A warning about iPad Resale

iPad Resale

I am a huge Apple guy.  I have a MacBook, iPhone, iPad, AppleTV, etc.  I worked for Apple for a short time in 2008 (but do not any more… I have no inside scoop, sorry).  iPads also have been a staple (pun) in my manufactured spend and resale game for … Read more

Confession: I am not an aviation geek

As I sit in my condo listening to the Blue Angels buzz by, I have a confession to make.  I feel like a bit of a fraud.  See, I write a blog about how much I love to travel.  And in it do trip reports that often take place on airplanes. … Read more

Update: Alaska Airlines Price Guarantee

Alaska Airlines Price Guarantee

Earlier this year I wrote about the Alaska Airlines Price Guarantee.  I always encourage people to book direct with the hotel, airline, or rental car agency.  Not only do you usually get the best rate, but you also don’t have to worry about a third party middle man screwing things up. … Read more

Mlife VIP Lounge

Mlife VIP Lounge One of the more mysterious benefits of Mlife Platinum or Noir status is access to the Mlife VIP Lounge in certain hotels.  The reason I say mysterious is because there is barely a mention of the Mlife VIP Lounge on any of the property websites.  I actually found … Read more

For the Record BAZ Las Vegas

There is a new star of the Las Vegas Strip and his name is Baz.  Technically Baz Luhrmann, the Australian director of Strictly Ballroom (1992), Romeo + Juliet (1996), Moulin Rouge! (2001), Australia (2008), and The Great Gatsby (2013).  A new production at Mandalay Bay is For the Record BAZ Las Vegas which opened … Read more

Bonus Hyatt Gold Passport Points in Las Vegas

Hyatt Gold Passport points in Las Vegas

Hyatt Gold Passport points in Las Vegas

There has been a standing relationship between Hyatt and Mlife resorts in Las Vegas.  You can do an elite status match between the two loyalty programs and earn Hyatt Gold Passport points in Las Vegas when staying at an Mlife resort.

Today Hyatt announced a new bonus offer for earning Hyatt Gold Passport points in Las Vegas known as Third Night’s a Charm.  If you register at hyatt.com/vegassummer, you will earn bonus points after a three night stay through September 30.

Your room must be booked direct through Hyatt (I was told via a Hyatt rep on Twitter that bookings through Mlife don’t count).  Expedia or another OTA won’t work.  You also can’t book a room with points.  Cash + Point reservations are only at Hyatt properties so those are also not eligible.

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Hyatt Gold Passport Point Sale

Hyatt Gold Passport Point Sale

I received the above email today advertising the Hyatt Gold Passport point sale.  I do not know if it is only for Diamond members or for any Hyatt Gold Passport members, please comment below if you received the offer.  Some Platinum members have also reported receiving the email. Update: Even if … Read more

Strong Against Cancer Plane Pull

Full disclosure: I have a personal and professional connection with the organization involved in the Strong Against Cancer Plane Pull.  I have donated in the past because I believe it is a worthy cause.  However I do not stand to benefit from this event in anyway (except for maybe going and having a great time!). … Read more

20% Discount at Nordstrom

Discount at Nordstrom

UPDATE: Even better — right now you can get 30% cash back for every purchase at Nordstrom — especially good since their anniversary sale is on now!  5% back when you use your discover card (plus another 5% after 12 months), 10% back at the Discover Deals portal (plus another 10% … Read more

New Alaska Airlines Chocolate Elite Benefit

On my current flight from SEA to TPA I was offered a nice chocolate bar.  I had heard of others receiving the gift, but no one else in my row was offered.  Apparently it is a new Alaska Airlines Chocolate Elite Benefit!  I was offered Orange Chocolate or Agave Quinoa … Read more

Reselling Staples Purchases Part 1

Reselling Staples Purchases Part 1 Reselling Staples Purchases Part 2 Reselling Staples Purchases Part 3 A few weeks ago I found this post by BigHabitat at Saverocity that pointed out a 40% Back in Staples Rewards for one day only (Saturday, May 2).  This was a one time coupon, but since there have … Read more

Reselling Staples Purchases Part 2

Reselling Staples Purchases Part 1
Reselling Staples Purchases Part 2
Reselling Staples Purchases Part 3

New Item from Amazon.com

Reselling 

My first thought was to put the items on Craigslist.  I received zero interest; I am guessing these are a bit more of a niche product than the average Craigslist-er.

My friend had good luck with selling on Amazon, so that was my next step.  I decided I would give FBA (Fulfillment By Amazon) a shot for the larger items.  How FBA works (in short) is you send your items to an Amazon warehouse.  It then is listed on Amazon and when it sells, Amazon ships it to the customer.  Basically once you send it in, you don’t have to worry about the product.  I figured this would be easier for me.

The problem I ran in to is when you are setting up your items to sell through FBA, they may have you ship your items to different warehouses (Lesson #4: Even with Amazon’s lower UPS rates, it still costs a lot to ship the items unless you do a bunch of items together.  You pay the cost to ship the item to Amazon up front).  

I printed out the shipping labels and headed to the UPS store.  (Lesson #5: I didn’t repackage the items.  I sent the items to Amazon in the boxes they came from that you see in the photos above.  What I should have done is rebox them but that adds another cost and more time.  A buyer could potential return the item if the box was damaged).  

It took over a week for my items to arrive at the Amazon FBA warehouse.  I chose to price my items at the lowest “New” rate on Amazon as I wanted the items to sell quickly.  This would undercut my profit, but also allow me a quicker turn around and assured money.

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