Blog!
First Things First
- You're looking for the Altoids 9v USB Charger, right? (Buy it here)
- If you're wondering who I am or what's going on, this might be helpful.
If you want a pre-built Altoids charger...
11:20pm Sat Mar 04, 2006
...I'm not going to sell you one. I don't have the time, and honestly it's probably not legal for me to sell them as a store.
But other people might.
I was about to start working on a system where people willing to build and sell pre-builts can post listings, like some twisted and stupid version of eBay, but then Popular Science happened and my free time took a nosedive. I might still do that a bit later, but for now here's a rather cheep and haxy alternative:
In the comments for this article, post if you are willing to sell a pre-built Altoids charger or if you want to buy one.
Selling:
You should first have an account here, which you can sign up for here, so you can send/receive private messages.
If you can sell them, I recommend posting a picture () of a kit you've already built to prove that you can do it, and it would be wise to note that you have in fact verified that it puts out 5 volts with a multimeter. Post how much you want for it, how you'll accept payment (if you want anything other than PayPal, good luck), and how you'll ship it.
People might start sending you messages with offers. If you only want to do a limited amount, pick the best offers and reply that you'll take it. If you haven't already, build the thing, convince the buyer that you really have one, get his address, and mail it out.
Buying:
If you want to buy one, post any requirements you have (switch, no switch, switch with light, switch with no light, switch on the outside, the inside, whatever), and how much you can pay and how.
Or, you can send a message to someone who is already offering to sell them. If there are 20 people with listings to sell them, and you post a listing that you want to buy one, you'll look kind of silly.
If you see a listing from a seller that looks interesting, send him a private message listing how much you can pay, how you can pay, how soon you can pay, what area you live in, and your favorite of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (if you share the same favorite, you may get a discount!).
If send a boring offer to someone who is getting lots of interesting offers, you'll probably never get any response.
If you want your buy/sell listing removed, email me or send me a message with the comment you want removed and (if it's yours) I'll mark it as no-longer an open offer.
Pricing: For the short while that I was selling pre-built kits, I was charging $25 for versions with the switch and LED and $20 for basic ones without a light or switch. People were quite willing to pay that, but it doesn't mean you can't go lower or higher.
If you wanted to deal in LED flashlights, I'd say people would probably pay $15-20, but I can never guess what people would pay for anything. I thought people would laugh themselves to death at $9.50 for a kit.
How not to get scammed:
Do not post your email address, or make any buy/sell transactions over email. If you do, you could very well get scammed. Only use the messaging system built into this site. (There's a handy "Msg Me" link above any comment posted by a registered user.) On-site messages are archived in a secure database, so if you do get scammed (or if you do scam) I will be able to find the communications and assist in any investigations. If you use email, you're on your own, son.
Use safe payment methods. If someone wants you to pay them with Western Union's website, or some crazy www.sendmoneyonline-itslegitIswear.com website, enjoy getting ripped off. PayPal is probably the best, they're good about handling (small) fraud claims and they are very very secure. All you need is a free PayPal account and you can start sending and receiving money online. It's how I get paid for 90% of my online orders, and I've had no problems. If you want to deal in mail payment, it might be better to take Money Orders instead of checks, because even if a check isn't forged it doesn't mean that there's any money in the account.
So, commerce away. I can't take any responsibility for how well or how crappy this turns out, but if someone tries to screw you over I can do my best to help (just don't blame me).
Page 1 of Comments
MaximusZTS ![]() |
Well I have been making these kits for my friends now for about a month. I have made 4 USB charging kits so far that work perfectly. I have the part to make 50 more. I have Peppermint tins, Sour Cherry tins and Sour apple tins. (Cherry and Apple are a limited quantity.) I can make them in any configuration you would like. (I.e. switch, led, no switch, no led, etc...) Right now I am making them with leds and a switch that you can use on the outside of the tin. It work/looks really well. I test every unit I make to put out the required 5V. Right now I have been charging my friends $20. I will ship one to you for $25. Just let me know what Kind of tin and what configuration you would like. I have been using different color leds for different tins. (Green or yellow leds on the apple tins and purple or red on the cherry tins, Red on the peppermint tins and red on the Cinnamon tin I made.) If you would like a Cinnamon or wintergreen tin please add $2 and I will make you one. To order send me a private message through this site. |
| Quote | Reply | Posted: 5:34pm Mon Mar 06, 2006 |
MaximusZTS ![]() |
here is a pic ( ) |
| Quote | Reply | Posted: 5:33pm Tue Mar 07, 2006 |
MaximusZTS ![]() |
I guess not as many people would like one of these all ready built as I thought. |
| Quote | Reply | Posted: 3:50pm Thu Mar 09, 2006 |
MaximusZTS ![]() |
If you would like a charger, Make me an offer. |
| Quote | Reply | Posted: 5:46pm Thu Mar 09, 2006 |
skimmer92792 ![]() |
i want to see a pic of winter green is is gum or normal? |
| Quote | Reply | Posted: 6:09am Wed Mar 15, 2006 |
MaximusZTS ![]() |
Winter green will only be in the normal tin. They only made a limited quantity of winter green gum and it is no longer avaliable. |
| Quote | Reply | Posted: 12:45pm Wed Mar 15, 2006 |
skimmer92792 ![]() |
o, ok,, then is sour stuff in a circle tin? |
| Quote | Reply | Posted: 4:34pm Wed Mar 15, 2006 |
MaximusZTS ![]() |
That is what is avaliable. I have apple, cherry and peppermint in stock. Cinnimon is extra. |
| Quote | Reply | Posted: 5:14pm Wed Mar 15, 2006 |
MaximusZTS ![]() |
Here are some more pics ![]() ![]() |
| Quote | Reply | Posted: 3:38pm Fri Mar 17, 2006 |
| Pigoesfar |
I need SOME INSTRUCTIONS PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Quote | Reply | Posted: 4:24pm Fri Mar 17, 2006 |
MaximusZTS ![]() |
instructions on how to buy? Just click on the "Msg Me" button by my name. send me a message of what type of charger you want and I will send you my paypal email and once I recive payment I will send out a shiny new charger. Thanks, Shawn. |
| Quote | Reply | Posted: 5:03pm Fri Mar 17, 2006 |
MaximusZTS ![]() |
I still have some for sale. Make an offer. |
| Quote | Reply | Posted: 1:37pm Fri Mar 24, 2006 |
skimmer92792 ![]() |
ok im gonna try to get it today |
| Quote | Reply | Posted: 4:05pm Sun Mar 26, 2006 |
MaximusZTS ![]() |
Here is one with a blue LED. ![]() Sorry crappy pic. Cell phone. |
| Quote | Reply | Posted: 1:13pm Mon Mar 27, 2006 |
MaximusZTS ![]() |
Oops. Bad link. Here are some pics of some chargers I just shipped. ![]() ![]() |
| Quote | Reply | Posted: 2:50pm Tue Apr 04, 2006 |
MaximusZTS ![]() |
Just to let everyone know. I am still selling these. |
| Quote | Reply | Posted: 5:27pm Fri Apr 07, 2006 |
| Bonnie |
Maximus, Would love one to charge my O2. Just a silly question - how hot does the tin get during/after charging? And how much to ship to Sydney Australia? |
| Quote | Reply | Posted: 11:47pm Fri Apr 07, 2006 |
MaximusZTS ![]() |
Hi, Bonnie. The first one I built became hot when charging, but all of them since have had no real heat to them that I have noticed. Send me a 'Msg Me' and I will look up shipping for you. Thanks, Shawn. |
| Quote | Reply | Posted: 1:43pm Mon Apr 10, 2006 |
MaximusZTS ![]() |
Bonnie, Airmail post is $20. |
| Quote | Reply | Posted: 3:38pm Tue Apr 18, 2006 |
bigstax ![]() |
hey, ill buy one from anyone here for around $20. Just Msg Me and ill get right back to u! thanks in advance. |
| Quote | Reply | Posted: 9:39pm Tue Apr 18, 2006 |
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