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Why 3 MIT Grads Want to Send You an Empty Box

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Re: Why 3 MIT Grads Want to Send You an Empty Box

#4
It is a great idea. I hope it works. I tried selling some memory and an iPhone on the service. Neither was accepted. The memory was too old, and I didn't have the actually iPhone (I was selling it for someone else) to take pictures of. I tried to use stock photos but didn't go. Overall, liked the idea, liked the service, liked the app. Hope it takes off.

Re: Why 3 MIT Grads Want to Send You an Empty Box

#6
Interesting idea, however I just don't think the issue with selling most items is the box. The post office has plenty of free boxes you can take, and if it's a bit too big you can usually pad it with newspaper. They specifically say they're only supporting small objects so that ruins any argument about something big. When the author says "As someone who hardly ever sells anything online in part because I never have the right box", I just don't feel like this solves some of the issues that seem to be bigger in selling.

Now the other aspect of the service, which is where they will post the item for you and set up the description, price etc and handle dealing with the customer, that's where the value seems to be. Most people don't sell items online because they have to set up an account, figure out pricing, make sure they have good ratings so people will still buy for them and deal with chargebacks.

Re: Why 3 MIT Grads Want to Send You an Empty Box

#7
http://www.randomnumbers.info/

http://www.templeos.org/files/BIBLE.TXT

God says...

15:9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.

15:10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.

15:11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.

15:12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Re: Why 3 MIT Grads Want to Send You an Empty Box

#8
post #6

Interesting idea, however I just don't think the issue with selling most items is the box. The post office has plenty of free boxes you can take, and if it's a bit too big you can usually pad it with newspaper. They specifically say they're only supporting small objects so that ruins any argument about something big. When the author says "As someone who hardly ever sells anything online in part because I never have t…

I can relate to the pain involved of not having a box. Unless I just got something from Amazon, I won't have a usable box. And while the post office may have free boxes, the trip to the post office in and of itself is pain enough to cause breakage [1].

[1] I think I'd rather have my fingers run over by the car than make a trip to the US Post Office. Right up there with the DMV.

Re: Why 3 MIT Grads Want to Send You an Empty Box

#9
post #6

Interesting idea, however I just don't think the issue with selling most items is the box. The post office has plenty of free boxes you can take, and if it's a bit too big you can usually pad it with newspaper. They specifically say they're only supporting small objects so that ruins any argument about something big. When the author says "As someone who hardly ever sells anything online in part because I never have t…

Gotta say that I disagree (yes, yes, it's all anecdotal). I find a great deal of the hassle in selling stuff online is the shipping aspect: how much does it cost? Will I have to travel to the Post Office? How long will I have to be there? Do I have the packing material? Should I insure the box?

Going to the Post Office is a huge hassle. Even when I don't have to go to them, but say, FedEx Kinkos, I have to deal with them instead (I literally had a FedEx Kinkos employee punch the top of my box repeatedly to prove that it wasn't taped up well enough for their transportation, to which one can only think "It's not my bloody fault that you don't treat packages with any respect.")

I think a great deal of the anxiety in selling is not collecting money (eBay and Amazon both make this trivial) but the worry about holding up your end of the deal, and whether the lost opportunity cost of the hassle outweighs the value of doing the deal.

I know I just put everything in a giant box to Amazon's trade-in system because I only have to worry about shipping once, even though I'd probably get far more if I sold it all piecemeal.

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