posted on August 21, 2001 07:02:05 PM new
Hello all. I’m writing a story for AuctionWatch on seniors who use eBay and I’m looking for folks willing to share their comments, experiences, etc., on why they sell and/or buy on eBay. Would you be interested in contributing? If so, here are some questions to consider and to get things rolling:
--How did you first hear about eBay? What do you like about it?
--Why did you start using eBay (was it a hobby, or did you find that you needed the additional income after retirement, etc.)?
--Do you think more and more seniors are having to find work after retirement?
--How crucial is the income you earn from eBay to your financial situation?
--Were you at all intimidated by using the Internet and computers? What kind of computer skills did you have prior to using eBay?
--Do you have friends around the same age who are reluctant to use eBay? What are their reasons? Why do you think this is so?
--Do you feel that eBay adequately serves the needs of its older users? What more could the company do?
--Also, it would be helpful to provide some basic background about yourself (your age, what you did before eBay, how long you’ve been retired, how long you’ve been buying and selling online, etc.) as I’m trying to put together some user profiles.
Feel free to post your comments here or send them to me via e-mail at [email protected]. (By the way, I’d much rather use real names than user names, so if you’re willing, would you mind including your actual name in your post? If not, that’s OK too.)
posted on August 21, 2001 07:16:38 PM new
Yet another "I am writing a story for" post by a poster who gives no background about themselves.
Just who are you? What are your credentials?
Are you contracted by A/W to seek these opinions and write a "story", or are you freelancing and hoping to make a buck somewhere?
What will the twist in the tale be?
You want real names? Going to make some money by selling them to mailing lists?
How would a contributor know how they would be represented fairly in your final "story"?
If you reckon I'm cynical then you're right on the money. Seen it all before.
Whatever your motives may be nothing in your post would encourage me to divulge anything.
posted on August 21, 2001 07:38:34 PM new
bitsandbobs:
I understand your cynicism. So let me clarify...
My name is Andy Roe. I'm a former editor at AuctionWatch. Currently I'm a freelance writer. My work has appeared in Salon.com, the San Francisco Chronicle and other publications.
I have been contracted by AW to write the story. The story will be published in AW's News & Information section.
As for the "twist in tale" as you put it: I'm doing the research for the story right now and formulating ideas. The basic premise is what I stated in my post: a look at seniors who use eBay. No "twist" or hidden agend as you imply.
Lastly, the reason I asked for real names is that that's the preference for writing stories. But as I said in the post, if people don't feel comfortable using their real names then that's fine too. I have no intention whatsoever to sell them to any mailing lists.
I hope this addresses all your concerns. If not, I'd be more than happy to reply to any additional comments.
posted on August 21, 2001 07:54:17 PM new
Thanks Andy for the clarification. It's appreciated.
Guess I'm just a little 'ornery today!
Bob, Downunder but never down.
[ edited by bitsandbobs on Aug 21, 2001 07:54 PM ]
posted on August 21, 2001 08:08:19 PM newbitsandbobs A little shaken up today? Good to see you're still in one piece.
I can tell you Andy Roe is the real deal. He did an article about our Search team fundraiser that the Mary Kay Company shut down a year or so ago. Great guy, accurate reporting and very professional. Good luck on the story Andy!
posted on August 21, 2001 09:19:21 PM new
I'm pretty sure the seller's a senior when I'm following an auction and notice its right blinker has been on for the last three days.
posted on August 21, 2001 10:05:10 PM new
Hi Andy, At what age is someone considered a senior? Most people here are in their 30's, so you might need to check EO for older people
posted on August 21, 2001 10:49:08 PM new
Hi kraftdinner. Hmmmm... No real specific age cut-off, but I'd say around 60+. And thanks, mybiddness, for the kind words.
posted on August 21, 2001 10:54:16 PM new
I met two boys in the post office who are full-time ebay sellers. They might be seniors... or juniors, or sophomores.
Didn't ask.
T
posted on August 22, 2001 03:39:31 AM new
I think you will find that health is a bigger incentive factor to use eBay than actual age but older people are more likely to have disabilities that keep them out of the job market.
Employers LOVE older workers who show up on time day after day and can actually make change knowing intuitivly that $2 of change for a hamburger from a $20 bill is wrong.
But not if the older person has poor sight or hearing or limps. They want the active atheletic seniors they see on TV commercials.
posted on August 22, 2001 10:07:33 AM newgravid...They want the active atheletic seniors they see on TV commercials...I am one o' them folks... You should see me carry all them packages to the Post Office...gingerly alighing out of my van, elbowing my way to the front of the line (cuz when you're a senior, you can get away with a lot)...
Just kidding
I remember Andy when he first appeared...got the same raction from the readers...
posted on August 22, 2001 12:23:14 PM new
Yes, businesses do love the senior members of society, especially the fast-food joints. Generally they work only to supplement their retirement pension and to get out of the house. So employers don't need to pay them much. Senior are generally more mature and don't complain as much. So employers don't have to be nice to them. Also, seniors don't like to do alot of changing jobs once they are in, so they are more loyal and longer lasting than the young workers. So employers do not have to worry about them leaving, no matter how bad they are treated or how low they are paid, and their health care is taken care of!
As Mark Trudeau said in a Doonesbury strip, "It part of our enslaved the elderly program at McDonald's"
posted on August 22, 2001 01:46:43 PM new
I have never even seen even one elderly employee at a fast food joint. Only employees between 17 and 25 years old.
At a family owned sit down place or a hotel restaurant, I have rarely but sometimes seen waitresses in their 40's.
I see a lot of fast food joints. Odd.
T
added, or a hotel restaurant
[ edited by jt on Aug 22, 2001 01:48 PM ]
posted on August 22, 2001 01:58:20 PM new
Hi Andy - while I don't personally fit into that category, I have customers who do. Of the ones I've had email conversations with, the majority are doing eBay to suppliment their pensions, plus it gives them the opportunity to get outside and move around looking for items, keeping them active. I've never met a senior, or a retired person that actually looked forward to it (retiring) because they were afraid of boredom. I think eBay has allowed a lot of people to gain some semblence of control over their futures, even if it's only part time.
