Takin' Care of Bid-ness

To the best of my recollection, the last time I sold something on eBay™ was back in 2003. By that time I had been using the site to buy and sell for a few years, and had settled into the style of selling that I now use. I call it the "Here ya go" style, but I think it probably goes by the more proper name of "Soft sell" (or maybe in my case "Soggy sell"). It's not all that new, nor is it all that unique. John used a similar style with the AMLFS event, and there are others that use it. Still, I find it amazing how much I am bombarded with all the tools that will aid me in selling things. Auction tools, merchandising tools, marketing tools. Designed to get my product, my offering, into the hands of the drooling consumer.

Now, I suppose that if my true purpose was to build up my retirement fund, the availability of these tools would be invaluable. If my livelihood were dependent upon selling (rather than having the blessing of family to feed, clothe, and shelter me), and selling more than the other person, then I am sure that these tools would be helpful. Fortunately, the success of my project isn't dependent upon selling. Wait...OK, maybe not wholly dependent. I suppose I could just give it all away [shudder]. My true measure of success will come from an inner sense of accomplishment and a cleaner house. Even if that were not the case, however, I truly doubt that I would use the tools. I rarely used them before. Why? That wonderful yardstick of the free enterprise system - profit margin. These tools ain't all that cheap, folks. Yet, there are free tools available to help make a sale, and still I find that I do not utilize them all. Why? That wonderful yardstick of the human personality - lazy margin. I'll admit it. Part of why I don't do all of the things I could do to improve my sales is that I do have a tendency to be lazy. Well, that and the whole "why bother?" factor, but there are wonderful medications for that. It is this tendency that contributed to creating the need for this project. It is this tendency that contributes to why I don't always have the whole, drawn out description for every item that I list on eBay™. Well, that and my sense of humor and desire to have some fun.

I find that I am butting heads with this tendency lately, as a result of this project. That is why this project is so important. Every component of it forces me to flip the internal switch from lazy to active. Knowing this, I take a further risk. I am going to do something that will push the lazy/active switch to its limits. I am going to announce [drum roll]:

oneroomatatime.net

It's under construction at the moment, but soon, very soon, it will become a joyful addition to the 1rat family. Fills one with anticipation, does it not?