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.

English Lustreware

Got to an auction Friday evening and was able to get a jug of early English Lustreware with pink, and on the bottom some fine bleed through of cobalt.

Not as nice as these found on http://www.jeanniestreasures.com/images/Photos/smith08-R1-022-9A.jpg

I already had 2 copper and blue ones--one of which sold, but I had bought it for a song so passed on for a quick sale.

For brief info on lustreware visit http://focus.antiquescouncil.com/articlepage.php?artid=114

Once again a felt held back in bidding when thinking I have to sell this for 2x or 3x what I paid for it. Can't quite see items priced as high as might be called for selling in my booth. Maybe I just need to take the leap, buy a few items I really like and see what the market will bear. I could always reconsign to auction down the road. Though a couple who were at the auction with consignments seemed to be taking losses in order to get a cash flow.
The weekend is not over yet so perhaps garner a few more sales. Also a chance to attend an auction on Sunday. Price and pack to take to booth on the 1st!

Grease Jars

Rearranged stock and added some new items this week, only a few sales by mid-month. Walked around the mall to see what offers had to offer. Saw several grease jars--what did people do with the drippings? During WWII I think there was some kind of "recycling" for all sorts of "trash" including the grease. Did people use the grease to coat a pan for pan fried items? I just put ours in an old cup while hot then when cool or solid put it into a can or plastic bag before out to the trash. I was always told not to let in go down the drain. My parents grew up during the depression and I still have some habits of my father--the old waste not adage and the pack rat tendencies. Always was an alley picker as a kid and still am pleased with treasures I retrieve from all sorts of places. Those tall cans I retrieved down the alley were great for kick the can or cut holes, add twine and make those can walkers.

Booth decor

In the first 9 days of this month only 4 items sold. Happily 2 of the items were pieces I have had for a few years waiting for a booth. I did put out "spring" blooms--artificial apple blossoms, tulips in a planter and a garden trug with roses and ferns sitting atop an enamel basin. I'm hoping some "decor" will draw the eye and person in. How do framed prints and other wall art do? Are they hard sells or fly off the wall?
I'm trying not to have a lot of the same type of item--like a mess of tea cups and saucers or souvenir plates, or kitchen utensils. I'm going for a more restrained look of classy sideboard/table items. And that quirky item that one may not see in every other booth.
I hope I can find some wicker, outdoor, gardening items for May.

Profits $$$ or not?

One month down and it looks like I made money at least on paper, I sold the items for more than I paid for them. Of course I didn't add in my costs of time and gas acquiring items and getting to mall. Let alone any cash out to me. Just on a buzz of they sold for more!
How do I figure a return on investment? If I bought an item for $100 and sold it for $100 that's 100%? If I sold it for $200 that's 200% $244 would be 244% or is it only 144% profit since I recouped the original $100?
Sold it for $80 so that would be a 20% lost? only made 80% of value?
Profit margins-- so if sold for $244 the margin is 144%?
Factoring in my cost of time, transportation at what rate? minus cost of monthly supplies--tags, cleaning products, light bulbs, etc would then give a net profit or loss right?
Most of the books I've looked at talk about raw materials to make a product so that isn't always a factor.
Is a 10% margin after all costs added profitable? Should I "pay" myself monthly or plow it all back in?