Comments on: My bargain hunting philosophy, things that matter http://probargainhunter.com/2007/05/21/my-bargain-hunting-philosophy-things-that-matter/ News, Tips and Resources for Online Bargain Hunters Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:53:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Money Smart Life » Musical Money - Carnival of Personal Finance #102 http://probargainhunter.com/2007/05/21/my-bargain-hunting-philosophy-things-that-matter/#comment-22655 Money Smart Life » Musical Money - Carnival of Personal Finance #102 Tue, 29 May 2007 13:57:03 +0000 http://probargainhunter.com/2007/05/21/my-bargain-hunting-philosophy-things-that-matter/#comment-22655 [...] [...] [...] [...]

]]> By: Mike G. http://probargainhunter.com/2007/05/21/my-bargain-hunting-philosophy-things-that-matter/#comment-22619 Mike G. Tue, 29 May 2007 04:14:17 +0000 http://probargainhunter.com/2007/05/21/my-bargain-hunting-philosophy-things-that-matter/#comment-22619 Sounds great! Ben, can I be an honorary family member? Sounds great! Ben, can I be an honorary family member?

]]> By: Ben http://probargainhunter.com/2007/05/21/my-bargain-hunting-philosophy-things-that-matter/#comment-22592 Ben Mon, 28 May 2007 21:12:05 +0000 http://probargainhunter.com/2007/05/21/my-bargain-hunting-philosophy-things-that-matter/#comment-22592 Buying used is smart. But sometimes if you ask around friends and family you can get used stuff they don't need anymore for free! Buying used is smart. But sometimes if you ask around friends and family you can get used stuff they don’t need anymore for free!

]]> By: XynamaX http://probargainhunter.com/2007/05/21/my-bargain-hunting-philosophy-things-that-matter/#comment-22207 XynamaX Wed, 23 May 2007 12:36:09 +0000 http://probargainhunter.com/2007/05/21/my-bargain-hunting-philosophy-things-that-matter/#comment-22207 Buying stuff for resale (ebay) was lucrative a couple of years ago when coupons/rebates were plentiful and there were a limited number of "ebay resellers". Over the years, the market became saturated and thousands of other people joined the bandwagon and started listing items that they found on deal sites. Also, eBay and PayPal have significantly raised fees which makes it even harder to make a decent profit for the time invested. Think about all the time you spend looking for deals, buying them, filling out the rebates, sending them in, checking their status, posting them for resale, re-packing them, mailing them. If you have a rebate you have to call in about, that in itself wastes 30 minutes of your time. Then take your profits, and divide by the number of hours you spent. That's your hourly wage for doing all that work. The time adds up, you might actually be better getting a part time job to match that. Buying stuff for resale (ebay) was lucrative a couple of years ago when coupons/rebates were plentiful and there were a limited number of “ebay resellers”.

Over the years, the market became saturated and thousands of other people joined the bandwagon and started listing items that they found on deal sites.

Also, eBay and PayPal have significantly raised fees which makes it even harder to make a decent profit for the time invested.

Think about all the time you spend looking for deals, buying them, filling out the rebates, sending them in, checking their status, posting them for resale, re-packing them, mailing them. If you have a rebate you have to call in about, that in itself wastes 30 minutes of your time.

Then take your profits, and divide by the number of hours you spent. That’s your hourly wage for doing all that work. The time adds up, you might actually be better getting a part time job to match that.

]]> By: Mike G. http://probargainhunter.com/2007/05/21/my-bargain-hunting-philosophy-things-that-matter/#comment-22185 Mike G. Wed, 23 May 2007 05:20:26 +0000 http://probargainhunter.com/2007/05/21/my-bargain-hunting-philosophy-things-that-matter/#comment-22185 I will be negotiating our car purchase via email.. Thanks for the tips Yan! I will be negotiating our car purchase via email.. Thanks for the tips Yan!

]]> By: Yan http://probargainhunter.com/2007/05/21/my-bargain-hunting-philosophy-things-that-matter/#comment-22182 Yan Wed, 23 May 2007 04:35:31 +0000 http://probargainhunter.com/2007/05/21/my-bargain-hunting-philosophy-things-that-matter/#comment-22182 Richie: (I can't make myself call you that strange nickname you use ;-) ) Good tips. I was mostly focusing on shopping however keeping the tabs on your other day to day expenses is just as important. I use Sunrocket for my phone service and Canopy (wireless broadband) for my internet access. Both help me save money. Sun: While I did buy some stuff for resale in the past, I notice that between my job, my blog, and my family I don't have time for it any longer. I guess my priorities have slightly changed. Richie: (I can’t make myself call you that strange nickname you use ;-) )

Good tips. I was mostly focusing on shopping however keeping the tabs on your other day to day expenses is just as important.

I use Sunrocket for my phone service and Canopy (wireless broadband) for my internet access. Both help me save money.

Sun:

While I did buy some stuff for resale in the past, I notice that between my job, my blog, and my family I don’t have time for it any longer. I guess my priorities have slightly changed.

]]> By: Sun http://probargainhunter.com/2007/05/21/my-bargain-hunting-philosophy-things-that-matter/#comment-22174 Sun Wed, 23 May 2007 01:13:37 +0000 http://probargainhunter.com/2007/05/21/my-bargain-hunting-philosophy-things-that-matter/#comment-22174 Lately, I bought lot of stuff (after rebate) that I don't really need because I want to re-sell them on Amazon. With good deals, some items are really cheap and I usually get some if the after rebate price is around or below $10, so even if I can't sell it, it won't hurt too much as long as I get the rebate. Speaking of flash drives, I sold nearly 10 on Amazon already :) Lately, I bought lot of stuff (after rebate) that I don’t really need because I want to re-sell them on Amazon. With good deals, some items are really cheap and I usually get some if the after rebate price is around or below $10, so even if I can’t sell it, it won’t hurt too much as long as I get the rebate.

Speaking of flash drives, I sold nearly 10 on Amazon already :)

]]> By: XynamaX http://probargainhunter.com/2007/05/21/my-bargain-hunting-philosophy-things-that-matter/#comment-22169 XynamaX Wed, 23 May 2007 00:02:05 +0000 http://probargainhunter.com/2007/05/21/my-bargain-hunting-philosophy-things-that-matter/#comment-22169 One important rule I try to follow: Review recurring costs every year. Look at your phone, cable, electric, gas, auto insurance, etc bill atleast once a year to see if you can save money by reducing service and/or switching to a competitor. Insurance companies are notorious for charging you more and more each statement. Check competing companies to see if you can save a few bux. You might have extra "features" on your phone bill that you're paying for- that you might not use. Drop'em. Switch to VOIP if you have a cable-modem, VOIP carriers are much cheaper then POTS lines... (POTS = plain old telephone service for those of you who don't know)... -X One important rule I try to follow:

Review recurring costs every year. Look at your phone, cable, electric, gas, auto insurance, etc bill atleast once a year to see if you can save money by reducing service and/or switching to a competitor.

Insurance companies are notorious for charging you more and more each statement. Check competing companies to see if you can save a few bux.

You might have extra “features” on your phone bill that you’re paying for- that you might not use. Drop’em. Switch to VOIP if you have a cable-modem, VOIP carriers are much cheaper then POTS lines… (POTS = plain old telephone service for those of you who don’t know)…

-X

]]> By: Yan http://probargainhunter.com/2007/05/21/my-bargain-hunting-philosophy-things-that-matter/#comment-22151 Yan Tue, 22 May 2007 20:08:33 +0000 http://probargainhunter.com/2007/05/21/my-bargain-hunting-philosophy-things-that-matter/#comment-22151 It took me almost 2 hours. I am a slow writer. :-( It took me almost 2 hours. I am a slow writer. :-(

]]> By: Dean http://probargainhunter.com/2007/05/21/my-bargain-hunting-philosophy-things-that-matter/#comment-22148 Dean Tue, 22 May 2007 19:41:11 +0000 http://probargainhunter.com/2007/05/21/my-bargain-hunting-philosophy-things-that-matter/#comment-22148 Nice quality article, I have to agree with you on many of your points. Quick question, how long does it take you to complete a post like this? Nice quality article, I have to agree with you on many of your points.

Quick question, how long does it take you to complete a post like this?

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