This is one cool, collectible and very rare mug!  I have not been able to find another mug like this for sale on the internet through searching eBay, Google or Yahoo!  This is a mug that has appeal to many fans of either Starbucks, Doonesbury, Gary Trudeau, cartoons or just cool coffee mugs!

The very detailed mug traces Duke’s path as he smuggles Starbucks coffee with Honey Huan keeping a watchful eye.    It is a large mug with a lot of detail by Gary Trudeau, might be a good idea to really look this mug over before adding coffee to it… to prevent dumping it on your lap while reading the mug!

This classic Starbucks mug was “Smuggled to Perfection” in 1999.  It will be going on auction on eBay on Sunday April 18th…  Don’t miss getting this rare mug!

See this mug and all the other great mugs I have at Jimbo’s Variety Store!

For a kitchen or study, how about a cool old clock?  Here is a cool vintage dark room timer made by Eastman Kodak.  This would be a great addition to any space, it has a rich ‘antique’ finish and when it is wound-up it has real nice tick-tock!  It can be hung on the wall or set on a shelf, a small footprint that will bring some great charm to the space.

Vintage Kodak Timer

• Item as described
• Communication
• Shipping time
• Shipping and handling charges

With these four categories, there are questions asked to each buyer, and they may choose to participate or not.  If they feel ‘good’ when they fill it out, terrific!  But if not, the ratings could be less than desirable, and can affect if people choose to purchase items from you or not.

QUESTION: How accurate was the item description?
POSSIBLE ANSWERS: Very inaccurate, Inaccurate, Neither inaccurate nor accurate, Accurate, Very accurate.

QUESTION: How satisfied were you with the seller’s communication?
POSSIBLE ANSWERS: Very unsatisfied, Unsatisfied, Neither unsatisfied nor satisfied, Satisfied, Very satisfied.

QUESTION: How quickly did the seller ship the item?
POSSIBLE ANSWERS: Very slowly, Slowly, Neither slowly nor quickly, Quickly, Very quickly.

QUESTION: How reasonable were the shipping and handling charges?
POSSIBLE ANSWERS: Unreasonable, Neither unreasonable nor reasonable, Reasonable, Very reasonable.

Very subjective questioning!  The two areas where I am lower than a 5.0 are “Shipping time” and “Shipping and handling charges”.  Both of these areas I feel I have been very reasonable in…

Shipping time: 

This could be viewed in two different ways.  

• First, how long did it take for the Shipper to pack up your item and actually get it to the carrier (USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc.).  This could be delayed quite a bit, I have seen eBay Seller’s that ship once per week only, so if you order right after that shipping time you could be waiting for 7 days before your item is shipped. 
• Second, speed of service used.  USPS Express is a lot faster than USPS Media Mail or Parcel Post.  In shipping there is a few factors that are considered in the cost to ship an item:  Speed of Delivery, Weight of Item, and Packaging (box, wrap, tape, etc.).  Let’s face it, everyone wants to get something as fast as possible, but if you are only willing to pay for parcel post, then it is going to take from 2 – 9 days for it to arrive.  If you want the item fast, you will need to pay and upgrade to that service.

I usually ship within one business day, as posted on the descriptions of all my items.  Most of the time I am able to get an item packed up and shipped within the same day.  So I am falling within the time I post or better, yet I get points knocked off for shipping time…  I am not quite sure how to ship it faster, that would require some sort of pyshic ability that I do not have. 

Shipping and handling charges:

• There is a cost to sending an item beyond the postage.  Most items need a box or envelope to go in, they need some material to keep them ‘safe’ for the journey, and some tape to keep it all together to withstand the harsh treatment that can occur in transit.  Most boxes I use cost from $0.88 – $1.50 depending on size and sturdiness.  I usually charge $0.50 – $1.50 over shipping cost for handling, not bad (not free though I guess).  Some items require special handling/packing, additional paperwork, need to be physically brought to USPS or UPS and this would result in a little higher charge.

All of the Shipping times, mode of shipping (slow – fast) and costs are listed in the description.  It is interesting that someone would rate a Seller low if they meet or are better than what was promised in the description.  If item is to be shipped within one business day, and ships same day (big +), if item shipping/handling costs listed were $5.31 and that is what was charged (big +).  Now if shipping is delyaed beyond advertised time or if shipping charges invoiced were higher than advertised that is a different story.

It will be interesting to see how the Detailed Seller Rating’s are improved over time.  I am sure I am not the only person who is left scratching their head with the feedback they get.  I am not sure what to change, so I will keep shipping items as fast as I can, as promised.  The costs associated with shipping are real costs, are published on many websites – and I will keep using the same methods and charging a fair price for the service.  I asked my mailman for lower prices – so far hasn’t worked… I’ll keep trying though!

This phone needs to be in ‘girls’ room, or in a Beauty Salon!  What a cool phone to have around when  you are putting on make-up, cosmetics and perfume!  It is fit for princess!

This pink & chrome phone has some weight to it, rings with a real bell ringer, and is in excellent shape!  Part of the proceeds of the sale of this phone is going to help fight Breast Cancer… a great cause!

My wife would love to keep this phone, but we have a house full of boy’s, so it needs to go!

Check out this item and others at Jimbo’s Variety Market.

Personality, you’ve got it… so show it!

Coffee mugs are a great way to express personality at work or home.  They make great gifts and everyone likes using a classic mug!

I look for interesting mugs, that are in great shape.  If you are looking for a particular mug and don’t see it here, let me know and I’ll keep my open for you!

Be sure to check out Jimbo’s Variety Store and see all of the mugs I have listed.  I list often, so keep checking back so you don’t miss out on that must-have mug!

This is a gorgeous set of Ducks Unlimited accessory items, all gold plated and well constructed!  I have spoken to a lot of people regarding this item, no one has seen it before and most say that it probably was a gift from a Ducks Unlimited Banquet.

The items were tested, and they are gold-plate over an alloy.  These would make great accent pieces to a jacket, shirt or other item.  Also, someone with some jewelry making experience, could make these into some nice pendants and/or ear rings.

This item is on Auction starting April 9th and running only 10-days, ending Sunday April 19th so don’t miss out!

Item listed by:  needb8

Current Auction Item:

 

Ducks Unlimited Gold Plated Belt Buckle & Button Accessory Set

Other Fun Items: 

Mary Kay Pink Princess Phone

• Manymore items, be sure to check them out @ Jimbos Variety Store