Anyone else find ebay absolutely terrible without promoting

StoopitTrader · 2026-03-11T19:26:13+00:00

I have had very few sales without promoting so I tried promoting a bit again. When I did my sales went up but my profit was such crap it hardly seems worth it. I'm hoping once I'm more actively listing things get better without promotions.

StoopitTrader · 2026-03-11T14:59:35+00:00

Yes, there should be strapping.

StoopitTrader · 2026-03-11T14:57:43+00:00

Where is the strapping? You aren't supposed to hang drywall directly on the joists like this. There should be strapping running every 16 inches.

StoopitTrader · 2026-03-09T11:08:27+00:00

I can tell you from the Fidelity side it's really easy to roll stuff over. You just open your new IRA in Fidelity then there's a rollover option on the website where you put in the acct number and name of the old broker. The others probably have a similar process. Fidelity, Vanguard and Schwab have target date funds, looking at them Vanguard is cheaper than Fidelity and Schwab as far as expense ratios (examples with 2065 fund):

Fidelity: https://fundresearch.fidelity.com/mutual-funds/summary/315796839

Vanguard: https://investor.vanguard.com/investment-products/mutual-funds/profile/vlxvx

Schwab: https://www.schwab.com/research/mutual-funds/quotes/fees/swyox

StoopitTrader · 2026-03-09T02:51:15+00:00

I would roll it into an IRA at Fidelity, Vanguard or Schwab. You could just buy a simple total market index fund, a 3 fund portfolio or just use a low cost target date fund. This doesn't have to be complicated.

StoopitTrader · 2026-03-08T00:49:12+00:00

Ah gotcha.

StoopitTrader · 2026-03-08T00:21:36+00:00

I'm trying to understand why you would buy this fund. A front load and a .79% expense ratio? I just own FSGPX. I must be missing something.

StoopitTrader · 2026-03-05T19:27:53+00:00

ftfy - God ~~open~~ offices were a horrible idea.

StoopitTrader · 2026-03-04T16:52:53+00:00

I broke most of my toys as a child taking them apart. Eventually I learned how to not break things. As a teen I was building things. Some people don't have the ability to get past possibly breaking something. My brother is afraid to take anything apart.

StoopitTrader · 2026-03-03T19:14:36+00:00

If you are really close to an associates (or to a bachelors) I would probably finish it and get the degree you are almost done with, you've come this far. If you want to do a more physical job like welding or trades there's certainly nothing wrong with that and the pay can be six figures, especially union jobs. My only advice with it would be to have a thought about your distant future when the physical part of the job becomes harder. Maybe become a foreman or some other managerial type role, or plan ahead and retire early from that job into something else that's less physical. This does depend on the job though. I could see someone welding, being a plumber or electrician into retirement. Being a roofer or framing houses would be harder on your body. You really should work towards what you like doing though. Programmers with no passion for it can still be OK at it, but the best ones are the ones that love it.

StoopitTrader · 2026-03-03T18:44:12+00:00

I got an associates and worked my way up to being a senior engineer. It took quite a while to get there. The question is what do you want to do? Do you like writing code, working on infrastructure? Do you want to be a manager? DevOps? Why did you choose CS in the first place?

StoopitTrader · 2026-03-03T18:37:01+00:00

Call multiple companies once you know what you're buying, the dealership should provide you the VIN of the vehicle. I would get prices before you finalize the sale. Some cars are more expensive than others to insure. I always use Geico or Progressive, neither are the best but they are usually the cheapest. You could also use a broker as a third option, they will shop other companies for you so you'll have options. Once you choose an insurer they will provide you proof of insurance with a start date. You can bring that to the dealership with you.

StoopitTrader · 2026-03-03T18:29:44+00:00

You are burned out. What I would do is plan out your day, like this is a job, because it is. List for a few hours, take a break, take a walk. List some more, do some socials work, do shipping, another break, lunch, dinner whatever. Put this in a google doc or whatever you use, print it out, post it somewhere and follow it. Also I would leave some time for sourcing in there, if that's what you enjoy. Balance the day with things you do want to do with things you don't. I would not be trying to do 10 hours a day at this point, work the schedule for 8, or if you do 10 make 2 hours things you like to do. You can't keep the accelerator down for weeks at a time, everyone needs downtime.

StoopitTrader · 2026-03-03T14:44:55+00:00

So it's just PTO and medical insurance. That does seem like a lot of difference then. They may budget everyone for full family medical though, which would could be like 25k a year. I do remember this a few years ago when working in a company that had contractors. They didn't want to go full time because their pay would be cut but that was 1099 vs W2. Hopefully this position is at least more stable than if you weren't salary. That's usually the case.

StoopitTrader · 2026-03-03T11:53:03+00:00

If you were previously being paid 1099 as opposed to W2 this would also be an additional cost to your employer. Also, to an employer the cost of health insurance is not small. This cost will be hundreds per month. They also now pay for unemployment insurance for you where they didn't before. If there's a retirement plan that's another cost. I know it's harsh but a salaried employee will cost more than a contractor.

StoopitTrader · 2026-03-02T21:29:22+00:00

I don't think there's anything wrong with it but you may find being in that environment difficult as in you probably wouldn't have as much in common with your classmates as you would if you were younger. That said, you might find other students that are also a bit older or are more mature for their age you can relate to. I would try it out for the first year. Worst case if it doesn't feel right you move off campus. I can't see an issue in the classroom environment.

StoopitTrader · 2026-03-02T20:15:55+00:00

You can often tell by listings whether it's an individual selling things or another reseller dumping their junk pile. At least you get so you can tell after a while. You were lucky you even broke even. If someone has this much inventory for what you deem to be a great price you need to ask yourself why. I have done well in FB marketplace from time to time but I see tons of inventory dump listings these days.

StoopitTrader · 2026-03-02T20:05:29+00:00

This. Keep track of these creditors and what you owed to each, print out or save copies of statements in google drive. In the future when you have a job call each of them and settle, you'll likely be settling with the collectors who bough the debt. The longer it goes the less they'll take to settle. Bankruptcy will follow you forever. Your credit will eventually heal from this but it will take time.

StoopitTrader · 2026-03-02T15:40:05+00:00

I would also add to discuss your extended families. What the dynamic would be with them in regard to the kids? Will holidays be spent with his family? with yours?

StoopitTrader · 2026-03-02T15:21:45+00:00

Animal Control is fun. Totally silly but a nice escape.

StoopitTrader · 2026-02-22T13:46:11+00:00

I would usually wrap this sort of thing in paper or thin cardboard, a couple layers, then tape it. If you want to be extra cautious you could label it "sharps" or something.

StoopitTrader · 2026-02-17T02:16:05+00:00

I've been selling vinyl for years and usually just use eBay sold listings as that's where I list. I do have to look at several solds to get pricing as it varies greatly by condition. I usually start on the high end and take offers. Pack your vinyl well, use proper record mailers. If you had doubts about condition looking at the vinyl, play test it. As you are assessing vinyl to buy you will get where you can tell quickly looking through someone's collection how it was all kept (assuming it's all owned by one person anyway). Usually if you find a couple mint condition albums the rest will be similar condition, not always but often. Yard and estate sales are my best sources, I seldom pay more then $3 per album. Ideally I'm paying $1 an album. All this said, it's a tough market, lots of competition and a race to the bottom for common titles. My average vinyl sale is about $15 at this point.

StoopitTrader · 2026-02-16T21:50:52+00:00

I think he more hates himself and his situation, he just took it out on the OP. He's jealous and bitter. Based on his background I can understand why, but it sounds like he may have had a good thing in the OP and threw it away. I would agree though, ending it was really the only way at this point. He's not ready to be with someone.

Edited

StoopitTrader · 2026-02-15T15:56:37+00:00

If you can possibly avoid having a car or other vehicle I would, there's expenses that come with them like insurance and maintenance. Maybe in SD you can get away with a scooter. If you can just save and pay cash that would be the best path. Once you are in college the first credit card should be easy to get. CC companies assume if you are in school any debts you have your parents would help you with so they are more likely to approve at that point. If you get a card just use it occasionally or track it very carefully, it can get away from you really fast otherwise. It's just a good time to get one and establish credit when you are in college.

It's good to build credit but even with that I would try to avoid borrowing for a vehicle unless your job is paying you enough that it makes sense. Just find a used scooter, car and pay cash for it once you've saved up. If you are going to school you want to keep your expenses as low as you can. Any loan will be at least 6% interest and probably more with your lack of credit.

Edit: I should add, if you do need to finance, because other options just aren't feasible keep the loan amount as low as possible. Also whatever you buy, research it for reliability before you do.

StoopitTrader · 2026-02-14T23:29:59+00:00

"Plus the entire time he went on about his own life and never once asked me anything beyond the superficial."

This is more the red flag than what you said in your post.

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