THIS is what eBay sellers are doing wrong! 

Great advice. No more buying until you've listed what you have already. At least that's what my wife tells me about my junk 😄

I cracked up with the shoes "does it look like I'm a shoe seller" 😂

What you need is a retired librarian to come in for a couple of hours per day to help get the books organized and ready to be photographed and listed. Some retired folks are looking for a little something to do in the profession they were in. Good luck from Amelia Island, Florida

Wonderful job! Did this to myself when was selling VHS. Ended up getting rid of the process of bundling, listed all individually, and set up sale like 5 for a % off or something like that. Soon no death pile and many of the bundles people put together for themselves wouldn’t have thought to put together.

Hi Mel. Thanks for the vids. Two things have occurred to me that might help longer term efficiency 1) For your mini romance bundles create a shelving area near the photo station specifically to place unlisted and listed bundles of this genre. This will minimise internal transport effort and time. Picking will also be quicker from a subject specific area. I think this works for when you have large quantities of sesame / similar subjects but you will know 2) For unlisted books, triage as stock comes in, as deep 21:13 as possible, creating specific storage areas eg books worth over $25, books to be bundled, medium value stock eg exercise / diet and priority research titles. The objective of putting in specific process at goods in is to help you prioritise listing based on projected value and or listing efficiency. Hope these two suggestions help you to firm up new processes that will take you to the next level. Remember lots of little improvements bring as much or even more than the big ones .

Thanks for addressing the elephant in the room for most of us. I’m now “doing the punishment” 😂

My suggestion.....get at least 2 metal heavy duty shelves WITH wheels. You can push them directly in front of your death pile shelves. Use the new shelves to add the rest of your death pile books (take them off the floor). It will clear out space where you need it and you still have access to all the books in your death pile to grab and list next. It also saves you from having to move books out of the way from one spot to another.

There’s something about ‘potential money sitting on the floor’. The potential is not there until it is listed. And when you have thousands of books that will take months to get to, you can’t feel bad about both things at once, like, oh darn, there’s so much money sitting there AND oh darn, I don’t have time to turn them into money. I think you’ve made amazing progress with your move, so give yourself some grace and just keep plugging away at it!

Yeah I feel this. What also helped was ending over 100 items in my store this week that have hublng around for a year and then instantly selling them all bundled on Facebook MP. Created so much space for fresh stock thats sitting waiting for a home.

Thank you for the inspiration! My workspace is a disaster and it bothers me every day, but it feels like such a big task that I never seem to find the time to take care of it. You’ve motivated me to get it all cleaned up today!

Hi Mel thanks for sharing! I really love this video. I've felt the same a few weeks ago. Felt so overwhelmed, I was internally crying about my own scatter brain moments. Haha. I ask myself why oh why when I knew why. Tackled half of my space issue. Still a long way to go to get to my ideal working spaces but im chipping away at it each day. Might just put this video on repeat as a reminder to myself to get stuff done and go after it. ❤

Great video Mel. Its a great feeling when you sort through "the pile" as you now know what exactly there is and can have a plan of attack. But those listed stock shelves look very full - need to do a good cull of the old stock / low value items and get some shelf space back.

😊 good job Mel! Now you're ready for massive sales! 🎉

So happy to see warehouse videos again 😊 Ive just got started with my own online bookstore in the last few weeks so I'm in the process of listing almost 1000 books 😬. Great video Mel!.... you're keeping me motivated here in the UK 🇬🇧

'Unlisted inventory' ... the story of my life!

Mel, Wednesday is my day to "get shit done" in my eBay space. I'll be putting your video on again, may have to listen to it on repeat to get me motivated and get shit done! This is exactly the video I needed right now!

Great advice at the end. Just clearing your packing station made such a huge difference! Great job!

Wheels Mel wheels!!!! Maybe two shelving racks at the front. Move your death pile to them so you can move them around and still have access to your unlisted bookshelf area. It will give you some flexibility in space. I loved your video. You’re doing a great job keeping not only me but others motivated.

You did a great job cleaning up! And while I know you've drunk Tech's and Chris's Kool-Aid, it really is okay to buy a few things outside of your usual niche now and then if they can make you a profit. The important thing is not to beat ourselves up for the choices we make!

Watching you sweep concrete and raise dust makes me want to suggest you use a Vacuum or damp mop to clean a concrete floor. The dust just settles on the inventory. What I like to do, when I first get the keys to a new storage space with concrete floors is to put a layer of clear floor sealer down. Even now, you could do it on the aisles and if you ever do shift shelves around, seal the newly exposed floor areas. The sealer rolls on like floor paint and goes a long way to keep the dust that blows in manageable. You can also try one of the small hand held leaf blowers. Start in the back and blow toward the open door.

Just a tip from a factory worker. Turn your picking cart into a package station for regular orders. The belief of this is to only pick up an item only once

After coming back from overseas, i looked around my space and saw it with fresh eyes as to what needs to get done. I think you sometimes need that break to see what is in front of you

Thank you for your honesty! I think we all need to do our punishment of cleaning and organizing our reselling areas. My husband and I sell toys, clothes and shoes. We have organized our stuff in totes. Our death piles of toys are grouped together as well as all clothing and shoes. Our listed items are in a separate area. We still source adding to our death pile. I feel like a hoarder missing out on good items to sell but adding to our madness pile. Definitely need to devote time to photos and listing. Good luck to all of us!

Love the video, one suggestion - stop bringing in new stock until you have cleared some of the backstock

So NO Sourcing for you for the next 3 months 😄✂️

Simple, No sourcing, list, list, list, what you have, don't over think it! 👍

I love watching your organisational videos Mel..makes me feel ok about my mess - Ive got a storeroom just like your warehouse - so your working ideas gives me some inspiration and HOPE lol.

unearthing a bonus shelf :) saves buying that extra 1 shelf

Thank you for showing your struggle with your ebay store. It is giving me a kick in my bottom to at least clear one on the areas in my house of the ebay piles to list and make the room clear of ebay. LOL. I did haul buying for a couple months to catch up on listing what I have already and it was helpful to not feel overwhelmed

I was looking at that back corner with all of the boxes where you put that square table. It looks like you have room for a shelving unit against the wall. Maybe you put a shelving unit up (or maybe even stack 2 deep against the wall) and begin to unload those boxes and put those books right on the new shelving unit. Then as you unload boxes and make more room, add another shelving unit against the wall and just systematically work your way through the boxes and get the books unloaded from the boxes and put onto shelves. That would also give you a great opportunity to sort thru the books and pull out the ones with the highest re-sell value so you can focus on listing those first since they are more valuable. AND at the same time, you're getting the shelving installed (bit by bit) and you wanted shelving up against that wall and all the way back to the corner anyway, right? Killing two birds with one stone! Anyway that you can work more efficiently and just move items once instead of several times will save you lots of time and energy (AND YOUR BACK TOO!) You're video is dead on target - no one should be going out and sourcing more if they have a death pile. I think every reseller needs to do exactly what you are doing. Thank you because I needed this kick in the seat myself!

I’ve got many of the same problems and no where near as much stock as you. I’ve got plans to get more organised with mine too but it’s definitely encouraging that you’re doing it but on a much larger scale! Thanks Mel 😊

maybe some shelving unit with wheels. So you can move some things around when needed be. Most of my shelving unit have wheels.

That bench top packing area and close surroundings needs to be tidied and completely cleared at the end of every day, even if you have stacks of books work in progress on there, you may have to get some temporary portable table tops and put them on there, so that when you walk in the next day it's free of everything. Perhaps make that a rule and stick to the rule, and maybe if you're in a rush at the days end and need to get to the post office before cleaning up, then the very first job in the morning is to clear that area before you start, just build that into your rule and don't break the rule! I personally have been working in a complete mess with the lack of space and dedicated area setups, consequently leading to low productivity and it's not good for your mental state either. There is a plan of action now so things will be changing! Thanks for sharing Mel, a good video topic !!

Yes! My room is so messy. Thanks for the motivation!

Nice video, Mel! I sell jewelry and while my inventory doesn't take up as much room as books, I still have to be organized. When I purchase large lots I immediately separate into categories: necklaces, bracelets, earrings, etc. I store in shoe boxes. So when I want to list necklaces, I just take the appropriate box and list. Good luck in getting organized! ABL - Always Be Listing!

Don’t forget the sellers that you mentioned have employees. You’re going to have to learn to work in a little chaos until you get things under control or hire someone. .

Would it make sense to set up a system to eliminate old, unsold inventory? I can see your inventory keeps getting larger and larger over time. Perhaps it would be a good idea to take any items that has not sold for a period of time, say one or two years, and eliminate them? Maybe delist the old items and send a pile to an auction once a month or so? It would make room for fresh inventory, and you might be able to make a few dollars at auction (or another way) as well. Just a random thought for you to consider.....

Love this video Mel! Ive been concerned (for some reason I'm always concerned about you 😅) with you buying more and more books. When the thought of sourcing/opshopping comes in your mind, say a stern NO to yourself 😔 until you're done listing every book.

I’m interested to see your changes because I feel my room is slowing me down. Thanks for all your videos!!

With time being your most valuable resource, I'd say bring in a temporary helper to work on the cleanup and reorganization while you focus on orders, listing, and NOT acquiring new merchandise.

Hi Mel came across your channel as I’m looking at starting the side hustle approaching 50 to slowly move away from full time work for the man. You and I seem so alike with scatterbrained syndrome!! It’s great to watch Aussie eBayers to get hints and tips from a local perspective. I’m gathering plenty of tips and scouring for free inventory from round the home, family and free local listings for books. Love watching your show Mel thanks again!!!

Great video, really like you also share the dark sites of reselling. How about running a sell of promo, so you get some space in the shelves? Then you can just list liek hell every day, till the space in the back-right corner ist clean to build up new shelves. Then promo can be turned of. You continue listing, till you only have the white shelf as dead-pile left. Only then new thrifting is sllowed. What you think?

Please forgive me if this doesnt sit well with you but may I suggest a Name change from “Burnout” to Thriving. “Back to Thriving” many times what we attach ourselves to is what happens “Burnout”. Hope this helps. Be Blessed!

So what is going to change ? Less inventory ? Higher book profits ? Please make a video on that and listing motivation if possible. I like the practical videos. I think the issue is we all like buying stock….. i could source all day but then i dont list enough…….thanks

Thanks so much for sharing. You are one of several resellers working on cleaning & fixing your work area and death piles. Trying to fix mine while moving. Slow go but your video was just another one to help keep me motivated.

Get the back right corner done next so you can put more shelves of listed books. You need tall ladder to go higher too. You will get it done Mel!! Looks great

YES!!! I too have the Virus. I need to deal with my pile in order to reach my consistent ebay schedule goal.

Mel, Thanks for the inspiration! Off to clear my space I go!!!!

The theme is universal.... get your S%I^ done! Purge what you don't need or got that you won't sell. Ironically, I have my Jeep full of inventory from the sale I did this weekend in Packwood, Washington. Time to purge. We have something in common ... oh wait! SQUIRREL! Thanks for the great video. Happy Spring down under, Happy Fall y'all in the northern latitudes.

As a newbie seller, I needed to hear this. Thank you❤

Hi Mel, first off I sell sports cards, the issue that I came up on is inventory. It's easy to accumulate as you've did. I've vowed not to buy bulk for a few months because I have a bunch already. It's hard to be focused when it becomes so much. I sell raw singles and graded cards (these bring in the most profit). Grading costs me about $20 a pop for each card so I'm in them a bit before I can even sell. So I have about 200k singles just sitting here that need to be listed. I've already gone thru them and have about 10k that needs to be graded (a portion typically will be worth 2-4 times or even more once graded), so it comes down to income money to keep moving forward. I'm usually off Mondays and Tuesdays and I make these my main listing days. I usually pull out two stacks and try hard to get them listed in those two days. Having inventory become stale or lose value is an issue in our type of business. We become complacent with the boxes or stacks and eventually it slowly takes over (right now I've got 12 boxes in my living room...hate it but office is pretty full). My suggestion to you is those stacks in front of your listing table I'd be hammering. You know there's money there. How I do it is, I ship first (clears more room), and then I scan like crazy for a few hours, take a break and then list list list. When I get what I want cleared, then I start to attack another box, repeat and then another few stacks. BUT, I'm not buying any more lots for a while until I get what I want listed and can condense it down further. Everything sells eventually but listing is key. I usually pick one morning to go thru and list the more time consuming items. Eventually, those hard items will be listed but focus in on it one dedicated day each week (maybe Thursday for you... don't know your slow shipping day). BUT, hold off on buying, there's plenty more out there. It's a tough grind sometimes but it's needed or you'll end up with a storage unit full that you never get too and then a second one. List the stacks in front of your photo center, those books on the white shelf need to put back in boxes, and then now you've created more listed item space. Everything sells at the right price it just needs to be listed. I wish you the best and hope you can get it under control and eventually feel satisfied with your overall accomplishment. You've came a long way and your doing great.

Hiya!!! you should tape out the area you want totally clean as a NO GO ZONE for anything you dont want in it. Grab some caution tape and zone if off. This way, you visually remind yourself to never fill out the space when you shouldnt, but also.. it TRIGGERS YOU ENTERING THE *DANGER ZONE* and it will fire you up to smash your work! You'll find yaself go into hulk mode and smash what you need.

Great video, Mel! Books and CD’s are my best category, but about 90% of my books get shipped to Amazon FBA, including sets. Most of my eBay inventory is for assorted thrifted items. I can definitely see how organization can be a real issue when you have that much stuff in your posession. Can’t wait to see how it all looks at the end of the project! Cheers from Texas!

Great work Mel, no doubt getting your space under control will lead to big improvements!

I am not a reseller but enjoy these videos. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the space get organised!

Omg we have missed your videos so much. Thankyou we had a deep discussion about our messy deathpile thanks so many interesting tips....

Mel, I would have extreme anxiety everyday trying to find the orders that needed shipped in that place! Your collection of books has overtaken everything but your mind....maybe even that. Organization will 100% help with your daily flow once completed, I whole heartedly agree with that! Plus it helps your work productivity, morale and believe it or not your overall health!( OH, I came here from Paul's Channel!)

Hi, Mel, great content! Thank you so much for sharing your time and passion with us

Oh my gosh!! I love this video so much! I LOVE organizing and planning!! This video is GOLD! You’re doing AMAZING, Mel! ❤🙌🏻 it’s looking incredible in your space! Proud of you! You’re killin it!

A great video that will make a lot of sense to those in this reselling game. I started reselling seriously in March 2023 from home. The house soon became overrun with stuff.... I now hire a small garage (shelved it out) and now thats getting full?!?! Number 2 garage on the way soon! This is a great lesson to learn. We all eventually end up in that situation, unless you are strong willed and organised to start off with! It saves the "punishment" later on... Trust me 😂

You are absolutely right. It does make you feel better when the job is completed. I need to do some sorting and more listing.

I've been motivated since FlipCon to get stuff organized but you just gave me the kick in the pants that I need. Thank you Mel for showing me I can do it! It is hard to get past the overwhelming feeling that we get when we look at the mess that we have created with our deathpiles! Happy organizing everyone!

Stop running scared. Stop calling it "punishment". It makes it sound negative and you won't want to do it. You're "decluttering", streamlining even. Not just your space, but your mind as well. Before you do too much, outline on paper a good workflow for your space. How it would be perfect, then outline steps (actually document them) to accomplish it, start to finish. For example (this is an outsider's view): - The shelves next to your listing station make an excellent "to be listed" area. Clear that out (do the sorting) and put bundles and such there. - Once the table is clear move it towards the door. Turn that into your "redonate or resell locally" table. Your shoes and cute little duck salt & pepper shakers go there. That's your outgoing "dump" pile. - Take that unpacked shelving unit and put it where the "ready to be listed" inventory is (it should be "was" by now, since you've listed it, right?) - - Leave the space near the end of that row to balance the shelf next to your listing station. Putting another shelf there messes with the flow and clutter (feng shui?) - Now that you've fixed your flow, process everything in the front. Don't get weighed down by what you should do with X or Y. Process how you know how and put everything else on the dump table near the door. - Instead of bringing out another shelving unit for that middle row put a table there. This is going to be your "keep" table as opposed to your "dump" table. Good goes out (to the dump) and good goes in (to the keep). - Now that you've cleared out the area in front of the books tape off a large area in the middle of the empty floor for incoming inventory. I'd guess it should be about two pallets in size...so you can plop two pallets in there. Make sure you can walk around it to get to the shelves. This gives you a permitted "messy space". Make sure it stays within that space in the future. Don't let it leak. - Move some books from your wooden shelving into the "processing zone" and churn through them. - Move boxes into the processing zone from the back until it's full. Process until it's empty. Repeat the process until you've taken the two pallets from the back corner and put them empty on the floor in your processing zone. Putting the pallets there should be mentally symbolic. - In the back corner you now have shelving space you can bring all the way up to your "to be listed" shelving unit. Anyway, that's how I'd do it. You can do whatever you like.

I'm a victim of this myself and put a ban on thrifting until my stockpiles are listed. My main focus is dvds and I've got close to 700 unlisted.

Dang it I like buying hauls but you're right I need to go through my death pile to sort and get listed.

Hi Mel Love your work ethic and congrats on getting your packing area cleaned up. 'Get your shit together 😂😂😂😂😂'...... Gold 👏👏👏👏👏...... Tell it like it is Girl..... Looking forward to your next one.

I love that you knew what the problem was and took care of it. Next up 😊😊

WOW!! That was a massive improvement in your shipping area! So much easier to get things done now. Great job, Mel!

Is that you holding that surfboard? This video helped me get inspired to get 💩 done!!!

Dang, girl. You got books! I’m in the process of organizing my death pile. Hopefully, it’s the last time. You’re doing great! Thanks for an encouraging pep talk.

THANK YOU for being so candid with us. I have a ‘Money Mountain’ myself (don’t like Death Pile) I had to make the decision to put unlisted all in totes (8) so I could work in my area and ship/list items effectively. I’m trying to take it a bin @ a time. I would personally put all the books unlisted in boxes at the front of storage. Move shelves to the back corner and go from there. Then chip away at a box at a time. 😊 Loved meeting you & Paul@Flipcon, I was the one who asked for a ride from Tampa. 🤣🤣

Yes my problem is being distracted by cute interesting things, and I find if I really don't know the worth of something I tend to procrastinate on listing that item

You need an area for incoming inventory like a loading dock… And you should try and stop moving the stuff around. Touch it only once… good luck Mel !

Hi, Been watching your journey and i am so impressed. I have been working on my mess as well. I wish I had start a channel to document my process. My death pile come to find out is a profit pile.

I haven't finished the video but maybe some shelves on wheels will be helpful? You could put unlisted books on them and wheel them right up to the big shelves with unlisted material. This obviously wouldn't hold as many books but it would give you a more organized way to work through your unlisted stuff.

Years ago I read about "economic camping" this is before my reseller days. Basically set a time period where you buy nothing, I started with one week a month, I have done as much as a month of no buying. So pre reseller days I did it to use up what was in my freezer and my pantry ( yes my kiddos moaned and groaned lol). Now as a reseller I use it for my death pile. This month I listed an item I have dreaded listing for years , it sold in 5 days for over $400. There is money in those piles! :)

Oh Mel, I feel for you. You do have a major project but it definitely will increase your sales and space. I would consider starting on the back end so you can clear in preparation of those shelvings you so desperately need. Blessings!

Great job cleaning Very motivating

Oh my, i would be so overwhelmed by that much unlisted inventory. Oh heck, that much inventory would make me nuts! But then i can't imagine listing 50 items a day. You are amazing!

Hi there, you have been a great inspiration for me to get my but moving again! I have so much i want to do and its just a mess. Any time i post something its just silence. Plus dealing with the emotional trauma at the same time as trying to get a brand up and running its been tough. I got to ask though... I love your sound! I love the quality of the vids you take and lighting. What do you use? I think lighting is my biggest issue! I Poshmark and I have to go outside to get any quality of shot which really limits my posting day and time. Thank you for all your hard work. Im glad you are working on you! Keep up the great work!

Boy I can relate! My problem areas are death pile, to list pile around my photography station, box & wrapping piles because I do often post in boxes etc (i so would have bought those ducks) & my listed but not put away pile because I'm out of storage space. And it's all in my home. My second lounge is currently unusable due to sorting boxes of dvds to make up sets etc. I need to fill a room with shelves but of course I need to empty the room first. Never ending, but thank goodness, still making sales. I just wish I would have an organised space outside of my home. 🤞🤞🤞You did great!

Good job! I feel better after you'd cleared up your packing bench, so I can only imagine how much better you feel. I'm GUILTY of doing the same, keep buying (I LOVE that bit) but I have a back log to list...! I must do better, thanks for the inspiration

I sell books, but definitely not on your scale. My organization, I wish was anywhere near yours. I did stop picking, I just don't have the space, and I'm in the process of digging through VHS, DVD's and CD's and books and all the other things I've bought as I'm having a yard sale this weekend and hope to get rid of at least some of it, and get it out of my house! I'm flailing and failing at organization, but the income helps me pay the bills that Social Security doesn't.

Not punishment lol progress and a lot of it look at you go woohoo . Like a game of book Tetris . It’s organised chaos Mel but look where you’ve come from , storage units , that lovely purpose built shed to a warehouse 👏🙌 be proud of all you’ve achieved . Your trip was your working holiday as such but a beautiful refresh . You’re back and on fire lol such an inspiration . Techs take home for me was “ would you take a snake just cos it was free “ bahaha

Love your spirit!

Well done Mel 👏👏 😊

Mel I've been waiting for this video! So often I looked at your videos and thought "What are you gonna dooooooooooo!?" Cheering for you! Great plan.

Hi mel just subscribed to your channel I've been binge watching all your videos love the channel I love your accent and your an awesome lady keep up the awesome videos your friend Keith from Minnesota

I would put new shelves in the back of your storage, so you keep a big walking space in front, or to put the next pallet of books 😂.

Hey Mel, great job clearing your work area and walk ways. You have already done an amazing amount of work to photograph and list your current inventory of books. As a total non-experienced Ebay seller, do you need to keep listing for your store to stay promoted in the Ebay algorithm? If not, how many days of sales would you have with your current listings? My thinking being if you don't need to create new listings to keep your store higher in the algorithm, then focus on selling your current listings first. This clears space on your current storage and then you are able to reload it from the waiting stock. If you are required to list to keep your store higher in the algorithm, then what is the minimum you can list each time to keep it rocking but not overwhelm you? So, basically pick and pack your current listings. Do a slow and steady new listing schedule. How fast are you turning over your current listings? How long would it take you to totally sell every current listing? Do you give current listings a time frame to sit in the warehouse? Are you able to look through your current listings and maybe lower their price a little to clear them, if they have sat for say over 6 months? For every business it is about stock turnover. You will get there, remember to take care of yourself. You've got this. Hope I have helped, a little. ❤Cheers, Deb 😊

What an inspirational video. You really have given me something to think about. I also have a lot of money just sitting in boxes that many of I haven't seen for a long time.

I just spent the last couple days reorganizing and readjusting my shelves (only 3) with new matching bins and putting them in alphabetical order. I only have 3 bins of unlisted and have been chipping away at it the past month and will continue this month, hopefully finishing before 4th quarter!

Baby steps Mel …

Go get your shit done! Love it, girl!!

Great video Mel. We all have the evil over run pile. TY

I absolutely love you and your videos!! I’m hailing from the US, but have learned so much from you. One question, what type wireless microphone are you using in this video? I’m am attempting to do RU-vid myself, but want to get the right equipment as well. Thanks in advance!

Wow Mel lol that’s a ton of books 📚 lol but I love the few random hats on top of the pile lol that’s funny. ❤ from Alabama, USA 🇺🇸 I’m so glad Paul, Kevin, Dave & Cary introduced you to us. I love books 📚

You should use storage containers

Hi Mel. I feel for you. I have the same problem. More stuff than room. By the way thinking of you even though haven't said hi in awhile.

Love it! Clear space, clear mind!