A while ago I was experimenting with an online bidding website that specialises in trade and bulk auctions. One of the auctioneer dealt with returned goods from John Lewis, a major quality department store in UK. I needed a new microwave and figured I might pick up a good bargain there.
The problem with these auction sites, is you don't get a lot of information on the goods and its condition. There was one lot that said microwave, fan and bin (trash can), and a couple photos of the boxes. I checked the microwave, it retail for £99, and I figured I could sell the bin and fan to potentially make a bit of money. So I put in a bid for £20 and the waited for the site to auto bid for me. I got an instant message to say they auto bid at £15 for me, then a few moments later, it said my £20 was outbidded. So I upped my bid to £22. Then the auction closed, and I got no more messages. I figured I had lost the bid. So I found another lot with the same microwave, it also included a bin and two fans. This time I put in a bid of £21 and waited. Again no confirmation on the outcome of my bid. Oh well, was fun, but I decided to give up. A few mintues later, I checked my account on the auction site, and realised I had won both lots!!!! Woops! Now I have two microwaves, two bins and three fans.
A few days later my goods arrived, 4 big boxes!!! All together, including auction fees and delivery, this cost me about £130. I checked the price of the items at new, and I think they are worth around £350. Maybe I might make a bit of profit here.... 🤑 💰 🤑
Here's my microwave, and it's quite a nice one. I got two identical ones. There was nothing wrong with either of them and they came in their original packinging and box. I sold one to my sister for £30 👍 and probably could have sold it for for a bit more, but what's a bit of money between sisters 😀
This is Fan #1 and is worth £55 brand new. I put it on Facebook and sold it for £20. 👍
This is Fan #2 . I think it's worth around £40 brand new and my sister in law said she wanted it. When I tested it, it didn't work even though there was a little sticker saying the auctioneer had tested it!!! Bum!!! And that's the risk with buying in these type of auction. This one is a write off 👎
This is Fan #3, a basic fan that cost £15. Unfortunately my sister in law wasn't interested it this, so I'm keeping it for myself. I've used it a few times this week as we got a rare bout of heatwave. In UK we're very lucky if we can use the fan for more than a week each year 👍
I got two bins. Bin #1 cost around £35 brand new, but the latch in the front of this doesn't work and the lid will bounce back up. It's an easy hack fix, I can slip something, like a bit of cardboard or sponge to prop it back up so it catches the lid. However I don't think anyone will buy something with a hack fix. I'll have use it myself to store whatever that doesn't need a tight lid, like a laundry basket 👍
Bin #2 was gross!!! I mean look at it, the lid is broken and it's obvious that the bin has been used a lot because it's filthy. It's even got stains outside. What kind of person would return a dirty used bin to the store!!! Honestly some people have no decency and morals at all.
Other than the bin being in such a gross condition, it's actually quite a nice sturdy bin, and the colour is nice. I won't be able to sell it, but I could repurpose it as a planter. I think it's perfect for my eculyptus tree.
Overall I got my cost down from £130 to £80, and for that I got a new microwave, a fan, a planter and and laundry basket. Not bad for a bit of experiment.
Answer to September HPUD Guessing Contest
This month I had lots of nice active engagement and entries to my HPUD Guessing Contest. There were 35 participants in total, with 15 winners, of which 14 powered up . What a great result, especially seeing so many people powering up. Congrats to all the winners below, your share of 20 HBD and your bonus for powering up will be with your later on. It might take me a while as I have to do them all manually. If you don't see it in your wallet in a few days time, please do let me know as sometimes I forget 😅
| Name | HPUD Answer | Power up ? |
|---|---|---|
 | 9 | - |
 | 9 | - |
 | 10 | - |
 | 10 | - |
 | 10 | - |
 | 10 | - |
 | 11 | - |
 | 11 | - |
 | 11 | - |
 | 11 | - |
 | 11 | - |
 | 11 | - |
 | 11 | - |
 | 11 | - |
 | 11 | - |
 | 12 | yes |
 | 12 | yes |
 | 12 | yes |
 | 12 | yes |
 | 12 | yes |
 | 12 | yes |
 | 12 | yes |
 | 12 | no |
 | 12 | yes |
 | 12 | yes |
 | 12 | yes |
 | 12 | yes |
 | 12 | yes |
 | 12 | yes |
 | 12 | yes |
 | 13 | - |
 | 13 | - |
 | 13 | - |
 | 13 | - |
 | 15 | - |
Thanks for everyone who took part this month, and I look forward to you in the Occtober HPUD Guessing Contest. I have something in mind already!