Don't leave your stuff unattended when visiting a thrift store

As a Mom who has reminded kids (over & over) not to leave their bicycles lying around, I thought this story was pretty funny.

Oregon boy parks bike inside Goodwill store, which then sells it for $6.99

Updating software: Not always a simple process

While I don't normally discuss retail shopping issues in this blog, this story is typical of common consumer frustrations — but with an unusual series of events — so I thought it would be interesting to share.

My husband, Jeff, is a small business owner. To save on costs, he prints his own checks on the computer. He recently updated his computer system, and to his dismay, his check printing software would no longer run.

With payday approaching, Jeff took time out of his normal work day to drive to Staples to purchase an updated version of the Versa check printing software. Coming from the Pomfret area, it's a bit of a trip to either store location -- Willimantic or Norwich.

Since he had another stop to make that day in Plainfield, he phoned the Norwich location, and they confirmed having the software in stock. Pleased to hear that news, he drove to the store.

He did his shopping in Norwich, picking up a few more items while there.

The following morning, Jeff opened the software package. He was stunned to find that the CD had been opened. Hesitant, but not wanting to make another long drive to the store and back, he popped the CD into his computer. Although it wasn't totally unexpected, a message appeared on his screen stating that the software was already registered -- to someone else.

Worried that the store might not accept opened software for return, he called Staples and they assured him that it was fine to bring it back. Being closer to Willimantic, with no other reason to leave the office for the day, Jeff drove to the that Staples to make the exchange for a new package.

When he arrived, he took out his receipt and attempted to make the exchange. However, he was then informed that they no longer carried the product. Not only that, his receipt showed that he was charged just a penny for the package he picked up the previous day... So no refund.

In fact, when the clerk looked over the receipt, she noted that it stated clearly, the name of the software and the words, "DISCONTINUED: DO NOT SELL."

Surprisingly, he hadn't even noticed the lower-than-expected total when he signed the credit card slip. Both he and the clerk in Willimatic store stood in disbelief in the realization that the purchase passed through the register at the Norwich store unnoticed.

So now what?

A call to the Norwich store offered no explanation. With time and gas wasted, Jeff was not too happy.

Finally, for his inconvenience, the Staples employee issued him a $30 store certificate. Kudos to Staples store in Willimantic for their efforts in making the situation more bearable.

Jeff then looked around for a different check printing software, which he found and then proceeded to purchase. It works fine on his computer and it's even compatible with the remaining checks he has on hand.

People selling low-end items will feel eBay fee increase the most

Looking at eBay's new fee structure, it's becoming clear that eBay gives a little, but take a little more. It's just not so obvious on the surface. Sellers are crunching their numbers, and most consider the new fee structure announced yesterday to be a increase in costs.

Here's how "eBay math" pans out for the typical seller:

Under the old rules, for example, selling a purse at auction for $25 would have cost the seller $1.91, including 60 cents for listing the item plus eBay’s commission of $1.31. Under the new structure, the seller would pay $2.74, including 55 cents to list the item plus a higher commission of $2.19.

Check out the full article for more...
EBay sellers don’t like fee changes; auction site cuts listing fees but some commissions rise

For eBay sellers, changes in fees & feedback have been made official

List more. It will cost you less.
Sell more. It will cost you more.
Sell cheaper stuff; it will cost you a lot more.



For items selling under $25, eBay’s fee is going up to 8.75% of the final sale price. That's a 67% increase. eBay also announced that it will give PowerSellers up to a 15 percent discount on Final Value Fees based on Detailed Seller Ratings (DSRs) beginning in April 2008.

Although many sellers will benefit from these changes, the average eBay selling price is in the $10 range, so this is likely to affect those who sell small items infrequently and those who sell inexpensive goods -- no matter how often -- to a greater extent.

Additionally, the fees for including photos on listings will be eliminated.

Finally, in search results, sellers with higher rates of customer dissatisfaction will get lower exposure.

EBay's incoming Chief Executive, John Donahue, claims that most sellers will see their fees go down. He states that the new fee structure will be driven by the success of sellers.

For more information on this, check out the article on NorwichBulletin.com.

Here's another interesting change on the horizon...

Sellers will no longer be allowed to leave negative or neutral feedback for buyers. Other changes in their feedback system are in the works as well. I'm sure this will cause a lot of chatter since buyers and sellers both have voiced strong opinions on the matter.

Read about it here: . http://pages.ebay.com/services/forum/new.html

Weird item of the week... Mallard Duck Gumball Machine

One of my favorite pastimes is hunting out interesting and unusual objects to post on eBay.

For the most part my buying judgment is pretty good, but I'm not always on target when it comes to figuring out what people will go for.

Part of the fun is definitely the element of chance. I suppose it can be compared to a gambler's high — the rush you'll get when an inexpensive item is bid up to levels you never expected.

Such was the case with my summertime purchase of a Miss Suzette Barbie-like doll. She came in her original vinyl carry case, along with a few outfits too! I picked her up at a church rummage sale for $5. She brought $108.

After experiencing that kind of excitement a few times, one keeps a keen eye out for anything that might have a remote chance of triggering a bidding war.

Just a word to the wise...

It's great to strike up a conversation with flea market sellers,
but don't always take their word at face value.

Jeff and I visited the new flea market in Central Village on Saturday.

We stepped inside and meandered around. There was nothing that immediately caught my attention.

The merchandise reminded me of what you might find at a tiny hole-in-the-wall antique shop. I was a little disappointed, because when I check out a flea market, I immediately seek out those selling used home goods. These are people who don't do flea markets for a living -- they just want to clean out the house and unload the stuff. Their spots usually have the greatest bargains. There were no tables like that on Saturday.

Jeff stopped to talk with Rob, one of the owners, so I browsed around to see what was for sale. I came across a corner set-up that had a couple of interesting finds... A Winnie the Pooh tea-pot in the original box. The seller asked $10 for it. An ET coin bank... He wanted $10 for that one too.

Oh, and here's what I thought was really neat -- a gumball machine that was also a mallard duck! Pretty cool, I thought.

It was heavy for it's size and the maker's name was on the bottom. It was interesting in how the gum was dispensed. It popped out one end and rolled down a shoot along the side of the bird.

Well, the seller probably sensed that I really wanted the thing. He asked $40 for it.

I didn't want it that badly. That's actually what I was guessing it might bring on eBay.

Thinking he'd jump at it because the place wasn't all that busy, and it was nearing the end of the day, I counter-offered $25. He didn't bite.

As I continued to look it over, the dealer started telling me what similar gumball machine-mallard ducks are going for on eBay — a lot more than $40 he boasted.

I was surprised to hear that there were more of these on eBay. I had never seen anything like it. But you know, I hate when flea market or yard sale sellers tell me what an item will bring on eBay. My immediate thought is, "Well, why don't YOU just put it on eBay???"

I left without the duck -- or anything else.

Out of curiosity, I checked eBay when I arrived home. I found two Mallard Duck Gumball Machines. There were none in completed listings, but both were going for less than $10 in price.

I'm glad I didn't buy it, even at $25.

Cool price comparison tool for book lovers

Have any old books around the house?

There’s a great tool online that’s extremely useful for anyone who is looking to buy a particular book — or sell one.

Fetchbook.info searches across the Internet and gathers prices by book title or ISBN number. You can also browse the site by searching with a keyword or author.

Fetchbook.info is completely independent, and does not favor any book selling site over another. Purely functional, the service contains no advertising.

Using this website, you can find any book, view information about it, and compare total costs -- including shipping. Results link you directly into the book page of the book store site, where you can instantly place an order.

Try it here...

Enter Book Title or ISBN Powered by New & used books

EBay to change its fee structure and focus more on fixed priced listings

Changes are on the way for Ebay.





With a desire to "power down a bit" Meg Whitman has given up day-to-day control of eBay. Incoming chief executive John Donahoe says that eBay is not growing as rapidly as he would like, and he sees the greatest opportunity for growth in increasing the site’s offering of fixed-price items.

He plans to upgrade the site and change the way eBay charges sellers for listing items. Donahue indicated that they may lower the fees people pay to list an item for sale, but raise the commission that eBay takes on completed sales.

EBay is also going to cut the fees for adding photos to listings because that is more attractive to buyers.

To top it off, an advantage will be given in search results to sellers who offer reasonable and fast shipping — even free shipping. The increased visibility is a reward for those merchants who treat customers best.

Ebay had nearly $60 billion worth of merchandise trading hands last year. Changes in eBay’s fee structure are expected to be formally announced next week.