This is the 1st of a series how to's that we have learned from in our experiences of traveling and continuing our eBay business, both by car and now in the RV.
When we bought our RV we knew we would be selling on the road, so made sure it had lots of storage space. Everything is stored in the plastic bins with tight fitting lids and stored in the 'basement'. Smaller and more valuable items are in their own plastic shoe boxes under the bed.
Hardware - Besides the computer and printer the only way to go is with an air card. I call them a cell phone for a laptop. Most companies have them now and they run about $60.00 a month.
There have been only a few spots where there is no cell phone signal so therefore no air card signal either.
Depending on the size of your business, there is no way to work and keep up with email, questions and sales, looking for someplace that has WiFi. And that is especially true in an RV where you don't have a lot of flexibility on where you park and instant decisions where to turn.
For us and this is just MHO, I hate putting my store on vacation. It is risky business, and hard to get geared up again.
Mailing Packages - It is a good idea to use the zip code you are mailing from. I think this is especially important when it is a priority package - because of the zones - Not so much with 1st class.
Most RV parks will accept outgoing mail. We had one problem when we were parked at a WalMart over night since they do not take outgoing mail! That is a whole 'nther subject and we won't be doing that again anytime soon - only in an emergency!!!!
Shipping - My husband is the shipping department and brings all the materials he would use at home including larger things in the event of large combined purchases. He also brought some priority boxes, with the thinking if he needed more he could get them easy enough from a post office. And if we ran out of something there are always office supply stores.
Merchandise - We have structured what we sell on the road in a way that won't be to heavy or bulky. We left all breakables at home. That took several weeks of planning and organization so the items would expire just before we left.
If you are parked in one place for awhile it is easy to visit thrift shops and yard sales or outlet stores. Don't forget the local Craigslist too!
List the items right away so you don't have to carry them with you very far. But stick to the rule of light things. You don't want them to be heavy and accumulate without selling and you have to haul them.
I am always available to talk eBay so if you are passing through or near Colorado Springs, CO write and lets meet up and visit.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Sakae Sushi, Bangsar Village
Zaini and I had some time to kill while waiting for Raimie to finish his School's Saturday Camp last week and we were not that particularly hungry, so we decided to head to Sakae Sushi in Bangsar Village for a light snack.
Actually Zaini took me there to prove a point. He had earlier told me that Sakae Sushi wasn't that great but I didn't quite believe him. I know, I know. It's a bad habit of mine - I reserve judgement until I experience them myself and I don't usually trust my own husband. So sue me...
First off, some photos of the decor. Nice decor. Good spot to have a date. Cosy and the mostly foreign staff were quite attentive as do the Manager. So, good service from them.
Actually Zaini took me there to prove a point. He had earlier told me that Sakae Sushi wasn't that great but I didn't quite believe him. I know, I know. It's a bad habit of mine - I reserve judgement until I experience them myself and I don't usually trust my own husband. So sue me...
First off, some photos of the decor. Nice decor. Good spot to have a date. Cosy and the mostly foreign staff were quite attentive as do the Manager. So, good service from them.
Cool interactive menu at the table too.
We ended up just eating three plates of sushi. That was how uninteresting the selection was.
The saving grace about our Sakae Sushi outing was this pickled ginger. This pickled ginger is so much better than the ones at Sushi Zanmai.Three plates of sushi and 2 cups of tea translated to RM22.70. Actually it was RM22.65, but the Manager omitted to give me back the 5 cents balance. I noticed nowadays there is this trend with some shop owners (in KL) omitting giving back the 5 cents balance. It used to be the 1 cent (because they said they don't have stock of 1 cent) and now shop owners conveniently say that they don't have the 5 cents change. Imagine that!
Meeting Other eBayers while RVing!
What a special bonus on this RV trip from Colorado Springs, CO to Lakeland, Florida.
In Lakeland we were able to park on the property of friends who had moved from CO just a few months before. They have complete RV hookups so we were 'planted' there for 6 weeks.
Johnny and Connie ( http://stores.shop.ebay.com/toyz4petz__W0QQ_armrsZ1) opened my eyes in lots of ways on how they run their business. It is so different than us. Neither way is right or wrong but we should impliment some of the detailed tracking they do.
The bonus of being so close to them (a few feet from their back door) was that we could visit and talk out situations or wording or just do brainstorming. He was so cute, he would come knock on our door and ask how to do this or I would go to him and ask how to word something. It was so fantastic.
We both contributed to dinner each night, ate together and visited flea markets and thrift stores and generally just hung out together. There was never a lack of things to talk about.
On our way to Lakeland, we stopped in Ocala and went back 2 more times to see Danna Crawford (http://powersellingmom.com/) and her Irish husband Jimmy. Danna teaches and works with many of the charities in Giving Works and Missionfish (eBay's sponsored approved charities). She is so full of ideas, is very loyal to eBay, big on blogging and Twitter and is just a helpful, jolly person. Jimmy is selling more and more on eBay too and we had fun watching one of his auctions close with a high bid. I can't leave their house without alot of enthusiasm and being anxious to get started on growing my business.
While we were at Danna's she recorded a video for powersellingmom.tv. I even got to turn the tables on her and ask her a question. (http://powersellingmom.com/TV/?tag=herbs-crafts-gifts).
In addition to non stop ebay talk we took a ride and saw John Travoltas house and one they think is Oprahs new house that is in Ocala also. What is neat about the celebrities living there, is the city promised they would not be harassed and would be treated as normal folk. And so far so good.
It was with much sadness we left Florida and such dear friends but onward to Dallas to meet 2 more eBayers.
Melinda & EBetsie - wow is all I can say. Melinda (http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Galleria-Gifts__W0QQ_armrsZ1) is a go getter and will get whatever she sets her mind to. She is overflowing with ideas and enthusiasm as evidenced by her helping the Dallas eBabes and eMales group grow and flourish.
Betsie (http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/monjott) is more laid back but super clever and is the seller of eBayana. She procures items with the eBay logo from all over the world to sell at auction and in her eBay store. In fact she gave me one of those rubber bracelets that has eBay Guides & Reviews on it.
In addition Bestsie is helping to organize the WS eBay Radio's 6th Anniversary party in Las Vegas in June 2009. Sounds like alot of fun with many speakers (including Melinda) and several group activities.
Again it was sad to leave our new friends but left with promises to see each other in June and hopefully in Jan 2010 if we pass though Dallas on our way back to Florida.
After meeting so many other eBayers it never ceases to amaze me how we are all instant friends and never shut up the whole time we are together. And lets raise a glass to all the friends we have not met yet but hope to meet along the way in the future.
In Lakeland we were able to park on the property of friends who had moved from CO just a few months before. They have complete RV hookups so we were 'planted' there for 6 weeks.
Johnny and Connie ( http://stores.shop.ebay.com/toyz4petz__W0QQ_armrsZ1) opened my eyes in lots of ways on how they run their business. It is so different than us. Neither way is right or wrong but we should impliment some of the detailed tracking they do.
The bonus of being so close to them (a few feet from their back door) was that we could visit and talk out situations or wording or just do brainstorming. He was so cute, he would come knock on our door and ask how to do this or I would go to him and ask how to word something. It was so fantastic.
We both contributed to dinner each night, ate together and visited flea markets and thrift stores and generally just hung out together. There was never a lack of things to talk about.
On our way to Lakeland, we stopped in Ocala and went back 2 more times to see Danna Crawford (http://powersellingmom.com/) and her Irish husband Jimmy. Danna teaches and works with many of the charities in Giving Works and Missionfish (eBay's sponsored approved charities). She is so full of ideas, is very loyal to eBay, big on blogging and Twitter and is just a helpful, jolly person. Jimmy is selling more and more on eBay too and we had fun watching one of his auctions close with a high bid. I can't leave their house without alot of enthusiasm and being anxious to get started on growing my business.
While we were at Danna's she recorded a video for powersellingmom.tv. I even got to turn the tables on her and ask her a question. (http://powersellingmom.com/TV/?tag=herbs-crafts-gifts).
In addition to non stop ebay talk we took a ride and saw John Travoltas house and one they think is Oprahs new house that is in Ocala also. What is neat about the celebrities living there, is the city promised they would not be harassed and would be treated as normal folk. And so far so good.
It was with much sadness we left Florida and such dear friends but onward to Dallas to meet 2 more eBayers.
Melinda & EBetsie - wow is all I can say. Melinda (http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Galleria-Gifts__W0QQ_armrsZ1) is a go getter and will get whatever she sets her mind to. She is overflowing with ideas and enthusiasm as evidenced by her helping the Dallas eBabes and eMales group grow and flourish.
Betsie (http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/monjott) is more laid back but super clever and is the seller of eBayana. She procures items with the eBay logo from all over the world to sell at auction and in her eBay store. In fact she gave me one of those rubber bracelets that has eBay Guides & Reviews on it.
In addition Bestsie is helping to organize the WS eBay Radio's 6th Anniversary party in Las Vegas in June 2009. Sounds like alot of fun with many speakers (including Melinda) and several group activities.
Again it was sad to leave our new friends but left with promises to see each other in June and hopefully in Jan 2010 if we pass though Dallas on our way back to Florida.
After meeting so many other eBayers it never ceases to amaze me how we are all instant friends and never shut up the whole time we are together. And lets raise a glass to all the friends we have not met yet but hope to meet along the way in the future.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Tea - Bottled or Brewed or Ordered From Your Favourite Mamak Place?
Zaini and I love our tea, but we have different taste in how to enjoy our tea. Zaini likes his cold and more often than not, he drank bottled or canned tea bought from supermarkets.
I for one, have never liked the bottled variety even though they are so convenient. I like to take my time, brewing and pouring my tea. Nowadays, I use the loose leaf variety instead of the teabags ones.
We even have different taste when enjoying a cup of tea at the Mamak stall! I like my teh tarik (pulled tea?) but Zaini prefers his Teh Ais (iced tea with milk).Friday, March 27, 2009
We've Left Lakeland, FL
It took alittle doing but we have headed north about 2 hours to Ocala where we spent last night and maybe 2 more nights.
On Wed. Gene disconnected everything and was ready to go get gasoline and to fill the propane tank. After he started the motor, the steps are supposed to retract - well they didn't. Johnny and Gene did alot of troubleshooting and could not find the problem.
Fortunately we have a friend who works at Camping World repairing RV's. (They are a large national chain for RV supplies and repair!) Gene called him and after going through all the possibilities again, they finally pulled out a cotter pin and manually put the steps up. Once the steps were wired up there tight, they will stay put until, we can get them fixed. The consensus is that the motor burned out.
Fortunately we had bought a sturdy, folding 2 step step stool, just in case something like this would happen. So we were good to go.
We left on Thursday and got onto I 75 north to the 1st rest area where we planned to stop and fix lunch. While I was doing that, Gene took a look around to be sure everything was OK.
He called me to come out to look at something. I asked if it was good and he said NO. Uh oh what now?
One of the tires on the tow dolley separated and the rubber had been flopping around for awhile. It bent the metal fender over the tire and broke the lights and reflector too. He did not notice any difference driving becuase it was so minor and most of the weight was on the rear tires of the van that were on the road.
The worst part of this is that Gene replaced that tire only a few weeks ago with a used (not retread tire!) ** Lesson here - Be careful buying stuff from small independents when you are visiting someplace and they know you will be leaving and they will never see you again.
When we bought the RV they offered us a soup to nuts insurance and road service policy. We took it so we just called them and within 45 minutes not only was the guy there, it was all fixed.
As my son said last night - if that is the worst of your troubles, be grateful and he is right. We had zero problems on the way down here and we are not the type to get even the least bit upset. Stuff happens, fix it, move on. No sense getting in an uproar about it.
So today Friday our friend Jimmy and Gene are going to do what they have to do, while I visit with his wife Danna ( http://powersellingmom.com/ ) and do and talk eBay ( http://stores.ebay.com/Herbs-Crafts-Gifts) or maybe go see John Travolta's house & shop. We are also going to make stuffed cabbage for her Grandma.
Right now the weather is the biggest factor on when we continue on and which route we take!! There are thunderstorms in the south and snow in the Midwest. Not only do we not want to drive this big rig on wet roads, we have to be concerned with pipes freezing. Right now it looks like we are going to stay as far south as we can along I 10 and turn north in New Mexico onto I 25. Problem with that is it is 400 miles longer!!!
On Wed. Gene disconnected everything and was ready to go get gasoline and to fill the propane tank. After he started the motor, the steps are supposed to retract - well they didn't. Johnny and Gene did alot of troubleshooting and could not find the problem.
Fortunately we have a friend who works at Camping World repairing RV's. (They are a large national chain for RV supplies and repair!) Gene called him and after going through all the possibilities again, they finally pulled out a cotter pin and manually put the steps up. Once the steps were wired up there tight, they will stay put until, we can get them fixed. The consensus is that the motor burned out.
Fortunately we had bought a sturdy, folding 2 step step stool, just in case something like this would happen. So we were good to go.
We left on Thursday and got onto I 75 north to the 1st rest area where we planned to stop and fix lunch. While I was doing that, Gene took a look around to be sure everything was OK.
He called me to come out to look at something. I asked if it was good and he said NO. Uh oh what now?
One of the tires on the tow dolley separated and the rubber had been flopping around for awhile. It bent the metal fender over the tire and broke the lights and reflector too. He did not notice any difference driving becuase it was so minor and most of the weight was on the rear tires of the van that were on the road.
The worst part of this is that Gene replaced that tire only a few weeks ago with a used (not retread tire!) ** Lesson here - Be careful buying stuff from small independents when you are visiting someplace and they know you will be leaving and they will never see you again.
When we bought the RV they offered us a soup to nuts insurance and road service policy. We took it so we just called them and within 45 minutes not only was the guy there, it was all fixed.
As my son said last night - if that is the worst of your troubles, be grateful and he is right. We had zero problems on the way down here and we are not the type to get even the least bit upset. Stuff happens, fix it, move on. No sense getting in an uproar about it.
So today Friday our friend Jimmy and Gene are going to do what they have to do, while I visit with his wife Danna ( http://powersellingmom.com/ ) and do and talk eBay ( http://stores.ebay.com/Herbs-Crafts-Gifts) or maybe go see John Travolta's house & shop. We are also going to make stuffed cabbage for her Grandma.
Right now the weather is the biggest factor on when we continue on and which route we take!! There are thunderstorms in the south and snow in the Midwest. Not only do we not want to drive this big rig on wet roads, we have to be concerned with pipes freezing. Right now it looks like we are going to stay as far south as we can along I 10 and turn north in New Mexico onto I 25. Problem with that is it is 400 miles longer!!!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
MaxValu Supermarket Letdown
MaxValu Supermarket Entrance (I nicked this photo from Zaini's site visit work photo collection)Zaini went to do a site visit at one MaxValu supermarket in Ampang area. We were quite excited at the thought of a MaxValu supermarket opening as we had hoped that there'll be plenty of TopValu stuff on sale there.
Well, it is just a normal supermarket with just one aisle of Japanese stuff there. Our hopes that it'll be like this one below are dashed. So, it is still Jusco Mid Valley which has the best and cheapest Japanese food selection around town.
Raimie posing in front of MaxValu in Nanba, Osakap.s. that photo was taken exactly a year ago, today.
Anyway, did I tell you about the JAL fares? Couldn't control myself and went ahead and called our travel agent and with the low airfares of RM3,715.00 for the three of us; as opposed to the usual range of RM5,000 - RM7,000 airfare we previously paid, it seems too good to let go of. But fortunately, sanity prevails and I won't be doing any air ticket booking at the moment.
But it got both me & Zaini talking about going to Japan again! Wait for our update on when we are planning to go! Yeay!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Sushi Sandwich Anyone?
I don't know about you, but this is the first time I saw a sushi sandwich. Interesting, but you won't be seeing me buying one of these in the near future!And for RM11.50, I can get a nice pack of sushi with ebi, ika and ebiko (all my favourite).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)