WHAT are YOUR credientials to be a GURU?

Did you ever wonder who credentials the so-called "teachers"? These internet personalities who set themselves up as experts? I vote "NO ONE"!

People run off at the mouth all the time (I'm doing it here for heaven's sake!) about things that annoy them, fascinate them or confound them. In today's internet world, with blogs, and video sites like YouTube and Flickr, it's real easy (come on! I figured it out, can't be too hard, right?)

Then someone decides that "that person" has good info, good ideas or good points. And follows them. Someone else piles on and so on ...next thing you know, you have a "guru".

PULEASSSSSSSSSSSSE~! Stop! Hit the brakes!

Go to the User's Manual and engage "CRITICAL THINKING" mode. (look for it in the area of THE BRAIN!)

Ok, now, consider this...

WHO IS THAT PERSON? WHAT ARE THEIR QUALIFICATIONS?? WHY are you even listening to them?

Think on that..............

Most of the people we follow (we, the ROYAL we meaning you, me and everybody else) get their "critical mass" from friends following them and recommending them and then other friends of the friends recommending them..... see? NO QUALIFICATIONS.

I'm going to give you an example:

I'm an eBay seller (or was) since it's inception.
So I could call myself "Powerselling Suburban Diva" and write a blog telling you how to do it and charge you for those lessons. Does that mean I know what I'm talking about? I could tell you that you don't need a website or you don't need a Facebook Fanpage or you do need a white pickup truck. WHAT are my credentials?

There are numerous "personalities" on the web and I'm just one of them. WHAT are my credenitals?

Am I interesting? (sure, I'm fascinating, take my word for it.) Am I qualified? I think so. I'm sure at least one of my friends would "fan" me. But am I? IT DEPENDS.

Try to be choosier in who we follow and fan and friend.

I got on this rant because I listened to a webinar yesterday, was deeply interested in the subject but frankly, went to sleep during it because the people running it were BORING. I never bothered to research their credentials because I don't want to find out that I'm really wanting to follow their advice or listen to more of it. SO?? Who told them they could "teach"? I suspect they are life-long teachers because I have a bunch of those in my immediate family and I recgonise the speech patterns, the cadences of the sentences and the MONOTONe and the dumbing down of material for the least experienced portion of the group.

So the moral of the blog today is that just like you'd "qualify" a client for a mortgage or a franchise or to take care of your most precious child, "qualify" the people you follow. JUST because corporate management somewhere gave them a job as a marketer, does not make them a GOOD marketer. Just because they got a degree in "Education" does not make them a good educator/teacher/trainer. Don't even get me started on that one, I don't need to alienate all the family teachers yet again.

If they are teaching "eBay", do they sell on eBay? NO? WHY NOT? Cavemen do it.... so?

If they are teaching marketing, WHO do they market?? How's that working out for the clients? Who's fired them lately? Why do you want marketing info from someone who obviously doesn't do it well enough to keep a job?

If they are teaching blogging? Read their blog? All of them. (no not the archives to perpetuity - all their various blogs. Blogs are like good potato chips, you can't have just one), WHAT? You say they have only one blog? and they don't post regularly?? Don't FOLLOW them to learn how to blog.

Are they teaching sewing, or woodworking? WHAT have they made lately? would you give it to your mom for Mother's Day or could you sell it in an art gallery? If not, don't follow them.

And don't follow anyone who only wants you to send them money. If they don't want to engage in conversation with you either via their blog or via Facebook/Twitter/Myspace or email, then they are using you. Leave. Simple really. It involves valuing ourselves and what we know and involves respecting yourself enough to "hire' the best teachers, the best employees, the best professional services.

Oh and if you decide to ignore my advice, follow these people and waste time, ?? don't whine about the time suck

If you are one of those people trying to be a "techer" or a "guru" and wanting to build your following? For Heaven's use some inflection in your voice, that or wake me up when you're done.

Children's Book Week May 10 - 16, 2010

God knows some of us have a time getting our kids to read - anything, even the cereal box would be more reading than some do. In fact, some of us settle for the cereal box. But next week is Children's Book Week in the USA. This week is Children's Book Week in Canada (May 2-9th) and don't ask me why the ADULTS couldn't all be on the same week? cause I have no clue except to say to the younger folks..it's cause they are adults.

As a sometime bookseller and long time book addict/reader/lover I have a vested interest in getting the next generation, hey even the next 5 generations to read.

In my day (yeah the dinosaurs roamed in Penna too) girls typically started with Black Beauty, Little Women and moved on to Nancy Drew. Boys read Hardy Boys, Rick Brant and comic books. (girls didn't so much read comic books in my younger days - the 1950's)

A few years ago the big "book event" was Lemony Snicket books and Magic School Bus for some while others gravitated towards the American Girl books and boys my son's age started with TMNT aka Teen Age Mutant Ninja Turles and then read Spawn comics (he was born in the 1980's)

So, what do you want your kids to read? What can you buy them, trick them into buying, tape to their little hands while they sleep, etc that will catch and keep their interests? Well these Canadian teachers have a clue and these kids, well they are down right special!
http://www.htrnews.com/article/20100502/MAN04/5020351?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

My 1st Quibble with eBay's June 2010 Changes

Ok, the eBay changes are announced and just for the record, I called this post "MY FIRST Quibble" because I am sure it won't be the last thing in them I don't care fore. So?? my opnion ?? Well so far most are not so horrible we can't live with them BUT I was hoping the one about the "REQUIRED ITEM CONDITIONS" might finally be the solution to having the Google Merchant Feed actually produce some real customers. SIGH... BIGGER SIGH...NO

The primary category I list in is Pottery and Glass but item condition (as per below) is NOT required, or probably even offered in that category. BAD EBAY - VERY BAD!

"Pottery & Glass
Main Pottery & Glass category

Available Item Conditions

Item condition will NOT be mandatory in Main Pottery & Glass category (any subcategory exceptions will be listed below)
Not Applicable"

So! *a favorite eBay word,  I guess I'm must gonna move all those to MY website and not pay ebay fees for listing them. Because I can list them on http://www.antiquedaze.com for free (ok, it costs me $5.00 a month TOTAL for the site/hosting etc) and if they sell NO FVF either!  So "free".

"What's the point, Beth? " I hear you asking.. (I can hear you!  I can hear the grass growing in the back yard, regardless of what my husband says, so I know you're thinking that even if you never said it outloud). Well I can generate a GOOGLE-Compliant feed manually if I have to ... (but I do know the real way - the technologically savvy way too).  Now if I can do it, and I ain't all THAT smart, WHY in heaven's name does ebay have a problem puting NEW, USED or REFURBISHED in the condition field and letting us choose one??   EITHER/OR:

• Maybe they ain't as tech savy as they think they are?
• Maybe they don't give a sh** (aka poop).
•  Maybe (#1 most likely explanation !) they really do want to see us keep warting our money on fees for non-selling listings and we'll go belly up while they continue to deny the conspiracy-theory of the conspiracy-theorists. 

Ok, that's it...my "rant" of the moment.  I'll be back when I finish reading the announcement.   

I always wonder:

1) Who are YOU calling a small business?
2) Why do we have EARTH day if we live here? don't you pickup and take care of the "home" in which youlive? then why does the "earth" need a day?? Why is it not getting your undivided attention for a whole year?
3) Why do they think being green is good?? I refer you to moldy bread.... ??? just saying..........
4) Why do some people NEVER find and follow a mentor - do they think "they" don't need one?? ? have they looked in a mirror?
5) some where in the bible it refers to the fact that Jesus, was ignored - "a prophet in his own land" meaning HE got no respect at home and had to venture out to other towns/districts to gain followers. Why is that?? Wouldn't you think that your own family and friends would respect what you say enough to do what you suggest?

So if I say List More, Sell more, some folks listen? But not my family or friends. WHY?



I'm sure I'll think of more...

Are you a TRS or an A.S.S?

You know, someone pointed out on eBay radio the other day that if you're not a TRS (top rated seller) ebay calls you an A S S Above Standard Seller.

ASS??? are you blinkin' kidding me??

So Griff, swore it was an oversight. A thoughtless stupid oversight. But me?? just cause I'm paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after me... I think it was just what it looks like, some snarky "clerk" programmer's slap to the people who were complaining that the new standards are too difficult to understand/meet/care about. And this was that person's small-minded revenge. So I'll Wear that Badge, cause I'm still there on ebay...although not for long the way they keep reducing my visibility

Today is March 19th... ST. Joseph's Feast day

And I can hear you ... I heard the remark about WHY should I care... ?? well for a couple of reasons...

1. Today, according to my Irish grandfather, was the day to plant potatoes - and in fact any "cool" vegetable. Apparently someone in the last 2000 years made St. Joseph the patron saint of vegetable gardens. I don't know that for sure... I'm just saying....can't hurt, might help..


2. In the Italian communities in South Philadelphia (where I was raised even though I'm about 110% Irish descent) they bury statues of St. Joseph head down in the ground at any property they want to sell.... ? Real Estate market is BUSTED... can this hurt? head to the Ave Maria Store or other catholic store nearby, buy a 6" plastic statue, say a prayer, bury it head down (in a Flower pot on the patio if nothing else) and see what happens... again... Cant' hurt - might help

3. Head to ebay and check out the prices of the vintage ANRI and other brands of religious statues.

You'll be amazed. some one has even made a kit... here I thought a plain old statue and a prayer would do the trick.

The Website is functional!! Wahoo!!

Well Finally my website is functional, Paypal WORKS!! HURRAH!! Now all I have to do is find a way to clone myself so I can list there for 20 hrs a day.  BUT at least I can invite you all to join my mailing list there and get my newsletter (which I don't have setup yet but will shortly)
AntiqueDaze

So come visit, sign up for the newsletter or the wishlist if there is something you were looking for for your collection and haven't found (lower left corner) and shop with us often. Lots of books coming and some pottery/porcelain and depression glass but FIRST, the valentines... seems appropriate considering that holiday is the next one on the calendard.

Why I Will Actually End Up Leaving eBay

Besides the stupid management decisions, I am really fed up with the blatant rudeness of both buyers and sellers. And the lying.

WHY do people think they can lie their asses off and I am so stupid I don't know they are lying?? and it's not just buyers scamming sellers. SHEESH People. Didn't your mother ever teach you that it's a sin to lie? Ok, maybe you didn't have 12 years of Catholic School but she surely told you it's WRONG to lie?

2 examples:

A) sold a building toy - AFTER it's mailed the guy says "did you count the peices?" Now I said in the listing that I did? so I said Yes.  Today I got one of the nastiest emails ever saying I'm a lying scammer and I owe him. ??? So I've told him to send it back and I'll refund. AFter all I never put a gun to his head to make him buy the damn thing so... send it back for a full refund (and return shipping).  Wanna bet he asks for a partial refund??

B) DH bought an article on eBay and it's more than 10 days since he paid for it. Now I fight him all the time to get him to ask politely "when did it ship and may I please have the tracking number?".  So finally he did. And this seller has a tragic story of why they forgot to send the item. Their car was totalled by a train and their wife left with Tiger Woods or some such crap.  Just apologize and say "OH S***! I missed your payment and didn't mail it but I'm sending it now and upgrading it to priority mail."   Never mind the 2 chapters of your soon-to-be-published novel of GREAT AMERICAN FICTION.

I should probably change the name to this blog to GREAT STORIES I HEAR ON EBAY.  Why does this never happen on any other venue?? go back to paragraph one about stupid management decisions.

Blingmybra.com

Now belongs to me. I don't know what I'm gonna do with it but it's mine for the next year. LOL

Boy did you Bling some Bras, Babee! What's next!?

The "Bling MY Bra" campaign raised over $1200 in October between my auctions (woadieland)for the bras that were donated and Melinda Jackson's(galleriagifts) and Bev England's (videotown).

3 more bras just arrived so those will get listed this week and hopefully someone will bid on these.

What's next?? Well stand by - come February, I'll be running some charity auctions to benefit the American Heart Association in conjunction with the WEAR RED campaign and they'll be timed to end on Feb. 5th. Stand By. WAIT till you see what is coming -

Ok here's a sneak peak - made by Kathy Moretti who sells handmade lapquilts as KDMORE-Crafts-and-More

ColderIce Rant

I think John's comments are pertinent to the social situation in this country - So give it a listen!

I do not own stock in either Amazon or eBay - so my interest in these two entities is as a seller -

So ebay blamed it's poor performance onthe degraded state of the dollar - the recession ?? the milkman (oh wait, he got laid off long ago). Their sales increased only 4% YOY (year over year meaning 2009 vs 2008 PS, the reason accountants talk like that?? YOY is so neither WE nor the investors (aka US) will understand them.)
http://www.thestreet.com/quote/EBAY.html.

Amazon- the model eBay "wants" to be...and isn't??

http://www.thestreet.com/story/10615730/1/amazon-wins-big-with-kindle.html

And http://www.thestreet.com/quote/AMZN.html

Ok, I rest my case - eBay had a USP (thanks OSIROCKSTARS for the terminology) also known as a Unique Selling Position. But they drove off,pissed off or kicked off many many sellers- maybe half. (OH WHAT THAT is another story HALF.COM...they killed that off pretty much. I haven't had a sale on there in 6 mos)....

So like I said, I rest my case. Where o Where is the eBay Board of Directors and why do they not care that these people running ebay don't know their A**from a hole in the ground??

BlingMyBra new slide show!

Today's Soapbox - Google, amazon and booksellers at war

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/173749/google_online_bookstore_fuels_ereader_war.html

Ok, I get that books ARE a big business on the internet - sales used to be in the gadzillion dollar range and competition is fierce.  That's why eBay bought and smothered Half.com. It's why Amazon was smart enought to co-opt us all by letting us be 3rd party sellers.

But frankly, even though this blog resides on Google's BLOGGER site - (and will soon move) THIS story just pisses me off.

I can see why it's google doing this - they have no 3rd party sellers.  And they are the 800 lb gorilla that can do whatever they want.... but really - what is their point in this?? WHY are they putting all of us little guys out of business??

If they keep this us, none of us will be able to afford computers or internet access and then WHO will using Google??? not me! not you!

I've already moved some things away from google because of the stupid internicene war with eBay.  Those two should be arm in arm, lock step - their attitude is the same.... We don't need no stinkin' sellers. 

Frankly, I can't see why any of us are still using Google? WHERE exactly are our best interests?? NOT with a search engine that wants to be the Supreme Ruler of the World.

PS (Amazon wants that too - Supreme Ruler of the Internet Market Place. ).  Time for a real "tea party" and throw the bastards out.  Let's go find a small search engine and make them big....remember what we did for Google. It wasn't them that made them big...it was us usinging.

On My Soapbox - Episode 1 - Voicemail systems

Ok, so I get just as riled as anyone and figure I will vent here about those things. And today's rant is about answering systems - particularly those at government websites. 

Call Paypal - try to speak to a human being. I'm not even qualifying it as a human being within the bounds of the USA. Just a PERSON. Even if they don't really speak English but they try.

WHY do I have to keep saying AGENT like I'm calling the CIA??


Even worse is Comcast - to get to ask a question like - why is all of my cable and internet OUT ?? and I have to go thru a stupid telephone tree asking me if I'm interested in the wrestling special, the boxing match special etc and then do I want to hear my balance (NO in fact I don't) and do I want to upgrade?? YEAH to A WORKING SERVICE but not you.

And don't even get me started on the Social Security phone message system or the Medicare one. And the stupid person who gave me attitude throughout the call after it took me 1/2 hour to work up to a human.... sorry I disturbed your crossword puzzle Laura S.  next time stay home when you don't feel like working.


SO if you'd like to get something off your chest, write it out and I'll post it as a guest blogger. Unless I know you personally in which case I'll just give you rights to post it yourself.

Bling My Bra Campaign in full swing so to speak!

BlingMyBRA Fundrasier on eBay

During October, a group of my friends are raising money for Breast Cancer Research. We're doing auctions of Art Bras every day of the month - sometimes 2 or 3 a day. 100% of the proceeds are being donated to Susan G Komen for the Cure. I'm running most of them and I'm not taking one cent out of the proceeds or shipping - EVERYTHING gets donated.

Art bras are lovely confections - well sometimes they are comical, or sexy or just fun!! Many of these are actually WEARABLE art but with a little glue or a couple of quick stitches they can become Wall Art too. Whether you mount and frame them or wear it for sun bathing or ??? or Halloween!! these are fantastic. And the cause is good!! AND besides the bra?? we're including SWAG!!

You know you see those Hollywood stars go to the premieres and the awards shows and get something just for showing up?? Well for showing up for us and bidding to win, YOU will get some swag too!! So how can you lose??
Here are the urls and also links to the individual bras!!

Come on IN and Browse!!
And Bid generously - we need to find a cure for Breast Cancer sooner - not later.
This link is for the category page and you can see ALL of the bras at one time

http://tinyurl.com/yh8spg9



AND for the others:
The Bra is called - Tiny URL
Uncle Same Wants You Uncle Sam Wants YOU!
.
Jason's bra - comicbook queens
Racing For a Cure Nascarbra
EbayLive Bra From eBay's Trust&Safety Queen Susan!
Pretty in Pink SnowBoobs
Pink Switchflops Switchflops
Palms Bra Palms
SheSellsSeaShells Seashore
Support the Military Bra with John SupportOurMilitary

Pacific Pearl Pacific Pearl
Pirates For a Cure Pirates
EbayByTheBay ByTheBay

Now - there are more- Almost 30 more...Not all of them are listed yet but...you don't want to look back at the end of the month and think "Gee I should have bid on that one" so Please come bid - bid generously!!

Estate Sale - Cheryl Wheeler - Check this out!

Really puts it all in perspective, eh? BUT, will it stop me next week?? not blinking likely! I think I'm an addict.

ON MY SOAPBOX - AGAIN

Ok, why is it:

1. People on eBay would rather report your for some dumb, inadvertent violation than say "hey, you might want to check this because I don't think you can do that?" or "Hey did you miss these references to checks/money orders? You must have just missed them cause I see you have 1200 listings and only 43 are still saying that."

No the ebay gestapo has to go report you. I grew up in the projects in South Phila. We had a name for folks like that - it's still being used down there. It's NOT a nice name - those people are "snitches" and it's mean yellow-bellied motive that drives them. Now if you see a robbery or a murder, snitch. But if you see someone make a mistake on eBay??? NO SNITCHING! Ask your Mom, tattletales are not loved or appreciated anywhere.

2. WHY IS IT?

People will write blogs like this and they will just not use spell check. Typos and bad punctuation make you look unprofessional. (note to self...spell check before publishing)

3. Why IS IT??

People will use ASQ and quibble about the shipping on the lightest items? Do they think those items wrap themselves, come with shipping boxes and bubblewrap preapplied back in the 1880's ?

AND there is their cousin, who will ask "why does it have to have insurance? Can't you stick it in a bubble envelope??" One of these days, I swear, I'm gonna take their 1890's postcard, put an address label on it and a stamp and send it thru the mail naked. How would they like that??

4. Why is it??
Everyone's new Theme is "If it doesn't sell in 3 months throw it out, or send it back to auction or donate it to charity??

These are probably the same people who hire "organizers" to organize their houses which ends up meaning no collections, no displays, no chatckies... I personally prefer the over-stuffed houses of the Victorian-era with LOTS of stuff. I think some things need the right eyeballs to see them and those eyeballs might not get on eBay or my tiny website more than once a year. Cripes I don't even know if I come up in Google yet (but I should look and find out before Janelle kicks my butt for not knowing).

The point it, why am I sending something back to auction after 3 mos? It's like those houses in California and elsewhere. You paid too much, the values dropped and now you want to not hold on to it and make the payments. You want to "flip" that antique slop jar and take whatever you can get and move on. NOT THE WAY TO DO IT!! Just not. Our parents bought one or two houses, made a home, embellished and improved it and PAID DOWN ON IT FOR YEARS. Then maybe they sold it IF the value had gone up and moved up or downscaled and paid off the 2nd house.

My theory? expounded at more length in my next post is buy low, list high, make deals by taking best offers or hold out for a full price buyer. The eBay store listing costs $.36 a YEAR.. a YEAR?? You wasted more than that on Lattes and croisants this morning (and they are bad for you!)

Ok I'd done for today - Watch this video - John's cute, smart and funny! (and he's good to his mom so he supports breast cancer awareness month which starts next Thursday!)

BLING MY BRA! Charity Auctions to Benefit the Susan G Komen Foundation

Did I mention that I've organized 20 of the best and brightest on eBay and Bonanzle and etsy to create Fantasy bras which I'm going to list and auction starting in October?? We intend to have 1 or more endign each day of the month.

Proceeds - 100% of them, will go to the Susan G Komen Foundation to aid in the search for a cure to Breast Cancer - which is the #2 killer of women in this country. Here's a sneak peak at the first group of 17+ bras.

Now go round up your neighbors and friends, your inlaws, outlaws and John Laws and challenge your friends and your enemies to bid til they burst,cause ALL the money goes to such a great cause.

And you all come back later to see the NEXT batch!

Bling My Bra for Breast Cancer Research!

Bling My Bra

Most of my followers and friends have already been approached to help with this so they know - We're doing Charity Auctions - during the entire month of October.

I am pretty sure (I have to recount) that we have MORE than 31 bras for the Bling My Bra campaign. Proceeds will benefit the Susan G Komen Foundation thru eBay's Giving Works program.

Bras are "theme bras" or "Fantasy Bras" made entirely by unaffiliated voluenteers. When I say "unaffiliated" I mean they are doing it because they believe in the cause not because the boss said so.

Bra Artists and Donors include (this is an incomplete list...so check back later for updates...every day til October 31st):

Dar of Dar's Glass
Danni Ackerly of Udderlygoodstuff
Bev England of samican, videotowne and familynightmovies
Marshell Russell of shell's meanderings (her blog)
Carol Thomas of strayspray books on Amazon
ColderIce of 3rd Power Outlet
Marsha Collier of eBay for Dummies book fame
Griff of eBay and eBay Radio
Lee Mirabel - his ever faithful co-host on ebay radio and Pres. of BrainFood Syndicate and Voicemarketing. com

Others helping are:
John Donahoe - CEO of eBay who kindly autographed one of Dar's bras (one she made to support the military)

Griff who autographed Bev's "Funny Farm" bra because he appears in the movie (and Bev is providing a copy of the movie to be included with her Funny Farm Bra)

Cindy Shebley of clovercitysells for marketing advice and assistance

Cindy's client VMKInnovation - http://stores.shop.ebay.com/VMK-Innovation VMK has donated hats and bandanas to be included with the shipments of bras to the winning bidders.

Janelle Elms who has donated her Instructional CD - Profitable Keyword Training with Janelle Elms to be auctioned also with the benefits going to Susan G Komen Foundation.

Melinda Jackson of GalleriaGifts on ebay and http://www.esellersecrets.com who is providing marketing support.

Stay tuned for additional lists of donors! There are 30+ people involved.