Here at Rumgr we’re really proud to be part of the quickly growing Vegas Tech community — so every once in a while we’re going to share some news about some of our fellow companies. First up is…

FANDEAVOR

The Game Day Experience Company

Big sports fans have one thing in common: they don’t just love their team, they love the experience of watching their team. And the experience is way beyond simply going to the stadium, sitting in your seat, and cheering them on. There’s so much more! From VIP parking and tailgate parties to seeing secret parts of the stadium to one on one meet n’ greets with coaches, players and cheerleaders. Well, now there’s a company that makes that happen.

“We’re changing the way fans are going to games, by making it so they don’t just go to the game, they experience it.” -Dean

Fandeavor, founded by Tom Ellingson and Dean Curtis (both formerly of Zappos), is a platform where you can not just get tickets to games, but exclusive access to all of the things AROUND the game that make it special. Imagine getting in to a top-tier pre-game party and hanging with the radio announcers up in the press box, or taking a stroll with your buddies on the football field before the Big Game. Yep, it’s possible.

Read some of their stories and be inspired…

They have some great football experiences, especially for Dallas Cowboys and San Diego Charger fans. But if you’re in Vegas, check out their UNLV basketball experiences — there’s a lot of exciting stuff they’ve managed to wrangle that would make for a great night out with your friends. Or, better yet, as a gift for the holidays.

Maybe it’s a sign of the times, but Americans will be spending more money on gifts in 2012 than they did last year — $854 per person, vs. the $646 average last year. And this study, conducted by American Research Group, only reflects what we’re spending on gifts. When you factor in travel costs, food, and holiday decor the figure obviously rises.

To keep your costs from skyrocketing during the holiday season, you can do things like book your travel well ahead of time (90 days is the general rule of thumb) or set up price alerts to get good deals on flights. For gifts, take advantage of Black Friday sales or shop local at holiday flea markets when you can often find great deals. And, cooking for 8 can sound daunting when you think about your grocery bill, so why not ask guests to bring over a dish of their choice? Potlucks provide variety and they make entertaining easier on your wallet.

Holiday decor is one big area where you can definitely cut costs. First, always re-use! Carefully pack up your holiday decorations at the end of the season and store them for the next year’s festivities. (This goes for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day, Easter and the Fourth of July, too.) Then, every year go “rummaging” for some new-ish item that you can add to your collection. Because you are creating it piece by piece instead of all at once you have more time to be selective, so you can search thrift stores and Rumgr for the ideal pieces.

Better yet, take a look at some of these hand-picked items that we’ve seen in the Rumgr feed. Get ‘em while you can! (And don’t forget this sweater for all those holiday parties or amazing Star Wars holiday-themed bobbleheads.)

From $10 boat anchors (what a deal!) to a $3000 solar misting bed, Emily is one of those Rummagers that makes us more curious about what you have your YOUR garage. She continues to surprise us with the variety of stuff she posts for sale, so we asked her a few questions to better understand her use of our app. Here’s what she said…

How has your use of Rumgr changed since you first started?
I now look at a persons full garage if the have something I like. Chances are I find more than one item I like and end up getting something different or more than one item. Now I also post my items on Facebook or Twitter for more people to see.  I have had several friends check out an item I have listed and purchase something from another seller or even list a few things of their own.

What’s the best thing you’ve ever seen listed — but couldn’t bring yourself to buy?
The 1968 VW Bus.  My dream car! Even posted to Twitter and Facebook for someone to buy it for me but now luck.

What’s the coolest thing you’ve bought?
I bought an offical NFL Dallas Cowboys bike for my son.  He loves it and his dad loves showing it off.

What do you have posted now that is a real “find”? Is there a story behind it?
An 1895 Sale advertisement for The Grand Department Store in Chicago. (*Ed note: This is the item that won Emily an iPad earlier this fall during our iPad giveaway.) When my husband and I got our first apartment we had nothing. We went to a lot of garage sales looking to furnish our new place. This was one of our first purchases and it has hung in every apartment or house we have lived in. We think it is now time to allow someone else the opportunity to enjoy it as much as we have.

What are the best meeting places? Any tips for fast & easy exchanges?
I find meeting at Starbucks or Tropical Smoothie is always a good idea.  The best tip I can give is to always communicate clearly with the seller or buyer.

What one feature do you wish Rumgr had?
I’ve had a lot of sales that have never went through.  The person makes an offer but is never to be heard from again; it would be nice to know who if a person has a history of doing this.

We hear you, Emily! We’re working on a solution to this problem at this very moment. Keep on rummaging

What a Thanksgiving weekend! Here in Las Vegas we had some beautiful weather (70-degrees-and-sunny whaaa?) which was perfect for pre-meal turkey trots and post-meal “burn the bird” outdoor fun with the family. It was also perfect for some outdoor shopping. After all, why subject yourself to Black Friday or holiday mall crowds when you can stroll quietly through a local outdoor market?

This year the Neon Holiday Bazaar kicked off the shopping season with an successful event held in downtown Las Vegas on Saturday. About three dozen vendors all gathered in Jackie Gaughan Plaza to sell their wares, ranging from cool vintage furniture to handmade jewelry to seasonal tea gift baskets.

We set up shop there both as a sponsor of the market and to run a special giveaway for Rumgr users. The winner walked away with a Walking Dead poster from our friends at NinjaBot, which was an item that he’d seen posted in the app and shared it to his social network for a chance to win exactly what he liked. So congrats to Joshua for the win!

Check out more images on our Facebook page

Shopping in a store certainly has its benefits: you can touch the items, pick them up, and turn them over to see from all sides. However, many popular online shopping sites like Target and Zappos now offer their own version of the 360-degree view, where you can “spin” the items around to see all sides. Google Shopping has even added this feature — just in time for the holidays.

But why should those guys have all the fun?

Introducing multiple views for Rumgr buyers and sellers

If there is one thing we kept hearing from Rumgr users, it was that they wanted to see more views or angles of the items posted for sale. We also observed multiple requests from buyers to see more pictures of the items before they could confidently make an offer. It makes sense — when you’re buying something used, you want to know more about the item and see what condition it’s in. Sellers, too, wanted the option of more images, so they could give a more accurate portrayal of the item, and, in many cases, completely removes the need to write a description.

So now, when you post an item for sale, you’ll see a row of empty boxes below the viewfinder. Your first shot will fill the first box, and will serve as the primary image. But you can keep going — take as many as 3 additional pictures of the item. Try different angles, zoom in or out, or even change the lighting or backdrop.

Easy sharing for lightning-fast sales

Another big update to the app is around sharing. We’ve seen that sellers who promote their items to their extended network by sharing on Facebook or Twitter have a lot of success in getting those items sold — and fast! Now in the selling flow you’ll find immediate options for sharing the items you post, so your friends and friends of friends will see those items in their feed, increasing the chance that you’ll sell to people you already know, and that it will go smoothly and quickly. (Read more tips on how to achieve the illustrious “5-second sale”.)

Plus, descriptions for those that want ‘em

Our last updated feature is also an improvement to the posting process. We found that more than half of users posting stuff for sale were opting to include a description with their item, so we decided to include that in the process. But, if you’re less into words and don’t need to write a description (because of all those pictures you took!) it’s still easy to skip over that step. Prices are also still optional — “Best Offer” is still a favorite option for many sellers.

It’s go time.

Update now to enjoy all of these new improvements, and start posting all that stuff you’ve been thinking about selling or just getting rid of!. As we continue to listen carefully to users and observe how they’re using the app, we’ll use that knowledge to evolve Rumgr in the best way possible — and make your buying and selling experience as good as it can be.

The holidays are approaching, and you know what that means… it’s time to shop for gifts!

Before you hit the mall or big box retailers, think about getting your dad, girlfriend, uncle or close colleague something totally unique and different — an item that you can’t find anywhere else, that they’ll remember forever.

Where to find such a thing? How about your local flea market? In the weeks leading up to the holidays, local flea markets are a major gold mine for cool gifts for friends and family. You can find anything from handmade jewelry and tea-brewing paraphernalia to colorful scarves, hoodies, and other apparel.

Here are some of the top-rated flea markets in the country. Do you live near any of these? What’s your favorite local flea market in your city?

The Rose Bowl Flea Market (LA)

Imagine a football stadium brimming with used goods, from surf boards to bread machines.  *Tip: The market unofficially opens its doors early to savvy bargain hunters – you pay extra, but get first dibs on the good stuff!

Austin County Flea Market (Texas)

In Texas, they go big or go home. The Austin County Flea Market covers 130 acres with 550 covered spaces and includes a stage show, display and entertainment areas for live music. (Because it wouldn’t be Austin without some live music, right?) And, it’s not just antiques, clothes and electronics… this market also has fruits & vegetables,herbs and spices, and even pets.

 Berkeley Flea Market (SF)

While the Bay Area has some decidedly great markets, like the ones in San Jose, Alameda, Concord and Treasure Island (pun intended), the most interesting experience is the Berkeley market near the Ashby BART station. The goods are just okay but the characters you’ll see dancing around will make it worth your while.

Buford Highway (Atlanta)

Looking for a ten gallon hat or a giant Mickey Mouse costume? Head down Buford Highway in Atlanta, GA, for an enormous selection of goods at this indoor flea market.

The Maxwell Street Market (Chicago)

It’s windy in Chi-town, but don’t breeze too quickly through what is called the “greatest outdoor urban bazaar ever” — quite a title! What used to be a 19th-century Jewish market is now a meeting place where everyone gathers for great music, merchandise and cheap eats from food carts.

photo courtesy of strahl

Last week we got the chance to present Rumgr up on stage in front of about 150 people at the Yetizen co-working space in San Francisco.

It was part of an event called the SF App Show, where 10 companies have 6 minutes each to talk about their app and answer questions posed by the audience and host Gina Smith.

Here’s our favorite photo from the event:

Want to see more? Go here for the full photostream.

Have you ever posted an item and sat waiting for your followers to check out your stuff? I’m 100% guilty of this. Luckily, I’ve discovered a few ways to get more eyes on stuff I post, which means more offers and faster time to sale.

Here are a few tips to get YOUR items sold with less wait time:

Nighttime is the Right Time

We get the most activity in the evenings, after most people have come home from work, so posting at night will get lots of eyes on your items because they’ll be new listings. Think about who you want to see your stuff, too, and when they are most likely to be browsing. You want to attract the attention of people like James the Amazing Buyer — that is, the ones who are comfortable in the shark tank and willing to strike a deal with you. Weekends are really big for browsing & shopping as well, so consider posting then.

Find Your Niche

There is a diverse mix of users on Rumgr, so pretty much any item is fair game. However, many sellers — like Rese and LA2Vegas — post one type of item, and gain a following from users interested in those things. They use Rumgr as their own personal storefront, selling to a target demographic. Fashionistas follow people selling clothing and accessories, and students follow Rummagers that are selling textbooks. These types of buyers are clearly looking for a certain type of item, so they’re more likely to pay attention when you post something new.

Buyers Judge the Book by its Cover

We’ve gone over what it takes to make a quality photo in Photo-taking Tips for Instant Selling Success. On top of what you learn there, also try to make your item stand out from the crowd. Consider using dramatic angles or lighting, though do be careful to accurately depict your item and its condition.

Build a Good Reputation

One sure-fire way to gain more followers is to interact more in the app. Selling cool stuff at competitive prices is sure to gain some attention, as Karl has found out. Our top users recognize the value of responding promptly to offers and comments. Post frequently, or at least on a regular basis, and you’ll get noticed more as your stuff will go to the top of the items feed, which is similar to being “featured.”

We hope these tips work for you — and if you have any others to share, please send along! You can always be in touch with feedback and suggestions: team@rumgr.com.

With Halloween just around the corner, we’re seeing a ton of costumes and other items pour into Rumgr. It makes perfect sense — why would you blow your hard-earned cash on a new costume and accessories that you probably will never use again?

A Pricey Holiday

How much are we talking about? Well, the National Retail Federation estimates that 170 million Americans will spend nearly $80 each this year on decorations, costumes and candy. The really shocking part about this year’s spending study is that the amount of money spent on costumes for pets has skyrocketed to $370 million, up $40 million from last year.

More Halloween 2012 Fun Facts:

• “Big Bird” is still trending. Most retailers are reporting they are already sold out of Big Bird costumers, thanks to the pop culture meme raised by the first Presidential debate.
• Top 5 costumes for adults last year: a witch, a pirate, a vampire, a zombie, and Batman. If you want to stand apart from everyone else, DON’T dress up as one of these.
• The 4 most popular candy varieties are Snickers, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Kit Kat and M&M’s. Kit Kat lovers have a 37% better chance of scoring their favorite treat at a ranch-style home, and those that want Reese’s Cups have a 26% greater chance of getting them at two-story houses.
• Lifesavers, Mints, Nerds, Jawbreakers, licorice and gum are considered “yucky” by most kids. See the full list of candy to avoid.

Most of these items are currently for sale on Rumgr — get ‘em while they’re hot!

We’ve all been there… you’re cruising around a mall, flea market, or using Rumgr to browse through all the stuff for sale when suddenly an item catches your eye. It could be a colorful throw pillow that perfectly matches your living room couch, a Black & Decker work center, or even some bright green Nikes that are exactly your size.

And you stop in your tracks and think, ooooh. I kinda want that.

But do you actually buy that item, or even make an offer?

This is where your logic steps in big time. The left side of your brain kicks into high gear and starts coming up with reasons why it might NOT be a good idea.

• “We might be getting rid of that couch soon, and what would I do with the pillow then?”
• “Do I have room in the garage for the work center? Will I actually use it?”
• “Can I pull off bright green kicks?” “What if they run too narrow?”

Depending on how impulsive (or perhaps decisive) a person you are, these doubts will cause you to move on, to focus on something else — and NOT buy the item in question. Your eyes move to the next bright shiny object in the feed (or sales rack, or window of a store), and the process starts all over again.

But what if you could make that decision based on a set of criteria? And logically determine if the item was something you really DO want? Below are three questions you should ask yourself, as you stumble across cool finds and want to know if they’re really a “must-have.”

Has something like this already been on my mind for a while?

In many cases, the reason why a particular item piques your interest is because it’s been in the back of your mind for a long time, and seeing the image brought the idea to the surface again. For instance, you might not be actively looking to buy a painting for that big blank wall in your bedroom, but you see one you like pop up on Rumgr and it seems like, well, fate. We find this happens a lot with home decor and tools, such as patio chairs, picture frames, coffee grinders, etc.

Is it a deal that I will likely never see again?

If there’s one thing that pushes people to buy at a certain moment, it’s a good deal. Sometimes you’ll see something on Rumgr, like this six-foot pool table, in great condition — for just $150. You might never think of buying it new, but since it’s such a great deal you’re totally swayed. It happens all the time, and that’s where we see some of the happiest buyers… the ones that are really excited to have just landed an unbelievable deal, and don’t think twice about if they really “have to” have it.

Does it reflect me and my interests?

If you’re really into outdoor activities such as winter sports and hiking, and you love vintage games, there are certain items — like a snowboard, camping cookware, and this 1960′s El Toro pinball machine — that are going to immediately appeal to you, because they are a reflection of your personality and interests. Buying these types of items makes a lot of sense because they add to your identity and improve your experiences. Also, if it was posted by someone you know, even just a friend of a friend of a friend, chances are the item is a good fit for your taste and lifestyle.

How do I know if it’s NOT for me?

• If you made an offer, and completely forgot you did so, you probably aren’t that fired up about the item and are less likely to want to follow through on the deal.
• When you’re watching an item, if someone else makes an offer and you don’t find yourself getting antsy about it, you may not care enough about the item to want to make your own offer and eventually purchase it.