15 January 2014

Buying and Selling Organisers on Philofaxy Adspot

From time to time I'm sure you all look at your little collection and think... I should really sell that organiser...it is only gathering dust on the shelf and I really fancy that new colour/model that Steve has been 'enabling' about...

Well Philofaxy is here to help sell your Filofax and other brands of organisers and accessories... is this negative enabling?

There are a lot of hints and tips as well as other information in this post, I apologise if some of it is common sense... but well you know.....

We have our Ad-spot page for readers adverts, firstly here are the rules for placing ads on the page:
  • Preferably Filofax and other ring bound planner items only please... obvious really!
  • No parallel Ebay adverts, if you have put it on Ebay, then please don't ask us to advertise your items as well. 
  • Adverts will be on the page for no more than two months, if it hasn't sold in that time it will be removed. 
  • Please tell us when your item has sold so it can be removed from the page. 
  • Once you have received the funds please despatch the item within 5 days. Don't accept the funds and leave it for 3 weeks, people tend to think they have been scammed when people do that. Inform the buyer when you have despatched the item include the tracking number if there is one. 
  • If we get reports that you haven't responded to enquiries we will remove your advert immediately.
  • Please put the text of your advert in the email exactly as you want it to appear, keep it concise and to the point, Steve will possibly reformat it, but he baulks at rewriting adverts from sketchy details. 
  • Remember you are entering in to a private sale between the buyer and seller, Philofaxy can not take any responsibility for the transaction going wrong in anyway. 
So those are the rules, nothing complicated and all very fair.

So what to include in your advert. Please make your advert as clear as possible, it should include:
  • Details of the Model, size, colour, age if you know when it was originally bought
  • Your location so an estimate on the cost of shipping can be estimated. You only need to go to country level.
  • Condition, is it new, never been used, been in daily use, well used, broken in etc. 
  • What is included in terms of inserts, diary inserts etc. 
  • Where you are willing to ship the item to.
  • Your contact details, an email address. 
  • Some photographs, but please limit it to two photos per item. Please email these with your advert, or alternatively send us the links to your pictures. For better pictures please read this post on how to improve your pictures of Filofax Organisers.
  • If you are taking your photos with your iPhone or other smart phone or tablet device, be aware that all the file names will be the same... and Steve will not be exactly pleased trying to sort out the pictures against the different items when he receives your request... transfer them to your PC and resize the pictures and rename them before emailing them as attachments with the text of your advert. Pictures don't need to be bigger than 1600 pixels on the longest side. 
  • And price.... 
The price... I'm often asked 'how much should I ask for an xyz in Personal size'... I'm not the Quentin Wilson of the Filofax world, but here is some suggestions/tips on pricing...
  • You can set the price to what ever you want it to be, I'm not going to stop you.....but......
  • If the item is new but you have never used it, then I would suggest 15% -20% under what you paid for it. Remember the buyer might be able to buy one for same or less than the price you paid. If you have to add the price of shipping on top of the cost and remember some retailers offer free shipping. Look around at the prices that that item is available for, not just what the price is on the Filofax UK or USA site. We have all seen grossly inflated prices on Ebay for items... that didn't sell!
  • If the item is used or may be not on current sale, then take a look at Ebay and look at completed sales to see what the average price has been on that particular model/size in the past.
  • If you want the item to sell quickly be prepared to allow for some bargaining on your price. 
  • Sellers must quote on the basis that they will be paying the Paypal fees and that buyers using Paypal will be specifying that they are purchasing goods.
When you have agreed a price for your item and you start to receive enquiries via Email, please try to answer them promptly. We suggest that you do any money transactions via a secure method, PayPal generally seems to work very well these days, it's very quick and secure.

Only use the paying for goods method of sending the funds, the receiver will be paying a small fee, but the consumer rights of the sender of the money are far more secure in case there are problems with the transaction.  To send funds you don't need to have a Paypal account yourself, you can pay with a credit or debit card

When you come to despatch the item to your lucky buyer, do be careful and pack your Filofax organiser well. Plenty of padding inside and outside of the organiser, I've repaired one or two and advised on others where they have become damaged in transit. Straightening out the ring mechanism after it's been trodden on is not easy! Read this post for details of how to pack your organiser. But still consider getting insurance on the parcel.
  • Shipments made with standard postage, without tracking or insurance are “seller’s risk” – if the item does not arrive, sellers are expected to refund all money.
  • If the seller wants to use insured or tracked postage that the buyer is unwilling to pay for, then the risk of lost items shifts to the buyer.
  • Sellers must respect requests to use a premium shipping option (tracked, expedited, insured, etc.) that the buyer is paying for.
And once your sale is complete.... don't forget to tell Philofaxy of the completed sale so the advert can be withdrawn, we will acknowledge your instructions. Make your donation to Chimwemwe at this point as well.

For Wanted adverts things are a little bit simpler, you just need to specify the model, size, colour  and your contact email address. May be include your country location. Again format the text of your advert as you would like it to appear.

All that is then left to do is to sit back and decide..... now what Filofax can I buy to replace the one I've just sold..... Enable Enable.... well there is a space on that shelf isn't there....

Contact Steve philofaxy at gmail dot com if you have any questions or you have an advert to post

14 January 2014

Web Finds - 14 January 2014

So here are the latest Filofax blog posts from around the Internet:
  1. My Filofax - The Filofax Blog
  2. A5 Calipso in Blue Filofax Review - Confessions of a Dublin Lassie
  3. Filofax Classic or Cross - The Filofax
  4. Tiffany - Filo-Manie
  5. Fortnight and Filofax - Susan Sharpe Ceramics
  6. Why I love planners, episode 4’352’456. - Just Happy Me
  7. How I use Martha Stewart Dew Drops - The Filofax Lifestyle
  8. Gillio Compagna in Gold! - Confessions of a Dublin Lassie
  9. 37 Ideas for Your Routine and Regularly Scheduled Activities List - Life is Crafted
  10. Filofax Friday - En Vogue Pogue
  11. The eternal question: A5 or Personal? - Just Happy Me
  12. My Favorite Blog Reads  Week 2, 2014 - The Contemplative Belle
  13. Filofax Compact Calipso as a Wallet - OATT blog
  14. The Planner that Started It All - The Woman's Filofax - The Sewing Sloth
  15. Pink! - Just Happy Me
  16. Planner Set-Up Review: Top Ten Tweaks To Improve Your Planning - Giftie Etcetera
  17. Tips for buying a Mulberry Agenda - Imysworld
  18. My 2014 Filofax Personal Setup - OATT blog
  19. My 2013 inserts & archiving - Just Happy Me
  20. INSERT REVIEW: Piaric inserts - Innocent + Twisted
  21. Saving beaucoup money with my Filofax - Crazy Suburban Mom
  22. 2014 System Revamp: Daily Planner - Well Planned Life
  23. What’s working? What’s not working? - Paper Pens Ink
  24. Planning for 2014 – Part 2 Potential Planners - Love, Laugh, Life
  25. Get Your Planners Out and Start Taking Notes! - The Contemplative Belle
  26. Personalizing Philofaxy Inserts - Break of Light
  27. Filofax: Staying Organized in 2014 - A Crafty Island Girl
  28. Week 2 After Shots - Carie Harling
  29. Week 3 Before Shots – Vintage Office Geek - Carie Harling
  30. Welcome Back! - Austin Linda Rides Again!
  31. Before Filofaxes had names… - This Bugs Life
  32. My Filofax Story - My Purpley Life
  33. New Kent from Oz style page turner - Mail Corner
  34. Kikki.K inserts in A5 - Just Happy Me
  35. More Akiko Binders on Etsy - This Bugs Life
  36. The Problem With Doing The Hard Stuff First - Giftie Etcetera
  37. Filofax pages - Artful Mouse
  38. Bullet Journal Experiment (and a Finance Filo Question!) - Clarifilo
  39. Filofax Chameleon A5 in Black - Lady Bug Inspired Week - Coloursnme
  40. Time management Mondays: Stop procrastinating (or you’ll be sorry) - Quo Vadis Blog
  41. Project 365 #1 and why it fits with my Filofax - The Crazy Suburban Mom
  42. My week round-up #52 - Paper Lovestory
  • We can not guarantee people will read your posts, but we know there is a higher chance of people reading your posts and returning to read other posts if you make them interesting with pictures and good hints and tips. Do not forget to give your posts a title... 
  • For some general tips on Filofax Blogging, please see this post

Nominate Philofaxy for a social media award in the Shorty Awards! Nominate Philofaxy for a social media award in the Shorty Awards in the #Filofax category

And here are a selection of the latest Filofax videos for your enjoyment.
  1. Filofax M2 - some minor modifications - camera2888
  2. Opening and reviewing FILOFAX inserts - My Summer Touch
  3. Update on using my Mom on the go Planner, and Filofaxs - Kerry Duff
  4. Filofax Compact Calipso as a Wallet - OATTBlog
  5. 2014 Filofax Setup  - OATTBlog
  6. How I am using my Mulberry - agenda set up 2014 - Imysworld
  7. Travel Section in my Planner January 2014. - Diszzy Mama
  8. Plan It Sunday Episode 13: What's that Filofax for? - ScrappinMariposa
  9. My Large Fushia Kikki.k Planner - Sonia S 
  10. Filofax Weekly Pages Decoration: Week 3 - Hello Kitty/Fuschia Pink Theme - Ruby Dumbrique
  11. Out of the Franklin Covey and into the Filofax Savannah plus more indie boxes and a little chitchat - Mary Ann Moll
  12. Decorating my Filofax 2014 - Week 3 - mits t
  13. What's in my Filofax / Kikki K planner | StyleplaygroundTV - Style Playground
  14. My Bullet Journal Setup in A5 Domino Filofax - Joanne Buckles
  • For tips on how to improve your videos, please see this post. 
Those of you in or near Dallas Texas, there are still a few places available for the forthcoming meet up. See the earlier post for details.

Enjoy

Free For All Tuesday No. 154

Tuesdays are your chance to ask any Filofax related questions you might have.

So fire away and we will collectively try to answer your questions or offer opinions.

Those of you in or near Dallas Texas, there are still a few places available for the forthcoming meet up. See the earlier post for details.

13 January 2014

Opening and Closing the rings on your organiser correctly.

With a lot of first time Filofax users around at this time of year, I thought it would be wise to make sure you are all opening and closing the rings correctly. I'm sure some of us have been watching You Tube videos and seen people pull the rings open with their fingers!

To ensure that you don't damage the ring mechanism on your Filofax personal organiser, always use the tabs at the ends of the ring mechanism to open the rings. Place your organiser on a firm surface and press evenly on both tabs at the same time.

Do not under any circumstances pull the rings open using the rings themselves; this could result in the internal mechanism becoming damaged.

Opening the rings



To close the rings use your rings on either sides of both sets of rings with a light even pressure and the rings should snap shut. Be careful to not trap your fingers in the closing rings.

Closing the rings


The mechanism does not require any routine maintenance or oiling, just an occasional wipe with a soft dry cloth will keep the metal clean and rust free.


12 January 2014

Reader Under The Spotlight - Stephanie

Hello Everyone!
My name is Stephanie. I am 24 years old and a business student in University. I am from Canada and have been reading philofaxy for about a year now. Since I was a little girl (9 or 10 years old) I loved to have a planner! However, I have no idea what I use to keep in them at that age! To this day I still love having a planner. I have tried many times to "go digital" and use my iPad/iPhone for planning but it never works out I just can't give up my paper planners! Especially now that I have discovered Filofax! Philofaxy and the Filofax community on here and YouTube have also inspired me to start blogging about my Filofax related thoughts and ideas! 

1. When did you buy your first Filofax and what was it?

I bought my first actual Filofax March 2013 and it was a raspberry Pocket sized Chameleon. Before that I used a Daytimer 7-ring binder (the equivalent of Filofax A5 size)

2. What other brands have you used or considered using?

I have used lots of different brands of spiral bound planners through junior high and high school. As well as a Daytimer planner.

3. Out of the organisers you own which is your current favourite (Style and Size)?

I would have to say my current favourite Filofax would have to be my compact Holborn. The leather feels and smells amazing, it lies flat right out of the box. It is just amazing! However, I do kind of wish I had to get it in personal size because I would love to have sightly bigger rings. 

4. How many Filofax organisers do you own?

3 actual Filofax brand planners and a daytimer. I have a raspberry Chameleon, an orange personal Domino, and a black compact Holborn

5. What is the oldest Filofax in your collection?

I guess that would be my Chameleon since it was the first one I bought. Although they were all bought in 2013! 

6. What do you use your Filofax for?

I use my Filofax to organize my life, keep organized for university, and keep track of appointments! I have a terrible memory for someone who is only 24!! Haha :)

7. What was the feature about Filofax you like most?

I love how it is completely customizable and I can add in papers that I want to keep in my planner without having to use a paper clip or staple to keep it there. I also love how they look, and that I can keep using the planner without having to worry that I can't find the same one next year!  

8. If you could design your own Filofax what would it feature?

Honestly I adore the way they are and really don't have many complaints. The main thing I think I would change would be the pen loop! They need to make the leather ones a bit bigger so that they can hold normal sized pens. Luckily for me I found a very thin pen that doubles as a stylus for my iPad which fits in the leather pen loop but if I wanted to use anything else that is nice to write with it doesn't fit. The only other change I would suggest isn't for the planner itself but for the Filofax site. I think it would be nice if you could choose the format of the planner pages that it comes with instead of them sending you a set of pages and you ordering the set you want. 

9. How do you carry your Filofax?

Typically I carry my Filofax in my tote bag for school, however if I am not going to school it will go in my purse or I will just carry it in my hand. I goes most places with me! 

10. Which Filofax in the current range do you like the most? Are you going to buy it?

I really like the A5 Holborn, but I don't think I will be buying it since it is currently out of stock. I also really like the grey personal malden which is super hard to find! 

11. What is the most you have ever spent on a Filofax? Which model?

I think it would be the Holborn.  However, it was on sale for $34.50 when I bought it so that is really not expensive at all! Got to take advantage of Filofax sales when your on a student budget! 

12. What's your favourite Filofax tip or hack?

I love to use the Martha Stewart dew drops to make note of things that occur weekly (to save space). I also like to take Smash book pages or index cards and hole punch them to use as note pages within my weekly calendar to keep extra information that I don't have space to write on the day (for example: what I need to bring to a group meeting for school). 

13. Turning to Philofaxy, what do you like the most?

I love seeing all the creativity people have when it comes to setting up their planners. Also love seeing reader under the spotlight as it gives you insight into other planner lovers lives! Of course the fact that it is a community of Filofax lovers! 

14. And what do you not like about Philofaxy?

There is nothing that I dislike about Philofaxy! It is one of my favourite blogs to read! It has helped me find several interesting blogs to read about Filofax! 

15. What was the last music track you downloaded or bought?

I think it may have been The Monster - Eminem and Rihanna 

Thank you,

Thank you Stephanie for volunteering to go under our spotlight. If any of you would like to also appear in this feature then please email philofaxy at gmail dot com