Commentary from the staff of Auctiva.com
Product Analyst Challenges Herself to Sell
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Now that the 100-degree temperatures have finally set in here in Chico, CA, we’re all kind of feeling the “blahs”—which means it’s time to do something fun in the office.
About a month ago, I was sitting here at my desk, looking around at the massive amounts of stuff I have yet to list on eBay, and I realized that the clear desktop surface I have is down to inches. Why I keep buying more things that I don’t have time to sell is beyond me. I think I may have an illness.
I’ve got stuff everywhere: under my desk, on top of my desk, in my storage containers, not to mention in my storeroom… and the stockpile I have at home. Regardless of why or how I’ve collected all this clutter, one thing was certain: I needed to get motivated to sell some of it. So I made a pact with myself that I would try to sell at least 50 items in July.
I shared my goal with some of my nearby office mates, news I was sure they would be happy to hear. Rather jokingly, James Ross, one of our developers said, “You could sell 50 things just from what’s sitting on top of your desk!” That’s it, I thought! What better challenge for myself than to try and sell the items that I have right here, within reach. Though I know I’ve got hundreds of items sitting in the storeroom that would be easy to sell, selling the odds and ends I have on my desk would truly be a challenge.
So the rule for my selling challenge is that I can only sell items that are somehow “on” my desk, nothing stored underneath or in my desk drawers. And I have a month to do it. There are a few items I refuse to part with (Garfield items, my GI Joe doll… I mean “action figure,” my Rubik’s cube, slinky, etc.). I do have a couple plastic boxes full of random merchandise on my desk that are fair game, so hopefully I can get some of that stuff sold.
Can I do it? We’ll see. Either way, I’ll let you know how it’s going, so be on the lookout. How do you get motivated to sell when you’re in a funk? Tell us below.
About the author
Rebecca Miller is Auctiva.com's product manager. As an eBay seller of more than 10 years, Rebecca is well tuned into the needs of online sellers, and serves as an internal advocate for merchants. She continuously monitors Auctiva's Community Forums, answering customer's questions and taking their feedback to developers for future enhancements. Rebecca continues to sell on eBay, and is currently a PowerSeller and a Top-rated Seller.
Yes, I feel the funk of sometimes going blah… but what get’s me motivated.. believe it if you will, is when I go shopping for more. Yes, shopping for more!
Then I start to sort and go, “Oh, this will sell perfect right now.” And it goes on from there. When I don’t buy, I’m just sitting around going blah! Just wanted to share my motivation!
Well, did you sell it all? I hope you did, cuz that would give me hope, too. Happy summer time. Get a safe tan,go swimming, play tennis, be good to yourself.
Hello Sola! I may have to try your motivation method too! My method isn’t working out the way I had hoped!
Hi Marsha,
Um, well….it’s not going so good lol…I had high hopes, but honestly, I’ve been so swamped here lately working on other projects that I just haven’t had the time to list much. My current tally stands at (drumroll, please)….SIX! BUT I am going to try and squeeze in some time next to do a big push for the end of the month! I don’t want to let anyone down
Finally, did you sell them? Looking forward your further information. Good luck.