You HAVE to try this!! EBAY your way to DISNEY!!

[kayeandjim00]

Any suggestions for a CHEAP (and I mean CHEAP! ) digital camera? I love my regular camera and don't have a desire to go digital for our usual vacation, family, etc pics. But it would make it easier if we are going to get serious about Ebay to not have to have film developed, etc. I would like something really basic as I would be strictly using it for Ebay. Any suggestions from my fellow Ebayers?

 

[C.Ann]

I'm sorry I don't have a lot of time right now to answer questions regarding eBay (learned of a horrible family tragedy last night) but I wanted to give you all a quick heads up -

People are buying!

If you can squeeze out a little time I would strongly suggest getting some things listed.. I've had 3 BIN's today already..

------------------------------

I'll be back....

 

[jgates]

CAnn- hope everything is ok.

My camera for ebay is an HP photosmart 320. I purchased it at Target when they had the combo pack with a printer on clearance last summer. (So why didn't I list that printer last nite? DUH!!).

I had an HP Photosmart 210 which worked fine (it's just laying here right now - should have sold that too), but it won't take rechargable batteries - the 320 will. The 210 is off just slightly between viewfinder & photo so I always knew to set the framing off just a tad. It was pricey when I bought it a couple of years ago - I think its a 1.2 megapixel. The 320 is 2.1.

I intend to by a Sony Mavica CCD500 but that won't be for Ebay - only for good stuff.

 

[tntmoz]

I'm so glad I found this board because I have been trying to figure out a way to get 4 of us to Disney in May.

I had just about given up hope, but now I wonder if there is still enough time to raise the money???

My 10 and 9 year old are going with their school band to play in the Magical Music days. Most of their trip money will come from fundraising efforts. It breaks my heart to think I won't be able to see them play!

I don't even have a clue about how much we might need.

It is for my husband my two younger girls (6 and 2) and myself.

We would be following the school buses -- leaving on a Thursday after school and getting back to Houston on Monday. So that's 2 nights on the road, 3 days at Disney and 2 hotel nights. I think that's right anyway!

I would love some input from you guys. Do you think there's a chance? Of course, if May rolls around and there's not enough to get us there and back, then I guess we'd have some rainy day money to play with!

 

[cpl100]

Originally posted by tntmoz
I'm so glad I found this board because I have been trying to figure out a way to get 4 of us to Disney in May.

I had just about given up hope, but now I wonder if there is still enough time to raise the money???

My 10 and 9 year old are going with their school band to play in the Magical Music days. Most of their trip money will come from fundraising efforts. It breaks my heart to think I won't be able to see them play!

I don't even have a clue about how much we might need.

It is for my husband my two younger girls (6 and 2) and myself.

We would be following the school buses -- leaving on a Thursday after school and getting back to Houston on Monday. So that's 2 nights on the road, 3 days at Disney and 2 hotel nights. I think that's right anyway!

I would love some input from you guys. Do you think there's a chance? Of course, if May rolls around and there's not enough to get us there and back, then I guess we'd have some rainy day money to play with!

I think you should at least attempt it with Ebay. (You'd definitely have more $$ than if you didn't try it.) I will tell you that I did not have any high ticket items (most under $10) and I raised $400 in about 5 weeks. I know that's not enough for your trip, but it's a healthy increase from zero! Best of luck!

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

Originally posted by tntmoz
I'm so glad I found this board because I have been trying to figure out a way to get 4 of us to Disney in May.

Hi, tntmoz, and welcome to our group!

I believe that if you attack this at several levels, you can do it. In addition to eBaying, start with other savings methods and chances are you'll get enough from all sources to get there.
Try these:
- start a coin jar and throw all loose change in there, even ones if you can
- Buy things with rebates and put the rebate money in your Disney fund
- Sign up for survey websites and earn rewards for taking surveys
- Choose not to buy things that are optional, nonessential purchases, and instead redirect that money into your Disney fund
- Set incremental goals for certain things, like 1)Travel money - You have to get there first; 2)hotel ressies - you have to have a place to stay, even if you don't get to the parks; 3) Food - consider counting some of the food budget you use at home, since you will not be at home to eat; 4) Park Tickets - by the time you are ready to purchase them, you should have done research to compare benefits and prices of all the varieties of admission media. Sign up for the newsletter at Mousesavers to that end.
- As you reach the amounts of $$ needed to obtain the goals set above, start purchasing or setting aside the money to buy those things. Only you can decide if you can risk a non-refundable purchase.

I started eBaying seriously last June when my DH was laid off, and we had planned a 50th Birthday celebration at WDW for October. We were in OK shape financially, but I couldn't justify doing the trip unless I found an additional source of funds, and I was not going to cancel!!! We already had our lodging covered because we own DVC points. Using eBay combined with all the techniques above, we got there and had a great time! Plus, he had started a new job a month prior to our trip, and he was able to take the time off (w/o pay ) & eBay helped with that, too.

If you have the motivation and the means, you can do it!

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Advice needed.

My DGM passed away last year and my DF inherited her house and belongings. When clearing out her things to move him in, we uncovered a Rolex watch and I was given a Singer 221 sewing machine (from the 1950's).

The watch is only the face w/o the band. I'm not sure the age, maybe 1970's based on the research I've done. It could be a working watch, but the second hand catches on the minute hand and therefore doesn't keep time. It will need a band. I wanted to get an authentic Rolex band, but $$. A jeweler offered me an inexpensive Speidel. He couldn't give me an estimate on the repairs because he would have to look at all the moving parts inside. I had thought about having the watch fixed and giving it to my dad, but I don't think he wants it, nor do I have the extra money to do so at this point in time.

I was looking for sewing machine when my dad offered me one of 3 machines my DGM had. It needs a new cord, but otherwise I think it is in working order. (I think we plugged it in) The cord had been repaired before, but not very well and to me is a hazard. I think all of the parts and the instruction booklet are in the case. I don't want to devalue the machine by replacing the cord, which is part of the reason we never went ahead with replacing it.

I'm perplexed at making the decision to list these items. I've had both in my possession for over a year now and have done nothing but carry the watch in my purse and left the sewing machine collect dust in a corner. I IM'd my brother for his opinion. He thinks DGM would understand, but I feel guilty about giving up on either piece.

Besides all that, my question is about payment for these items, should I decide to list them. They will most likely be bigger ticketed items than I've sold previously. The Singer has been selling for $200+ and a Rolex sells for $100's-$1000's intact. What form of payment would I request- Cashier's Check, Credit Card (I have PayPal Premier account), direct debit from checking with PayPal, Certified Check or Money order?

 

[DMRick]

I always do money order only on big ticket items. Just makes me more comfortable.

Doris

 

[jgates]

The money order can help yo uavoid a charge-back - that's a big advantage. I have yet to have one but I'm sure my day will come!

I fully intend to go this summer yet - even though DH is changing jobs and may be living somewhere else in the state for a mimimum of six months (we won't know till he is done training - depends on which prisons have openings). So - dorm rent, apartment rent, mortgage, taxes - GEE!!!!!!!!

Consequently, any spare change I am making on Ebay is something for Disney - it's giving me some incentive. The $35 or so I made on the 2 sets of MaryKate/Ashley dolls will buy DD & myself at least 2 meals at Disney. The antique glasses that are currently at $5.99 is a couple of sodas or a popcorn - even though the amounts are small I have to associate them with something it will pay for.

Once Disney is done in August, then any Ebay $ will have to go towards catching us up after the job change - if he is placed local and no apartment for 6 months it will be LOTS easier. Cross fingers and toes for me! In the 20 year long run it will be a 2nd pension from the state which will be GOOD.

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

Those of you who enjoy shopping eBay as well as selling rolleyes: There are a couple, no??? ) may be interested in the current SD98 promotion going on. This is an effort orchestrated by a Sparedollar member, and though it is primarily promoted within the SD community, it is open to anyone.

The premise is that sellers all list for a specific ending day (the first Sunday of the month), and start the listings out at .98 with no reserve. It's recommended that sellers use this as a vehicle to clear out inventory. Many people who have participated in this have been pleasantly surprised at the results.

Do an eBay search on SD98 (that has to be included in the auction title), and you'll see all the current auctions. They are supposed to end on 1/4/04, but a few of the people doing it got anxious with the free listing day and there are a few oddballs. But, you will see everything starting at 98 cents with no reserve.

I have 11 items listed in the SD98 group, and 1 has a bid already. We'll see if it goes above .98!!! I'll let you all know how it goes after it's over.

________________________________________

C.Ann, I hope all is well with you and your family. My thoughts are with you.
________________________________________

Doris, I'll PM you soon about meeting... can't believe it's only a couple of weeks! Cool! I'll also mention it here after I do.

 

[DMRick]

This is an effort orchestrated by a Sparedollar member,

I think I've about had it with SP. First, the trouble they had a couple of weeks ago, and then the fiasco of free listing day. I'm back (at least for now) to Vendio..I'd rather pay and have it work every single time, than to waste time uploading 50 photos, and not be able to get one auction up : (

I have tried the .98 thing in the past..and enough items went for .98 that it was scarey LOL!

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Who among us is having luck with their "free listings"? I put up at least 10 things (mostly sweaters) for just 3 days figuring folks would be on vacation with schools being closed for the holiday. I wonder if I should have stuck with 5 or 7 day auctions. I did sell one sweater with BIN yesterday. All others went bust.

I'm still debating the Rolex and the sewing machine. I made a listing in TL for the watch so it's ready whenever I make the decision.

 

[strasfamily]

I listed 9 things, and 3 have bids on them. I only do 7 day auctions though - I don't think 3 days is long enough.

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

And they are doing just as well as they were the first time around, LOL! (we need a barfing smiley on this forum!)

Here is something interesting... especially for you, Kris, since you've already had your free 3-day listings end.... if you now use those listings and relist, if the item sells on the relist, you'll get your listing fee refunded just like you would on an ordinary relist. And that applies even if you change the listing to a completely different item. This info came from the Sparedollar forum... many folks there did dummy listings for that express purpose. The net result is a prolonged FLD benefit.

I hope this info helps some of you!

Joy

 

[cpl100]

Originally posted by Mrs. Snowgod
And they are doing just as well as they were the first time around, LOL! (we need a barfing smiley on this forum!)

Here is something interesting... especially for you, Kris, since you've already had your free 3-day listings end.... if you now use those listings and relist, if the item sells on the relist, you'll get your listing fee refunded just like you would on an ordinary relist. And that applies even if you change the listing to a completely different item. This info came from the Sparedollar forum... many folks there did dummy listings for that express purpose. The net result is a prolonged FLD benefit.

I hope this info helps some of you!

Joy

Have a few questions here... What is FLD? Also, what is a dummy listing and how can you 'relist' but use a completely different item? That doesn't seem to quite make sense. THANKS!

 

[DMRick]

Have a few questions here... What is FLD? Also, what is a dummy listing and how can you 'relist' but use a completely different item? That doesn't seem to quite make sense.

FLD was free listing day..eBay gave us one day that was free of the actual listing fees..other fees were still charged.

A dummy listing, is when people put up a liting that isn't really anything for sale, and may not make sense, until they get a chance to revise it with the correct for sale item. It's not really what eBay had in mind when they gave the FLD..but some people do things like that, to try and "beat" the system. They may not have had a lot of time to get listings ready, or whatever.

When you relist, an item that wasn't sold, you may decide to not try to sell the same item again, so you revise before relisting, with a new title, new description and new pictures..and try to sell something else. Again, another way to "beat" the system.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

FLD - 12/26 was Free Listing Day on ebay, the fee charged to list was .00 for the day.

I get the part about relisting and changing the item...I guess ebay can't control description changes etc. once you've hit the relist button. I did relist about half of the sweaters and reduced my starting bid by $1, see it that grabs any bites.

Why and how would you create "dummy"listings?

 

[DMRick]

Why and how would you create "dummy"listings?

For instance, it's free listing day and you don't have a lot of time. So you put up a bunch of auctions selling broken saltine crackers, or flat tires..and then, the next day, at your leisure, you revise for the items you really want to sell. You revise everything..but it costs you nothing more, since the listing was free. Of course if someone actually bids on those items, your stuck stopping the auction, because you really dont' ahve those items. Your just "saving" your free spot.

 

[cpl100]

Oh how I wish I'd known about that before now!

 

[bafmrf]

Hi Everyone,

Hope everyone is doing good. I have a couple tickets to a football game that I cannot go to now. (bummer) I would like to try to sell them via Ebay. Any special things I need to know. Special requirements, etc. ? These tickets are for a professional game and could go for quite a bit of money. Thanks for any input you can give me.

Martha