BELOW STANDARD due to COVID-19 issue in March and April.

[jgoebert2012]

I have been top rated for years. I have had the 1000 item store for the last 4 years.
I use the computers at my local library and do not have a smart phone.
When the library closed in mid-march, I did not have access to the internet. I thought, at the time, the the library would reopen after "15 days to slow the spread".
A few weeks later Ebay ended all my items and refunded buyers and I could not list any more items.
When my county went into the GREEN PHASE in May and the library was still closed ; I purchased a laptop and am currently sitting in my car using the local library's Wi-Fi which is now on consistently.
I contacted when I had access again and Ebay granted me full access still showing my TOP RATED status. I have sold a few hundred items since then to all satisfied buyers.
That is until the current new evaluation...now I'm BELOW STANDARD.
Soooo, What do you think ??

[studio_haedes]

I did it for 10 years, it's not impossible. Library and formerly Kinkos or Staples which have computer rentals. It's not an uncommon thing and the farther back you go to 1999 or 2000 the more common it was. I knew a half dozen people just at the library running businesses. That being said, you need more than one place to use a computer, free or rental. And just abandoning the business when you cant get online is no way to run a business at all. I was top rated in the mid 2000s and i didnt even own a computer.

[studio_haedes]

i did it in the mid 2000s. It's not impossible. I was top rated too. It's not as hard as you would think. Also i was only doing 15-20 items on auction per week in those days.  Finally i got tired of sitting next to homeless people.

[jgoebert2012]

All my alternative sites closed too.  The whole world closed.

[jgoebert2012]

Exactly.  Any seller seriously affected by COVID-19 now has Ebay protections ending and their selling fees increasing by 50%...from 10% to 15%...ON POSTAGE TOO !

[glorybells]

You’ve also got to look at what you’re spending in gas to get to the library.  You can get an inexpensive smartphone from TracPhone for less than $50, and their service is pretty minimal cost, too.  Like you, I’ve been handwriting addresses, but I recently got a printer for about $30, and since it looks like I’m going to save about $1.50 per label printing them through eBay, it looks like I’m going to make that back pretty quickly.

 I don’t sell anything for less than $3, because below that it’s not worth it after paying eBay fees and gas to the post office.

Im on a fixed income too, that’s why I do eBay, to pay for things that I couldn’t afford otherwise.  Right now I’m saving my eBay money towards getting a dishwasher.  I think you should re-evaluate your business model so that it’s working for you and not against you.

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

You know what I like about you? You went back and replied to everyone here posting! I think you are really a nice guy all around and I bet those folks at the library just loved you! Please don't give up on EBay..vinyl is making a comeback and esp. Vintage 70s rock..people are framing nice quality LP covers for their offices...have any vintage Bowie or Queen? My favorite! Now go to Wal-Mart like glorybells said and get a little $30 printer and call your cable provider and get Wifi!!! Run!! Hurry!

[pjcdn2005]

@jgoebert2012 

If you go to manage store - store vacation settings - vacations settings ON -  you'll see the option that I'm referring to....just so that you will know for next time.

[jgoebert2012]

Yep, should have done that.

I set the "DATE I'D BE BACK" to March 29, 2020, because that was the day after "15 DAYS TO END THE SPREAD".

I should have my crystal ball adjusted.

[jgoebert2012]

It's a funny thing.  I started selling here when media items (records) could be listed for a Nichol and free promotional items were plentiful.  I made just a little but it was fun.

Now...promos are gone and I had to buy a store, with a BELOW STANDARD rating I'm charged 15% Final Value fees,  Ebay wants me to use Managed Payments while I prefer Paypal,  and talking about my preferences I don't want my items to automatically relisted.

I just had to end 100 items (10 minutes ago) so that they do not relist automatically in the next 5 days and be over my 1000 monthly "free" listings.  Just another ploy for Ebay to take more money.

Bottom line is that its a sign from God that I'm wasting my time making money for Ebay.

Then there is a real possibility the COVID-19 will interfere with general stuff.

Should a retired person feel safe this fall taking items to the Post Office everyday...is that guaranteed...have you checked your crystal ball ?

I'm shutting down in October when my store contract ends  and seeing what the world looks like over the winter.

[jgoebert2012]

I let my Paypal account accumulate until my school taxes need to be paid.

[jgoebert2012]

Or worse..telling us that Ebay was offering Seller Protection.  When all the did was keep us selling and increasing our fees from 10% to 15%.

They even start charging your projected rates before the rating demotion took effect.   Just kinda buried that information in a vague message with minimal detail.