Everybody's Screaming - Except for Me

I'm jumping for joy!

I'm talking about, of course, the shocking announcements this week from eBay! If you've heard about them, it's likely been accompanied by threats to leave the site and accusations of greed and disconnect.

The changes were too vast to summarize here, but some highlights include;

* Comprehensive fee-restructuring. Some are down (listing). Some are up (final value). At least one is gone (gallery). Why I'm not screaming about this - it's less of a risk to list something. If you are successful, you'll pay more. I like it.

* Feedback changes. There are many, but the one that has people up in arms is that sellers will no longer be allowed to leave negatives for buyers. I am absolutely delighted! This removes ammunition from those unbalanced people who abuse buyers, and don't understand one basic concept: you have the guy's money, and that's the only thing you are reasonably allowed to expect.

* Advantages for Powersellers with an excellent track record. Again, mass hysteria. The bar for getting a big discount is raised HIGH! Why? To urge people to strive for excellence. Ok, I admit - I have been working on reaching this service level and have already met the "bar" level for the major discount. To those who say it's impossible, "baloney"! It's completely attainable.

Many of the sellers who are complaining are afraid to get out of their comfort zones. I can understand this. I like comfort. However, if you want your business to succeed, you've got to try new things.

As an eternal optimist, I *hope* that those people who are ranting and raving and threatening to leave will be true to their words. Hate eBay? Ok, bye! Except I know they won't. They'll stick around and complain. I can just see the listings that are coming down the road:

* Sorry my shipping is so high, but eBay has raised their fees so much, it's the only way I can make money. If you don't like it, COMPLAIN TO EBAY!

* Feedback is important. Only buyers who do not leave negatives may bid on this item. I will check all feedback and if you have left a negative in the past 30 days, your bid will be cancelled. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Too bad there's not some pre-screening available for emotional stability and some common sense before people are allowed to sell on eBay.

My favorite funky Christmas song

Have you ever had the pleasure of hearing the 1950's "Christmas in Jail" by "The Youngsters"? Treat yourself:

Save a life - adopt a pet!

These are the "teenage pups" waiting for new homes at the Michigan Animal Rescue League in Pontiac. Brought in a babies, they are growing up in the shelter. Actually, this is a good thing - they're getting trained - easier to adapt to your home!

Seriously, when you're ready for a pet - visit a shelter. SKIP THE PET STORES. You'll get a healthier pet and save a life at the same time. KARMA!

15 Minute Lunch: Strap in, shut up and hold on. We're going back.

15 Minute Lunch: Strap in, shut up and hold on. We're going back.

I have seriously been laughing for 2 days. Not 2 days straight...... but, I'll be doing else, and then the phrase, "I love the way you junk fights against that fabric" comes to mind and I start cracking up all over again! I can't read this without laughing so hard that tears roll down my cheeks!

Happy Halloween!

Did you do anything spooky? This would scare me!

I wonder how much will end up on eBay?

Today's Detroit Free Press announced that the sale of the remains of Tiger Stadium will begin!

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070916/BUSINESS04/709160568

You can buy stadium seats, a urinal, the door to Ernie Harwell's broadcast booth and so much more!

I'm just glad it's not all headed to landfills.

Years ago, when we were living in Chicago, there was a "stuff" sale at Wrigley Field when they were doing some remodeling. This was about 1985 or so? We had no car or storage. We grabbed 2 attached wooden seats for $20, thinking we would *some day* hire someone to mount them to a board so they could be used. An angry cab driver agreed to someone help us get the thing home to our lakefront condo, where they went into our tiny basement locker.

Of course, "some day" never happened, and in the meantime, our condo's basement experienced a sewer backup. Raw sewage washed over our stuff, including the seats and we had to dump them.

Reading about their selling Tigers Stadium seats stirred up those old memories today. I actually thought, "we should go down there and buy some", but then I'd have another "some day we should find a carpenter to make a stand for them" situation!

Construction is over; Back to eBay!

OK, it's done. Enough complaining about construction. Back to my first love, eBay!

I just saw this on CNN - Temple Emanu-El in Miami (no, not Oak Park) is trying to auction off some seats for quite a few bucks!

Kinda silly. Nobody's gonna bid, but the predictable negative comments sure will follow! Can't blame 'em for trying though!