Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look eBay items –that is, the things to look for, to re-sell. (See the Tangibles Investing section.)
Precious Metals:
What Happens When Gold Stocks Diverge From The Bullion
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Silver Demand Hit A 3-Year High In 2018 – World Silver Survey . A snippet: “People are turning to silver because of its huge price divergent with gold. The gold-silver ratio is ridiculously high and is not sustainable, it’s just a question of when the ratio comes down.”
Economy & Finance:
Fed officials are leaving the door open for more rate hikes if the economy improves, minutes say. Here is a key quote from their meeting minutes: “A majority of participants expected that the evolution of the economic outlook and risks to the outlook would likely warrant leaving the target range unchanged for the remainder of the year.” JWR’s Comments: A stable Fed funds rate, coupled with continued unwinding of the Fed’s QE assets will probably mean a recession will begin in late 2019. They are surely hoping for a Soft Landing, but I doubt that they will get it. Given the huge overhang and malinvestment of the current boom (the longest economic expansion in modern times), this upcoming recession will probably be long and deep. Position yourself for that!
Stocks:
John M. Mason at Seeking Alpha: The Stock Market: Has It Peaked?
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Nine Best Dividend Stocks to Buy for Every Investor.
Taxes:
About half of Americans don’t know what tax bracket they’re now in—here’s how to find out
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Did the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Pay for Itself in 2018?
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Meanwhile, in New Jersey: Revenue Forecast Cut for FY2019 Income Tax, Shortfall Worries Eased
Forex & Cryptos:
The US Dollar Index was strong in 2018, but is showing signs of weakening so far in 2019. Donald Trump has repeatedly said that he wants a weaker Dollar, to encourage U.S. exports. Methinks he will get his way in the remainder of 2019 and into 2020. But a weak Dollar won’t be enough to stop a recession, because larger forces are in play with credit, globally. Plan accordingly.
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Asset Manager Warns of ‘New Lows’, Predicts Bitcoin Price Crash to $1,000
Tangibles Investing (eBay Items):
75 Surprising Things You Can Sell on eBay
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What Sells on eBay: Top 10 Vintage Items From the 1980s
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25 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Sell on eBay, From Pine Cones to Dentures
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Most Profitable Items To Sell On eBay And Amazon — Our Top 5
Provisos:
SurvivalBlog and its Editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. Please see our Provisos page for our detailed disclaimers.
News Tips:
Please send your economics and investing news tips to JWR. (Either via e-mail of via our Contact form.) These are often especially relevant, because they come from folks who particularly watch individual markets. And due to their diligence and focus, we benefit from fresh “on target” investing news. We often get the scoop on economic and investing news that is probably ignored (or reported late) by mainstream American news outlets. Thanks!
Regarding selling on ebay, it is one of my favorite shopping places. I signed up for ebay in the mid 90’s when they had only 5 million sellers. I used my knowledge of collecting at live auctions, to sell things to pay vet bills for cat rescue. Where I was living – retired early – spay/neuter was not a big thing but DUMPING cats and dogs was everywhere! Anything I could lift, and pack, I would buy at live auctions, list and sell. Local Walmart in the small town had free collapsed boxes of all sizes, and someone invented bubble wrap. Postage rates were much lower. Then ebay went international and I sold overseas. Met some really interesting and nice customers on line. I guaranteed $$$ back if not satisfied, minus the shipping cost. The ebay platform was primitive, but much improved for listing. I ran my “store” like a real store, and my feedback was 100% perfect. Now I buy, and always leave feedback which is very important to a seller. I only buy from someone with perfect or close to perfect feedback. Ebay put many dealers with real stores out of business, and the more rare items have become more common because people realize that Aunt Tilly, or Uncle Joe had one of “those” in their attic. So, keeping up with what is “hot” is part of maximizing return on your effort. When I shop, I compare on ebay and amazon and see who has the best deal. It is about 50:50 for what I want. Great places to find those unusual Christmas gifts. Uncle Joe may not want another tie or sweater, etc. It is FUN, and beats sitting and looking at some mindless show on the boob tube!
I, too, started my eBay account twenty years ago, back when it made sense to do so. I even had a second account for a few years to accommodate my online business. Unfortunately, this was mostly under the “Meg Whitman” golden era. When she stepped down as CEO to pursue her candidacy for California Governor, her successor completely changed eBay’s fee schedule and business model, and ran it into the ground. I was one of those many former sellers who transferred my activities elsewhere and closed my business account. I now have only my original account to buy a personal item from time to time, or sell a widget every once in a blue moon.
HL,
Thank you for helping our feline friends.
As a 14-year eBay seller, I try to be a little more understanding when it comes to the feedback ratings anymore. Reason: there are trolls who love to destroy years of hard work by leaving bad feedback. In addition, Amazon has created an entire generation of so-called “adults” who want nothing to do with personal accountability for their errant purchases. The ability to purchase and return items on a whim, then leave negative ratings has become a sport for some. One seller I just spoke with had an unhappy customer, refunded the money, AND let them keep the item. Buyer still left negative feedback.
I am dealing with a buyer now that purchased an item from me that was very incompatible with, shall we say, their girth. Instead of taking two minutes to message me about fit and size, they are returning an item with over fifty 5-star ratings, due to what they call “poor quality”. I would have happily told them it was not the right choice and sent them elsewhere. I allowed the return, I will refund their money, but they could still leave bad feedback because their disgust with themselves must find a home other than where it belongs. Fortunately, those people have been rare for me throughout my years on eBay, but it is getting worse.
Dear D.D. I am sorry that you are having this experience with an ebay customer, but I am NOT totally surprised. I am 76, grew up in a different time in the NE, with parents born in the early 1900’s. It was the Golden Rule, that a “man’s word is his bond”, and there was NO coddling back on our large farm. In the little 2 room school house, with 3 grades in each room, there was no misbehavior, just high spirits on the dirt play ground. Children were polite to adults for the most part, and most adults were well behaved. If they were not, it was usually behind closed doors. Now I see and hear how PC we have become, and divided unlike even before the Civil Rights Act of 1964. People are apt to sue first, post something nasty on one of the many Social Media sites. The dislike for one side against the other seems to have totally forgotten MANNERS. Parents allow their children to talk back to them, to be rude to them, and they grow up to be rude and nasty all too often. In college we enjoyed a spirited and POLITE discussion in the dorm about EVERYTHING. If something derogatory was said about one of us, it was said behind closed doors. I wish you well, and I will be more cognizant when I shop on ebay of what the % negative rating actually might mean. Sometimes when I see that someone has hundreds or more listings a week, I think perhaps they have “bitten off more than they can chew”, or perhaps they have help – if this is a family run endeavor. It is a sad day when the anonymity of buying an item turns against the seller, and sometimes the buyer. I love on line shopping, because I am not really able to get out much, but miss shopping in smaller stores and the malls from the 60’s and 70’s. Progress can be a double edge sword.