posted on April 16, 2001 02:30:37 AM new
I enjoy finding items to sell.
I quite like doing the photos.
I don't mind the listing.
Answering emails is no problem.
I really enjoy receiving payments.
I don't mind the trip to the post office.
BUT
I DETEST the packing!!!!!
How about you. What parts of being an eBayer do you enjoy or hate?
posted on April 16, 2001 05:13:27 AM new
Ok my friend Bob, I'll play!
The parts I hate: measuring and writing up the descriptions to do my ad (I sell clothing). My eBay area is in the garage you see, so in the winter it's freezing and in the summer it's roasting. Packaging is my next most hated part. I'm a perfectionist, I have to make sure it's folded neatly and the right size to put in my plastic bags. Not to mention keeping an eye out for that stray cat hair that decides to jump from me to the item.
The parts I like: I like taking pictures and editing them. I'm getting quite good and fast at it. That is unless the photo lab gives me a rotten print to work with! I also like the emails and meeting new people. I still keep in touch with some of my customers. That's been very nice for me since I've been out on disability for almost a year now. It gives me someone to talk to in a way.
posted on April 16, 2001 10:30:05 AM new
another clothing seller here. i''ll play too
parts i hate: another vote for measuring and worrying about/ridding items of the stray cat hair, editing the photos, having stacks of clothing piled and covered on all available horizontal surfaces, not hearing back from buyers so i have no idea if the item arrived or not, wondering if buyers are just taking their time to pay or if they're deadbeats, relisting items that didn't sell, packing things in those icky new priority boxes.
parts i enjoy: finding neat clothing, describing them [other than measurements], seeing prices turn green on my ebay, bidding wars, getting $ in the mail, leaving the post office after sending things off, leaving glowing feedback, receiving glowing feedback, having buyers email and tell me they're thrilled to pieces with what they bought!
posted on April 16, 2001 06:19:34 PM new
I love being able to work from home, in sweats, and be with my children while they are young. This is the thing that I try to focus on when I have a problem auction or a hassle at the post office. I just remember that I could go work for someone else again. That usually helps to put things in perspective for me.
I love logging on to check my auctions and check for and leave feedbacks.
I look forward to checking in on this board each day as well, since not many people that I know in "realtime" really understand that this is my business and not just a "hobby".
The smiles, laughs and the antecdotes here are a welcome break in the day! (The small wristed woman story had me in stitches)
as for the dislikes..measuring and packing is kind of sucky, but worrying about whether or not the items made it through the USPS system intact is probably the worst part of it for me. I don't really rest easy until I hear back from the buyer that their items arrived safely.
posted on April 16, 2001 09:20:18 PM new
I am with you Bob, I hate the packing as well. Hey just had a thought, your kids' are old enough, pay them to do it. LOL
Seriously, I do not mind finding the items, I don't mind taking the photo's and editing them, provided it is not too small an item, they can be a pain getting the right angle, and each little marking ect., I actually like writting the auction up. I do not mind answering emails, and I absolutely love getting payments. But I just hate packing the things up, when I fist started selling it was exciting, but now it is just a chore that I could well do without. Finding just the right size box and making sure you have enough bubblewrap and foam peanuts in with it, then you have to seal the box up and that wide packing tape gives me nightmares, I always end up with bits stuck somewhere it should not be. Then the lable has to go on and you have to make it waterproof, and the chore seems to go on and on.
posted on April 16, 2001 09:57:19 PM new
oooohhh...I just love the packing part. Trimming boxes so they fit just so, making sure to put ALOT of packing material, I even like the yucky priority tape. But the best part is seeing the piles of packed boxes for customers that paid and I need to put in my car...
I hate the picture taking. I always take way too many pictures (different angles, different lighting, etc.) because I don't want to have to 'display' the stuff again to try and get a better shot if the first ones don't come out. Editing is okay, since my son showed me a short-cut with my adobe photoshop, but I still delegate it out to him whenever he is around.
posted on April 17, 2001 06:31:31 AM new
LOL shaani! I made the mistake of taping something up late at night in the house once, while DH was sleeping. I haven't done it since!
Normally I like the hunt too and the thrill of a good find. But since my back got so bad it's really a chore to get out to do it. I just have no patience to look through anything to get the good ones.
I love seeing the pile of boxes all ready to go to the p.o. too. It's a sense of satisfaction! But when there's a lot, again with my back it's hard to wrestle them to the car and then into the p.o. I'm glad I have Stamps.com though, most of it I leave for my carrier. Of course some weeks I get all insured shipments and have to go to the p.o. I think my carrier hated me at first, between my buying and selling. But I gave her a Christmas present to show my appreciation, she loves me now.
posted on April 17, 2001 06:46:22 AM new
I'm with you guys - I love the thrill of the hunt, researching the collectibles I've bought, taking the pics, writing the descriptions, and especially watching the bids and later the payments roll in!
But the packaging is just plain tedious! When I've been particularly industrious posting auctions, I end up paying for it a week or two later by spending all my time after work (sometimes 'til 2:00 in the morning) boxing up the goodies. I refer to the packing phase as "the Ebay Hangover," since it's how I have to pay for all the fun I've had up to that point!
posted on April 17, 2001 08:27:25 AM new
Hello all, the thrill of the hunt, the photography, the written descriptions (remembering enough HTML to make it look interesting and colorful.) The emails and responses. Are all fine.
My favorite is PACKING...Nobody does
it better and to think when we started I told my husband I will do EVERYTHING except package items. Well,he got a job in RL and now I do everything including the trip to the PO.
Once an item has sold (even before the auction ends) I wrap it and box it so I can get a true weight...because I include a receipt with each order I don't seal the box until payment is recieved. I've only had to unwrap one item for another measurement.
I love seeing all those boxes ready to go to the PO stacked neatly, all labeled.
But I hate physically going to the PO because the parking is terrible I have to take a collapsable two wheeler and walk a block....rain, wind, snow..yeuchhh!!
posted on April 17, 2001 08:44:15 AM new
I like going to auctions and garage sales. I hate it when I buy something to sell and want to keep it. (I usually 'borrow' to display for a while, then sell it) I like writing articulate descriptions, making sure there are no surprises for my customers. I don't like it when they don't read the descriptions. I take great pride in my packing and like to make sure it is packed just right. I have been known to repack a couple of times if I don't get a good feeling. I do not always like the time it takes because I never seem to have to pack at a good time. I like it when I find free packing materials, I do not like it when I have to pay for them. I have met some really nice people and have a good rapport with the people in the post office. I truly don't like the nasty looks I get from postal customers that are behind me in line when I have a lot of boxes to mail. I like the feeling of accomplishment I get from completing transactions and I really like all the people I have met, many of whom have become email pals. I don't like it though as much as my husband tells me he understands how long everything takes, he still thinks there is a fairy in my ebay pit helping.
I really hate to do the description; I am french and it is really hard for me to compose original & clear texts. Ah! if I had some english friends who love clothes like me!
posted on April 17, 2001 01:01:44 PM new
I LOVE
Buying lots and boxes of items and sorting them, and finding treasures.
Photos and editing.
Of Course I love bidding wars and getting checks in the mail.
I hate the lines at the post office.
Deadbeat bidders.
Bidders who ask questions after auction is over.
Tape gun noise. I can't tell you the number of times I have had to pack items outside because the tape gun wakes up my better half while he's trying to sleep.
I also like the emails and meeting new people. I still keep in touch with some of my customers. That's been very nice for me since I've been out on disability for almost a year now. It gives me someone to talk to in a way. 
Hippy wannabe 
~^~
Then the lable has to go on and you have to make it waterproof, and the chore seems to go on and on.