Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

EXPRESSIONS

Excellent XYLOPHONE practice requested something simple inside others negative silliness.

XYLOPHONE

Hi Alison,

As you know I am camera "nutcase" and someone mentioned megapixels.  In a sense that is correct because it's ALL in the lens.  The best lens produced today are Nikon (NIKKOR).  If you are shooting stills like the bears, an SLR is almost manditory.  It's impossible to get rid of the "falloff" and the "flares/ghosts" with anything other than
a SLR.  Nikon makes excellent little pocket cameras and you can get great pictures of things that won't sit still.  So if you can catch your bears running or jumping the little point-n-shoots will work fine but serious pictures for websites need an SLR.  I just sold my Nikon D300 and got a D3X, it's phenominal.  You can pick up a great D40 for about $100 more than a point-n-shoot so $$$ are about the same.  Canon makes a great camera as well but the "good picture" secret is still in the lens and Nikon can't be beat for that.  Hope this helps a little.

AMEN

Hi Shane - Paula only started the discussion, I wasn't blaming her for the commentary.  It just seemed like there was a barage of negative comments about the contest and we saw plenty of that in the last couple years.  I guess I assumed that members or participants from Bears and Buds or URSA got those emails.

Paula:  The comment was not directed at you personally.  Again, I assumed  you'd received the same emails I got for suggestions.  Seems there is so much negativity in our tiny bear world in the last few years .  I probably took your comment wrong, sorry if my post offended you.  As for other comments, please don't do the Santa hat, your bears are fine just like they are.

Your absolutely right Krista.  Where were the critics when Valerie sent out several emails asking for suggestions on category changes for the next contest?  I didn't respond to those emails, but had I been interested in entering I would have certainly commented then, not waiting to make public air of the subject.

Bobbie - you are so right.  I just had an issue with and item I purchased and the eBay rep told me that they have phased out LIVE HELP and replaced it with the phone service.  However, this is only available to users with a feedback of 100 or more when you actually go to contact us.  So it's still back to eBay wants a long reputation before they can help a user.  Go eBay.

For all those "eBayers" that are really happy with eBay,  you will have a ball watching this one.

http://www.ioffer.com/info/parody_feepay

The rules and services from eBay are very different for each country.  I am no longer a Power Seller because I stopped selling on eBay and I just tried to go into "Contact Us" and use "Live Help".  It is no longer available to me.  I started this thread only to bring up the point about eBay discriminating against sellers who do not qualify for the Power Seller program.  I didn't intend for the comment to go astray and become a discussion about eBay - Good or Bad.   I've done very well on eBay, no complaints but for those who have not had my good fortune, eBay doesn't afford those sellers the same priviledges.  I just felt it's another eBay fiasco among many.  For those collectors (non sellers) living in the U.S. who have commented on this thread, I would ask how many have tried to use "Live Help"?  If you have, try it again now and see if that service is still available. If not, then please post your results so all can evaulate the original intent of the thread.

I have 2 user ID's on eBay.  I am a Powerseller on the one for my teds but the other one is relatively new.   I wasn't aware until tonight
that Live Help is only available to Powersellers, the peons have to use the email system that never gets answers.  What a rip! ! !   I think
I am going to add eBay to my "Don't Do Business" list, right after Wal-Mart. Bah-Hum-Bug

Shane - E X A C T L Y - eBay is trying for the "Lions Share".   What a bunch of crooks.

I bought an iMac 2.8 GHz (24") back in June 2008,  I still have my Systemax 3.6 GHz up and working to maintain my website and I spent $$$ for Adobe Photoshop CS4, Flash and Illustrator CS4 and I didn't want to buy MAC versions.  In Oct. 2008 after trying to sell the Mac on eBay, I packed it up and donated it to La Familia Senior Center.  I figured they accept any "donations",  so that would be a good place for it.  Since then, I bought a Linux machine trying to get away from Windows Vista (I've had Vista removed and I am back to Windows XP Pro now).  Linux was actually worse than the Mac, it's like a maze of tunnels with no rewards at "Door Number 2".  After reading this thread, I think it's time to take the Linux down to La Familia S.C. and if they won't let me in, I know they're still trying to figure out the Mac.

I just contacted eBay on their "LIVE HELP".

Here are the questions and answers on Cash/Checks and Money Orders:

Q:  Is it true that buyers cannot pay with a check or credit card if it's not through Ebay?

A:  Yes, that is true seller's can no longer accept money orders or cashier checks.

Q:  Can I accept Master CArd or Visa outside the eBay check out system?

A:  Yes, or there is another program that is like PayPal, called ProPay but I think their fees are higher than PayPal's.

Q:  If a buyer contacts me privately, can I agree to accept their credit card?

A:  Yes, you can state in your listings you only accept debit or credit cards.

Q:  If I say this in my listing can others use PayPal if they want to?

A:  OK, that is something you will need to create.  Mean you woudl create the check out. 

A:  It will depend on how you set up yoru check out.

Q:  If my customer contacts me either through eBay or privately, and asks if to pay with a check/money order, what will I tell them?

A:  Unfortunately, eBay ahs had a site change and no longer allows you to take money order or checks.  If your customer pays this way, they are
     breaking policy.

Q:  So a customer can call me privately and give me their credit card over the phone?

A:  Yes, that would be fine.

Q:  What if a regular, repeat customer calls on the phone and hand delivers cash in payment for an auction?

A:  eBay apologizes for any inconvenience, but we are trying to cut down on buyer being defrauded and we had no other chose (choice) but make
     a site change.

Q:  Is there a policay statement on eBay's website?

A:  If you go into our community board, you check the month of October,  you will see the announcement.

Here is what I understood from this conversation,  if you want to take a check, have the customer contact you privately.

$$$$ Savings coming at a good time - Intercal also has great service as well.

Everyone's beautiful trees makes mine look so puny from last year.  Haven't put one up this year, we'll see.   I did get some stuff up in the kitchen but really not into decorations this year.  Best wishes to everyone for the holidays. 

I totally agree Erin - I rarely have a bear last more than a day on Bear Pile and the neatest part is - - - - when I get paid, I get to keep it.

I've had really good luck with Bear Pile (www.bearpile.com) and the nicest part is "no final value" or "listing" fees.  It has a flat rate per month that's it.  It worth a try anyway.

Can't believe I spent about $20 on assorted candy, the temp. was about 65 here and got NODDA, not one trickt or treater.

Kelly, I think you hit most of the points in the last paragraph.  I think that collectors like the challenge of the bid.  I am always amazed at the amount of the winning bids, both the highs and lows.  With regard to the other two auction sites, I've tried them with little success.  So, I've done
exactly what I was trying to get away from and listed the Cardiff bear on Ebay starting later this afternoon.  I missed my regular Sunday afternoon listing time so I've used the 5 day so it still ends on Sunday afternoon. 

I've really appreciated the responses and I think most have been pretty much on-point.  Thanks - Ed

Jenny posted above, and she got it exactly right - "the devil is in the details".  I think it would take advertising big time to have collectors looking for private website auctions.  I agree that Ebay holds all the cards but I get the feeling that they don't want bear or doll artist business.  Otherwise, why do they keep making it more difficult.

When I said credit card information "required or requested" I was referring to registering their user name.  Ebay is now, on the otherhand, requiring credit card and bank information for new users and will only be allowing payment for auctions with online payments.  I do sell overseas and would accept credit cards from any country where the buyer can actually get the product.  Right now, there are at least 7 countries where I cannot ship mohair bears etc., but I welcome any bidder or customer to participate. 

Thanks for replying (you too Jenny)........

Teddy Talk is predominately teddy bear artists reading and taking part in discussions, about almost anything.  I've tried to create an alternative to the "big" auction and I'm not sure if there really is one.   Many people have posted comments on my "auction" post on the Cardiff auction and most have been positive comments.  A lot have stated that they would like to try such a venture or they think it's a good idea.  I can tell those folks it will not be an easy process to make a trasition for the collectors.  Bucking the "big" auction guys is like starting a mom and pop grocery store next to Wally World.  Please post any comments about the idea using private website auctions.  Thanks - Ed

I finally (said this a million times) have given up on Ebay.  They've stacked the cards against us little sellers.  I have the Powerseller crud but I am still a small seller.   I think Ebay would really like to do away with the Doll & Bears Category completely, it isn't worth their time when they can have the camera sellers or the like, list 500 auctions at one time.  I am trying to do Private Sealed-Bid Auctions on my website.  I have NO IDEA if this will work but I haven't spent $20 bucks to find out.  Good luck dealing with Ebay! ! !

Hey Krista - you won and I am so happy for you.  Thanks for all the nice emails you sent to me after 2007, just wanted to give'm back.

Hi -

I am going thru the same issue with eBay right now.  I sold a bear with 7 bids for a very nominal selling price of $263.  Within 12 hours of the auction end, I got an email through eBay that due to family emergency they can't pay for the item.  I checked their feedback and they have purchased bears in the last 2 months for $1200 to $1500 each, from another seller.  It seems strange that they did not retract their bid when they found out about the emergency. 

I won't do 2nd chance offers as they are risky and relisting due to scamming bidders reflects directly on my reputation.  If I mutually end the dispute, this bidder has the opportunity to leave negative feedback and I can do nothing about her feedback as a buyer.  eBay has certainly created a "buyers" market and left the sellers hanging out to dry.  I wish better results could be achieved in other auction sites like Teddy Patch and not use eBay. 

Has anyone else had similar experience?  How was it handled? 

Ed

Hi Karen - your pieces are always great and they always sell, so I don't think you'd find a bad time to start the auctions.