy any new stock for my eBay store. I’ll continue to list 1 item a day from my currently available supply of goods. I have also started listing non-apparel items from my closet including computer parts. I’ve sold 2 graphics cards from back when I was mining crypto.

I still have those Apollo Lunar mining units in my closet, but I don’t know if anyone would be interested in outdated crypto mining machines. I also have 5 sets of silver coins from the US and Canadian mints. I was never able to beat the prices of Apmex so those haven’t sold.

I did manage to sell some vintage electronics from the 60’s and 70’s that I inherited from my grandfather and uncle.

So, I still have more to list If I can just stay away from the Goodwill this month. I just need to readjust to normal sales behavior going into Q1 of 2025.

Side Hustles

What Sold on eBay: Q4

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See Last Quarter Sales (Q3)

My numbers are up considerably compared to Q3. Starting December 20th, I was raised to “Top Rated” seller status, and I now have a nice badge on my profile.

My quantity sold for the last 90 days is up 56%, however, I did see a considerable drop in the click-through rate on my listings.

Another good news was that I got my first few sales in the new shop @LaFemme1st. I had started wondering whether operating a separate channel for women’s apparel was a good idea, but it seems to be working out now.

I also have a free account with Flipwise that I use to track my inventory for La Femme 1st. I get up to 24 listings per month without having to pay for the service. I highly recommend it for new eBay users.

I have eliminated two of the Excel spreadsheets I was using to catalog my goods and expenses.

I realized that some of the data I had entered was inaccurate and that I had included clothes that I had gotten for free, and then some items just didn’t get included at all.

After clearing those other files, I implemented a new system for cataloging my inventory and sales. I am able to just enter the number of items I purchased and the document calculates to total cost for me.

eBay Excel Sample

I can also include purchases from obscure stores or yard sales and it will keep track of these expenses. I learned how to do a lot of these types of Excel operations in my accounting lessons.

My best sales this quarter have been the Levi’s work shirts I picked up at the liquidation store last month. 13 shirts, all new with tags, mostly in XL or larger sizes, including Big & Tall shirts. A great find. The only issue was that two shirts had security tags attached. I need to find a magnet to remove them.

I also sold the snowboard coat I got at Goodwill. That had been a bad purchase decision. I was glad someone bought it, but I did lose about 75 cents in the end.

Another bad buy was the motorcycle jacket, which finally sold after marking it down over 60%. I did manage to make a slim profit on it.

My most interesting sale was for a Patagonia Hawaiian shirt. I had no idea they made Hawaiian shirts, and it sold within 5 minutes of listing.

I sold it for $40, but looking back, I probably could have gotten closer to $75-80 for it. Apparently, it was a rare vintage shirt. I’ll have to be more careful with items like that in the future.

Side Hustles

Counterfeits

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I dodged a bullet so to speak. On my last run to the Treasure Hunt store, I saw some water filters missing a box but otherwise sealed. I decided against buying them on a whim.

It turns out those water filters were fakes. I’ve been researching the products I bought and came across some public notices issued by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) that listed Ecley as falsely claiming to be certified.

I actually found multiple brands selling the same item with only the name swapped. This makes it easier to identify the fakes.

Without a real certification, you could be putting your health or your family’s health in jeopardy.

These Ecley filters come from an “Alphabet Soup” Amazon store. To get past Amazon’s strict registration requirements, sellers from Shenzen, China will often use random characters all in CAPS as their business name. This is done mostly to avoid common names that are already trademarked.

There are actually two businesses that have similar-sounding names and are both in the water business. There is a refrigeration shop called Eckley in Pennsylvania and an Elkay from Chicago. Fun fact: You’ve probably drunk from an Elkay water fountain at some point in your life.

I also found a few other eBay sellers who were selling the Ecley brand and some others selling Frigidaire branded filters. While these other sellers are all highly rated with tens of thousands of sales, there is an issue. If you look at their negative feedback, there is a significant number of people complaining about being sent counterfeit goods.

One of these sellers (M8FILTERSTORE) has American flags and Taylor Swift plastered all over their storefront. The page heading boldly claims “USA Filter USA Stock” and the listings all include US flags and certification logos. These markings are all to send the message to buyers that they are a US-based company and that you are buying American products.

This is quite untrue. The seller (jennie-solo) is based out of China. The products are being manufactured and shipped from China.

In fact, many of the brands we associate with America are actually owned by foreign firms.

  • GE Appliances is owned by Haier Group (Chinese)
  • Whirlpool is largely owned by Galanz (Chinese)
  • Frigidaire was sold to Electrolux (Swedish)
  • Maytag was bought by Whirlpool who belong to Galanz. (Chinese)
  • Kenmore, while still American-held, is largely manufactured in Asia.
  • Kitchenaid is another Whirlpool brand. The parts are made in China and assembled in Connecticut.

We’ve seen news reports about unsafe products being shipped out from fly-by-night operations. Children’s toys made from lead, food products containing mercury, or bedding stuffed with garbage.

While occurrences like these are not the norm, they are on the rise. And setting numbers aside we must remember the people who unknowingly bought these goods were affected by them. While some may have been sickened, others have lost their lives as a consequence of trusting these sellers and the brands they offer.