Why an eBay mom lowered her prices
Oh, how I love selling on eBay. A few months ago, I got a ridiculously huge thrill watching a bidding war erupt over my son鈥檚 outgrown size 4T winter jacket. I bought it new for $25 (overstocks! But I digress鈥�) and sold it for $35.
Woo-HOO!
While selling for me had largely to do with clearing out and replacing my two kids鈥� outgrown stuff, it wasn鈥檛 just about resale 鈥� it evolved into absurdly high adventure. I鈥檇 write descriptions aimed at inciting consumer riots, picking just the right words to express the groovy delights of my daughter鈥檚 outgrown party dress, the "must-havery" of her outgrown snow boots. The key point: How much could I get?
Until now.
New adjustment
In this terrifying economy, I鈥檝e adjusted spending along with everyone else. But I also find myself adjusting what I ask of others. With salaries dwindling or disappearing all over, the thrill of the score is gone.
Our family has taken a 15 percent hit on our income, but we realize we鈥檙e still quite fortunate. We can pay our bills and continue our lives. We look around and take nothing for granted.
I鈥檝e long been impressed with the resourcefulness and scrupulous honesty of the children鈥檚 resale section of eBay, and have loved taking part. 鈥淓xcellent Used Condition鈥� meant an item could almost pass as new. Along with the great majority of sellers, I鈥檇 list any tiny flaw 鈥� the slightest fading, or even a name written on an inside tag.
But within these parameters still lay the opportunity for me to pump things up for optimal return.
I recently realized I wanted to give a break as much as get one. Sure, I want to attract buyers. But I also want to contribute to a great resource and take part as best I can. I鈥檝e lowered prices, and when an item possesses a particularly fabulous quality falling outside the realm of usefulness, I鈥檒l stress that as a bonus.
Looking to give
And I find myself giving far more things away. Yes, we could use the eBay-generated income. But we鈥檒l live with less and know that our outgrown snow boots 鈥� in excellent used condition! 鈥� will go to great use. And I wish it hadn鈥檛 taken an economic downturn for me to take this action.
I still get a kick out of eBay. But it鈥檚 more of a communal kick these days, and I greatly appreciate the feel of people pulling together in hard times.
鈥� Contributed by Diana Fischer in Cambridge, Mass.
