eBay Buyer experience

Fascinating seeing the variety of packaging used for my purchases. Everything from inside out Fed-Ex envelopes, reused boxes, handwritten labels, a ton of stamps to printed postage.
2 boxes arrived smashed in and 1 item was broken. The broken item was wrapped in bubble wrap but I think the damaged box was what broke off a pitcher handle on a fragile piece of jaspareware.
I found 2 Coca Cola employee shirts that I haven't come across at auctions.
A few items will turn into stock for the mall booth.
Books for reference and pricing will become my "professional" resources.
I've spent a ton of time doing searches on eveyy conceivable item I might want to buy. I see the importance of selecting a category and using key words in the right place. Most importantly I have a better understanding of the need for a photo in the gallery and additional photos as well as the quality of photo. Rulers and measurements are certainly a useful description.
Still hesitant to become a seller, though I started a list of what I think I would sell, and I ordered some boxes through USPS.
New month fast approaching, that may become my goal for June!

eBay

Taking a leap and trying out eBay as a buyer. I'll attempt to be successful on several items and get that positive feedback. If I can hold back on buying everything I see, I'll create a sellers account and try to start an auction of perhaps 10 items--all non fragile, easily packaged.
Currently waiting for 1st 2 items to arrive so I too can leave feedback. Certainly creates handfuls of email. I did create an items I'm watching list to see if my pricing ability has improved. When I begin listing to sell I think it will be US only with choice of either USPS or UPS shipping. Also trying to save packaging materials.
Sales at the antiques booth are moving slowly, bit at least selling. Next month is an anniversary sale, so I'm picking through the items I can part with, to add extra merchandise and hopefully snag a buyer's eye. If the weather could hold fine for a full weekend and it's not a weekend I have to work I want to have a yard sale to make room for booth stock and get a cash flow.

Garage sales slump

Last weekend I hit 9 garage sales and drove past 6 more. Pickings were slim. Lots of toddler toys, good if you're a grandparent I guess, clothes and tons of items from Bed Bath, Pier One Target etc. People buy way too much home decor items. One could buy a year supply of candles and candle holders at these sales. The few good items were priced too high!
Sunday was an auction and then learned they are moving to a new location about 40 minutes away. Bought a nice pair of handmade cast iron chairs in a possibly arts and crafts/Asian design. I recovered the seats ASAP and these will go up to booth on next trip.
The staple gun and a square a fabric about fills out my skills of fixing up.
Just learned of a fabric "warehouse" so I'll try to hit there this coming weekend. Working a full time day job, cuts in on going full tilt in this business.