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Ebay and the RV Lifestyle.

© Barry Houseknecht

Ebay seems like an ideal solution, at least in part, to a problem that many of us have, that is how to make money to support ourselves while enjoying our lifestyle on the road. There is no employment application, there is no typing test, there are no set hours you can put in many hours or take the day off, you are your own boss (although this could be the worst person you ever worked for).

What to sell? I am suggesting that you sell unwanted things that you have around the house first. You are trying to downsize aren't you. Ebay is the ultimate in selling diversity, whatever you want to sell( as long as it's legal) probably will sell. Things that you like and have some knowledge about will be less like work for you to deal with, also the more you know about items the better at buying, pricing and selling you will be.

Communication, keep your customers informed this is most important. If a question is asked , answer it as soon and as clearly as you can. Let your customers know everything. Let them know when you receive payment, let them know when you expect to ship, let them know when you actually ship and how it shipped and when they might expect their item. If you intend to ship or answer e-mails only periodically, list on your auctions. Ebay people are people but they do like to be informed, remember they will never see you, they don't know you so the more you keep them informed the more you will give them that warm fuzzy feeling.

How much to charge and how to ship. This is another quandary it seems that as you figure out the best way for you to ship things somebody changes their structure and you go through the process all over again. You will make a mistake or two but the learning curve is very sharp. After You have shipped a few items the clouds will clear it' not really that complicated you just need to be up to date. Now with websites such as www.stamps.com you can be your own post office you can do most anything the post office can do from printing your own stamps to insuring your packages (no standing in line at the post office). With www.ups.com you can print ups shipping labels and simply hand your prepaid package to the first ups driver or box that you see. These options are great time savers check them out.