posted on September 13, 2003 01:28:07 PM new
I am starting to feel like Avis. You know the commerical, "we try harder?"
Mr Hero just called and asked casually what I did today. "Yes, been listing all day. Busy." Oh yeah, huh? Shrug. Write-off. (No, I did not cook that turkey dinner and EBAY stuff is ALL OVER da place! Interpretations, you didn't do sh** today!)
This is work, man. I am not sitting here playing on the computer. WTF?! People like him even though he SEES what I do - do not accept this as a job. And I do everything by myself! 24/7.
Why do people think this is just such a breeze? I'D MUCH RATHER BE WATCHING A MOVIE AND EATING BON-BONS, but income's gotta come from somewhere! Well now I'm mad, so Im going to go take a nap. (been at it since about 4:00am)
posted on September 13, 2003 01:52:52 PM new
When someone finds out about my success on ebay, they often respond with a degree of envy. If they knew what a drudge it is, and that the inside of my house looks like the city dump, they would probably feel differently.
posted on September 13, 2003 03:25:04 PM new
ain't it the truth! but I get the same thing at my day job. everyone thinks you are just sitting waiting for them to call and give you something to do!
posted on September 13, 2003 05:09:22 PM new
how about all the "research" you have to do just to sell one item, if you aren't up to speed on it? And then you end up buying stuff just to sell one item
and then....they ask "what have you done all day"....
posted on September 13, 2003 05:14:47 PM new
Next time get off your butt and cook that dinner for your man...
You should feel like avis... if you don't try harder someone else will...
posted on September 13, 2003 05:44:46 PM new
hahaha twelve, no sympathy from a devil like you, eh?
I do this ebay crap, still cook, and clean and do everything else round here!
Glassgirl: I am really thinking I need to buy xxx widgets and resell the same thing over and over. I'd probably get bored with it but sure would cut down on time and effort. Am seriously going to look into some DVD wholesale'ng.
Pelorus: I know, it is so much simpler to work a 9-5 job and be done with it when you come home. (This is like living an never ending job!!) I enjoy it for the most part, but when you're pushing to make some serious money, it does get tedious! You hit the nail on the head!
Rariffle: When I was working, I got maybe 4 things listed a week. I really don't know how people do both!
posted on September 13, 2003 11:08:03 PM new
My ex-husband *really* hated ebay. To him, it was just something keeping me playing around on the computer and not either getting a "real job" or being Suzy Homemaker.
Then I started making more money than him
Notice I said EX husband..
(more to it than that, of course..this thread just made me think of how much happier I am these days)
posted on September 13, 2003 11:10:02 PM new
I know what you mean. My daughters Mother-in-law keeps a perfect house and looks down her nose every time they come over to get my grandson. But, she does nothing else but clean house.
Then, she wanted to know how I would list some antiques she has. I pointed her to Vendio but she said she couldn't do the pictures. I offered to loan her our spare digital camera but then she came to the point. "Do you mind if I come over with these some day and you could take pictures and make some quick listings for me?"
I told her that's why I have stuff stacked everywhere. I have plenty to sell just not enough hours in the day to list it all and I couldn't do anymore than that.
She gave up but has said "since you don't work just let me know when you get a little spare time and I can bring those things by". I don't know why they think it is so easy for me to do but impossible for them
posted on September 14, 2003 06:30:45 AM new
OMG neroter you are singing my song!! I quit my management job in the biz world when daughter #2 was born 17 years ago (decided I didn't want her raised by a nanny) and spent 15 years TRYING to be Suzi homemaker but never was very good at it! I had just about decided to substitute teach when I "fell" into eBay....all attempts of being Suzi homemaker have fallen by the wayside...I am just TOO BUSY!! The kids and hubby are spoiled now, so if I don't do it, it doesn't get done. I AM ON STRIKE!
The 17 yo wants me to be a "normal" mom again and everyone complains but NO ONE is doing anything about it (they can't even make it to the laundry chute to throw down dirty clothes and that includes hubby). My freezer is full of "lean cuisine" etc...they all act like I am "playing" on the computer even though they can see how much I work!
I hope you got a nice nap in and that Mr. Hero took you out to dinner last night. Something tells me you were probably too busy listing.
posted on September 14, 2003 07:05:59 AM new
Probably all the discontented Suzie Homemakers ,Twelve ... or their aging hubbies looking for more interesting (and probably younger) companions
posted on September 14, 2003 07:28:25 AM new
After reading how some of these hubbies are treated, I don't blame them for wanting younger more interesting companions...
posted on September 14, 2003 08:11:13 AM new
Isn't the latest trend for older women to have the younger lovers too? At least among the celebrities.
-------------- sig file ----------- President John F. Kennedy said, "There are three things which are real: God, human folly and laughter. The first two are beyond our comprehension, so we must do what we can with the third."
posted on September 14, 2003 08:14:05 AM new
Twelve - I was referring to the Suzie Homemaker Husbands..we ebay sellers are FASCINATING companions..and yeah Ace...GO DEMI!!
posted on September 14, 2003 08:25:55 AM new
Celebrity women can get away with that... they on the whole look better than her "common" counter part and of course the key word is "lover" so many comes into play also...
Doubtful many eBay women could come close to offering anything even close.
posted on September 14, 2003 08:51:01 AM new
You know tweleve, I can see you are just trying invoke the ire of the women here. haha...nice try. Do you have a family? I'd be surprized at the amount of time YOU spend on here, if they are not involved in your ebay, they HAVENT found another life somewhere. So dont make it sound just like a WOMAN thing!
My point was that running your own little business, whether online or not, by yourself, and still keeping up with everything that just kinda needs to get done in a household, is ALOT at times. (I give so much credit to single mothers keeping up behind their kids, and working.)
My hubby has actually been very patient with all this getting in the way. Its like Lindajean said, there is just not enough hours in the day and something is always going to fall undone. (I missed most of the penny gallary days because I was doing everything else... that pisses me off, but so be it!)
posted on September 14, 2003 09:47:17 AM new
The naysayers should try working full time and selling on Ebay. I get up at six, stumble into the kitchen for a cup of coffee and stumble back upstairs to my office. I take care of Ebay business until 7:30 a.m. and then get ready for work. I get home at 5:00 (after being on the 'puter all day at work) and it's right back upstairs to my office again. I come out of my hole at around 6:00 p.m. to make dinner then it's right back upstairs again until about 11:00 p.m. when I finally can't look at the computer anymore. And, I don't even sell that much!
I just couldn't imagine those of you who sell a lot! You have to go nuts some days!
posted on September 14, 2003 09:51:06 AM new
TP sounds like he can't find the slave he needs and is bitter about it. LOL
neroter I'm there with you. I've been accused of "playing around all day" when I'm going to garage sales looking for stuff. People don't have a clue.
By the way TP, I'm 38, and had a totally cute 25 year old hitting on me last night. Because I am ONE OF MANY HOT EBAY WOMEN! And I don't cook.
posted on September 14, 2003 10:46:21 AM new
Twelvepole is trolling for comments, he has no idea what a real woman is even like. He only has imaginary slave women in his life according to his postings the past year.
Anyone who has never sold steadily on ebay has no idea of the work involved. You would have to have them by you for at least a couple of days to understand the full process of taking pics, listing, selling, e-mails, packaging, etc.
Same as in my shop, many people think I pocket every dime that comes across the counter and that I just stand there all day taking money. Unless they have run their own business they have no idea.
posted on September 14, 2003 12:18:49 PM new
dlegoflamb: Going to sales etc., is probably my favorite part of this whole thing. I just like looking at 'stuff' and it does get me out and away from the computer! Often wished somebody would hire me as "finder" type person and let them do the listing, etc. Or a prop person for a production company. :-0
Neglus: We havent been to the movies or out to dinner in months since i started doing this. (Used to go at least 1-2 a month!) I guess that is what was bothering me yesterday. I'd like to go see some new movies out, but both of us just working alot of hours then too pooped. (Even though somehow what I am doing isnt considered "real work" But today some of my effort has come to fruitation, so I am feeling good, and glad I made some money.
posted on September 14, 2003 12:33:26 PM new
I found the best way to show people how much work e-bay is .....Is to get them to help you for just one day.My wonderful husband runs when I say I need help with e-bay now lol ! He helped once and said are you sure you want to do all this work ? So I get no complaints from him or my daughter (if she complains she has to be a model for clothes )There are a few things I can get them both to join in and help with,Like box building (a man thing ) I can almost hear him grunt like Tim Allen when I ask him to build me a box .Also this makes them think you need help...My daughter has learned that she can make a few bucks ...she sold 2 books last week and cleared 8.72. neroter12Comic relief keeps our house running smooth ....once a week or every two weeks take a day off from e-bay clean something and cook a outstanding meal,dress in something sexy and Sing " I can bring home the bacon....fry it up in a pan ....and never never never never let you forget your a man !" Silly I know but laughter makes the world go around.
posted on September 14, 2003 12:52:03 PM new
Toasted, yeah! Lately been feeling like my grooming has taken a back-seat (::thats all twelve has to read:but humor does make it easier.
I am off'a her now. Going out somewhere. The hell with EVERYTHING!
posted on September 14, 2003 01:48:19 PM new
If ebay selling is severely straining either a relationship or a marriage then it may be time to elvaluate whether it is worth either maintaining the relationship or selling on ebay. Personally, I feel avoiding a divorce at all costs is sound advice. ( The cheaper-to-keep-him/her syndrome )
-------------- sig file ----------- President John F. Kennedy said, "There are three things which are real: God, human folly and laughter. The first two are beyond our comprehension, so we must do what we can with the third."
posted on September 14, 2003 03:07:40 PM new
Easy to say, Ace. If it's just a hobby that's one thing but many rely on ebay sales for a living. If both have outside jobs it can be just as trying on a relationship at times.
I think much of it is the "old school of thought" that if you work out of your home you are not really working.
There are men that have faced this same situation and been accused of not really working because they don't put on a suit everyday and head out the door.
Many years have gone by since the "Leave it to Beaver" days but some seem to be stuck in a time warp.
posted on September 14, 2003 04:00:24 PM new
lol at toasted. My husband used to build boxes for me, but it wasn't grunting that I heard. I'm no longer allowed to buy anything to resell that doesn't fit into a box we already own
On another note, I used to work full time and do ebay full time (or so it seemed). We were both miserable. Now he stays home and does ebay and takes care of the kids (and they are his step-children). He does the cleaning (except laundry), the cooking, the dishes - almost everything. We both love it! He still doesn't know how to list or do the computer stuff, so I come home on my lunch hour and help pack some things up and send out emails. Most of our items are repeat, though, so its a piece of cake.
posted on September 14, 2003 04:23:11 PM new
EBAY BABES ROCK! Or, "EBABES?"
Yes, I too get tired of people asking with a smirk if I'm still doing that Ebay thing ("you cute little thing, you" I hear them thinking). And relatives and friends not understanding that it's important for me to go to garage sales instead of everything they'd like to do. I always get these looks on Memorial Day or Labor Day weekends, when our little town is full of yard sales and I'm planning my route in advance, the night before. And am too tired to do much socializing after 3 days of that.
My hubby, though, is totally supportive. We're both retired, and he "feels my pain" in the weeks when I'm listing full-bore. He also rejoices when some little ugly sleeper item draws big bucks (big bucks for me is anything over $50 when I got the item for 25 cents).
I enjoy the garage sales, the e-mails, even the photo editing. I get resistant when I have to start with a whole new batch and sometimes procrastinate, because taking pictures wears me out--moving around the object, bending, stooping, getting just the right shot. And writing it up, finding the correct category (because I don't do cookie-cutter widgets). But the collectibles categories and the books are infinitely more satisfying to me than wholesale widgets could ever be.
But - I'm thankful I'm not trying to support myself or a family with eBay. I think it would get old very fast.
Edited to add: I cook by fits and starts. Dinner is all I'm responsible for, and there are weeks when I make a big batch of something in a big pot and hubby and I eat it several nights. (It's good, too.) I can do that during football season in the halftimes. We don't eat out a lot, and there is No Fast Food in our little town (Dr. Phil would applaud that), but we eat nutritious things most of the time. My rule is Some Protein, Something green and/or leafy, Something starchy, and we're both happy with that.
___________________________________
SMILE ANYWAY!
[ edited by Roadsmith on Sep 14, 2003 04:26 PM ]
posted on September 14, 2003 04:58:03 PM new
I hear you all... My mother is always telling me "maybe you should get a job"... sheesh!
My DH does all the buying and he helps out, takes them places on their days off and on weekends so I can work. He also is in charge of DR appts, he sets them and brings the kids. And brings us home fast food meals a lot.
Me... I do everything else. I do all the ebay prepwork, listing, sales, packing and shipping. I also do all the housework, from cleaning to cooking. I keep track of all the kids school and activity schedules. I get up early to get all 3 of them ready and off to school, and then take care of them on my own from after school to bedtime. I also do all the yardwork, shoveling snow and mowing the grass... trimming trees and whatever else needs doing. I pay all the bills. I do all the grocery shopping as well as for the household supplies. And I attend every event these kids participate in. I am sooo tired of being a mother, and sooo tired of doing everything else. But I'll keep pushing forward and hopefully someday ebay will help me pay off this house... then I can sit back and relax... yeah right!
posted on September 14, 2003 06:51:24 PM new
I keep forgetting that most here are over 50... CRS sets in pretty quick...
Kiara, I am old school to the max...
Telecommunting or working out of the home is something that is fairly new or more common than even just a few years ago, computers have allowed that...
posted on September 14, 2003 07:05:40 PM new
I love it Roadsmith! I want a car sticker that says " Ebabe on board" LOL! Wait, now I have an idea for an auction...................
