Web-based Auction Management tools versus Computer-Based

Over the past few days the Auctiva website was infected with a Trojan. Auctiva users could not safely log into their accounts to manage their listings. And the buyers could not pay for items purchased.

Here is a link to an article at AuctionBytes..

Trojan Infects Auctiva


This exact scenario is one of the reasons I stay away from web-based applications. Had I been an Auctiva user, my anti virus software would not even allow me to navigate to the site, so I could not have managed a single listing for over four days.

Now I realize my own computer network could be attacked. Anyone could be. But putting my sensitive information on another site whose security could not be up to par isn't something I even don't want to think about.

I will just stick with my computer based Auction management software that I have used for years. Auction Wizard 2000

If the internet is down, doesn't matter I can continue putting in information for auctions, editing images or whatever I want to do on my computer. And I don't have to store any of my passwords or financial information on a site out there that is high profile and could easily be attacked, gleaning my information..

No waiting for a browser page to load so I can add/edit images, add description text or all the other tasks that must be done in order to manage auctions. It is on my computer and moves as fast as my computer does.

Nope, I will stay with computer based Auction management software.

Selling on Bonanzle

Hi, all,

Well I finally took the plunge and took a look at Bonanzle Great Place! Super easy to setup a booth (that is where you sell your stuff).

I set up my booth in about 5 minutes. Take a look.

bluepennylady's booth

A few mouse clicks and you are done, literally.. Site is easy to navigate and easy to understand.

Have a question, a real live human being responds. One who has read your email and responds appropriately instead of an automated non-response that doesn't help one bit.

Bonanzle will import your eBay store listings. And you can either leave them as they are or elect to Batch edit. The default Item condition at Bonanzle is "Used" so if you sell "new" stuff, you'll need to batch edit and change the item condition appropriately.

Creating a listing at Bonanzle is incredibly easy and fast. Takes about 45 seconds to list something. Their form is one page instead of the slow loading, numerous page, hard to work with Sell your Item form on eBay.

Bonanzle also provides each seller with a google base xml file. I have uploaded the xml file twice to my new google base account created specifically for Bonanzle. Not one single missing attribute or condition. I didn't do a thing to the xml file other than save it to my hard drive and manually uploaded it. Slick as a whistle.


What does it cost you ask? Well I was surprised. Listing is free. You pay Final Value fees. But they are much less than anywhere else I have checked out.
What does it cost to sell at Bonanzle?

According to my booth statistics, the first three days my bluepennylady's booth was open, the traffic was as high or higher than my
bluepennylady eBay store
And although not a landslide business, I have sold two items in the first three days. It only cost me $1.00 instead of $7.20 as it would have on eBay.

Now don't get me wrong, I am not slamming eBay. My bluepennylady eBay store generates alot of traffic. And eBay still provides a pretty good bang for your buck. But there are some New kids on the block and I think they might be quite serious about their online Auction site.

So you might ought to consider checking the Bonanzle site out.. It is looking pretty good!

Judy/bluepennylady

How to Treat your eBay Business as a Business

On September 17, 2008 at 12 noon Pacific time, Phyllis Wischer of SageFire will be presenting a workshop at eBay on the subject of "How to Treat your eBay Business as a Business.

I had the opportunity to hear Phyllis speak at the Rocketplace conference in Las Vegas this past week on September 12, 2008. What an excellent seminar! Phyllis is an excellent speaker, energetic and entertaining. But the most important part is she knows what she is talking about.

The IRS is making changes which will affect many online businesses including eBay sellers. So be sure to sign up for this workshop.

You will find more information at the following link on eBay

How to treat your eBay business as a business workshop

Copper Ring Sale

I thought you all might want to see pictures of the great looking Copper Rings We have Available at Bluepennylady Auctions

Folklore maintains Copper may relieve the pain of arthritis..

Beautiful Bands, Twisted Rope designs, Falcon, Hearts and so much more to choose from.

Check them out.

Copper Ring Sale 10% off FREE SHIPPING

Bluepennylady auctions is running a Copper Ring Sale until July 31, 2008. And most are FREE SHIPPING!

There are some incredibly good looking rings. Great for yourself or gift giving. I know no one wants to even start thinking about Christmas in the middle of summer but it will be here before we know it. These rings are great stocking stuffers, last minute gifts for someone at the office, or just a "I am thinking about you" gift..

Check them out at:

http://stores.ebay.com/bluepennylady_Jewelry_Rings_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ15178727QQftidZ2QQtZkmViewitem?refid=store


We hope to see you soon!

bluepennylady and staff

Quartet Dry Erase & Cork Boards

This week Bluepennylady auctions is listing Quartet Dry Erase Boards as well as Cork Boards. Several different styles and sizes.

Styles such as:
Quartet 2304 Cork Bulletin Board Aluminum Frame 4' x 3'
Quartet TE564T Dry Erase Board Aluminum Frame 4' x 3'
Quartet B244LC Prestige Bulletin Board w/ Cherry Frame
Quartet ARCCP3018 Magnetic Dry Erase Calendar Arc Frame

Just to name a few.

Check them out at

http://stores.ebay.com/bluepennylady_Office-Art-School_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ8QQftidZ2QQtZkmViewItem?refid=store


Or just go to bluepennylady's store Home page at:

http://stores.ebay.com/bluepennylady?refid=store

So many office supplies to look at such as Avery labels, 3M Notebook computer Privacy Filter for LCD monitors, Printer Toners and cartridges plus so much more! We hope to see you in our buyer's list soon!

Regards

bluepennylady and staff

Thankful Christmas

Hi, All,
I haven't posted anything in a very long time. Not much at writing. But this past 2007 Christmas was without a doubt the best Christmas we have ever had. Ever! Reason--we celebrated a home coming instead of a funeral.
On December 18, 2007 I had just left town to head to ST Louis, Mo. My sister was having a major surgery. I was following my parents up to be with my sister and her husband for the surgery. As I pulled onto to I-44 my cellphone rang. It was my husband. As soon as I answered, I knew something was terribly wrong. My husband is a rock.. He never gets rattled. From the tone in his voice, I knew it was serious. I whipped my truck over on the shoulder of the road and asked what had happened. My husband's response, "I have to tell you something. And it is bad."
Our oldest twin son owns a construction company. He erects steel buildings. He had just climbed up on the iron, harness on, lanyard in place, he slipped and fell 18 feet headfirst onto a concrete slab. Wasn't good news. He was in critical condition and was being life flighted back to the trauma center. The town he was working in is small without a big hospital. And they were not equipped for this type of injury.
It was a nerve racking drive back to the hospital. My husband and I met up with our son's wife. Called our son's twin brother and our daughter. My parents both came straight back. Our pastor and his wife came with us to the hospital.
Five long hours in surgery with four specialists to put our son back together. Amazingly and miraculously, no brain damage,, No nerve damage. Skull fracture, broken nose, both arms broke as well as one shoulder. broken eye socket. Neck broken in 6 places. But not one thing wrong below his armpits. Not even a scratch. Broken neck doctor said was no big deal. Broke the outside of the vertebra so no worries there. Jaw broken in three places which meant mouth wired shut.
Two days in ICU. Four days on the regular floor... And our son came home on Christmas Eve. That was his only wish. Come home for Christmas and be with his family.
The doctors have told us repeatedly we are seeing a miracle, God's hand at work. Today I received a call from our daughter in law. All she said was someone wants to talk to you. It was our son. A full 2-1/2 weeks early the doctor removed the wires from his mouth. I could understand him over the phone. What a great call!
The gifts around the Christmas tree this year seemed nothing in comparison to having our son resting on the sofa.
Yes, this was the best Christmas. We celebrated a home coming and not a funeral. Thank the Lord!

Guess what bluepennylady found!

We bought out a sporting goods store to liquidate. Semi arrived at the store. Boxes were unpacked. In the bottom of one box was a framed document. The glass had been broken in transit. So we laid it to one side to work on later. After a bit of research, we discovered that it is a NY Knights Roy Hobbs contract signed by him and someone else from the cast of "The Natural" Now isn't that just the neatest thing ever! Has Roy Hobbs name on it in blue ink. We think the thing is authentic.. Not totally sure but sure looks like it. Regardless, we sure thought it was really a special thing to find something like this.

You just never know what bluepennylady will get in to liquidate.

bluepennylady auctions

bluepennylady

bluepennylady auctions

Wondering what bluepennylady is offering this week? Or need a special goody. Just take a look at the widget gallery images and see everything bluepennylady is offering.

Thankful Thanksgiving

In the midst of this year's pre-Thanksgiving preparations, our family had an unexpected event. Our daughter in law under went major surgery. The doctor was so very pleased. Surgery went so smoothly. That is until the middle of the night. Intense pain started. Staff simply thought it was the normal post surgery gas problems some patients experience. Until morning when the surgeon made rounds. Our daughter in law had been bleeding internally for hours and no one caught it. Of course, there was absolutely no reason to even look for internal bleeding. None of us knew she was prone to bleeding, not even she knew. And she nearly bled to death before they got it under control. Several stress filled touch and go days, staying at the hospital with our son and our daughter in law.

Just as quickly as she became a critical patient, she made a turn for the better and became a recovering patient. And Thanksgiving Day, our son carefully packed her to our home where we had dinner together. The family, including my parents and my in-laws, gathered at our home, joined hands around our table with our precious daughter in law, bowing our heads very thankfully. God is so very good. He's so good to me.

Professional selling is what it is about

2nd quarter has started with a major upswing. The Subscription Pricing Plan offered by Overstock is a major boost to sellers bottom line. Overstock should be commended for their hard work and thought in the Subscription Plan. TOASA "Save Green $5" as well as the "BOGO" promotions have really created a stir. MIM auctions are selling well as are regular bid auctions. Auctions hits are up significantly. Both TOASA promotions made the Home Page of Overstock.com Auctions. That in itself should make every TOASA seller hold their head a little higher.

TOASA sellers have joined together in a manner that exemplifies professionalism, commitment to excellence and a dedication to offering buyers the best prices, product and service to be found in any auction venue. TOASA sellers brainstormed, created and fine tuned these promotions in the matter of days. Creative banners and logos graphics were in place almost immediately. If you look through TOASA sellers' home pages, auction listings, blogs and websites, one will see the banners displayed proudly. No wonder these promotions have probably been the 2 best promotions ever launched by TOASA.

All these promotions have been created by ordinary people doing extraordinary things. People willing to stick their neck out a bit. Try something different. Use their creative abilities, no matter how limited they believe they are. The truth is, as a group, we have unlimited talent, insight and expertise. This type of camaraderie will not go unnoticed. And if we all continue with the same fervor as we have in the 1st quarter, it will pay off.

Time for Change

2006 is here! I can't wait to see what this new year will bring. In my personal life, business, Overstock and TOASA. With all of the exciting new plans that are being implemented in just the first quarter of this year, who can tell what will happen. Just one seller or even a handful of sellers, usually go unnoticed. But as TOASA makes changes and suggestions, pushing ahead. People are sitting up and taking notice. And rightfully so.

TOASA doesn't have all the answers and has never claimed to. It isn't a social club as some would say it is. TOASA is a whole bunch of dedicated people, volunteering hours of time, brainstorming, digging, researching, prodding Overstock management to develop and grow Overstock Auctions for the ultimate benefit of the sellers and buyers.

So Let's see just how far we can go in 2006. My mom always use to say "Many hands make light work" With all of us working together, just think what can be accomplished in just a short period of time.

Who Am I?

A Liquidator, that is who I am as well as a wife, mom and grandma. The "I" is actually "we." We being my husband and I. I sell on Overstock and eBay. I am a member of TOASA at Overstock and a Power Seller at Ebay. Our business, Pennyworth Sales, located in Columbus, KS, began selling online over 3 years ago as a method of liquidating inventory in which we had quite a bit of. Been great! We love selling online.

What do we sell? You name it and we get it. All kinds of goodies from all over the US. Tools, housewares, building supplies, candles, sporting goods, household maintenance stuff-- all sorts of really neat stuff! And if you don't check out my auctions often, well you might just miss that really cool thing you wanted and just can't live without.

Check me out at: http://stores.ebay.com/bluepennylady

Other really neat "stuff" at my Overstock auctions: http://auctions.overstock.com/cgi-bin/auctions.cgi?PAGE=SEARCH&TYPE=4&BYSELL=bluepennylady