think we all need at least one really nice positive thing about the
entertainment business every single day of the year, including
weekends. Sometimes it may be something simple, like a video that
showcases something fun and sometimes it may be a movie poster that
embraces the aesthetic we all want Hollywood to aspire to. Sometimes it
may be a long-winded diatribe. Sometimes it’ll be from the staff and
extended family of CHUD.com. Maybe even you readers can get in on it.
So, take this to the bank. Every day, you will get a little bit of
positivity from one column a day here. Take it with you. Maybe it’ll
help you through a bad day or give folks some fun things to hunt down in
their busy celluloid digesting day. 10.26.10
by Andrea Rothe What I’m Thankful For:
Half.com
I’ve been buying and selling DVDs and books on half.com for ten years now and I hope you’ll find my experiences inspiring or interesting or useful. Since 2000, I have saved and made hundreds and hundreds of dollars and I’m still pleased with the way the site works. I don’t shamelessly promote much, but with a tool this friendly and this easy to use, it needs to be shared. Am I thankful for this? Oh yes. For a long time now.
If you have DVDs laying around that you’re not watching and probably won’t ever watch again, you can either wait until the next garage sale, let them continue to collect dust, or launch your own tiny sale with some minimal effort on half.com. Of course half.com is not the only place to sell DVDs and similar items, but it’s been my personal favorite since day one. If you’re not happy with previous efforts somewhere else, or have been turned off by the workload seemingly involved, or need a place to sell the first time around, then go for it!
From my personal experience, here’s why I like it:
1. You don’t have to upload pictures or figure out image hosting. This exists for the lazy and/or inept (like me). All you do to list an item is type in the ISBN number or UPC code, and it takes you to the page that already exists for your exact item. All of the main information for the item is already there. The only information you add is price and a quick note on the condition of the item. Just hit the “sell my copy” towards the upper right hand corner of the page.
2. You get paid twice a month, automatically. I am set up for direct deposit right into my bank account–not my Pay Pal account. Half.com does take a small percentage of your proceeds, but it is very minimal, and it’s such a small prick you won’t feel it. I like that I don’t get gouged by PayPal as well.
3. Account management is easy. You can re-price all of your items at once on one page. They tell you what the newest lowest price is so you can price yours a penny lower or what have you so yours becomes the highest entry. It’s also easy to clear up the very very rare dispute.
4. I usually make money on shipping. You get reimbursed for Media Mail postage, and if you are selling single DVDs they are almost always light enough to go first class for less money than you are getting reimbursed for. That usually covers the cost of the bubble mailer you popped it into for shipping.
1. You’re going to need bubble mailers, and they can be expensive. When you list your items for the first time, go ahead and buy some #0 bubble mailers from an eBay seller. My cost per mailer is about 26 cents, as opposed to 50-80 cents or more buying off the shelf at a nearby store. Purchase a package or box of 15, 25, or 50 using the buy-it-now option and you get them shipped right to you and you’ll have them on hand when your items sell. That saves an extra trip to the store and cuts down on the hassle for the bucks you’ll be making. Many of the sellers offer free shipping.
2. When you go to the post office, ask for “Media mail or first class, whichever is cheapest.” If you are shipping single DVDs, it’s cheaper and it gets to your buyer faster. If all of your DVDs are a single DVD per package, then skip the line and hit the automated postal center in the lobby. I hate lines too. (Note: you can’t ship Media Mail from the automated postal centers.)
Buying from this site has always been very simple. I can keep a “wish list,” which most other sites do, but it’s nice to be emailed when a rare item I’m looking for comes up for a price I’m willing to pay. This site got me through college when it came to text books. I decided to forgo the campus bookstore, and made a quick trip there just to get the ISBN numbers so I could get them from half.com.
I’ve also used this site to fill in my DVD collection. Some DVD’s I don’t care if they come in shrinkwrap or not. I’m willing to buy a previously viewed copy that is listed as “Like New.” At times, I haven’t minded buying a book in “acceptable” condition to use for a research project. I don’t care what it looks like — I just need the information.
Yes, there are other great sites out there to buy and sell from. But this one has been consistently great for me for a long time and I really feel like I can give a solid recommendation based on both buying and selling. I’ve made and saved money every single year with half.com since 2000. How about that?
Completely disagree, call me a cunt, or share your own recommendations on the message boards HERE.