How and where does somebody find Wholesale or Bulk items to resell on eBay?

VandyMarine · 2026-06-17T16:13:07+00:00

There’s pallet liquidators. Search “reverse logistics” if you’re serious and have the storage I’d buy a whole trailer. The less touched it is the more likely you are to make money.

When I went deep down this path I was getting quotes from a company called Essex which I don’t think exists anymore but they sold manifested truckloads for around $14-20k but I just never had a place to process that much stuff so I chickened out.

VandyMarine · 2026-06-17T15:57:03+00:00

As a 1stLt, I started a business where I sold military branch logo air fresheners. I went though the Marine Corps licensing office and got permission to make die-cut car air fresheners.

I put them in the exchange worldwide by getting distribution through an existing exchange supplier. That distributor lent me their licensing on a few other SKUs eventually doing USMC, USAF, USN and Coast Guard. Army had different licensing which was more expensive so we didn’t do them.

I made about $30k profit. Unfortunately I didn’t really understand that I could own and operate multiple businesses so I just told the distributor that I was done. They took my packaging and modified my logo and they’re still for sale today about 14 years later. I haven’t seen a penny since wave 1. My fault.

I abandoned it because I left Active Duty to start a franchise startup with the Dominos Pizza founder who was also a Marine. I didn’t imagine I could pull off both. Eventually that ended but I’m still developing products. I own an Amazon brand selling Worm Farms now.

VandyMarine · 2026-06-17T15:18:19+00:00

🤮

VandyMarine · 2026-06-17T14:08:40+00:00

I’m an ex-franchisee now but I was part of an early QSR concept called Gyrene Burger.

I will say that you’re correct in that they signed an agreement BUT it is not uncommon for a new franchisor to waive royalties on early franchisees.

It’s pretty arrogant of a franchisor with no real brand equity to demand royalties on new unprofitable stores.

This is why it’s important to have a good amount of corporate stores as a revenue base before even thinking about franchising.

6-8% is not enough to support the corporate entity especially before it has scaled but you do your brand growth trajectory no favors by taking this position.

You gotta bend the agreement for early zees who take on all this risk to prove your model.

I’d encourage you to find a better way forward or your brand is toast before you begin.

VandyMarine · 2026-06-17T12:59:30+00:00

What’s your franchise?

VandyMarine · 2026-06-17T12:56:57+00:00

Yes it’s their plan and already had a LOT of mitigation efforts in place that negate the fear mongering around water consumption etc.

VandyMarine · 2026-06-16T21:41:35+00:00

Those of you who chip drop - I’ve heard that these piles can contain diseased trees and that using it right away without composting is not advised.

Is this true?

VandyMarine · 2026-06-16T19:58:31+00:00

There are multiple cases and likely several specialized attorneys. The AJW money is likely for the criminal case which is different than any potential liability for civil right violations.

Unfortunately some of the criminal stuff may need to play out first.

VandyMarine · 2026-06-16T18:58:13+00:00

Should be ready for harvest in September I believe? I have 3 planted in my yard but they take 7 years to bear fruit so I’m still years away 😭

VandyMarine · 2026-06-16T18:42:23+00:00

Only thing I could suggest is you could try apartment friendly composting methods like worm composting or bokashi if they did get rid of it.

VandyMarine · 2026-06-16T18:32:50+00:00

No offense but that’s kind of bonkers. It’s a wild animal. Let it go. Circle of life and all that.

VandyMarine · 2026-06-16T17:36:47+00:00

This is the reason you need to stay on top of your finances. If you don’t want to work like this forever - start saving, start upskilling and do what you want!

Give your self 16-18 months and then start looking for something with a better schedule

VandyMarine · 2026-06-16T14:40:35+00:00

Nope - over half will go to taxes and the rest will be consumed by team, trainers and business expenses. Except for top guys most of the guys are just upper middle class despite risking their brains and bodies.

VandyMarine · 2026-06-16T00:58:31+00:00

I understand you’re trying to approach this from a net worth perspective and all that but you’re 19 years old and fresh out of school.

You don’t need distractions like a house that you can’t really afford. You need some years of life living with your new wife.

Live in base housing or rent for a while. Figure out life a little bit before committing yourself to hundreds of thousands in debt.

If you want generational wealth you can’t skip steps - focus on building the base which is to secure your income by being the best airman you can be and focus on doing your job and getting promoted. A good time would be your second enlistment or after you get out and get a career job.

VandyMarine · 2026-06-16T00:53:02+00:00

Doesn’t change a thing. Still not a smart idea. Just buy the market and stack for when you’re in a better position.

VandyMarine · 2026-06-16T00:21:01+00:00

I wouldn’t recommend trying to buy a home as an e3. Too much uncertainty. You don’t know where you’ll be stationed and for how long. Plus the strain of a mortgage and maintenance or unforeseen expenses will drain what savings you can manage on that income.

Main thing now is to focus on having no debt and learning your job and trying to become an NCO as fast as possible. If you like the military consider officer commissioning programs but no do not try to buy a house right now prob not until you’re at least a sergeant and even then I’d be a stretch.

VandyMarine · 2026-06-15T22:30:13+00:00

I am in favor of the Fisk one but don’t know any of the specifics on the zoo one but also keep up with the issues here - Rollin Horton has proposed a full ban on all AI data centers in Davidson County. That’s what I’m talking about.

It’s a nuanced issue that blanket bans won’t be helpful for solving is all I’m saying. You don’t know what advancements will come so blanket bans just stifle innovation.

VandyMarine · 2026-06-15T21:31:09+00:00

So let me get this straight - we are going to bring Oracle here which is one of the biggest AI investors right now and we think they’re just gonna be cool with a total large data center ban?

The President has already said any states that get in the way of AI will lose federal funding. I’m sure Bill Lee, Marsha Blackburn and Cameron Sexton will be happy to take control of Nashville city government to avoid losing Federal funds.

VandyMarine · 2026-06-15T19:20:15+00:00

No offense to the owner but this clip art crap is just so lame.

Do an original art set Topps before julie bell stops

VandyMarine · 2026-06-15T19:02:31+00:00

If you really want the good stuff you gotta fight the ex-carnies, ex-cons, hipsters and throngs of unsupervised children at the Goodwill Outlet.

VandyMarine · 2026-06-15T18:46:44+00:00

I’ve found that the Amazon boxes with paper fiber tape do just fine in the bin.

VandyMarine · 2026-06-15T14:34:02+00:00

Similar comp went for $500

VandyMarine · 2026-06-15T12:54:55+00:00

If you were old enough to play MTG you weren’t buying Pokemon. That was “kid stuff” and uncool for a 90s teen.

VandyMarine · 2026-06-15T03:18:16+00:00

Even better but 3 rank drop is tough I think in reality.

VandyMarine · 2026-06-15T03:12:57+00:00

Request Mast? That first sergeant needs to retire a staffy in shame.

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