What I learned about lightning, cell internet, long handling times and the Ebay app

[southern*sweet*tea]

So we took a lightning strike and I lost my modem/router, telephone, television, dryer, furnace, two lights, and the oven. I've been using cell internet for the past week. Our DSL is back since I got a new modem/router yesterday, but our box outside is apparently damaged somehow and our internet is in and out. That'll be taken care of  this coming up Tuesday by AT&T. When it rains it pours lol  What did I learn? I learned that lightning fries all your stuff, even when you have surge protectors. I also learned that insurance will only help you if the lightning actually strikes your house, or up to 30 yards away. They don't cover power surges from lightning strikes that happen 102 feet away.  Bummer. Oh well, it's only money, right?

Anyway, I changed my handling time to five days. Now, I had been having the best August I've had in a long time (maybe ever) and once I changed my handling time, my traffic fell through the floor.  I've set back today to one day, so we'll see if traffic picks back up. What did I learn? I learned that five day handling times send your stuff to the basement trafficwise.

So I did have one sale a few days ago and a couple of auctions that had bids and couldn't end.  Trying to operate through the app is, well, impossible. There are no tools whatsoever. Yes, you can print a label, but that ain't happening if you don't have wifi or bluetooth for the printer. I just went to the PO, not a big deal. But there is no dashboard, no store tools, nothing. Bummer. What did I learn? I learned that the Ebay app truly is useless for a seller.

So, I used my browser to go to the regular website. It's a mobile version, bummer. I found the classic link. Cool beans...until I go to another page, then it reverts back to the mobile version. Double bummer.

It's also really fun when you have to go outside to grab some cell signal to use the phone. Aaaah, the joys of living in the country in a cellular dead zone. Huzzah!

So, to recap:

Lightning is bad

Five day handling times are bad

The Ebay app is bad

The Ebay mobile site stinks

Cell internet in a poor reception area stinks

Insurance companies suck

And how was YOUR week?

[emerald1830]

I think you're in Florida too if I remember correct..

At home, at the first sign of thunder or lightning, we unplug everything..and we unplug every single thing in the home when we are all out EXCEPT the fridge...

Many years ago, I had a TV explode right in front of my face...that was when I was a wee kid living in Kenya..lightning is just as bad there as here in Florida..

On that note..I have seen enough and heard enough of the app to never attempt to use it..ONLY is my desktop is fried..

Glad you had a great August...oh and by the way, since we are the "power down experts" around my neighbourhood, I paid the electric bill last month, kinda high at 56 dollars...lol.. ( we do keep the air on at 79, though)..

[fern*wood]

That's a whole lot of bad right there, but happy you are regrouping now and glad the house didn't catch on fire. 

[mcdougle4248]

Wow, how terrible!  I am glad you were not injured.  I hope your sales bounce back quickly.

[gracieallen01]

Poor Baby!    (meant with all sincerity!)

[dhbookds]

Ugh............that kind of thing really scares me........I admire you for being able to "cope".......and hope things go better soon........

[dazzlecity]

sweet - so sorry! Hope you recoup soon what you lost - as for the app - one of my friends in NC calls me one day for help - she like you is in the country actually where she can't get internet so she uses her phone - for the love of jesus I have absolutely no clue how she works ebay from an app. Anyone who is doing it god bless you. I literally could do nothing much to help her since I'm on a desktop.  I have no desire to even attempt to do listing with my phone. So I hear everything you said.

[sharingtheland]

testing ... 

when i try to post i'm anonymous

(is that a hint?)

[fashunu4eeuh]

What an expensive nightmare! But so glad everyone is safe and, like the other poster said, very glad the house didn’t catch fire. A house a block over from mine took a lightening strike 3 weeks ago and everything went up in flames.

But you are smart and capable and i know you will rebound quickly from this setback. You have what it takes! Good luck to you and wishing you well from Texas!

[sharingtheland]

Hmmmm...

I have many tales of the latest Week With The Invalid but ....  Anyway, an example of my week that should cheer you up (and only $600 today when I picked it up):

First is mouse house in my husband's car; second is mouse lunch in my husband's car.  Those wires had something to do with the emission system.

[hollysfinds]

@southern*sweet*tea  & @sharingtheland 

I'm so sorry for the troubles you've both been going through.

@southern*sweet*tea  I'm glad that you're ok.

Sorry for the damages.

@sharingtheland , I hope your "invalid" is doing better.

You did not need mouse issues on top of everything.

[hollysfinds]

I guess I should say that this has been an awful week for me too.

My dearest friend died unexpectedly.

No medical issues , just dropped to the floor in her kitchen & was gone at 56 years old.

I am still in shock.

My father is suffering from dementia & my mother is trying to cope.

They are both in their 80's.

Sometimes life is rough.

[pvcliff]

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@dazzlecity wrote:

sweet - so sorry! Hope you recoup soon what you lost - as for the app - one of my friends in NC calls me one day for help - she like you is in the country actually where she can't get internet so she uses her phone - for the love of jesus I have absolutely no clue how she works ebay from an app. Anyone who is doing it god bless you. I literally could do nothing much to help her since I'm on a desktop.  I have no desire to even attempt to do listing with my phone. So I hear everything you said.

---

Cliff had taken our computers offline to do something today, and did it before I had a chance to see if I'd sold anything over night. OMG, looking at eBay on the phone is a nightmare! A few hours later I was waiting for a Rx to be filled and thought I'd look at Selling. I know that once on vacation when the iPad was on the blink that it took me a vey long time to find the Community on the phone. Today I had no patience and accessed it through Google. I can't imagine using the phone on a regular basis to access eBay.

[sharingtheland]

I have no idea what happened to my big hug message to sweet*tea; I think it disappeared when I went all anonymous.