Author: Lauren Burgoon

  • 🐔 VEVOR Chicken Plucker Review: Pros, Cons & Real Homestead Experience

    🐔 VEVOR Chicken Plucker Review: Pros, Cons & Real Homestead Experience

    When I first started processing our own chickens, I didn’t have any equipment. I was boiling water on the stove and hand-plucking every single bird.

    It took about 10–15 minutes per chicken—which doesn’t sound bad until you’re on bird number 12… or 20.

    That’s when I knew if we were going to keep doing this every year, something had to change.

    So I started researching pluckers—and eventually decided to invest in this one.

    The Machine We Chose

    We went with the VEVOR Chicken Plucker, a stainless steel electric plucker designed for backyard farmers and homesteaders.

    👉 And honestly… it has made a huge difference.

    ✅ PROS (What I Love)

    ⚡ Saves a TON of Time

    What used to take me 10–15 minutes per bird ( which is fast!) now takes just a few minutes.

    👉 If you’re processing multiple chickens, this is a complete game-changer.

    💪 Strong, Efficient Performance

    The motor is powerful and paired with rubber plucking fingers that remove feathers quickly and effectively.

    👉 It doesn’t feel like a struggle—it just works.

    🧼 Easier Cleanup Than Expected

    With the spinning drum and water flow, most feathers are pushed out during use.

    Less handling Less mess than hand-plucking Quick rinse when you’re done

    🔌 Smart Power Switch Placement (BIG PLUS 👏)

    One thing I really appreciate is where the power switch is located.

    Some machines place the switch underneath near the water or feather exit—which can cause problems over time from moisture exposure.

    This one has the switch on the side, making it:

    Easy to reach Safer to operate Much more convenient during processing

    👉 It’s a small detail, but it matters a LOT in real use.

    Perfect for Homesteaders

    If you raise your own chickens—even just once or twice a year—this tool makes processing day:

    Faster Less exhausting Much more manageable

    ❌ CONS (What to Consider)

    🔊 It’s Loud

    This isn’t a quiet machine (mostly because its spinning birds not so much the machine.)

    👉 Best used outdoors or in a garage.

    💦 Water & Feathers Go Everywhere

    Expect a bit of a splash zone 😅

    👉 Definitely recommend using it outside.

    📏 Takes Up Storage Space

    It’s not huge, but it’s not something you’ll tuck in a drawer either.

    👉 Plan for storage when not in use.

    🧠 Slight Learning Curve

    Your first time may take a little practice.

    Proper scalding temperature matters Timing matters Results improve quickly once you get the hang of it

    🐓 Not Ideal for Just One Bird

    If you’re only processing one chicken occasionally, this might feel like overkill.

    👉 Best value comes when doing multiple birds.

    ⏱️ Hand Plucking vs Machine

    Hand plucking: 10–15 minutes per bird With this machine: just a few minutes

    👉 Multiply that by a full batch… and the time savings are HUGE.

    For our family, this was one of those investments that just made sense.

    It took something that used to feel long and exhausting—and turned it into a much faster, smoother process.

    If you’re planning to process chickens regularly, this is absolutely worth considering.

    🔗 Want to Check It Out?

    👉 Vevor Chicken Pluckers

    (Disclosure: I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you)

  • What Sold This Week at BURGOON Home Haven | Real Reseller Finds & Flips

    What Sold This Week at BURGOON Home Haven | Real Reseller Finds & Flips

    From our home to yours — sharing what’s selling and what’s working.

    ✨ This Week’s Sales Highlights

    Another week of sales is in the books, and I love sharing these because they show real items, real flips, and real strategies that are working right now.

    This week was a great mix of thrifted finds and wholesale inventory — which is exactly how I like to run my business for both profit and consistency.

    Adidas Athletic Pants (Thrifted Flip)

    These Adidas athletic pants were a simple thrift pickup — nothing flashy, just a solid brand and a practical item.

    Why this sold:

    Athletic wear consistently sells Neutral colors = easy buy Everyday essentials have steady demand

    👉 Lesson: Basic, useful items are some of the most reliable sellers.

    Farmhouse Kitchen Signs (Thrifted Find)

    These farmhouse-style kitchen signs (Bacon 🐖 Eggs 🐓 Milk 🐄) were a fun thrift find and sold as a set.

    Why this sold:

    Farmhouse décor is still trending Kitchen items are great giftable pieces Lightweight = affordable shipping

    👉 Lesson: Themed décor that fits everyday homes moves quickly.

    Pumpkin Spice Room Spray (Wholesale Item)

    This pumpkin spice room spray came from my wholesale inventory and is a perfect example of planning ahead.

    Why this sold:

    Seasonal scents are always in demand Pumpkin spice is a customer favorite Wholesale adds consistency to inventory

    👉 Lesson: Mixing seasonal + wholesale products keeps steady sales flowing.

    💡 What Worked This Week

    This week reinforced a simple but powerful strategy:

    ✔️ Thrift for higher profit margins ✔️ Wholesale for consistency ✔️ Focus on everyday, practical items

    👉 Simple + useful + well-priced = SALES

    🛒 Shop My Latest Finds

    I’m always adding new items to my store — from thrifted treasures to brand-new wholesale finds.

    ❤️ Thank You for Supporting BURGOON Home Haven

    Whether you’re shopping, sharing, or following along — it truly means so much to our family 💛

    Every order helps support our home, and I’m so grateful you’re here.

    Learn more by browsing my other blog posts below

    Shop My Reseller Essentials Here

  • Amazon Finds I’m Loving Right Now (Real-Life Favorites)

    Amazon Finds I’m Loving Right Now (Real-Life Favorites)

    Some of these are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for supporting our family business ❤️

    As a reseller, I’m always looking for useful, practical products — and these are a few finds that really stood out 👇

    Whether you’re shipping, organizing, or just love a good find, these are worth checking out.

    🐾 ChomChom Pet Hair Roller

    🎥 Watch it here:

    Why it stands out:

    If you have pets, you already know how frustrating hair on furniture can be.

    This is one of those simple tools that just makes sense — no sticky sheets, no refills, just roll and empty.


    💡 Great for:

    • Pet owners 🐶🐱
    • Furniture & couches
    • Car seats
    • Rugs & bedding

    The Pink Stuff Cleaning Paste

    🎥 Watch it here:


    Why it stands out:

    This one has been trending for a reason.

    It’s known for tackling tough stains, grease, and grime — especially in kitchens and bathrooms.


    💡 Great for:

    • Kitchen cleaning 🍽️
    • Bathroom surfaces 🚿
    • Grease & buildup
    • Deep cleaning jobs

    🔗 Grab it here:

    👉 Shop this find https://amzn.to/4lMhFcU


    My Reseller Essentials

    Shop My Reseller Essentials Here

  • You’re Getting Views But No Sales on eBay? Here’s What’s Really Happening

    You’re Getting Views But No Sales on eBay? Here’s What’s Really Happening

    So you finally start getting views on your eBay listings…
    but still no sales.

    That part can be even MORE frustrating.

    Because now you know people are seeing your items — they’re just not buying.

    I’ve been there too, and once I figured this out, everything started to change.

    Let’s break down what’s actually going on.

    1. Your Price Feels “Off” (Even If It’s Not)

    Buyers don’t always choose the cheapest option…
    but they do compare.

    If your item is:

    • Slightly higher than others
    • Or even suspiciously too low

    👉 it can stop a sale.

    What to do:

    • Search your item on eBay
    • Filter → “Sold Listings”
    • Price within the middle range, not the highest

    2. Shipping Is Killing Your Conversion

    This is a BIG one.

    Even if your item price is good…

    👉 High shipping = buyers leave

    Fix it:

    • Offer free shipping (build it into your price)
    • Or keep it under $5–$6 when possible

    💡 Buyers care more about the total price than how it’s split.

    3. You Don’t Have Enough Trust Yet

    If your account is newer or slower moving…

    Buyers hesitate.

    They’re thinking:
    “Can I trust this seller?”

    Boost trust FAST:

    • Accept returns (even 30 days helps)
    • Ship quickly (1–2 day handling)
    • Keep descriptions honest and clear

    4. You’re Not Using Offers (Huge Miss)

    If someone is watching your item…

    👉 they are interested

    And most sellers do NOTHING with that.

    What to do:

    • Send offers within 24 hours
    • Even 10% off can close the sale

    5. Your Listing Isn’t Creating Urgency

    If there’s no reason to buy NOW…

    People wait. And forget.

    Add urgency:

    • “Only 1 available”
    • “Fast shipping”
    • “Hard to find”

    6. You Haven’t Built Momentum Yet

    eBay rewards activity.

    The more you:

    • List daily
    • Sell consistently
    • Stay active

    👉 The more eBay pushes your items


    My Biggest Realization

    It wasn’t that my items weren’t good…

    I just wasn’t giving buyers enough reasons to choose ME.

    Once I fixed these small things,
    my sales started coming in more consistently.


    Final Thoughts

    If you’re getting views but no sales…

    Don’t get discouraged.

    That’s actually a GOOD sign — it means you’re close.

    Make a few adjustments, stay consistent, and keep going.

    Shop My Reseller Essentials Here

  • WHAT SOLD THIS WEEK | Burgoon Home Haven

    WHAT SOLD THIS WEEK | Burgoon Home Haven

    This week was all about steady, everyday flips that keep the business moving .

    Brand New

    Hope & Harlow Twist Front Blouse (XL)

    ✨ Sold for: $17.99
    Category: Women’s Business Casual

    Classic striped blouses are always a solid pickup. This one had that cute twist-front detail that makes it stand out just enough to catch a buyer’s eye.

    💡 Reseller Tip:
    Grab neutral, wearable pieces — they may not be flashy, but they sell consistently year-round.

    Always in Demand

    Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda Jeans (Size 12)

    ✨ Sold for: $15.99
    Category: Women’s Denim

    This is one of those brands I will always grab when the price is right. Comfortable, reliable, and always in demand.

    💡 Reseller Tip:
    Don’t overlook “everyday brands” — they’re bread-and-butter sales that keep cash flow steady.

    Thrift Store Flip

    Bless This Home Wood Wall Sign

    ✨ Sold for: $14.99 (with coupon)
    Category: Farmhouse Home Decor

    Simple, meaningful decor sells. Faith-based and farmhouse pieces continue to do really well in my store.

    💡 Reseller Tip:
    Items that connect emotionally (faith, family, home) often sell faster than trendy decor.

    REAL TALK

    Not every flip needs to be huge to matter. These smaller, consistent sales are what build a reliable income over time.

    FOLLOW ALONG

    ✔️ What sold updates
    ✔️ Reseller tips
    ✔️ Thrift finds & flips

    From our home to yours

  • What to Do When Your eBay Listings Aren’t Getting Views

    What to Do When Your eBay Listings Aren’t Getting Views

    After talking about slow sales and why they are normal in the reselling world, the next question many resellers ask is:

    “What should I do when my listings aren’t getting views?”

    Even experienced sellers run into this situation. A listing can sit for days or even weeks with very little activity, and it can feel frustrating when you know the item has value. The good news is that there are several small adjustments that can help bring new attention to your listings.

    Start With Your Title

    One of the most important parts of any eBay listing is the title. If buyers can’t find your item in search, they won’t click on it.

    Take a moment to ask yourself:

    • Does the title include the brand?

    • Does it describe the item clearly?

    • Would a buyer search those exact words?

    For example, instead of simply writing “Pink Sunglasses,” a stronger title might be something like:

    “Women’s Polarized Pink Cat Eye Sunglasses UV Protection Fashion Eyewear.”

    A more descriptive title helps eBay understand what the item is and improves its chances of appearing in search results.

    Improve Your Photos

    Photos are often the first thing buyers notice. Clear, bright images can make a huge difference in whether someone clicks your listing.

    A few simple improvements can help:

    • Use natural lighting whenever possible

    • Photograph items against a clean background

    • Show multiple angles of the product

    • Include close-ups of important details

    When buyers can clearly see what they are purchasing, they feel more confident placing an order.

    Refresh Older Listings

    Sometimes a listing just needs a small refresh to regain visibility.

    Many resellers use the “Sell Similar” feature on eBay. This creates a new listing while keeping most of the original information. It can help the item appear fresh in search results again.

    You can also try:

    • Updating the title

    • Adding new photos

    • Adjusting the price slightly

    • Changing the category if needed

    Small updates can sometimes bring new life to a listing that has been sitting.

    Focus on Practical Inventory

    Through my experience running Burgoon Home Haven, I’ve learned that certain types of items tend to move faster than others.

    Practical items people use every day often sell more consistently than highly specific or trendy pieces. That’s why I try to keep a balanced mix of inventory.

    Some items sell quickly, while others take time to find the right buyer. Both can still be profitable when sourced carefully.

    Consistency Matters More Than Speed

    One of the biggest lessons in reselling is that success doesn’t come from a single sale. It comes from consistent effort over time.

    Listing regularly, improving listings, and continuing to learn the market will gradually build momentum.

    Some days the store is busy. Other days are quiet. That’s simply part of running a home-based resale business.

    The Journey of Building Burgoon Home Haven

    Running Burgoon Home Haven while balancing family life has taught me that patience and consistency are key.

    Reselling isn’t always about overnight success. It’s about steadily building something that grows over time.

    If you’re just starting your reseller journey, be sure to explore my Reseller Tips & Tools section for helpful resources and beginner-friendly guidance.

    From our home to yours,

    Lauren

    Burgoon Home Haven LLC

    Shop My Reseller Essentials Here