ACNielsen conducted a random nationwide survey of eBay's high and mid-volume sellers in October 2005 discover how they were preparing for the holiday rush. Of the more than 1600 sellers, 84 percent said they work out of their home, using an average of two rooms in their house for selling. They use their bedrooms (7 percent), garages (16 percent) and even the whole house (6 percent) for business purposes.

Sellers said they respond to on average 150 email inquiries a week, not including actual orders. Sellers who use eBay as their only sales channel and only source of income receive 42 emails per day, or nearly 300 per week. Sellers make an average of 4.3 trips to the post office weekly, and 8 percent go seven or more times a week.

About 13 percent of survey respondents had plans to hire employees during the holiday, with the average seller reporting it would hire 2.5 people to help with their eBay business.

And 38 percent said they would offer seasonal specials, such as free shipping (50 percent) and merchandise discounts (37 percent). In October, eBay sellers' predictions for hot products had included vintage and antique jewelry, electric guitars, Star Wars figures, iPods and women's clothing, specifically outerwear and handbags.

ACNielsen conducted a total of 1658 online interviews with a +/- 2.4 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.