Don't let teach get to you. You're just in a lull right now. Most of us have been there and some of us still are. Things will pick up.
BTW, I checked my checking account and it's overdrawn as well. Not from eBay, but from a stupid mistake I made transposing numbers. I feel your pain. . .really I do. My mistake is to the tune of $77! Like I needed that one. DUMB!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheryl
. . .if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist- I really believe he is Antichrist- I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend.. . - War and Peace, Tolstoy
posted on September 1, 2004 10:57:31 AM new
HelgaGPataki I don't know what state you live in but in South Carolina they have things to help out single mothers or people that just can't find work. You should check into what your state offers instead of worrying where your next bit of money is coming from. I know some people won't ask for help cause of pride but just think of your child and his/her needs. South Carolina offers, Food Stamps (amount they alot for food a month is based on your income and out going bills like rent, electric) Medicaid (this give prescription drugs at 1.00 a bottle...again based on income and number of dependents) Habitat for humanity offer a almost free home (the community gets together and builds the house from donated lumber) and the person who gets the house based on need pays a very small monthly payment (under a 100.00 a month) as a house payment for 10 years. They also have low income apartments ...rent is based on your income .I had a friend that worked with me 10 years ago that lived in one .She paid 1 dollar a month rent for her and her 2 boys.Even the electric company will pay one summer and one winter bill based on need.
and even thou Teacher can be mean at times ...she right about having a Yard Sale or going to a pawn shop for some quick cash.Yard sales are a easiest...you get rid of stuff thats in the way any how and it's cash money in hand
posted on September 1, 2004 11:16:37 AM new
i dont think Iareateacher said what she said to be mean,i was about to post something like that but she beats me to it.
It is just as cruel or mean to tell people to hang in there,things will get better when in fact ,it may not get better.
I know several sellers have quitted listing to conserve cash,what is that song,to know when to hold and when to fold??
Some of the sellers who list many items are now listing less,once again,no sense donating your hard earned money to Ebay.
If you work two jobs,look around the workplaces and see if there is any opportunity for better job(s) you can move into.
What about your boss,have you spoken to your superior that you need more income and if there is anything there for you to make more by taking on overtime,assume more responsibilty or moving to a different job??
-sig file -------we eat to live,not live to eat.
Benjamin Franklin
posted on September 1, 2004 11:18:01 AM new
Yes, again, I'm aware that people who point out the truth are considered to be awful, meanspirited, unsupportive, etc.
I'm assuming that you, Helga, have friends in your life who give you the emotional support we all need. And there's no shortage of that right here.
But when you say things like:
I'm doing all the right things. They just aren't all clicking together yet like I need them too.
...well, that's worrisome. That's waiting for something to happen, not making it happen.
Look, it's easy to get into an eBay groove, and hard to get out of it. But ask any 12 people here if they think that eBay is in a downward spiral as far as sales go, and I think at least 9 would say "yes".
The Christmas season traditionally brings more consumer activity, but not always. Some Christmases have been nearly flat in sales in some sectors. I wish I could believe I'll be doing 8 months worth of sales in October and November, but I can't. I see trends that do not look temporary.
Two and a half years ago I was in a situation where things were just as tight for me as they are for you. Saddled with an enormous rent bill, seeing eBay sales trickle to near nothing, it just wasn't working. Life was horrible, I couldn't sleep for lying awake at night worrying about how to pay all the bills, my relationship went into the toilet. Someone said a very nasty thing to me that I will never forget:
"Insanity is when you keep doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result."
He meant it was nuts to keep listing on eBay like that and losing money. I got angry at him and stayed angry for awhile. That anger was the impetus I needed. I had to swallow my pride and make some retrenchments. Closed the office, moved the business home and spent the next 8 months reworking everything and licking my wounds.
So get angry at mean ol' me. I can take it. Just as long as you start thinking about ditching eBay. Start with the recent thread "Belly-up on eBay".
posted on September 1, 2004 12:01:53 PM new
Helga, first off, I don't believe Teacher was being mean or nasty. What she said makes sense. I remember when she moved her business to her home.
As far as your banking problems, I can only offer a suggestion. Leave enough money in the account to cover your eBay bill regardless of when it comes.
If your eBay receipts are going into that bank account, it's not all yours. You need to be sure you're not spending more than your net income AFTER eBay fees.
Otherwise you'll find yourself facing the bounced-check-snowball-scenario every month.
posted on September 1, 2004 12:43:28 PM new
Helga - Since you have 3 weeks to pay you can divide your payments. I pay my fees weekly from PayPal only because 800 to $1000 at the end of the month does cause sticker shock. A weekly payment is much more palitable. Every friday I make a payment - keeps things much simpler.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on September 1, 2004 05:07:21 PM new
Helga -- When you say you "make things", do you mean like craft items? If so, have you considered trying a craft show in your area? Christmas shows start in September down here in Florida and run right through December. Depending on the show you choose, will depend on the fee that you pay, but some are very cheap to get into and you can make yourself some extra money in a weekend. Also, have you considered gift shops or consignment shops?
Another thought ... I used to be in direct sales. There's a company that only charges $10 to get started and you don't need any stock. I would bet that if no one sells these particular products at any of your jobs, you probably can get some customers right there. (Before anyone says anything, I am no longer with the direct sales company. It's just an idea that perhaps can help her.)
Helga, I'm a single mom, too. Fortunately for me, I have sales experience in craft shows, with direct sales and now on Ebay. I've been able to make a success with every business that I've tried.
I'd like to be able to help you, if I can. Please feel free to e-mail me at [email protected] and perhaps we can hash out some ideas that can help you.
posted on September 1, 2004 05:19:24 PM new
Hi Diane
I emailed you. Thank you for the post!
Fenix that is a good idea - I really think I will try to do that. Sometimes when I get a PayPal payment I will send a part of it to eBay for fees but never a big lump sum. Will work towards that.
posted on September 1, 2004 05:26:22 PM new
Helga,
Good, you're on the right track. I mean sending part of your PayPal payments to eBay. Then you won't find yourself with a big eBay bill when you've spent the money on something else.
The key is to figure out some way to hold back enough money to pay the bill and this might work for you.
posted on September 1, 2004 07:07:03 PM new
Helga this is what I do. When my sales are done and hoping the buyers pay by paypal fast, before I send my paypal money to my checking account I pay my eBay fees. If I list every week I try and do that every week so I don't leave a balance. For Vendio I send a payment from PayPal of a flat rate $10.00 and it goes on my account and they deduct the fees from that and lasts quite a while. I don't like charges taken from my Bank account or even put on my charge card. I want a 0 in that eBay box when I am done. When I send my money from PayPal to my checking account it is all for me. This works quite well for me.
May I suggest a garage sale as this brings in extra money and immediately. I have had one garage sale, sold on maxwell street and Friday another garage sale. So far for the two sales I have made over $1,000 and it will not show up on my income tax. I am liquidating almost everything. Sometimes it will sell for less than what I bought it for sometimes more but who cares it is just lying around the house waiting to be put on eBay where I will get less than what I got at my garage sale.
posted on September 2, 2004 10:11:51 AM new
I haven't been selling much, Maybe it's just as well. eBay has just billed me for the first time since FEBRUARY!
posted on September 2, 2004 11:37:10 AM new
Addition to my above post:
I haven't been selling much, Maybe it's just as well. eBay has just billed me for the first time since FEBRUARY!
~~~~~~~~~~
Is this:
Account juggling?
Total incompetence?
Both?
posted on September 2, 2004 12:03:00 PM new
Just out of curiosity how many items will you have to make and sell to recover from the negative financial impact of eBay's actions?
