728_header.jpg (23748 bytes)
Google  Web AuctionBytes  

Home
Subscribe
Blog
Letters to Editor
EcommerceBytes
Podcasts
Forums
Merchant Directory
PR Service  
AuctionBytes TV
ABU Back Issues

Sponsor

COOL TOOLS

Calendar
eBay Fee Calculator
Collectors' Links
eBay Promo History
Bookshelf
Fraud Resources
Auction Site Fees
Auction Management
Payment Services
Storefronts Chart
Sniping Chart
Email List Hosting
Consignment Services
Drop-Off Store Laws
Ecommerce Resources
Photo Tips
Marketing Inserts
Yellow Pages
Classifieds

AUCTIONBYTES

Our Writers
Write For Us
Partners
Press
Advertising
About Us
Link To Us

150ab1.jpg 150ab2.jpg 150ab3.jpg

Go to Current Issue

Auctionbytes-Update, Number 230 - January 04, 2009 - ISSN 1528-6703     Previous Story | Contents | Next Story


First Item Sold Online: Parent's Dilemma Turns into Goldmine
By Ina Steiner
AuctionBytes.com

January 04, 2009
Reading AuctionBytes: First Item Sold Online: Parent's Dilemma Turns into Goldmine

Do you remember the first item you ever sold online? Let us know by sending an email to ina@auctionbytes.com and we may publish your story. Today we hear from Yvonne with a story that every parent can relate to about the start of her journey in selling online.

Dear Ina,
In 1999 I had bought a few items, ebay was so new and thrilling! I wasn't very "computer literate" but sure figured out fast how to buy.

Then one morning, my 12 year old (then) daughter got up for school, put on her starter jacket from the previous year, and had a fit, it was too small! She threw it on the floor, and stomped out to the bus.

As a single mom, the $160 I paid for that jacket just so my child could be "trendy" was a lot of money. I was outraged at her temper fit. It only took an hour for me to calm down, think rational as to HOW I was going to not only buy her a new coat that year, but to recoup my investment! a Garage Sale was out of the question, I'd be lucky to get $5.

Well, it took me 4 hours, but by the time she got home, I not only had figured out how to list it, (ebay didn't even host pictures then, you had to do html!) it also had several bids. I was so excited, and remember every time I passed the computer I would check and see how it was going.

The jacket sold for $120. not bad since she had worn, and way better than I had hoped for! That was it, I was hooked. I started selling anything I could find around the house ~ and even better, my girls never left anything out after that, they were afraid their ebay crazy mother would have it sold before they could get home from school!

Thanks for allowing me to reminisce about the "glory days" of ebay. It was a nice ride, but its over for me now.
Yvonne
eBay Seller: vintagepretties: items on eBay.com
VINTAGE PRETTIES Lingerie, Clothing & accessories at Ruby Lane : Vintage Lingerie by Olga, Miss Elaine ~ Mod & VLV Dresses, S..
http://www.vintageoutlet.ecrater.com/ ~ vintage clothing at low prices!
http://www.chochkeys.ecrater.com/ ~ knick knacks, china, crystal, collectables

About the author:

Ina Steiner is Editor of AuctionBytes.com and author of "Turn eBay Data Into Dollars" (McGraw-Hill 2006). She has a background in marketing and research in the high-tech and publishing fields. If you have story ideas, comments or questions, send them to ina@auctionbytes.com.



Email this story to a friend.


AddThis Social Bookmark Button
Previous Story | Contents | Next Story

Related Stories




Discuss this story in our forums.

Site Index
Copyright 1999-2009. Steiner Associates LLC. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.