posted on February 18, 2003 11:15:23 PM new
Today I had to go stand in line at the post office to mail a half.com purchase. In came a lady I knew about ten years ago. Turns out she has been selling on eBay for the past few years and is now filing for bankruptcy.
I found that interesting, so invited her to the coffee shop, chatted, and learned her story. I have heard about some sellers going under, via email chat, and was absolutely fascinated in being with a real-live person and hearing this in person.
The lady thought she could make supplemental income on eBay by buying stuff at yard sales and thrift shops and selling it on eBay. I believe there are lot of sellers who are quite successful at this endeavor. Thing is, she didn't keep track of her costs, just kept buying stuff without knowledge of anything having any market demand. I asked her what her sell-rate was. She never heard of the term. I asked her about her average costs and average sales; she didn't know what I meant. After some discussion, I determined her sell-rate was 20% to 30% over the past months.
Well if that isn't bad enough, here is what put her under. She had her credit card attached to her eBay account to pay her eBay fees. So every month her card got charged for those costs. But she couldn't pay her credit card charges each month, so the balance kept growing. What cash she had coming in, she was spending at yard sales, buying more crap. Now here is the real kicker. So when she mailed out customer packages at the post office, over a year ago she started putting the shipping charges on her credit cards. One card got maxed out, then another card got maxed out, then a third card got maxed.
Needless to say, I was dumbfounded. I was sitting there listening to this confession, and I thought I was in the Twilight Zone. The lady said she has over $30,000 in credit card debt, and I assume a big percentage of that is due to the unpaid interest charges.
posted on February 19, 2003 01:59:39 AM new
how sad this story is. many people have no business background or knowledge and just see the $$ signs for ebay sellers.
I sold an item for a friend at work and he and his wife thought they could immediately sign up for ebay and sell their own items.
They had no feedback of course, started their items at a low amount to get bids and inevitably lost their shirts on the few items they listed. They lost more money by underestimating shipping fees and were then upset that they owed ebay money too!!
posted on February 19, 2003 04:49:44 AM new
I, unfortunately, am filing bankruptcy too. It has nothing to do with Ebay, however. Just the loss of a high paying job and having to replace it with a significantly lower paying job. I avoid this woman's situation by NEVER paying my Ebay charges with my credit card and NEVER buying items for Ebay with my credit card. My fees come out of my checking account as do items I buy. I am careful to watch. There are many times I've stopped putting up auctions in the middle of my fee cycle. I wouldn't have made it this far with the job I have if it weren't for Ebay sales and carefully watching fees, etc. I send everything Priority mail to avoid having to buying shipping materials. I save everything - popcorn, bubblewrap, etc. - that I find. Right now, with the economy in the toilet, my sell through rate isn't great. After these auctions end, I will stop until the economy improves. It's important to know when you are making money and when you are losing money!
Another helpful thing I do - I don't buy merchandise using my income from work. I use money I make from what I sell. If I don't sell well, I don't buy. Simple.
Bankruptcy is a difficult road to travel on and I feel for the woman because I can relate to her. A record number of people are filing bankruptcy. Credit was too easily obtained in the past. I didn't overdose on credit cards. I had a husband that died with no insurance (I should have done as he asked and buried him in the backyard underneath the Pussy Willow tree), and had someone with no insurance smash my car. It doesn't take much to push you over that edge.
posted on February 19, 2003 12:12:31 PM new
Cheryl, your story is sad and horrifying. Are you young enough to recoup your assets before you reach old age?
You have my deep sympathies regarding your husband. Your stress level must be high: loss of husband, loss of job, and bankruptcy. You have three of the top ten triggers for a heart attack or stroke.
If your sell-rate has dropped below your ability to recoup costs, then you are making the correct decision to hold off on selling on eBay.
posted on February 19, 2003 12:37:17 PM new
I don't go into our general funds to sell on ebay. I have my own checking account with funds I have received either from eBay or my mall space. When I buy I pay for it from this checking account. When I pay eBays and AW fees it is from a low ($500.00) limit CC.
and that card is also paid with my checking account. With that CC limit you can't buy to much so I never use it. I have tried to do this with only funds that I make on eBay and so far it is fine. Not a million like I would like but something. My postage is also paid from this checking account. It sounds like a pay a lot but I do make some money. I feel bad for that lady and also for Cheryl as times are tough. I could not live on this money most of my items I have bought over many many years so I really can't say what my profit is as I can't remember what I paid for them. I just want to liquidate. I haven't bought anything in quite some time. I hate reading stories like the ones above and I hope that they can look at the bright side. Maybe one of these days they will find one of those fishing lures, or beer cans or even that bottle and make their fortune. I sure hope so. Good luck
posted on February 19, 2003 12:46:33 PM new
Like you, Libra, I have 2 bank accounts, in 2 banks. My ebay & china sales in one & my personal account in another. I also have a money mkt account with PayPal that I use for postage, gas for my car, FedEx etc. If my business acount gets low, I transfer from P/P into it.
posted on February 19, 2003 02:10:14 PM new
i think there are many ebay sellers who are going under,
now how about the buyer- i know of one who has a second mortgage on his house to save 1800 a month interest charge on his cc bill.
well now his cc bill is piling up again.
all these due to on and off ebay biddings and purchases.
a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,he really believe there are antiques on ebay he can auction off at major auction houses.
what about those sellers who unleash the mister loader or what do you call it,each venue has a name for it,upload 5000 items at listing fee of 30 cents,each item sells for under 10,it was fun and profitable at first and then the items sold barely paid for the listings fee of 5000 times 30 cents.
these sellers quietely disappear.
posted on February 19, 2003 02:24:02 PM new
I don't think they can change the bankruptcy laws quickly enough. There are people whose circumstances certainly warrant bankruptcy (like the person who lost their job, husband, auto accident, etc in the same year) - Someone stupid enough to go into that much debt on ebay and is so clueless about business should not be allowed to write off their debts like that so easily, because in 10 years they will probably be in the same type of situation.
posted on February 19, 2003 02:57:35 PM new
stopwhining, what you said about a buyer you know who took out a second mortgage on his home to pay off his credit card bills is very relevant to today's uncertain economy.
I have a friend who is a debt counselor. She is telling me horror stories of how the aging baby boomers, those who are approaching their retirement years, are coming to her office for help and it is the same story with person after person. That is the mortgage industry has encouraged home owners to refinance their homes, to use the equity in their homes to pay off vehicle loans and massive credit card bills. The situation is that these people are refinancing their homes multiple times, that they are using credit cards to leverage their life styles to levels they cannot afford, and when the debt gets huge, once again they refinance the home. The problem is they are approaching retirement, the credit card debt has piled up again, there is no equity left in the home, and the refinances have left them with a 30-year mortgage and they are in their late 50s to early 60s. I think these situations are real scary, going into old age, facing medical problems, lay-offs, and an inability to pay off a mortgage and debts.
I am like others. I have a business bank account for my eBay business and related sales. I pay cash for everything. I do the same in my private expenditures. I take out cash once a month, use it for the fun things, and when it is gone I stop spending. Everything else I pay for with a check, the utility bills, grocery store, and so on. I save as much as I can. I have zero debt, no car loans, no mortgage, no credit card bills, no other kind of debt. I don't want to end up having my old age years being a little old lady living in a downtown hotel room and eating canned cat food. I prefer to save now and have more assets than I need when I am old, rather than buy things today and have nothing when I am old.
There is an age up to which any of us can change our financial life, pay off debts, and gain enough savings for old age. After that age, there isn't enough time. For the aging baby boomers, if they have massive debt, time has run out for them.
posted on February 19, 2003 03:26:53 PM new
you need 70% of pre retirement income to live the same way after you retire.
provided your prescription drug bills is not out of control.
posted on February 19, 2003 05:48:20 PM new
last year someone posted a news clipping of an ebay seller-a graphic artist who was designing coupon for a chicken takeout outlet and she started looking for lace linen etc to sell on ebay,her old mother on ss was with her,cleaning and ironing while she fought the other dealers for those items in estate and garage sale.
she did well and so she quitted her lousy chicken job to do ebay full time.
then she noticed the old store dealers have disappeared and here comes the new breed -ebay dealers and they fought hard for those laces.
she found out the ebay sellers wiped out the old time store dealers.
later bids get lower and lower and to make a long story short,when they wrote the article,she was about to be evicted with her poor mother by the landlord for falling behind in rent.
but there was a time she was clearing like 2-3k a month.
posted on February 19, 2003 06:43:26 PM new
For years (in my late 20's and 30's) I would hit local garage sales and estate sales learning what I could about antiques and collectibles. My father told me if I found anything, buy it since he would be doing flea markets when he retired. Who knew when he retired, he would have 2 replacement knees, a triple by-pass, hearing aids, glasses, ...bionic parts man. I kept everything in rubbermaid style containers. How lucky I was to start selling in the middle of June 1997. But I spent all that time with the attitude of SELL IT ALL....liquidate. I knew that eventually rarity would disappear and I'm glad I had that foresight. I dumped every extra "real, clear profit" I had on my mortgage and paid that off by the age of 40. The last 3 years I had a small amount of cash ($500 to $1000) to last me during yard saling season and bought items for resale. Not anymore. I may find a couple of great deals once in a while but no more hunting for extra income. I made hay while the sun was shining and glad I did. That way the profit I did make made even more money. (in theory by shaving 20 years off my 30 year mortgage). I'll be realisic though and say that finding and buying items will be next to impossible regardless of how cheap I may pay for them. There will always be another one on in better condition or cheaper price! Most antique and collectible market prices are taking a dastardly nose-dive (read not-all) and I really don't ever seeing a rebound. I don't think its the economy. The "knowledge is power" advantage is gone due to easy information on the internet and "rarity" doesn't really exist much anymore.
I count my blessings!
posted on February 19, 2003 08:22:27 PM new
toybuyer, you are smart, wise and a role model for others to emulate. Pass your knowledge on to others so they can learn.
I know many on this board do no have their mortgage paid off, or were never able to purchase a home. I can tell you one thing, when the mortgage is paid and there are no debts, the biggest worry in life is gone - and that is the concern about finances and how to survive from day-to-day. I may have other stresses in my life, but I can tell you that not worrying about how to pay the bills is wonderful.
Years ago, I was in the car with the radio on and a financial whiz was answering phone calls from the public. He said the typical, which is to pay cash and not accrue debt, and pay off the mortgage. He said something else though. He said if you have debt, get a second and third job, take that income and put it all on paying off the debt. He said anyone can get a job at a convenience store on the night or weekend shifts, or at a gas station or flipping burgers. I didn't go quite that low on the job market, but I took the guy on the radio's advice, and like Toybuyer, my husband and I applied all of our earnings to the mortgage. We got the mortgage paid off about 15 years ago, and thank goodness, because life never turns out like you think it will, and not having debt when your life turns upside down makes the tragedies easier to handle.
posted on February 19, 2003 08:47:32 PM new
Wow, hotcupoftea, thank you for the compliment and encouragement. I try to teach others but its hard to when others don't look at things the same way.
I still get people saying, but you lost your tax-write off! But if I'm saving $1000 in principal/month x 12 months verus just a couple thousand back in taxes....I don't know, but I think mathematically I come out ahead??!! At 7.5% or even a 5% mortgage interest rate, what bank is putting that even on a 5-year CD?
Anyways, the visionary part was a blessing! Do I still dabble? You bet. But not like I use to. Wasn't the hunt and find always the best part? It still is but the hunting seems sometimes too much like work! I do hope a few of the dabblers out there are coming out financially ahead as long as we have the headache we call eBay. But take some of the really true profit and place it into something that doesn't depreciate---not many things other than real estate (that's not always a guarantee for some either) but everything else pretty much depreciates. I think sharing with those that have little is the only other option that appreciates in interest!
posted on February 19, 2003 08:51:42 PM new
boy I can relate, I have stopped looking for items to sell on ebay just selling what is left and leaving, although I always use my paypal for my fee's and postage spend the rest on food or gas for the car little extra's for the kids, ebay has gone down hill, I don't have the right things to sell and no money to invest. After losing a job to a lovely disablility...kids in college and still a little one at home, my ex had a great lawyer and has the house the credit cards the cars etc...I have my day to day life, bills...Oh well I will be back to work 7-4 next month doing what the boss says and hope the body can take it, my last hope at least I have a job to go try. I will try and do ebay on the side but don't get where you all get the energy for that and have jobs outside of the home? Are you selling energy on ebay, I'll buy it!
Hey thanks for letting me whine I feel better!
to the woman that lost husband, job car...please hang in there are thoughts are with you,
posted on February 19, 2003 09:17:32 PM new
Ebay has lost the zeal it once had, people have cleaned out attics, basements,and the closets, items have criss crossed the world. In the last year, we have seen the decline on items and prices.
People have quit their jobs to sell on ebay and try and make that 40,000 a month LOL We have seen some sucess stories and seen a lot of failures. A lot more NEW items are hitting ebay turning ebay into a mall
posted on February 19, 2003 09:56:02 PM new
hotcupoftea/toybuyer: A book you might be interested in is _Rich Dad, Poor Dad_ by Robert Kiyosaki.
Mr. Kiyosaki points out (among other things) that one's home is actually a liability, not an asset. Most people think the equity in their home makes it an asset. But a liability is something that takes money out of your pocket, and boy do houses ever do that...even paid-for ones.
An asset is something that puts money in your pocket, whether it's rental apartments or 500 widgets you can triple your money on on eBay. You gain wealth by buying assets, and, as every antique dealer knows, you make your money when you buy, not when you sell.
--
Because of their courage and daring and idealism, we will miss them all the more. --George W. Bush, 02/01/03
posted on February 19, 2003 10:10:20 PM new
Cheryl, Hair2, I'm sorry for your hardships...I hope things get better for you.
Have you ever considered selling on consignment? It is one of the best business moves I have made. I felt the lull coming on early in 2002, and began taking on consigmnment customers. The best thing about it is you don't have to put ANY money out to
buy inventory. I advertised in a local paper, and put flyers up in my community Churches in the beginning (cost only a few dollars). Most of my new customers now come from word of mouth, so I don't put one cent of my own money out. My customers pay all fees incurred in the auction too. I even charge for listing the items that do not sell, so I make money for my time. I accept mid- high end Antiques and collectibles and also designer clothing and accessories. Business is very good, seems the people with lots of money are still buying, buying, buying. The lower end antique and collectibles
market has hit bottom. Just a thought, I know you must have more pressing issues to deal with...
posted on February 19, 2003 10:46:27 PM new
Hotcupoftea. You must have been listening to Bruce Williams. He is usually on late at night and can help you with any money problem you have. He is a pleaure to listen to. One thing he does say and ephysises it, is if you have debt and have spare time get a second or third job to pay the debt off. So what if you make $5.00 or so an hour it is still $5.00 more than you did have and those $5.00's add up.
This is a very interesting thread and I hope we can hear more stories that may help either me or someone in their daily debt.
posted on February 19, 2003 10:47:53 PM new
fluffythewondercat, regarding the equity/asset issue, in some ways what you say has merit. However, it actually depends on the home owner's perceptions and a desire for control of current and future costs. For many, having a paid home means that if circumstances sour, one has a place to live, and taxes and maintenance costs are less than paying for rent or a mortgage. In other words, it is a guarantee of minimal future costs. Additionally, in terms of current costs, a home owner can make a choice of not repairing the roof, replacing the roof, merely patching the roof, or getting up on the roof and figuring out how to repair it without hiring a roofing company. On the other hand, the renter is given a $100 per month rent increase so that the landlord can pay for a new roof and the renter has only two choices, pay or move.
toybuyer, you did the correct thing in paying off your mortgage. Never doubt that. And if you are a single male or female, it will make you more desirable to the companion of your choice.
When I was in high school my parents purchased a California 3-bedroom subdivision home for $19,000 and had it paid off within ten years. The years passed and my father died. My mother continued to live in the house, and her pension and savings provided a comfortable life because there was no mortgage. Then last year my siblings decided my mother needed more specialized care, the home was put up for sale, and it sold for around $350,000.
Also, what toybuyer and others said about being careful on purchasing inventory at this time, gosh yes I agree with them. My own stock of inventory is dwindling because I have purchased very little replacement stock in the past months, due to lower selling prices on eBay, and too high of purchasing prices where I normally acquire my inventory. And it is like toybuyer said, rare isn't rare anymore. Don't get me wrong, I made real nice profits over the Christmas season which put a big wad of cash in my bank account and it allowed me to take some time off from selling this month. But I realize I am in need of analyzing my eBay business once again, to attempt to determine future customer patterns, and ascertain if I need to restructure my business methodologies to compete effectively and maintain the same income flow. Or if I should be like toybuyer and walk away from eBay while I am ahead of the game, and focus on other, perhaps more gainful aspects of my life.
hair2dye4, seems as if your husband took advantage of your disability and your lack of energy to fight the big divorce battle. And this is what I mean, how quickly our lives can turn upsidedown by events we did not anticipate, such as divorce, death, disability and job loss. I wish you well and I hope your return to work is a huge success for you.
posted on February 20, 2003 10:08:22 AM new
fluffythewondercat:
Thanks for posting!
A book you might be interested in is _Rich Dad, Poor Dad_ by Robert Kiyosaki.
Actually, the contrary. I've done quite a bit of research (more than the "stuff" I sell on eBay) over the years and have found that the following author of this website is more insightful and tells it like it is more than anyone else I know. John Reed is the reason I have decided not to invest, at this time, in real estate.
http://www.johntreed.com/Kiyosaki.html
I once heard a different speaker say that to make a million dollars, copy someone else who has. Yes, many have made it in real estate, but he also said that never specialize in selling products because someone else can always do it cheaper, faster, and better. (Ebay is a good example) Specialize in a service oriented busines. I'm finding that I'm doing much better financially following that advice. My small business has always been service related. Big money? No, but steady and reliable is fine with me.
I may invest in real estate but if I do, the only person I've really found that fits my way of thinking is this John Reed. I have not yet purchased any of his books but may in the future.
May I suggest reviewing his website.
I do respect your opinions.
posted on February 20, 2003 10:47:16 AM new
we can argue back and forth about pros and cons of owning your own home.
but to each his own,or her own.
how does it feel to come home after a bad hair day,boss and colleagues look at you crosseyed,customer did not buy from you,or worse you just lost your job.it is sure a warm feeling to unlock the door and come home.
how much is that feeling worth to you??
we all have to decide how much to put on that price tag??
to me it is worth every penny i put in and every penny of tax beneifts i did not gain.
posted on February 20, 2003 11:38:28 AM new
I've had success and failure on eBay. Sure it's getting tougher. Once I spent $1,000 on a bunch of new graphics tablets at Goodwill. My folks just about killed me. But I made a lot of money on them. Other stuff hasn't done as well, but I've never lost big time. I agree that the "hunt and find" is the best (funnest) part.
I went back to working a RL job about 18 months ago. I could have continued eBay full time but it would have meant selling stuff I don't really like. Mainly, I sell services on eBay so it's hard to just boost sales like you could go out and buy a bunch of new inventory. I make a LOT more on eBay than my regular job, but I enjoy the job more.
After I'd been selling on eBay for a while somebody else started copying my idea. It was like having an evil twin. When I came up with a new idea, she'd copy it. She stole my ideas, copied my ad listings, broke just about every eBay rule, got suspended several times, and eventually (after a couple years) gave up.
Ironically, she had great feedback, and was even mentioned in several auction books (like eBay for Dummies) regarding her product which was a blatant rip-off of mine. She had something I didn't, which was marketing skills. Well, that so-called "expert" is gone but I am still plugging along. I don't blame anyone for leaving. I do eBay just part-time now myself.
posted on February 20, 2003 12:24:41 PM new
I am like toybuyer, my home is my castle. I want to defend it against invading inflation, pillaging unemployment, and a crappy economy.
I am in my early thirties. I live in a nice, very desirable neighboorhood. Homes usually sell here within a week and getting an offer the first day of being on the market is not uncommon.
Most of my neighbors have monthly payments of $1100-$1500. My payment is just over $500 and will drop to around $450 in the next year, when hopefully it will appraise out and the mortgage insurance drops off.
My payment includes, my taxes, homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance.
My home is my security blanket. My mortgage is low enough that, if I became sick or disabled for an extended period of time, I should be able to make the payment. I could get a roommates and charge them more than enough to make my mortgage if necessary.
After a long day of crazy customers and insane emails, coming home is good. What is even better is knowing it is yours and no one can take it.
posted on February 20, 2003 09:55:49 PM new
"May I suggest reviewing his website."
I did.
I think your idol is obsessed with Robert Kiyosaki.
Sorry, that's just my opinion.
I found _Rich Dad, Poor Dad_ to be not particularly well-written (Kiyosaki is no writer nor does he claim to be), but it did reinforce my own experiences in some respects. Most of his advice is pretty common-sense stuff, like minimize your expenses so you can buy more assets. Also, his comments about lifelong jobholders never getting rich are spot-on. A very dear (to me) person desperately wants wealth but refuses to even consider giving up full-time employment in order to pursue his dream. He'll never be rich and what's worse, he may not even have enough money to retire on. That's what comes of working for others your entire life.
As far as the purported "Amway connection", I have no idea what that's all about. Sorry.
--
Because of their courage and daring and idealism, we will miss them all the more. --George W. Bush, 02/01/03
posted on February 21, 2003 06:35:07 AM new
not everyone wants to be an entreprenuer,the number of hours,the risk you take and the skills and willingness to be jack of all trade.
working for others work well for many,except these days there is no job security ,neither private or public sectors.
the success story of a few horatio alger of building a business,taking it public and selling them to a conglomerate and retire with blue chip stocks which you can peel off to buy yacht and mansions is just very few,very very few.
most are just scraping by,divide the hours you put in by the net profit,you see my point
posted on February 21, 2003 08:03:58 AM new
fluffythewondercat: Thank for responding to my post. I hope my posts don't appear argumentative, as one poster indicated the thread may be, but I always felt that this board was a place to learn. The Reed website was one that I have spent many an hour reading and have learned alot.
When I asked you to refer to the site, I gave you only the link on this site to the section on Robert Kiyosaki. He goes into great detail about Robert Kiyosaki and I'm glad to have found his website before I purchased any of Kiyosaki's books. Reed may seem "obsessed" but I consider him to be ethical and, at no fee, Reed exbounds to great detail documentation on the extensive flaws in Robert Kiyosaki's claims and his book. Reed does this with other real estate guru's. The Reed site does support some investors but Reed always has credible resources to refer to when supporting or debunking real estate investment programs. I found his links to other independent researchers on Robert Kiyosaki to be enlightning!
Reed is clear to his readers that individuals CAN make money in real estate but its not as easy as most late-nite TV pitchman make it sound. It is work and I now think probably more so than eBay. Reed's site helped me decide if this is the course I want to take at this point in my life. I'm not ready to spend the time I would need to for investment in real estate.
"Most of his advice is pretty common-sense stuff, like minimize your expenses so you can buy more assets." That's the whole point! Why buy Kiyosaki's books then? Any free website on budgets and investments will tell you the same.
I think the Reed site is great for getting information when a person has a couple of hours to really digest what he has to say. A "review" probably isn't going to be thorough enough.
I hope anyone who wants to invest in real estate has a chance to review his website and learn what course of action to take.
posted on February 21, 2003 08:32:44 AM new
My wife and I ended up with a rental property quite by accident (her uncle gifted a house to us, and we needed to do something with the procedes from the sale to support him. We sold the house and bought a rental property. Getting rent is like pulling teeth (sometimes), and dealing with the "broken" stuff is a pain, but all in all, it is worthwhile. Just last night our tennent came over un-announced and delivered a rent check... ON TIME!
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. B. Franklin
posted on February 21, 2003 09:20:49 AM new
Saturday will probably the first day in years that I will not be visiting the thrift shops. It is time for me to liquidate most of my items. They are small, easy to list and I should be able to do a lot in two days. I have been trying to do at least 30 auctions a week and for me that is tough since the most I have done is 10. It's the packaging I don't like. It takes a while because it has to be done right and not just done. If I can liquidate half of my merchandise in the next 3 months I will be happy. We sold our home because my husband was sick of lawn mowing and snow shoveling but he doesn't remember I did the shoveling as I like doing that. I don't like lawn mowing. I am sorry we did because rents are really high, much higher than our house payment. Maybe when I liquidate life will become normal again.
I have also put in my description. Preferred payments for this auction are Personal Checks and Money Orders. If inconvenient I will accept PayPal. Those PayPal fees are killers, but to combat some of that I add an additional $1.00 on my S/H. It doesn't cover it all but some.
[ edited by Libra63 on Feb 21, 2003 09:22 AM ]
posted on February 21, 2003 09:55:08 AM new
A very interesting and sobering thread...I recently had my job reduced from full-time w/benefits to part-time with NO benefits (after 11 years with the company, thankyouevermuch). But my family and I are pressing on as I am working on a job/career change. I've made horrible decisions regarding money, but when it comes to eBay, I keep eBay/Half.com/Amazon sales cash in one account and personal cash in another--and never the two shall mix. I also use any funds that come into my PayPa account from eBay sales to pay for my 3 year old's daycare expense each week. I don't need to sell much to meet that expense, but it helps eliminate one more bill.
I need to better work on market trends, what sells, what doesn't and my sell rate. But with my family, time is hard to come by. My biggest sales have come from totally unexpected things found at garage sales like old electronics, retro-items, nostalgic things. I try to not lose my shirt on anything and make a little something.
My feedback rating just topped 400 this week! And that's after 4 years of selling. *Whew*...
