Woodworking: Discussions

While we are new (4 years) to online retailing through eBay, we are not a new sawmilling company. Our family has had a mill in the same location for 99 years. (Looking forward to the century mark in '09). We have been amazed at the kindness of the eBay community toward us. Up until this venture, we only sold wholesale, with the exception of retail rough framing lumber. We make railroad ties, pallet stock, and cabinet grade boards. Now, we seem to be into everything, and need some help finding our stride, I think.

The wholesale business is still the bulk of what we do. From our timber, we select a small amount of the lumber that comes across the mill for the eBay market. We also salvage unusual trees: a box-elder blow-down here, an overgrown lawn tree there, etc.

I know many of you have been gracious enough to purchase from us over the past few years. As you look at our listings, what items can we stop offering? Maybe you can get them at a reasonable price locally to you and save the shipping cost, or for some other reason, they're not appealing. What items are we not offering that we should?

We still harvest 99% of our timber ourselves and usually only have native Pennsylvania trees to work with.

Your comments are appreciated. Feel free to offer suggestions on the actual listing visual experience, as well. Also, if you have made something from our products, we would love photos!

Thanks to all who have the time to take a look and give us some advice.

JIMJIM7554

As a retailer and manufacturer of domestic turning blanks I am always wondering what people want. What sizes and species do you use most. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Brad

Here's my problem I'm currently selling wood but alot of times the more direct I'm with the title the harder it is for me to find in the search results. how do you list something that is a challenge to find. Well I'm trying turning wood blah blah now it seems to be working out better. Has any one els gone through this? Does it get any easier? I just can't stand when it takes me longer to find my item than it took to list it. This isn't rude to ask I don't quite know ebays proper code.
Thank you,
Sara

I am new to woodworking and it has really been an enjoyable hobby. I have acquired most of the basic tools needed to do intermediate skill jobs but I have found that finding quality lumber is hard to come by if you want anything in quantity or bulk. Not only that but shipping is outrageous. How have you found to be the way to order 200bf or more of whatever species of lumber you want? I would appreciate any advice on where and how to buy lumber. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

I have been buying small wood cabinets, table-top or wall units, no more than 24" tall, but they are getting pricey.

I also happen to need some that are a bit smaller than I have seen, but not as small as doll funriture.

Anyone interested in working out a production and design deal with me and we could both sell them on eBay, since I want to sell mine as part of something else and the woodworker could just sell them straight?

They must all working on too many projects.