Okay, so the wife and daughter have been sick all weekend. I thought I had managed to get by and miss joining them in our usual group germ festival, but no, on Monday evening the germs mounted one last offensive and overthrew my immune system. It wasn't a total rout, but it was enough to give me a fever, sniffles, a sore throat and a nice hacking cough.

One of the things I like about being sick though, is I can still run my eBAY store while I'm home sick. That's a plus. I check on my sales every time I head down to the bathroom to..um...brush my teeth. If there are any sales, I then prepare them for shipment before retreating to my den of used Kleenex and microwavable food stuffs. The cool thing, is that my carrier will pick the packages up from me later on in the day. I just have to place the disinfected items in a hermetically sealed mayonaise jar on the front porch along with some home-grown apples or garlic. The last part isn't required, but is sure seems to make it less likely that my carrier will forget me.

I've had three sales this evening and all three are ready to go out tomorrow. Yeah, I love being sick. Except for the hacking, wheezing, sniffling and such. I think it's time to regroup. Antibodies front and center. So whatta ya think? Heavy Metal, We Are the Champions, Watchtower or Tobacco Row as a theme song? Don't worry, I already ruled out Muskrat Love, Puppy Love, and Don't Worry Be Happy. Any suggestions?

You know what they say, War ain't pretty. Unless you're a big fluffy bunny and this bunny has pretty to spare. Move'em out! Da Da Da DAAA Da, Da Da Da DAAAA Da...and so on and so forth...

I love my customers. Especially the ones who are honest, kind, and sensible. Most of my customer are quite nice, but once in a while, a customer will go out of their way to make my job easier. Once in a while they say something so nice, that I want to give them a hug. Sure, we all remember the ones who screw us. We rant and rave and go on about how unfair life is, but how often do you do the opposite? When a customer is overwhelmingly sensible, kind, or nice, do you jump on the blog and rant and rave about how great that customer is? If not, you should. Complaining is easy, but doesn't make you feel any better. Well, okay, maybe you feel a little better, especially when everyone chips in and commismerates with you, but in the end, you're still not real happy. Try complimenting a buyer or seller who did right by you. Create a positive atmosphere. Brag about them on the blog, then send them a nice e-mail thanking them and letting them know that you bragged about them on the blog. Maybe offer them a discount, or free shipping on their next item. Do something that lets them know how much you appreciated their kind words, or their patience, while you sorted out some issue for them.

One of my best feedbacks was from a gentleman that did not receive his product. Well, actually he did, but not until after he left the feedback. A book sent Media Mail disappeared after being received by the Post Office. Two weeks later, the customer contacted me as the book had not arrived. He waited patiently for an additional two weeks while I tried to find the book. The Post Office took my complaint and promptly ignored me for another two weeks. At the end of thirty days, per my agreement with the customer, I refunded his money in full and offered him free shipping on the next item he ordered. He left me neutral feedback, as expected, but with glowing remarks and high recommendations. I was very surprised. Two days later his book showed up and the customer contacted me wanting to know what he should do now. That surprised me too. I told him to keep the book, no charge.

I may have lost a few bucks that day, but I'm sure it will be made up over time. I've got a new customer who raves about my service and that alone may lead to other customers. In the long run, I think that will be money well spent. I'm just glad this didn't happen with the Ferrari I was auctioning off.

By the way, congrats to whiteshastadaisy for a job well done! Just go to to daisy's site to see how she does business.

And now...it's time for carrot cake. No, not you. ME! Okay...I'll share, but I get the carroty part.