eBay

keziak · ‎09-12-2021

I blather way too much here so I'll just pose the question: have you or others you know aged out in the business and for what reason? work is too heavy? want more time to do other things? don't need the money like you once did? bored?

Or, on the flip side, even as you get older do you decide to NOT change your business model and to hell with age, it's just a number?

this*old*attic · ‎09-12-2021

Not aging out, but I do get sidetracked constantly by work (teaching is a job and a half, plus I'm SpEd).

I usually do well leaving and returning. I get that the internet keeps growing up, and eBay has stock holders to answer to... so the changes don't throw me.

Wondering a bit this go around, though.

I just might have held onto stock so long it's undesirable now. Granted, I haven't researched too deeply - I've been more focused on trying to get 100 items up and then start fiddling.

But, geez Louise! I never came came back and essentially sold NOTHING. Well, basically nothing.

Now I just started a new job at a new school this past Friday, so I'm not sure what kind of research/tinker time I'll have.

But I always figured I'd age out of TEACHING, and putter around selling the stock I held onto in my retirement. Not so sure now. Scratching my head and wondering if letting it take up space is a waste of my time and room I could use for something else.

Not discouraged, it's too soon to call, but this has been a VERY different return.

lonebuck-books · ‎09-12-2021

@keziak wrote:
I commented to someone that there has to be more to life than shipping boxes of books to strangers.

I would add to that, there is more to life than chasing the almighty dollar. I had a very nice mid 6 figure business on the river for several years that I shut down and went to a small bookseller on that site. The reason, I got bored with sourcing, shipping, checking my account balance, rinse, and repeat. Money is important but online selling tends to force one to focus on money and ignore other things that a person benefits from in work that means something.

I still sell and probably will for a bit longer but I am actively looking to find something that is a lot more fulfilling than selling stuff online to add to my bank account. Work is more than money.

silverstatetreasureboxes · ‎09-12-2021

@yuzuha

I've heard you talk about those crane games before, are those the claw things that come down?

I had a friend who is passed but she was the sole heir to her grandparents general store. She saved everything including all the 1950s bubblegum prizes. Well guess who ended up with them? Me. I sold a lot of them on the bay and I still have a stand up gum machine filled with these prizes. And then I landed a gas station gum machine this year from 1964 and now I don't have any more prizes to put in this one! So I'll probably end up looking for some on ebay!

this*old*attic · ‎09-12-2021

I’m so very sorry for your loss, that’s a hard one.

jewelbiz · ‎09-12-2021

& my friend Charlie, late eBay member csconey, both he & I joined here together in 1998 & we talked about eBay for all these 23 years.

He was an expert on Brooklyn. Boy oh boy, he loved his Brooklyn…all things pertaining to Brooklyn…like Coney Island, etc., etc., etc. He lived in Brooklyn his entire life. Would never come see me in Manhattan. I’d have to travel to Brooklyn! He said all things Brooklyn are better! What a Nut!

chapeau-noir · ‎09-12-2021

@silverstatetreasureboxes wrote:
@yuzuha
I've heard you talk about those crane games before, are those the claw things that come down?
I had a friend who is passed but she was the sole heir to her grandparents general store. She saved everything including all the 1950s bubblegum prizes. Well guess who ended up with them? Me. I sold a lot of them on the bay and I still have a stand up gum machine filled with these prizes. And then I landed a gas station gum machine this year from 1964 and now I don't have any more prizes to put in this one! So I'll probably end up looking for some on ebay!

I was riding my bike across Washington State and in Walla Walla came across one of those stand-up gum machines in a small diner. It was filled with chocolate covered espresso beans! I had found Nirvana! I told my friends I was riding with, and when we left after having pie and coffee, that machine was nearly empty lol.

“The illegal we do immediately, the unconstitutional takes a little longer.” - Henry Kissinger

"Wherever law ends, tyranny begins" - John Locke (Don't get distracted).

moondogblues · ‎09-13-2021

Good questions. We just got tired of the buyers who didn't pay, the items that didn't sell, and concentrated on our music, and did well till the pandemic. I have thought about trying to sell online again (still have 4000 books) but no...too old and cranky to put up with the $%#$&*. We may just let our heirs deal with it all.

Though that would be cruel...

moondogblues · ‎09-13-2021

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And many many MORE!!!

moondogblues · ‎09-13-2021

"This answer was much longer (blathering) before I came to my senses and deleted 80% of it. Nothing like a bit of soul-searching free flowing journal type reminiscence to get your focus for the day clear. Thanks."

I would have loved to read the long version, as I have been sequestered in my home for over 500 days. I have lost touch with friends and family and a very long almost 15 year online conversation with friends (has ended) and I come here to connect. I can't find anyplace else. This pandemic is taking a harsh toll on people. In addition to the dying and the dead, there are those who are just barely hanging on. Where do people go to connect?

Not to sound too pathetic...any 'blather' is better than no 'blather' at all.....blather away.

moondogblues · ‎09-13-2021

"I commented to someone that there has to be more to life than shipping boxes of books to strangers. He said yes! but he's retired. I'm still of the age when most people work, some going strong due to years of experience and contacts. But when hubby asked me today how long I can keep this up I didn't know what to say.

One thing that makes me sad is that I have large gardens but always feel like working there is...work.. on the do-to list.. time suck. I would love to turn that around. Today I did work out there and enjoyed it but now I tell myself time to work on auctions. Always on the hamster wheel."

I HAD to comment on this...books to strangers. Books are bridges, gifts to others of worlds to experience.

I also have large gardens which for various reasons have fallen to brambles and weed and we are not young. I so want to just sit on the couch and needlepoint to my heart's content. But the garden will not take care of itself. And at my age (69) not good to just sit all day and watch re-runs. Though CSI:Miami has been good as well as the X-Files.

I read an article a long time ago about working from home and it suggested allocating time just like 'work', as in gardening ( 9 to 11, lunch 11 to 1130, cleaning 1130 to 200pm), ya'll get the idea. Did I ever follow that?

Hah no...wild thing, that's me. Well, at 69, maybe not so wild anymore.

I do get the garden thing. I just ordered about 200 bulbs, eagerly both anticipating and dreading them. They will be gorgeous in the spring and sooo painful, back-wise, to plant. I will do it anyway.

moondogblues · ‎09-13-2021

"decrapitate, "?

Is that a word...Websters wants to know.

moondogblues · ‎09-13-2021

" I had a friend who is passed but she was the sole heir to her grandparents general store. She saved everything including all the 1950s bubblegum prizes. Well guess who ended up with them? Me. I sold a lot of them on the bay and I still have a stand up gum machine filled with these prizes. And then I landed a gas station gum machine this year from 1964 and now I don't have any more prizes to put in this one! So I'll probably end up looking for some on ebay!"

There was an article in our local paper about someone who had machines in local lounges and other bars who dispensed collectibles and such...on the Oregon coast. You can probably find it. She evidently does well and perhaps you could touch bases with her. She sources from garage sales for the items according to the article. And is wanting local artists to submit items for consideration. Small items.

silverstatetreasureboxes · ‎09-13-2021

@jewelbiz

Sounds like your friend Charlie was quite a fella and I'm truly sadden for your loss of a dear friend. And yes, anger is a natural part of the grieving process.