It took me an extra month to be sure, but I have in fact closed my eBay store (CLOSED). I've been keeping a good accounting of my costs verses my profit, and thanks to all of eBays constant fee increases...I'm actually not making a profit anymore. Although I do love making the images for people to use in their crafts project..If I'm not making a profit...it's not doing me any good to do it.
I will be available for custom orders or if anyone needs any of the images they've bought before. I just won't be using eBay to sell them anymore. eBay used to be the best way to sell, but as I said...the fee's just keep going up. I've already increased my prices twice to make up for the lack of profit...and it's getting to the point that noone will buy them if I'm twice the price of everyone else. Even though my images are the best quality you can find.
Just a little FYI: My costs include Kodak photo paper, HP photo quality inks (2 in the set to print photo images) and of course the minor supplies like envelopes and baggies for the images. At the price of $3.50 per set, eBay took 50 cents + the new fee on shipping costs. Then Paypal takes another 50 cents, leaving me with about $2.00 in profit before costs. After the costs of the paper and ink...I'm left with about 20 cents per order. This does not include the eBay fee's for listing and having a store.
I'm still selling on Etsy, and as although I make very little for the digital images, it's still more cost effective for everyone compared to eBay.
Sorry folks, but when it comes down to it...If I'm not making a profit...why should I do it?
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
A Rant, Of Sorts...
I keep my online buying to a few select sites that I know offer some form of buyer protection.This post is about something I bought on Amazon. Let's go back a bit...
We have a giant TV. It's one of those over-sized big screen projection TVs. Hitachi 56 inch huge thing...We've had it for several years and from time to time we have to replace the projection bulb. Also known as the "projection lamp module". The bulb is not your average light bulb...NAY! It's not something I can just go buy at Walmart...or really...anywhere, for that matter.
It's a pretty bulb... iridescent and shiny.
The first time we paid over $300 for a bulb in it's plastic case (the module), to have it delivered from China through a Hitachi dealer. The second time we had to replace the bulb, we wised up...and looked around. I found one on eBay for about $100. Score! The only difference was that is was just for the bulb. No biggy, it only takes a few more steps to put the bulb into the plastic case we already have, then into the TV. It was also a generic version (not Hitachi).
Sooooo. About 2 months ago we needed another one...and I wised up some more. Since the last bulb didn't last nearly as long as the very first one we bought, I wanted to buy a real Hitachi bulb, not the knock-off. I found one on Amazon, from a company that sells them and nothing else. The price $65. Huzzah! I bought it and it was shipped the next day.
And here goes my rant. It was shipped FedEx. FedEx Smart Post to be exact. Smart Post is a cheaper way of shipping, FedEx ships the item to your closest FedEx warehouse. From there, it gets shipped basic USPS to your home.
My estimated delivery date was June 6th. It arrived at Earth City on the 2nd (that's my local FedEx warehouse). I watched the tracking number several times a day. And, it said it was DELIVERED on the 2nd. I waited. I watched. I waited impatiently. The 6th came and went. Still, I waited. Finally, on the 8th I called FedEx and said simply "My package was suppose to be here on the 6th...so, where is it?" The nice lady on the phone says "Oh my it should be there" I agreed. "I'll put a trace on it, and give you a call back" she says. I give her my phone number and wait. It arrived the next day at the post office. I never got that call back. Apparently FedEx drivers don't come "out here" unless they feel they have to.
I will never, and I really realllllllly mean never...ship with FedEx or buy anything that needs to be delivered by them...again. The item itself was perfect. But...FedEx...sucks.
We have a giant TV. It's one of those over-sized big screen projection TVs. Hitachi 56 inch huge thing...We've had it for several years and from time to time we have to replace the projection bulb. Also known as the "projection lamp module". The bulb is not your average light bulb...NAY! It's not something I can just go buy at Walmart...or really...anywhere, for that matter.
It's a pretty bulb... iridescent and shiny.
The first time we paid over $300 for a bulb in it's plastic case (the module), to have it delivered from China through a Hitachi dealer. The second time we had to replace the bulb, we wised up...and looked around. I found one on eBay for about $100. Score! The only difference was that is was just for the bulb. No biggy, it only takes a few more steps to put the bulb into the plastic case we already have, then into the TV. It was also a generic version (not Hitachi).
Sooooo. About 2 months ago we needed another one...and I wised up some more. Since the last bulb didn't last nearly as long as the very first one we bought, I wanted to buy a real Hitachi bulb, not the knock-off. I found one on Amazon, from a company that sells them and nothing else. The price $65. Huzzah! I bought it and it was shipped the next day.
And here goes my rant. It was shipped FedEx. FedEx Smart Post to be exact. Smart Post is a cheaper way of shipping, FedEx ships the item to your closest FedEx warehouse. From there, it gets shipped basic USPS to your home.
My estimated delivery date was June 6th. It arrived at Earth City on the 2nd (that's my local FedEx warehouse). I watched the tracking number several times a day. And, it said it was DELIVERED on the 2nd. I waited. I watched. I waited impatiently. The 6th came and went. Still, I waited. Finally, on the 8th I called FedEx and said simply "My package was suppose to be here on the 6th...so, where is it?" The nice lady on the phone says "Oh my it should be there" I agreed. "I'll put a trace on it, and give you a call back" she says. I give her my phone number and wait. It arrived the next day at the post office. I never got that call back. Apparently FedEx drivers don't come "out here" unless they feel they have to.
I will never, and I really realllllllly mean never...ship with FedEx or buy anything that needs to be delivered by them...again. The item itself was perfect. But...FedEx...sucks.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Holy Pool....the Finale...
An update on the pool drama.
I found a pool on craigslist. Unlike 90% of the people who roam the internet, I have never bought (or even cared about) anything on craigslist. Aside from watching the Lifetime Networks made-for-tv-movie about the Craigslist Killer, I rarely even remember the site is out there. I have searched for things before, but never found anything worthwhile. I find it irritates me to have to physically go get something and not have someone ship it to me. I may be getting lazy in my "old age". I digress.
...I found a pool on Craigslist. Actually, I found several. But, only one stood out and seemed it wasn't a crappy pool someone was asking too much for. It was a bit bigger than the last two we've had (a bonus), and came with a ground cover (it's a tarp, don't get excited), ladder, chemicals, and such. So, I did what I always do....I Googled. I found the same pool on the Intex website. Our old pool was 10' x 30", and the one for sale is 15' x 42". I thought to myself; "Awesome, kinda bigger pool...kids are getting bigger...yay me!" *click the link and see the pictures for full effect* I also note the price on various sites and, after throwing out the inhumanly high price of $688, the average price is about $350. The craigslist guy wants $100. Sweeeet!!!! Long-story/Short....we bought it.
Now came the chore of setting up the "easy-set" pool. Soooooo misleading, FYI. Once the tarp is spread out, I realize this pool is a bit larger than I thought...actually 3 times the size I had thought. Oh well, it's here...set up and full of water now. Now the kids have tons of room...friends can come swim...happy swimming pool dance of joy.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Holy Pool, Batman!!
For the most part, I consider myself highly responsible. Although, I often do things that turn out to be horrible in the end. I keep people on their toes. Case in point - The pool.
The pool isn't fancy and it certainly doesn't stand up well to the harsh winter weather of Missouri. It's your basic Walmart brand- Intex style quick set pool (the 12' x 33" size, big enough for my small-ish kids). The tacky blue ones that have the blow up ring on top. Ever so popular now. We've had it for 2 years (I think). My kids adore this pool. My kids spend 90% of their summer vacation in that pool. The world was at peace.
So... last year... I did in fact drain the pool, and lay it on the grass to dry. I recall reminding my darling husband that I needed his help to drape this pool (which is insanely heavy and awkward) over the kids playhouse (former heavy pvc swing set). I waited. I nagged. The pool somehow landed near our German shepard, Max.
That is the last time I cared to notice the pool.
Winter 2010 in Missouri, was a harsh mistress. Cold, snow..and a whole lot more snow. Repeat.
Now, it's Summer break. We're ready to set up the pool....I knew it was horribly dirty. I get the bleach and the dish soap...and OMG. Oh crap! Giant hole in the top inflatable ring. I then have a giant wortless tarp. And it's blue.
Now I must find a new one ASAP! No worries, that's why Craigslist was invented!! I hope.
The pool isn't fancy and it certainly doesn't stand up well to the harsh winter weather of Missouri. It's your basic Walmart brand- Intex style quick set pool (the 12' x 33" size, big enough for my small-ish kids). The tacky blue ones that have the blow up ring on top. Ever so popular now. We've had it for 2 years (I think). My kids adore this pool. My kids spend 90% of their summer vacation in that pool. The world was at peace.
So... last year... I did in fact drain the pool, and lay it on the grass to dry. I recall reminding my darling husband that I needed his help to drape this pool (which is insanely heavy and awkward) over the kids playhouse (former heavy pvc swing set). I waited. I nagged. The pool somehow landed near our German shepard, Max.
That is the last time I cared to notice the pool.
Winter 2010 in Missouri, was a harsh mistress. Cold, snow..and a whole lot more snow. Repeat.
Now, it's Summer break. We're ready to set up the pool....I knew it was horribly dirty. I get the bleach and the dish soap...and OMG. Oh crap! Giant hole in the top inflatable ring. I then have a giant wortless tarp. And it's blue.
Now I must find a new one ASAP! No worries, that's why Craigslist was invented!! I hope.
Note: Although lovely, I do not know these people.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Listed on Etsy!
I just listed my first 3 creations on Etsy!! You can view my shop *CLOSED*
Took me long enough, eh? I know..I've been nagged by everyone to hurry up and do it...so, I did!
EDIT: This item is no longer available.
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