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It's refreshing to hear from one who doesn't have a dog in the hunt. I appreciate your perspective on the topic. Honestly, it has morphed from a popular culture issue to a political one, which was inevitable considering the exorbitant excise taxes they charge on liquor.

Thank you, Steve. I hope you're selling more great ads!

@@BlueFeatherEphemera I'm doing pretty well with the really OLD stuff! I think I may have found my niche.👍👍

Thanks for the kind words, Susan! It's great to be back working on the channel again. The ads and selling them truly are a passion, and distractions from the work are quite unwelcome! LOL

It sure is great to hear from you! I tried to get back to the messages we'd exchanged, but I couldn't find them. Man, I did a lot of praying for you last month. I know there in South Carolina that Helene didn't impact to the extent it did to the north of you, but I've got an Air Force buddy in Augusta, Georgia who was without power for days, and that ain't too far from you. I'd also seen some mention of Greenville and Spartanburg neighborhoods and communities having isolated flooding. Anyway, I'm glad you're well!

I missed y'all, too! The only thing better than reviewing the sales is the discussion of selling them with friends on the channel. I know little of Clarksville, but I do know it's in a Monkees song, and I also know it's situated on the banks of the Cumberland River. Here's a bit of trivia - the Blue Feather cottage is located less than three miles from where the Cumberland River begins in Harlan County, Kentucky. The confluence of the Martin's Fork, the Poor Fork, and the Clover Fork of the Cumberland River is behind the supermarket where I got my first job at age 14 sacking groceries after school. I do love that part of Tennessee. Just out west of there is Reelfoot Lake - my favorite kayaking spot. I've vacationed in Nashville, and I worked there for a few months back in 2005. North of Clarksville and Fort Campbell is Hopkinsville, where I attended the Kelly, Kentucky Little Green Men Festival in August 2017, which happened to coincide with the solar eclipse. The festival and the eclipse were epic. You said 49 minutes, but not what direction...I bet I'm hitting all around it though!! Ha-ha!

@@BlueFeatherEphemera I live in a town called Tennessee Ridge in Houston County. I am the county archivist which explains my love of history and ephemera. Houston County's Western border is right on Kentucky Lake. I know all the places you mentioned!

Thanks Joe! It's great to be back...I need the rest! LOL

@@billhunt7718 You're welcome!

Hi, Barry. I do have a couple dozen cartoons listed. Here's the eBay category I use for them: Collectibles/Paper/Ephemera/nnnn-nn (where nnnn-nn is the era. e.g., 1940-59) From there, you're prompted: New or Used (Used) And then the items specifics prompted are: Country/region (United States) California prop 65 (N/A) Custom SKU (.....) So that makes them very easy to list for me. Also, I established a category within my store called: Magazine Illustrations - Non-Advertising where I put them in a sub-category called Humor and Whimsey So...that's what I do with them. Of course, you have several options, and if other viewers handle them a different way, I love to see it shared in comments. Louisa...that's about 20 miles as the crow flies - and about an hour by car on these mountain roads LOL! It's good to hear from you. Thanks for watching!

Thank you, Bill. It's cool that you're getting into selling ephemera. What I love about it (and maybe you've noticed) is that it's so easy to store and to ship! If you're just adding a mix of ephemera items to your store...maybe numbering in the dozens of items...I wouldn't think you'd need a second store. If you're adding a significant number of one or two specific types of ephemera, like decals or postcards, and you intend to eventually list several hundreds or thousands of items, it would probably be better to start them in a new store from scratch. But that's just one man's opinion, and there may be reasons I'm not thinking of to support either way of thinking.

Thanks, Jason!

Thanks for the feedback, Susan. I'm excited for you and I hope you love working with print ads as much as I do!

I would agree with you that they both had sales potential. The only reason I didn't separate the Cashmere Bouquet add and sell it separately is because I thought it lent a little of its own character to the page, providing a little context by illuminating the era and yielding clues as to the source. Of course, the era of the item was readily conveyed by both the text and photos of the K-9 article itself, but that juxtaposed with an everyday soap ad added a little by giving the reader the assurance that although the word was at war, life at home must still go on. I'm sure I sacrificed a few dollars because of it, but I thought the page said a lot more by including both.

@billhunt7718 I agree with you, so much so that I don't list any ad anymore without a genuine belief that there's a customer out there for it.

@Oldmaninthestream You're welcome. I'm not bent on fleecing any customers, I'm just seeking substantive compensation for my work (as I think most sellers are).

@TheSteveBoyd I wanted to talk about the silverware ads specifically because it's a product I didn't have high expectations for when listing. I love being pleasantly surprised...kinda like you were this week!

@TheSteveBoyd Thanks for the kind words. I'd still be lost if not for the print ad selling tutorials on @JiminyFlipIt and @VintageCodger . I browsed your store again today, and your listings look great. You have some really cool ads. Keep doing what you're doing and it won't take long for your customers to find you!

@maryt8184 Your response completely fulfills your refund policy and doesn't in any circumvent your obligation to the customer. And if every eBay seller responded as uniformly as you, eBay would be so much easier. I don't fault other sellers who, for the sake of ease and expedience, give in to difficult buyers, but it does condition those buyers to act as if their difficulty will always (or at least often) be rewarded. I wanted him, at the end of the day, to feel like he'd wasted his own time and to care a little bit more about than I did. 😁 Thanks for the good advice - and for watching!

Thanks, Jacques. I liked the "bucket of savings" slogan - although I bandied-about several variations of "print ads are finger-licking good" - which I eventually discarded due to folks maybe getting a visual image of some dude (me) licking fingers as I processed the magazines. Nobody would want one after that. LOL I don't (EVER!), btw. Either I'm not looking in the right magazines for vintage Halloween ads, or else they just don't exist. I've ran across maybe four, (which have all sold quickly). I'm convinced that before about 1970, Halloween just wasn't something advertisers aimed at to capitalize upon. I really get a kick out of seeing the great Halloween postcards, though, from the 1920's-1950's. The artists of that era were very gifted.

And of course MEN LANDED on the MOON . 1969.

I hope your sales are stellar. Those concert ads sound really cool!

I agree, and with not as much disposable income available, I think they're shopping more thoughtfully.

I remember that my mother had this exact style can in her sewing machine drawer. I hope you find one - it's really neat!

Hi, Melissa. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I think political ads would do very well considering that other political memorabilia is highly sought-after. Historians (and archivists) understand that such cartoons capture snapshots in time in what is often the most succinct and effective way. I remember that every history textbook I ever had was chock-full of cartoons that communicated the mood of the country from the spectators' perspective. I have less than ten cartoons listed in my store, but I feel like I've passed up many good ones that I should have listed. My litmus test for them - did they make me laugh (or evoke some other response). I shouldn't go by that though, since my sense of humor is a little quirky. As always, I appreciate you!

Hilarious - I love me some coyote/roadrunner action. Seriously though, until I started doing this almost two years ago, I never knew there's was a real ACME company - and actually, there are several. Boots, steel, etc. And I didn't know that acme is a real word meaning "best, perfect, or most successful". I'm probably that last person to figure that out. LOL Thanks for watching!

@@BlueFeatherEphemera From one of my all-time favorite movies: "Say, uh, Cousin Wash, I suppose it'd be the acme of foolishness to inquire if you had a hair net." -Ulysses Everett McGill Also of interest (to me, anyway), in 1921 The Green Bay Packers were known as "The Acme Packers of Green Bay", named for the Acme Meat-packing Co. who sponsored the team. ✌

Before my younger son turned two years old, he could quote the entire scene of Delmar's baptizing, from "Well, that's it, boys, I've been redeemed," to "Come on in, boys, the water is fine!" LOL We all loved the reference to Kentucky in "Man of Constant Sorrow". I knew the Packers was a reference to meat packing, but I didn't know about the Acme Meat Packing Co. That's cool!

@billhunt7718 That's a perfect analogy, Bill. I couldn't have said it better myself! I haven't done a shipping process video yet. I'm not yet ready with a studio space for demonatrations, but that subject is at the top of the list when I get situated. Thanks for the suggestion!

A convertible Scout would be just the thing for the Black Mountain Off-Road Park here. International Harvester established a coal company here in 1910 (and build a "company town" - Benham). When I was growing up, just about everybody had to go "off-road" just to get home. By the time off-roading became a leisure activity and hobby here in the '90's, most of my friends were looking for Suzuki Sidekicks and Geo Trackers.

I ship every size over 4"x6" in large cardboard envelopes called stay-flat mailers. Inside that, I put the ad inside a plastic sleeve (to protect it from moisture) and include a gallery quality acid-free cardboard backing (for extra rigidity). There are links to the products I use in the video description (It's just there to be helpful - I'm not paid to endorse anything). Thanks for watching the channel!

@@BlueFeatherEphemera Thanks! I always ship ads bagged and boarded in stiff mailers. I hadn't yet seen any mailers for the larger sizes though. I'll check out the one you mentioned.

@@William_Van_Landingham_III I take issue with the word "should" in this context! 🤣😂🤣

@joemechanicc Thanks, Joe. I won't take up every issue with the same persistence as I did this one, LOL. I like your suggestion to use "magazine" in the title, but since i have it elsewhere at least twice, I won't change for now. This is the second time I got a defect removed by eBay - for this same reason. If eBay was taking the buyer side on these issues, I'd give stronger consideration to that tip because it sure should work - I'm just gonna conserve those characters to use for keywords, for kow.

@@billhunt7718 Ha ha, thanks, Bill! I'm glad you've got a little something from the channel (besides grody dad-toes nightmares)!

@susanes1918 Thanks, Susan. The great news is, as sellers of ephemera (and especially vintage ephemera), it's usually a more cultured clientelle we serve, so issues of rudeness and underhanded dealings are rare! I'm glad you enjoyed the story, though!

Karen, you're absolutely right saying that I won't get the time back. But I also think that maybe in a small way I might have helped him grow as a customer. I'll never know. What I do know is that from the moment I saw his return request, I wanted the story of the ad returned twice to be told on my channel, and that I also wanted to guide the customer using the "missing parts" return reason to a moment repentance; to acknowledgement that he didn't read the listing. We know that never happened, but he "darn shore" knows he didn't. LOL

Thank you, Melissa. Counting two times for this ad, that makes a total of four returns for this reason. The third ad returned was for a personalized doormat (also covered in Video #8), and the fourth one was an ad for a 1940's Monroe adding machine. So to date, I've sold somewhere around 850 print ads with only four situations like this - so the rate is a little less than 1/2%. Not too bad. As far as protecting ourselves as sellers, I'm not sure what else to do. My listings are 5X redundant concerning the product type. I did read comments from another seller recently where she messages before shipping internationally to ensure the buyer is 100% aware they're buying the ad for the item and not the item itself, in case there's a language barrier issue. And while I don't do that, it's probably not a bad idea. As always, thanks for watching!!

@@BlueFeatherEphemera That might be a good idea to message the buyer to make sure they know they are getting an ad and not the product. Would take some time and effort but better to take that time and effort than have to go through returns. Thank You for answering my questions, you are the best!

@@melissabarker2128 You're welcome!

I have high hopes for the computer ads. I had school access to a Commodore 64 starting around 1980 (and later I got one for Christmas), When I was in junior high school, my brother and I took vocational school classes on the IBM System 32, and all the other students were professional office workers whose employers were paying for their enrollment...and honestly, my brother and I smoked them. The same would be true today, I think...young kids would run circles around me on technology. Anyway, besides students, I think they'll appeal to hobbyists (electronics tinkerers) and gamers, in addition to any geographical interest. Fingers crossed... I did block the Dunhill buyer, but only after the return issue was closed and also my against the buyer was closed - because up to that point, I had a seller's obligation to a buyer to keep lines of communication open throughout the completion of that transaction. But, oh yes! He is blocked now. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

Thanks for watching, and the supporting comment. I truly never want to convey any disrespect for any buyer - I really do deeply appreciate all my eBay customers, but every now and then, as a seller, you encounter some jaw-dropping absurdity! LOL

@joemechanicc Hey, Joe! No apology is needed. Your comments are always helpful and appreciated. It's awesome that your contribution to the channel in comments helps to demonstrate just how much different the selling experience can be for each of us, and how our customers can find their shopping experience so different from store to store. And you're absolutely correct to question the importance of the category system. In fact, I commented to @belpostcards that some stats about how shoppers landed on their purchases would be really helpful. As I said, I think the "search within store" tool mitigates the negative effect of my sub-standard category setup. And yes, you're the seller I was thinking of when I discussed listing both sides. And another difference you mention is comping ads - at least, it seems you comp more frequently than I do. Thanks for watching and pitching in. Wishing you great sales...

Thank you for mentioning the third level. I should have, in this discussion, to make it more complete. Frankly, just like multiple categories, it's also a recent discovery of mine, so I haven't made use of it yet, and lacking examples to show I left it out. Your suggestion of it for the autos category would be the perfect application though, and you can expect to see exactly that in my store during the coming weeks. And, you see?!? You all and your comments and suggestions make my channel so much better. Thank you for watching, but especially for what you contribute!

@KnotSewFastEphemera I'm glad you're finding something here to aid your business and for saying so. It's encouraging to me to know it!

@TheSteveBoyd It was a cool story to kind of be a part of...in my small way. I can't imagine what kind of trimmer is damaging your ads. I always use the Carl rotary wheel trimmer that I have linked in the video description, and I've never had any trouble with it. I own a guillotine type paper cutter, but it's much harder to position the paper on it and keep it still while I cut.

@@BlueFeatherEphemera There's actually only a link to a "self-healing" cutting board. If you have an affiliate link, please share it, as I'd rather you got a cut (no pun intended) of the sale than me just Googling "Carl Rotary Trimmer".

I'm sorry I couldn't reply sooner, Steve, but I have no affiliation with any of the product sellers I have listed. I appreciate the thought tho!

@thevintagecodger Thanks, Doug. Coming from a mentor and early source of inspiration it means a lot!

@@BlueFeatherEphemera you have a great teaching style. Easily understood and not rushed.

This video ought to show that I'm probably the last person you should ask. LOL But seriously, I absolutely agree the first level of categorization should be by sport. Beyond that though, I get lost because I have no experience with sports cards. It might make sense to establish the sub-categories by team. Other divisions I can imagine would be by conference or league, maybe by decade... Then there's the issue of the card makers. I'm familiar with topps, but I know there are others. Then there are the collector cards that were given as premiums - for example, find a baseball card in a box of Corn Flakes...or Wheaties. Those probably need a category of their own. You can see, I know just enough to be dangerous. As I should have done with print ads, I think your best bet would be to benchmark - find what existing card sellers are doing and "borrow" from their experience. Great question though. I wish I could be more help.

Lannie! I would never put the word weird in the same sentence with cream cheese! (Oops, I just did!) LOL "Atypical" might be a word I'd apply to that idea of yours, but upon consideration, it sounds pretty scrumptious!

Susan, I'm so glad you found something in this video that may be relevant to your selling. Thanks for the kind words...and for watching!

@@cee1431 Hey, I appreciate that. Thanks!

Thanks Jacques. As always, your encouragement means a lot. Maybe I am beating myself up over something that might have negligible impact, since there's no way to measure how shoppers use the category system. I do indeed want to grow as a seller, just as I want to grow the UA-cam channel - not by just increasing the quantity of offerings, but more importantly, the quality. And I need to stop fretting over whether I washed that plate in the sink or not, and just be more grateful that I have a plate (and a sink). LOL. And I hope my enthusiasm about the sales - the ads themselves that we review every week - eclipses the gloomy littany of my failures. I wake up daily looking forward to this work because vintage print ads truly are fantastic. (Email response forthcoming)

@@BlueFeatherEphemera One thing I should mention just as a helpful tip for anyone just getting started. In my opinion, I don't think it is a great idea to use the pre-loaded "Other" category that eBay uses. The reason for this is it can be a second party check for your store. I have to rely on is weekly. Meaning, for any technical reason imaginable or even if I forget: There are going to be many things that never end up in their intended category. So, when I check my categories each week and see that "Other" category displayed, I now something went awry. I simply go in and reassign them where they were intended to be.

@@belpostcards9388 That's a great tip. Since I don't list postcards, I'm just curious if the same issue affects them - and if so, to a comparable degree?

@@BlueFeatherEphemera Yes it happens with both, for me. I only list on laptop. Today was an ad and I am positive I selected the tobacco category when I drafted it. It happens once a week or more on average for me. Since you've seen my store, it is on the initial store screen where you taked about the 3 main categories I have . When I see a 4th, being "Other", I know there is a listing that needs addressed. I see some stores with hundred of listings in other category and sometimes wonder if they intend them all to be there or not.

@belpostcards9388 Great information. Thanks. I have some more work to do, it seems. I am emailing you again shortly.

You see, that's the thing!! LOL. Realistically, the work might take only, what, 6-10 hours. But that much time amounts to roughly 300-400 listings, and the words "list, list, list" are branded into my medulla oblongata. Carrying those 500 listings in a category I want to clear, I equate that to carrying around an extra 20 pounds. Needing to lose weight stinks, but dieting is hard work. I just have to focus on how much better I'll feel when it's done and do the work!

@@BlueFeatherEphemera LOL!

I'm glad you saw the change as positive, and I appreciate the feedback. I also liked it just for the feel of "something different". Of course the hope is always that folks find the info and the analysis of it helpful. Thanks for watching!

@_JKAdagio Hi Jason. That's a great suggestion. My method of listing on the mobile app doesn't lend itself to recording and sharing in video format, but since the basic concepts apply to both app listing vs web listing on a laptop or desktop computer, I feel like a discussion of it would be kind of ho-hum, when you can get pretty much the same instruction from Marty @JiminyFlipIt in a live listing show pretty much weekly. Nobody does it better than Marty, and it's very interesting because his live show is interactive. As for listing goals, I aim for 200 per week, which amounts to roughly 6-8 hours of work. I've fallen short of that over the past month, owing to extra summertime chores around the cottage, etc., but I always make sure to post at least 5 listings per day. A minimum of 20 is more common.