Online Shoppers love to know what’s inside those mystery boxes. My post 9 months ago on the ThingFling $2.99 mystery box was one of my most popular articles. People like to compare the content of each other’s boxes, or take a sneak peak before making a current purchase.
This time around I splurged on the $10 mystery box from thingfling.com. I purchased the maximum of 3 boxes, as each box was guaranteed to contain different items. Total including shipping was $38.10. The transaction went through Paypal without issue, but I never got any confirmation from ThingFling. Upon contacting them, they were very courteous and straightened out the issue. My boxes were on the way!
Below I will list the content of each box, along with the approximate value of each item on eBay. Did I get a deal or get ripped off?
Mystery Box #1
| Item Description/my eBay Link |
Model # |
Estimated eBay Value |
| 2x Emerson lantern flashlight & torch flashlight | PCH2V61 | $11.99 + $8.15 shipping |
| Linksys Antenna Stand for TNC Connectors | AS2TNC | $14.97 + $7.99 shipping |
| FC AM/FM Shower Radio | None | $4.98 + $4.80 shipping |
Mystery Box #2
| Item Description/my eBay Link |
Model # |
Estimated eBay Value |
| Linksys Dual-Mode Cordless Phone | CIT310 | $19.99 + $7.50 shipping |
| Gemini Lighted Data Sensing USB Cable | GC1490W | $.99 + $4.95 shipping |
Mystery Box #3
| Item Description/my eBay Link |
Model # |
Estimated eBay Value |
| 2x Philips RG6 Quad Shield Coaxial Cable 3 ft | sdw5200gn/17 | 2x $6.99 + $4.95 shipping |
| Philips DVI Cable | P72812 | $9.95 + $6.00 shipping |
| Philips HDMI/DVI Conversion Cable | PXT1196 | $12.99 + $12.99 shipping |
| Philips Stereo Audio/Component Video Cables | SWV3374/37 | $9.99 + $6.35 shipping |
So each box appears to be worth more than the $10 I paid for it. Of course, you have to be able to actually use the items, sell them for fair vaulue, or give them away as gifts. My plan is to try and sell all these items on eBay, something I’m horrible at. What I don’t sell I will either use or give away to my readers in an upcoming contest. What do you think? Rip off or Bargain?
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9 users commented in " What’s Inside of the ThingFling $10.00 Mystery Box? "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a Trackback **********I am a fool for grab-bags, who isn’t? It is just the idea of something for little money, I never actually think I have gotten ripped off, I think you always get your money’s worth or they wouldn’t sell. Just go out and buy whatever you need to hook to those cables and your set!
That’s a really good question. I, myself, wouldn’t have enjoyed the items in the box, but it’s definitely worth the money.
I put about half the stuff on eBay already tonight. My sister told me so many horror stories of having to deal with scammers. I guess leaving negative feedback on some lamer and blogging about it might be worth my seller reputation, seeing as I have never sold anything before. Nothing to lose. The listing fees were only $.15 per item, so it will cost me a dollar to try and sell everything.
From my viewpoint you broke even as far as what I consider items of interest/value in what you received and it was fun. As far as selling what you don’t want on eBay probably more trouble than it worth in my opinion considering the value of the various items. Unless you can recover as least double your $38 after shipping/time spent. So that leaves giving away the stuff you don’t want to readers but then you have to ship it. So in my opinion it was fun but overall not a bargain but not a total ripoff unless the items you keep all break in a few weeks. So how’s that for riding the fence.
I’d have to agree. There are some things I absolutely will never use, and other items I could use if I wanted to, like the cables. I enjoy mystery boxes, so that was the fun part. Often when reading up on specials like these, there are always people who post in the forums saying “I already made my money on eBay, and kept the items I wanted”. So I was hoping to report my results post sale as well. Even if I break even, I’m happy with the time spent. This experiment was never designed as a career choice. On the other hand, I do have a lot of other stuff to sell on eBay, so I really need to improve my level of salemanship on there.
I agree, I think Ebay is more trouble than it is worth. I would sooner have someone put a picture of what they are selling on their blog, and have me pay through PayPal. Too bad I’m not in the market for cables…
Like others here, I am a nut for grab bags. However, you are right in that you need to either be able to use them, give them away or sell them. eBay has gotten so different than when I was there that I would probably not be able to sell there anymore.
There is one thing here. Those items are going to be a dime a dozen on eBay which is why you got them in a grab bag in the first place. My thought is that if you cannot use the items or sell them, do you have someone that would like such gifts?
Not trying to be a downer here. Just realistic.
How did it turn out Mr. Turnip? Did you sell them all?
Patience Fool! Patience! The story is a long and sordid one, and not finished yet. Not even I could have predicted the unusual tale to come some time next week.
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