Pinkie's Blog

Time for a Ramble and Vent..

2005-04-25T07:31:00.000-07:00

Wow ! Long time, no see huh? ;-)

Life is very good, here... eBay and PinkieOnline sales are doing ok ! I've added sunglasses to the PinkieOnline store and will be releasing some ULTRA COOL clothing and console accessories very soon...

I've been a little quiet, as far as blogging has been concerned, due to some minor irritations with competitors trying to end eBay listings and close PinkieOnline site down. Yep - must be doing something right if one of the major manufacturers decides to pay attention LOL

All under control now, though. Both attempts were thwarted as they really had nothing substantial to base their claims upon. Will be even harder for them to try the same stunt, now that I have Trademark applications pending within Australia.

On a more positive note.... Nintendo's PR company approached PinkieOnline in respect to making custom DS skins for them. They decided to manufacture in-house but I still feel that the fact they approached PinkieOnline at all speaks volumes as to how the Pinkie name and reputation is steadily growing out there !

More cool news..... if you get time, don't forget to check out the Gamebiz write-up for PinkieOnline here: http://www.gamebiz.com.au/features.php?action=display&id=111 I gave them a few free skins to David @ Gamebiz and he came up with this awesome offering. Very grateful - many thanks, David and Gamebiz !!

Until next time....

Pinkie x

It's Official !! ......

2005-02-09T07:15:00.000-08:00

I ROCK !!

Yep - customers keep telling me so I'm starting to wonder whether I should believe it?? In fact - another customer just emailed to say:

"....PS YOU ROCK THE MIC THAT ROCKS THE PAR-TAY.."

WOW - I must REALLY rock, huh?

When you sell cool stuff like xbox skins, I guess you keep up with the latest sayings .... like "fully si-i-i-i-i-i-i-ick"

eBay feedback can be funny, too. My favourite is when I'm left a comment to say ....."my [insert relation here] was totally wrapped .." - always makes me chuckle with the mental image it conjures.

Anyway.. enough of my self-congratulatory ramblings!!

Life is good here.. (I know you were wondering that, right?). Busy running both eBay accounts - but enjoying the experience. Finally selling off my eBay coin collection - god, it's hard to let the coins go .... but what else will I do with them?? I'm not a true geeky collector so the idea of opening the coin boxes to talk to my coins occasionally and stroke 'em really doesn't get me going LOL Time to let them go to new, more deserving owners !

Saved up for a car and found a bloody BARGAIN at Xmas time. An acquaintance and her husband were heading overseas and, during a visit, mentioned they had their car for sale in the Trading Post. As they drove away from my place it suddenly dawned on me "hang on... that's a great car!" - so I called them and the deal was set

WAHOO - wheels again.... at last! Pretty spiffy looking car, too - BMW 318i Not as fast or hoon-like as the HSV was... but I'm coping ;-)

Nothing else exciting to report. Same old same old, really... but happy doing it (which is the main thing).

It's late... and I'm tired.. so that's it for now.

Hope you're all well !!

Pinkie xx

2005-01-06T03:27:00.000-08:00

OMG - where did the time go since my last entry ???

I think I rarely post here because I figure no one really comes here to read up on my ramblings... BUT... from the comments you guys send via email (because you're too chicken to post a comment here LOL) ... it seems some of you have way too much time on your hands and actually sit and read my diatribe.

I'm touched. No.. not THAT kind of touched you idiot!! .... I'm just honoured - chuffed - and whatever else you like to call being privately pleased with yourself ;-)

So what's been happening since October ? Hmmm ... well I've been working bloody hard with Xmas and post Xmas sales on eBay and PinkieOnline. Had a few hairy moments though - delayed shipments which arrived only a couple of days before Xmas Eve - which meant that I was able to fulfil most orders BUT ONLY JUST ! I'm now a mere shell of the beautiful, sexy woman I once was (cough cough) - grey haired and wrinkled, now, from stressing out ! LOL

Had heaps of funny things to relate - but the problem is that I don't get time to hop into my blog and tell you guys ...... so then, being the senile woman that I am... I promptly forget! DOH

Right then.... have a heap of emails and checkouts to get through so must dash - see you next time !!

Pinkie xx

PS: When life is getting you down and you're feeling frazzled, irritated and sorry for yourself - take a moment to remember the Tsunami disaster .... and put your problems and life into perspective......

Brrrrrrrrrrr !

2004-10-26T06:50:00.000-07:00

It's 18 deg C in my house ALL YEAR LONG !!! Yeppers.... I got me an air conditioner t'other day !

No more sweating it out in the Aussie summer heat. No siree.... Erect nipples all year 'round for me thanks!! LOL

I'm truly as happy as a pig in mud (well... err.. perhaps that's the wrong picture to put into your head! No oinking happenin' here, folks!) ------ this pommie git can be as cool as a cucumber 24/7 now.

I must be getting old.... if an air conditioner is the height of excitement for the week !! Oh dear....

Right then... that's it.. all I wanted to share - you can go now...

.......... well go on then! SHOO !

;-)

Pinkie xx

Tim and Dan - Legends of eBay !!

2004-10-23T06:52:00.000-07:00

It's funny how you can be feeling disheartened about something... then, suddenly, something or someone comes along to lift your spirits and remind you that all is ok.

Was having a lousy week with eBayers - you know, those people who are rude demanding and wonder why they haven't received their item when they paid YESTERDAY (dammit!) LOL

In the midst of gritting my teeth and being polite to the rudies.... two buyers have stood out from the crowd. Both are skins buyers and both are amazing to deal with - intelligent and witty and the kind of people you find yourself whittering on to within an email response. Nice, easy and witty banter. One buyer sent the following email to me tonight and it had me howling with laughter and brought a tear to my eye (yeah.. i'm a big softie!!)

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh..... wow!!!
Don't I feel like an idiot!
Thank you for explaining for me... I've been dying to put it on!
Ok, I have just fitted the skin... I am elated... it looks awesome!
Here is the list of emotions and feelings it took
I read your email about the application tape - Felt dumb and happy at the same time.
Read the instructions twice! ;) - confidence.
Applied front 'power' piece - scared, shakey.
View the first piece and went"Hmmm, a little off centre." Looks cool though - nervous.
Applied front corners and viewed - looks good, happy, renewed confidence.
All browes applied - this is easy.
Back corners - perfection.
Side strip - oooops stuffed up, peel off gently and re-apply - corrected, smiles, worried about the top piece.
Alligning top piece (only one set of hands here!) it touched, it stuck, I removed - sweating now.
Re-apply top piece realised it wasn't straight when 2 "wings" were already on - sheer terror and panic.
Removed ever so slowly - totally pissed at myself, thinking I'm about to re order the skin again or a new Xbox.
Tried again, looking good - bingo, it's on, happy but a little nervous about the 'wrinkles'.
Smoothed and heated over ducted heating vent - looking ok.
Re squeegied all over each part - 'wrinkles' gone, yeeeeeehah!
Removed 'application tape' - sat silently in awe of this rough, tough, shiny looking machine.
Cleared entire hifi unit, rebuilt the home theatre setup with Xbox front and centre - proud.
I now look at the xbox more than I do the 134cm screen it's connected to!
THANK YOU!
XOXOXOXOXO

LOL How cool is that? Funny thing is that I remember going through all those emotions the first time I ever applied a console skin to an xbox, too!!!!

Tim and Dan - you guys have been the highlight of my eBay week !! Thanks!

Pinkie xx

A ROVE moment (What the???)

2004-10-19T08:05:00.000-07:00

$106 to see Guy Sebastian????????????????????

Well f*** me ! (pardon the french! - and NO that's not a request.. purely rhetorical!!)

Got my ticketek email and checked out the details.... and had a COSM (coffee on screen moment) when I saw the price for the gig. For that kinda money i want MORE than a bloody song or two, Guy... I want ... well...I would want more, that's for sure!!!

Also notice the The Pink Floyd Experience is coming to town soon... now THAT would be worth seeing! I'd happily pay $106 + for that show! Mark Knopfler is touring soon, too.... a monster fest of talent in Brisbane - can't wait!!!!

Am in the midst of a busy week, socially and personally. Not much to report.. except for some usual gripes about a minority of eBay buyers who fail to make contact or payment until the last second. ... then have the audacity to get shitty at me for having filed an unpaid item dispute. Well DUH...! If you communicate with me... (early - not on day 7 or 15!)... unpaid item disputes don't happen.

*rolls eyes*

I got called feisty today LMAO - I suppose I am in a feisty mood this week. Have a short fuse due to one idiot too many in the last 6 months, I guess ;-) I'm patient.... but I'm also human lol

Have placed my order for Stargate Season 7 (yayyyyy) - can't wait for it to arrive. It's funny but, despite the fact I'm a seasoned eBayer (seasoned? salt & pepper and a few herbs???!!)......... I'm still a very nervous buyer. Actually, I think experienced eBay sellers are the worst kind.. because we know how much postage should be - we expect to be treated as we treat our customers and feel let down if there's little communication or high shipping costs. Feel sorry for the sellers that have to deal with li'l ole me.

Anyone noticed how clever the spoof emails are becoming?? Paypal, eBay, Citibank - you name it... the scammers try to clone it and dupe us ! Received about 10 of these emails just today! Getting to the point where I'm probably deleting genuine emails (gahh!)

Well.. it's 1-20 am and my bed awaits.... Thought i'd ramble on a little - just to make sure you had some inane banter to read !

Later....

Pinkie xx

Prattling On Again....

2004-10-04T06:25:00.000-07:00

Wahoo ! Another fun-filled few weeks since I last posted ;-)

Had a funny morning today! Ever woken up, squinted at the clock and thought SHIT I'M RUNNING LATE!!! ? Well, that's what happened to me this morning.... ONLY... I read the clock incorrectly in my foggy state and went haring outta the house thinking it was 8-40 am,,.. only to find out that it was actually 7-40 am !!

GAHHHHHH !!!!

I laughed so hard, when I realised ! Laughed so hard I had tears running down my face ;-) Thank god for a sense of humour !

*sigh* I'm such an idiot at times.

My 360 xbox skins arrived today ! yayyyyy :-) I'm such a kid when the courier arrives... it's like Christmas, for me ! Opening the boxes to see what's in there...

Well..I'm ready to vote on Saturday. Liberal gal here (so sue me!!!! lol) Man, I was glad to see Latham get rid of the "Ease the Squeeze" slogan for his campaign. How annoying was that???? His latest policy is saving the forests in Tasmania and funding the timber industry. Good GRIEF ! If that doesn't say "please please vote for me - I'll do ANYTHING!" .. what does??? lol Pathetic.

Is anyone else right into Australian Idol this year? I don't usually get very interested in the reality shows.... but Idol has actually grabbed my attention. Was so sad to see Daniel voted out tonight. He's such a cutie. Would love to see Courtney win - awesome voice that guy has!!

My Enigma DVD was delivered today. I adore Enigma (music - not the film!). It's the kind of music you can chill out to.... preferably at night with candlelight, a soft couch and some alcohol to sip ;-) If you haven't heard any of the Enigma CD's - then I thoroughly recommend you grab a copy of the MCMXCa.D cd. It will be an experience you won't soon forget !

I'm one of those people for whom a song can transport back in time to a place or event in life. So much so that I can 'taste and touch' the moment. I doubt I'm the only person this happens to. Some memories are good - some painful .... but it's good to 'feel' the memories and remember that those moments (good and bad) helped shape who I am today.

Anyway.. I sense a 'deep' mood coming on LOL Better go and silence it....!!

Will write again soon

Pinkie xx

An eBay member's vent.....

2004-09-18T18:42:00.000-07:00

Been a while.... and, whilst I dislike being so negative, I need to devote this blog to venting.

There's an Australian comedian called Rodney Rude, and part of his routine was a "..know what I hate?.." segment. Here's my version: ....

...."Know what I hate..? Know what I hate?...."

Whingers. I'm a POM and, in Australia, POMs are supposed to be renowned for their whinging... however head over to the eBay powerseller board and you'll find Aussies in there who give the English a run for their money! LOL

Narrow-mindedness. Another poor attribute shown by some eBay members. They see the world through their own rose-coloured glasses. Some people seem to refuse to accept that what might seem easy to fix/implement (in their eyes) - actually isn't easy for eBay to do.

Nastiness. I've only come across one such member on eBay.... one who, when disagreed with, must feel so insecure that the only comeback they have is to be downright nasty towards those that dare to take a differing viewpoint.

Repetition. Some eBay members feel that by repeating a comment/posting they have made within the same and/or multiple community board discussion threads .. will either galvanise eBay into action or result in eBay answering their public comment quickly. Errr - no. Hate to disappoint those members but, in reality, all they achieve is a) annoy other members and b) portray themselves as a sulking/demanding child.

Probably the most amusing part, for me, is when an eBay staff member *does* respond.. all the member can do is repeat their original question again and again ... demanding this that or the other! It's tantamount to a kid putting their hands over their ears and yelling "lalalalalalala... i'm not listening....lalalalalalala... i'm not listening! "

Arrogance. All hail the mighty eBayers who feel that their command of the English language (which usually involves consulting the dictionary and throwing in as many long words as they can into their community board postings! lol) .... and the fact they run - or have run - a small business for any length of time, instils in them the vast knowledge and capability to run an international business such as eBay.

I have no doubt that IF any one of these people were, indeed, given the opportunity to run eBay for any length of time... they would soon have a healthier appreciation for the company and its employees! (or eBay would go bust in their command LOL... )

Whilst I also have gripes with eBay site issues, I also realise that - for the time being - eBay is the best online auction platform in the world today. I try to work WITH the system I'm given as I've found the more you fight or push against it... the less it works for you. Bit like life, really! lol Some members have very valid issues that eBay need to address - however belittling and growling at the eBay staff who comment to the community boards isn't the way to go.

I wouldn't treat my dog in the manner some eBay members talk/treat some eBay staff!

Bloggy Stuff...

2004-09-03T02:34:00.000-07:00

GAHH !

I was so excited that Stargate SG1 Season 7 was coming back to TV this week. Tuned in excitedly on Wednesday night........... and it was EPISODE BLOODY NINE !!!! Seems that whilst I was buying in Stargate Season box sets from the USA and watching 'em late last year, I missed episodes 1-8 on TV. DOH and double DOH ! On the bright side... Season 7 will be released in the USA in October - so will buy it in and have another Stargate weekend lol

It's funny.. but I was one of many who loved the Stargate Movie when it first came out - but figured the series had to be crap, due to MacGyver taking over Kurt Russell's character. So I never watched the series - until it started running on TV1 and I caught an episode and really liked it. I was hooked ! Perhaps it was the Daniel character that did it for me? You just wanna rip his specs off and show him a wild time !!! *chuckle*

*ahem* sorry...

What else has been happening? Well working hard here and wishing there were more hours in a day! Moved the pinkieonline website to a new server.. with assurances that the online store could also be moved safely. WRONG! Now having to spend all spare time rebuilding the bloody thing. All the customer database - stock - everything! I have some very good-natured customers who happily wandered back in and re-entered their details - god luv' 'em !

Have had more interesting eBay customers in the last week or so. One guy decided to buy 3 items then email me and say "whoops sorry was just mucking around!". I had a "....what the?!..." moment - then blocked him from bidding again (hey.. I understand making a mistake once.. but THREE TIMES? LOL Had to protect myself from possible mistake number 4). Seems I was spot on... because he emailed me a week later to ask why he couldn't buy anymore of my listings. LMAO well DUH !

Ohhhh but I shouldn't be so harsh. I'm used to non paying bidders and the odd nutter like the one, above. 99% of the time eBay is a great place and my customers are really luvverly! They even think I'm luvverly, too - honestly they do.. just check my feedback - A++ (as Weird Al Yankovic says in his eBay song!!). hehe

Speaking of songs.... I can't get Hoobastank's "The Reason" song out of my head! Over and over it goes... I swear I hear it in my sleep, too ! Great song though.

Right then.. that's enough idle banter from me - you lot aren't paying me ya know... so that's enough for now! Besides.. I need to go listen to Hoobastank again!

Back soon

Pinkie x

Happenings, Idiots, Knights and beautiful mouths...

2004-08-22T06:24:00.000-07:00

Whew.. what a busy few weeks it's been !!

Went along to The Ekka the other week - for those wondering what the bloody hell an "Ekka" is .... no, it's not a recreational drug LOL It's a big, annual show held in Brisbane in August. Basically you go there, pay a ton of money for the privilege of stepping through the gates and pay a ton more money, once inside, to eat, drink, have fun on rides and stuff.... and buy things! I'm a big kid at heart, so I love the fairground area and going on rides :-) I can see myself queueing up to have a go on the rides when I'm 90 yrs old - and I have to tell you, that's a rather sad prospect, don't you think???

Other news is that www.pinkieonline.com has had a few more tweaks (ooh, felt good!) LOL The new PINKIE ONLINE competition is underway, too. The prize is a Limited Edition Rip Curl GBA SP console - and you can find more competition details on the website.

I've been cruising the internet and finding the PinkieOnline name popping up in forums - which is something I'm really chuffed about! The latest finding was in an Australian forum called SKEED. Seems to be a hip n' happenin' place and you can find it here: www.skeed.com They're a really friendly bunch of peeps - so be sure to check out the site and register !!

Well, the Olympics are happening and, as usual, the Aussies are caught up in being proud as punch of their athletes! The highlight of the Olympics, for me, is Roy & HG !! Anyway - go the Aussies - OI OI OI !! (had to say that..... sorry)

I've found myself caught up in some eBay powerseller board shinnanigans this week ! My GOD some people love a good tussle in text, don't they?? Mind you, I'm the idiot for allowing myself to be sucked into the vicious vortex of commenting on board postings. I have this silly penchant for sticking up for the underdog when the 'pack of wolves' descend upon them ... the wolves voraciously pick at the victim's text and change its meaning into something totally bad for their own love of a good argument!

Yep, there are some nutters on eBay - people who have very little else in their lives to occupy their mind and for whom the eBay community boards are their only source of socialisation. Pretty sad.

Anyway - those last two paragraphs probably mean bugger all to the majority of you - but I had to say it (sorry!)

The Newcastle Knights lost to St George on the weekend (grrr). We're out of the comp for another year. Oh well, perhaps next year we'll get through to the finals???? lol We did pretty well this year, considering Joey was out for the season. Bit disappointed that Kennedy is off to Manly next year - but them's the breaks, I guess.

In closing, I wanted to unabashedly link to JOHN MAYER's website http://www.johnmayer.com/launchpad.html - just because I think he's the best singer since sliced bread (and pretty damn hot looking too!! Love his mouth - yep, you heard me... his MOUTH PMSL .. I'm a loony!) Listen to his music whilst you're online and check out a few of his videos too - but try not to focus on his mouth, ok? (I shouldn't have mentioned it, should I? You'll be watching it.... i'll bet!!)

Ok, that's all for today......

Cheers to all !

Pinkie xx

Thanks to Tsu....

2004-07-07T00:38:00.000-07:00

..... Here I am, again ! Still not really in the "groove" for this blog stuff, am I? *grin* Quite a bit has happened since my last entry, but buggered if I can remember half of it (oh god.. i'm going senile already??)

I've decided to dedicate this particular "blog entry" to Tsu - whose email tonight gave me the kick up the butt that I needed to actually come here and write!! Tsu seems to be a very talented designer of furniture? I have yet to investigate further but on first glance Tsu's work is really interesting. You can see it HERE

Ok - here's what been happening since I last posted.

Channel 9 called me to ask if I would agree to an interview about my eBay life. Errrr NO THANKS !! I've seen people on current affairs proggies and have to say that the idea of splattering my noggin on tv screens across Qld does NOT appeal one little bit LOL (damn - could have been my one ticket to stardom? PMSL I think not!) MIND YOU - I did consider it could be a great opportunity to do a "Merlin" and duct tape my mouth, whilst holding up a sign saying "CHANGE THE EBAY FEEDBACK SYSTEM" (or something!!) lol Errrr.... those fans of Aussie Big Brother will know what I am talking about ;-)

Speaking of eBay - am finally getting the will to list again after 3 or so weeks of taking it relatively easy. Needed the break, for sure - especially after reaching my nutter-attracting 1000 feedback ;-) Ok, so the nutty feedback rattled me for a while - I'm human you know! (says Jo putting on an "elephant man" voice and wailing "i am nooooot an animaaaal"). Have also started posting on the Community Boards again - but with a posting ID so that the psychotic auction bomber known as Match doesn't target my listings. I'm SUCH a wimp LOL

Had a few Trading Assistant requests come through in the last few days. Have accepted the role of TA for one lady and will be listing a few items for her next week. Will wait to hear from the other enquir-ees. Some really interesting stuff they have! Mind you, I still think the best item I've been asked to sell was a LIFE SIZE robotic dolphin from a Disney film!! lol

Actually, if you have never stumbled across some of the funnier listings on eBay - THIS is one that takes the cake (in my view). There's more - like the listing for an INVISIBLE SHIRT (came with a guy modelling the shirt, too - and a great description of why everyone needs an invisible shirt) but they are no longer available to view.

For those wondering....... yes, I do have a life away from eBay - but I'm just not ready to natter on to you about my personal stuff just yet ;-) Hey, a girl's gotta have a BIT of mystery !! Mind you, as a b/f once told me - "there's a difference between being mysterious and just plain freakin' WEIRD!" lol Umm...no.... he wasn't referring to me, at the time ;-)

OMG - it's my birthday soon!! How come birthdays roll around so FAST after you turn 30?? It's not fair because I have the brain and attitude of an 18 yr old but my body doesn't want to keep up anymore *sigh*

From the sublime to the ridiculous........

.....The crystal xbox skin design competition started with a bang a few weeks back - but has gone very quiet for the time being. There's a few more weeks to go so entrants probably have heads down and bums up working on designs - can't WAIT to see entries in a few weeks' time!!

The website is getting a HUGE amount of visits each day - but I'm pulling my hair out trying to work out why few people seem to stay and buy. It's not pricing, as our pricing (on some items) is actually cheaper than the manufacturer! So what IS it?? Hmmmm - if anyone reads this and has some constructive criticism - please let me know.

Ok - that will do for now! Time for me to bugger off!! ;-)

Oh... and Cherry - if you read this - *huge hugs* to you - i wuvs ya heaps, my friend!! *grin* (embarrassed yet?)

Jo xxxx

Goldfish Don't Bounce.......

2004-06-19T05:33:00.000-07:00

..... or so I've been told ???

I'm back with more whitterings from hell ! Hope you're ready ;-)

Whatta week!! Have been so busy I've hardly had time to scratch myself !! Not that I scratch myself often... I hasten to add - no fleas here, baby! lol

Received a package that I sent to the States in April... back on my doorstep late last week. I felt absolutely sick to the stomach when I saw that USPS had tried to deliver it 3 times before returning it to me..... the recipient was a guy in the American military and my first thought was "oh God he's been killed in Iraq". I honestly thought I was holding a dead man's parcel in my hands - horrible feeling, even though I didn't know this guy.

Imagine my relief to receive an email from him today - highly apologetic he was, too and offering to make payment for the extra postage to send it to him again. Told him not to worry about it and I would hold the "skin set" for his PS2 in my stock room until he got back home. Like this poor bugger needs to be worrying about a PS2 skins set payment right now??? I think not, folks ! Mind you, he probably thinks I'm a loony - I was so relieved to hear from him LOL

Anyway - I really have to get back to finalising the new pages on my website for the xbox console comp and new stock and games that I need to upload in the next 48 hours! Will write again soon.....

Losing My BLOG Virginity .......

2004-06-11T04:26:00.000-07:00

I don't think there's any turning back now - I'm here - I'm doing the blog thang ! What am I supposed to do here - just whitter on relentlessly until you email me into submission to stop?? LOL

This is a bit like stumbling on to a big stage in a theatre somewhere - blinding lights in your eyes, so it takes you a few minutes to realise there are, like, a THOUSAND people watching and waiting for you to say something.... couple of tentative steps forward to the microphone.... blow into it to see if it's working.... high pitch squeal tells you it is working ...hmm... now what to say *cough cough* Errmmmm... you hear a few embarrassed giggles from the audience and you feel positively mortified - a blush creeps up and beams out from your cheeks, bathing the audience in its soft warm glow !

Ok - here goes ......

Welcome - these will be the rantings and ramblings of a 37 yr old woman, residing in Brisbane Australia. I take no responsibility for your boredom or other adverse reactions to my postings - after all, it's your choice to be here! Mind you, if you like what you read and come back for more - then I take full responsibility of course :-)

For those of you who don't know me - I'm an eBay powerseller (sounds important - but means diddley squat really) and sell all kinds of things ..... vinyl " skins " for gaming consoles, CD's, books, DVD's, mobile phone accessories, posters - you name it n' I'll try selling it LOL I love eBay - it got me out of a personal crisis/rut in April '03 and, since starting to sell, things have just grown and grown and I now sell full time. Lurve what I do - but you do get the occasional truly obnoxious or difficult person to deal with. Kill 'em with kindness is my motto ;-) Sometimes works!

If you like to buy on eBay occasionally, then I thoroughly recommend the following sellers:

buymebuymebuy (ME haha)
cherry6autumn - All kinds of wonderful thangs !!
connorboy26 - GBA SP games and accessories
bridalonline - the name says it all I think !
loving-hearts - clothing
stampsoz - collectables

****** Well I started this 3 days ago!!!! I'm not sure why but actually posting this stuff for public to read TERRIFIES me - so I keep holding off on hitting the "publish post" button!

I can safely say I'm in a bit of a rut today. Have absolutely no energy and inspiration to list on eBay or work on the website.

Reason for this is a horrendous few days with eBay and Paypal. Have had a fraudulent chargeback made by a past eBay buyer of mine - so now the buyer has his goods AND has leeched the USD 38.00 he paid for the items, from my Paypal account as well GRRRRR That makes me sooooooo mad. On top of this I need to whinge about my one and only truly NIGHTMARE transaction on eBay. A buyer purchased a jewel skin from me. She bid on and won the auction, she paid (yayyy) and I sent out the item. All smooth so far, you might think? Nooooooo.... about 2 weeks after sending the jewel skin to her I get this nasty email demanding to know where her item is and threatening to leave me negative feedback.

I sprang into action - genuinely worried that she hadn't received her package but a little pissed that she was so damn rude about it. What's wrong with a friendly email to ask about the postage status?? *sigh* Anyway - to cut a long story short - after a few emails back and forth (trying to get information out of this woman was like getting blood out of a stone!)I was finally able to establish that her package HAD arrived....... but...... *drum roll*....... SHE HAD THROWN OUT THE JEWEL SKIN WITH THE PACKAGING !!! BOOM-TISH!

*silent scream*

Of course the buyer left me a neg and tried to use that as leverage to encourage me to send her a replacement Jewel skin (i.e. send me a replacement and i'll remove the neg). BAH ! NO WAY, HONEY! Perhaps if she had been more courteous about it all - and admitted she'd stuffed up - I'd have gladly sent out a replacement at no charge. You'd think that would be the end of it, wouldn't you? Noooooooo - she started emailing me again yesterday !! Now she's muttering something about how I should notify eBay of her payment or something???? I think she's received non paying bidder warnings from other sellers she's purchased from (but obviously not paid!) and ... well....... WHO GIVES A RATS ! I give up on that one LOL Hopefully the nightmare buyer from hell will just go away eventually.......

See? I'm developing the eBay seller's nervous twitch ! LOL If my bad eBay run continues - I'll be in the eBay Asylum in no time... bouncing around that eBay padded cell, rocking back and forth muttering things like "must list..must list" and "nooooo not another npb... please GOD.. not another npb!" When the nurses come to give me my pills I will be backing into the corner screaming "NOOOO... YOU'RE A ZERO BIDDER !!! GET AWAY !! "

Well, after that little vent - I suppose I should get inspired and do some eBay listing so I can sell stuff in order to obtain $$'s to eat this week *grin*

OH OH... before I go ! Have any of you tried those "find your old school friends" site thingies yet?? I registered with www.schoolfriends.com.au last year and have had a few emails from kids I remember at school (and some I don't!!). The weirdest thing is knowing what to SAY to someone you last spoke to as a 17 yr old 20 yrs ago!!!! Mind you, it's fascinating to find out what people are doing with themselves these days. The people I thought would be mega-millionaires or working as high-flying lawyers, doctors etc AREN'T .... yet the kids we all thought were dumb at school are the ones doing really well. Funny how life turns out, isn't it??

Well... on that rather boring observation... I'll see if my quivering wimp of a finger can make it to the PUBLISH POST button and press it!!

Talk soon !!! Jo xxx