Boycotting Ebay?

Ebay is at it again, and this time it may be a bit more serious. I'm sure they feel it will just blow over, but you have to kind of wonder. I know a number of people that are partcipating in the boycotting of Ebay, and places like Ecrater are seeing more stores opening everyday!

Diary of a Broken Vessel has a very opinion about what is happening.

The fact that paypal wants to hold onto your money for 21 days is a another huge source of hurt! Can you imagine shipping something out, and having to wait 21 days to see if you get paid?



I'm glad I sold some items earlier, because it sure looks like you aren't going to be making any money there anymore.

USPS rates effecting EVERYTHING! How to understand them.

The first couple of days I read the USPS site for information on the postage. Some of my items that I sell I do use USPS, and I was really gritting my teeth to find out HOW much more it was going to cost! The USPS site was confusing more than helpful to me personally.

Once again I did my search on the Internet to see if I could find some information that was a bit clearer as to all these changes. I knew they were going to base some of the items off size, weight and zone. I HOPE this means more effective service! I know for our area delivery can be terrible at times! We have gone months having our mail lost, delivered wrong, etc. Never received bills, bank statements and the rest! Okay. Okay. We won't go there!

We will start with the first class strategy to see if this makes any sense to everyone!
First off GONE are the days of the flat 2 oz mailing with the price being the same, and size didn’t matter. There are size considerations now. You have three categories to choose from: Letter, Flat and Parcel.



We will use the above as our example!

The weight limit for a letter is now 3.5 oz, and if you above that you need to check the two other options to see WHICH is better to suit your needs! Size is also a consideration for price also!



You have three price structures based on size more than weight. You take that 2 oz package, and depending on HOW you mail it could affect the postage paid to get there!
If you place anything bulky inside your standard envelope now chances are good it will get damaged! The standard envelope is basically for letter type correspondence ONLY! If you need to send something within the envelope you are better off sending it as a FLAT! They are placing them in a machine, and if you have anything in there it would rip open the envelope - could lose your item - or your recipient could get their correspondence in a little plastic bag called "Damaged during processing". This could be even something small like a luggage tag or pen!
Non-machine able isn’t what I thought it was! At first I felt they mean if it had the zip plus 4 and the fancy bar codes, etc that a printer can do when you print your postage online for example. I guess it means anything you can’t place in that processing machine is what is concerned non-machine able. In other words, the example above with the luggage tag or pen inside your envelope? You need to send that flat at the non-machince able price. They can’t place that in their machines! That includes envelopes that have clasps, strings, buttons, etc. Anything that can get stuck in the machine is what I have understood.
The maximum weight for a letter is now 3.5 ounces, and anything above that is considered a flat! Also anything bigger than a standard size envelope (like the #10 envelope) is considered a flat! Thickness is also a factor! If the envelope is over ¼” in height it will be considered a flat as well!

See the below picture for a visual and additional notes!



As you have read the flexiability of a flat is ALSO a factor! See the picture below for a visual as to what that means. If you ship something rigid, and it refuses to bend you will be charged MORE to ship your item!



Priority mail of course still has their boxes available at the flat rate and regular rate! I guess you could say there is a up side to this part!

The flat rate envelopes are $4.60 with a maximum weight of 70 lbs, and you can get free delivery confirmation IF you print your postage online! This price covers within the domestic United states.

They can also be used for international shipping now as well! You are limited to 4 lbs at this point!

Domestic Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope can be used for international shipping:
— One rate to Canada and Mexico
• $9.00
— One rate to all other countries
• $11.00
— 4 pound maximum
• The dimensions of the envelope are 12 1/2" X 9 1/2".
• The contents of the flat rate envelope must be confined within the envelope, using the flap adhesive as the primary means of closure.
• The flap must close easily, adhere to the envelope and be secured with tape if desired.
• The design and shape of the envelope may not be altered or enlarged in any way to fit the contents.



What about the flat boxes? They have two sizes, and up to 70 lbs within the domestic United States. The price from what I have read is $8.95. I would check with the post office for the weight restrictions for outside the United States, because I couldn’t find it online!

• Domestic Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes can be used for international shipping:
— One rate to Canada and Mexico
• $23.00
— One rate to all other countries
• $37.00
— 20 pound maximum
• The inside dimensions for the two boxes available are 11" x 8.5" x 5.5" and 13.625" x 11.875" x 3.375".
• The contents of the flat rate box must be neatly contained inside of the box with adhesive packaging tape.
• The box must close securely and retain its shape when taped with adhesive.
• The shape of the box may not be changed or enlarged to fit its contents.

Extra services such as Delivery Confirmation™, Signature Confirmation®, and Insurance are available to use with Priority Mail Flat-Rate Envelopes and Boxes.

Well that is as far as I have got in understanding the new postal system! I hope this helps others! I’m sure I will visit this again as I learn more! This is just the basics from what I understand!

Link to USPS Rate chart online!

Paul Harris Womens Design PHD Classic Design Vest Dress - Sz L or Large



Paul Harris Womens Design Vest Dress - Size L

I included a scan of the fabric so you can see it up close.

Details and Condition:
65% Polyester, 35% Rayon, 100% Nylon (black) Lining - Dry Clean Only

This Paul Harris Vest Dress is very pretty classic design, and would be an awesome addition for your wardrobe!

Garment laying down flat - Measurements are approx.
Armpit seam to hem 25"
Bust 40
Waist 40
Hips 42

blogging, small business, usps, home based business, shipping, domestic abuse, domestic violence, online store,

What day do you end auctions, and what time?

Some store owners use Ebay and other auction sites to drive traffic into their stores. The question I have heard alot is when do you end actions and what time are the best?

Here are a couple of neat links with times by categories first:

Best Time to end an Auction?

Where is an interaction calendar, and they did note that they are NOT including times that revolve around holidays

Interaction Calendar

This blogger speaks in more detail about it... Winntail on Ebay

Pet Free, Smoke Free, Never Stored in Scent?

Comes from a Pet Free, Smoke Free Home and this Item has NEVER been stored among any Scented Products I never thought of this before honestly!

Some people have really bad allergies to things that are scented. From what I have read a lot of people ship clothes with dryer sheets to keep them smelling fresh. I guess that is a nice idea overall, but if you have someone that can’t handle the smell…or may be allergic that could be an issue! I read a thread recently that commented on this. The poster got odd reactions I thought. “If you are THAT sensitive go to the MALL!” OUCH!

I have family members that are major sensitive to things like that. They have also mentioned certain laundry soaps makes them breakout, get rashes, etc. Soaps with fragrances are so popular! I have noticed a lot of new products with no fragrances, and claim to be allergy free. I think I might consider buying those. They do clean the same way… and clean just as well!

·The fragrance on a Dryer Sheet is especially tenacious and very difficult to remove, much more so than perfumes or cooking odors.
Also, the sheet transfers allergens onto the clothing so that, if the item is not dry cleaned or washed before wearing, these irritants may redden the skin of some people. Eliminating these sheets is simply a kindness that would be appreciated by many buyers.

· I mostly buy NWT. Sometimes these items have actually arrived with sheets in between the items. When this happens, I wash the item. Once I had to dry clean a sweater because the dryer sheet odor would not come out after several washings. It still remained even after a washing and a dry cleaning. I had to give it away. This particular item was packed with several sheets. The seller meant well and thought she was giving a buyer a nice-smelling piece of clothing. But, not everyone agrees with everyone else’s idea of a lovely fragrance.

· There is an anti-static sheet for the dryer that doesn’t use chemicals and last for 500 loads. I’m going to check into that at the Home Goods store. I also just switched to Tide Free. My oldest has always sensitive skin that reddens easily. I wonder if the dryer sheets are contributing to her skin irritation?

· GOOD INFO ABOUT CLOTHES DRYERS and Dryer Sheets

Here are a comment I thought were worth noting.

The clothes dryer stopped drying. The repairman went to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was clean. We always clean the lint from the filter after every load of clothes. He told us that he wanted to show us something. He took the filter over to the sink, and ran hot water over it. I am sure you know what your dryer’s lint filter looks like. WELL…the hot water just sat on top of the screen! It did not go through it at all! He told us that dryer sheets cause a waxy film to build up over the screen, and this does not let the air pass through, so the heating unit overheats and burns out. You cannot see the film, but it’s there. This also can cause dryers to catch fire, and potentially burn your house down with it! He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very long time (and to keep your electric bill lower because your clothes will dry faster) is to clean that filter after every load, and wash it with hot soapy water with an old toothbrush (or other brush) every three months. He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long!

How about that! Learn something new every day!I certainly didn’t know dryer sheets would do that.

So, I thought I’d share! NOTE: A few days later I went to my dryer and tested my screen by running water on it. The water ran thru a little bit but mostly collected all the water in the mesh screen. I washed it with warm soapy water and a nylon brush and I had it done in 30 seconds. Then when I rinsed it the water ran right thru the screen! There wasn’t any puddle of water at all!That repairman knew what he was talking about!

These jeans are used, but have alot of wear left in them!

These measurements are taken when pants laying down!

Waist approx 31.5"

Hips (from bottom of zipper) 38"

Rise (crotch seam to top of pants) 10"

From Zipper to top of pants 8"

Inseam is 32"

Bottom of pants seam to seam 7"

Label reads: 100% cotton Made in the USA Size 4

Old School Zip Tomboy - The bottoms are frayed a bit - see additional pictures.

Normally, I use Priority Mail for all my packages.



shipping, domestic abuse, domestic voilence, home based business, ebay, small business, articles noted, focus ministries, online store, marketing strategies