Posts by hornetsnest

5

Are You In The Antiques Trade & Separately - Ebay Question

by Celtic in

jw
friends

i'm interested to hear whether any of you are in the antiques trade, and if so, specifically, within which sector?.

ourselves, the family business, we deal in antiquarian books, maps and prints, generally topographical english counties 1550-1860, although we do have a wider stock.

we do not deal in reproductions, only antiquarian stock.

hornetsnest

Hi, Folks!

Antiques are a little out of my line. I'm getting to be an antique myself, so I figure that I've got enough. (Grin)

We sell a good volume on eBay (5,000+ Nintendo games and accessaries in the past year) and actually get a surprising volume of business from overseas. Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, and mainland China is where we do most of it in the Far East, while it's primarilarly the European nations in the other direction. There's a trickle from South and Central America and a flood from Canada.

Most will email in advance and ask the S&H for that country for whatever they are interested in. I'll check with the USPS Postage Calculator that's online (http://ircalc.usps.gov/), add about a buck to cover the cost of our packing materials and a 30 day guarantee, and quote that figure to them. We also mention that there is a big discount for multiple purchases, as we can combine shipping. There are very few complaints.

It's really not that difficult. It's my hunch that most people don't get into it due to the fear of the unknown. As a result, many will discourage overseas business by charging more "just to be safe", if you follow my meaning.

As far as sensible trading tips, here are a few generic ones that may help. Of course, the field is so huge that a specific question may be more productive.

1. Keep in mind that 75% of the bidding will be done on the last day. Most people don't want to bid too early, as that tips off others that they are interested. This doesn't mean that the other days are wasted, as that's when people discover the auction and click the "Watch this item" link. When it gets short, then they bid. I've had things climb over $50.00 in the last minute!

2. You may wonder if something is worth listing. One way to get an idea of an item's value is to type its name into one of eBay's search bars, and when that comes up, look on the left hand border of the page. You will see the link "Completed Items". When that comes up, you will have a list of all the similar items that have sold in the past 30 days, along with the prices they went for.

3. Be careful how you construct your headers for the listings. Don't put in such words as "Cheap" or "Rare". Put stuff like that in the descriptions. Put words that people will enter in the search bar when they are looking for that product. Put as many as you can think of that are related to your item. Abbreviate connecting words like "w/" instead of "with", for instance. This will increase the number of people who discover your auction. The more people, the more bids. The more bids, the higher the ending price.

4. Be very careful about your spelling, especially in the headers. To understand what I mean, put "Nintendo 64" in the search bar and see what comes up. Now try it again using these misspellings: "Nitendo 64" and "Ninetendo 64". They will be there, but in fewer number. Not many people will find them, and they will go for lower prices due to that. (Which is a good hunch for prospective buyers!) (Grin) Also watch the little things. You will get different results for "Princess Diana doll" than you will "Princess Diana Dolls" or "Hummel Redheads" than you will "Hummel Red heads".

5. Don't control your payment methods too tightly. Many if not most new ones don't have PayPal and don't know how to use it. If you accept only PayPal, that eliminates about half your prospective customers right there! Many others, including some very experienced ones, don't like PayPal and won't use it.

We have good success by accepting PayPal, money orders, and personal checks. We ship within hours of getting a PayPal notice of payment or receiving a money order, but we hold up shipment for a personal check for about 10 days after it is deposited in our bank. We've only had 2 bad checks, and one of those was eventually paid.

6. Don't allow the idea of an eBay store bother you. They are simple to set up, and is a central place where people can go to see everything that you have on auction. This encourages multiple purchases. One Canadian gentleman bought 73 items to be shipped all at once, and once they were received, promptly ordered another 26! The links are automatically listed on all of your listing pages, and you are given a standard online address to refer others to. Here is ours, should you like to see what a store looks like. (http://www.stores.ebay.com/id=68775048&ssPageName=L2) At the moment we have about 140 items in there.

Hope this helps!

Tom

7

A Trip Down Memory Lane (for Room 215)

by cruzanheart in

jw
friends

as i promised a few weeks ago, here is a photo of my grandmother, my uncle, and a couple of old greek friends from 'way back in the late 1950's.

from left to right is eugenia tsigaris, my grandmother vasiliki giannacopoulos, george tsigaris, and my uncle paul janis (he shortened his name for convenience).

they went to the greek congregation around the teaneck/englewood, new jersey area..

hornetsnest

Room 215 ---

And with apologies to Cruzanheart as this isn't exactly on subject ...

I've seen you post here for a long time and your board name has always intrigued me. Perhaps it's just a figment of my imagination, but I get the sense that it must refer to a room of special significance at headquarters. (Torture room?) (Grin)

If you don't find the question offensive, or revealing such information wouldn't compromise you in some way, I'd be interested in the story behind that room.

My best to you.

Tom

36

How many here are gamers? and what is your system of choice? favorite game?

by Azalo in

.

i have a gamecube and my favorite game is mario kart double dash.. btw.

for the poll pc gaming counts

hornetsnest

LOL! Well, I guess you could call us gamers!

My son, Zeke and his buddies loved to play them, trade them, buy and sell them, have contests, etc., etc. Finally, he came to have such a knowledge that people were coming to him for help.

I was about to retire and he was about to graduate from highschool. We looked at each other and grinned, and decided to go into business together. To make a long story short, we started on eBay a year ago last January 1st. In the ensuing 13 months (almost) we've bought and sold 5,000 games and systems.

We specialize in all the older Nintendo systems, NES, SNES, 64, and GameBoy. Occasionally we get something else in, and am working a deal with some major suppliers to run a line of new stuff, GameCube systems and games, etc., right along with it. If you are ever on eBay and spot some games being sold by Greenbugsblood, that's us.

About 6 months after we started, I was talking to Zeke one day and he rolled his eyes up to the heavens, clasped his hands together, and intoned, "I've got the most perfect job in the whole world!" LOL!!!! You wouldn't believe the collection he has!

We've only got 52 auctions running at the moment, but plan to bring it up to an average of 300 to 400 within a month.

Chrono Trigger, anyone? (Grin)

LoneWolf

23

Put in time or be disassociated!

by VM44 in

jw
friends

in a recent thread, metatron wrote:(recent change: the inactive need to put in time or be disassociated).

when was this policy introduced!

seems rather harsh!.

hornetsnest

Amazing and undercover nailed it, all right. That in a nutshell is the reason that I was disfellowshipped 15 years ago. I kept operating on what was written and then defending my actions by that writing. The elders would have a fit and I'd stop them cold with what it said in the publications.

Finallly, they concocted charges that were bull sh*t from beginning to end and DFed me on that basis. That's why I've always told them, "If this truly is Jehovah's organization, then I will be exonerated. If it isn't, then who cares?"

Man, they hate that! LOL!

Tom

120

WT's Airplane Damaged -Again- Visiting Another Fishing Lodge

by Gerard in

the watchtower's luxurious aircraft was damaged the first time in 1995:

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief2.asp?ev_id=20001207x03587&ntsbno=anc95la077&akey=1

"on june 12, 1995, at 1530 alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped cessna 402b airplane, n710ws, registered to and operated by the watchtower bible organization and tract society, collapsed its nose gear while taxiing back after landing.

hornetsnest

There is more that I would like to comment on, but it is already 2:30 AM, and I have 60 auctions ending tomorrow. However, before I sign off ?..

I wish to apologize to you about the item I wanted to post in 24 hours. My son and I are running a small business on eBay and are selling Nintendo games and equipment all over the world. When something comes up that needs handling, I'm the one that has to handle it. The result is that I sometimes can't do everything as quickly as I would like. Our name is Greenbugsblood, if you would like to check us out.
Perhaps I can give you a few things of like nature to hold you over in the meantime, but a word of explanation first:

When I take people and organizations on, I like to meet them on their own ground, using their own weapons, their own philosophies, and then teach them how the game is played. Here are four:
Blood Issue: Directed straight at the Governing Body and their teachings. http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/41260/1.ashx

Spanking a Body of Elders: This was a case where my daughter was married to an abusive husband, the son of an autocratic elder who acted as though he was God. He was also a master of psychological warfare. I wanted to take them both down a few notches, but as I was both disfellowshipped and on the road as a long-haul driver 3,000 miles away, you can probably understand the disadvantages I had. The only way to do it would be to teach HIM what psychological warfare is. The last half of this letter freaks many people out. However, after it was sent, EVERYONE backed off and left me alone. There was no more harassment from the elders. http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/27787/1.ashx

Letter declining reinstatement: This was hand delivered to a very high ranking individual. It destroys any idea they may have had that they were holy or superior to anyone. http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/16556/1.ashx

Natural Life Cycle of a Religion: They have fallen into the same trap every other religion has --- human ego. The how?s and why?s. http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/16621/1.ashx

These all have some things in common:

1. It meets them on ground they think is their?s, but isn?t.
2. It destroys any sense of superiority they think they may have.
3. They will think about the things said --- because they cannot help it.
4. It cuts the very foundation from under them and gives them no ammunition to throw back.
5. They have been unable to answer any of these.

Now, briefly, as I hate to waste time on those who open their mouths only to let their brains run out all over the floor, but ?.

Gerard ---

1. Most of the villages in Alaska don?t have aviation fuel.
2. Most of the fishing lodges do.
3. Many northern pilots, unless having weight problems, like to keep the fuel topped off as it cuts down on the possibility of condensation forming in the tanks, and then freezing in the fuel line. (Yes, I know about BanIce and Heet)
4. Where had they been before that and how long had it been since they were at a major airport?
5. Was a brother or even a family working at the fishing lodge? Or perhaps even owned one?
6. 40 miles is considered about the equivalent of 10 FEET down here. Heck, we used to go 900 miles to the assembly and thought nothing of it. (Bethel to Whitehorse as the crow flies)
7. Who said it was beyond the aircraft?s ability? You? LOL! People goof up at LAX too. Is that because the runway is beyond the aircraft?s ability?
8. As stated before, I doubt the Branch spent one thin dime on that aircraft. Knowing the brothers up there, buying a damaged one, fixing it up and donating it sounds about par for the course.
9. The same goes for the fuel and the pilot.
10. As for my private funds, I spend them where I blasted well feel like it, and the LAST thing I would do is ask the approval of some knucklehead with constipation of the brain.

As a critic, you?d make a good mud flap on my back trailer.

LoneWolf

120

WT's Airplane Damaged -Again- Visiting Another Fishing Lodge

by Gerard in

the watchtower's luxurious aircraft was damaged the first time in 1995:

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief2.asp?ev_id=20001207x03587&ntsbno=anc95la077&akey=1

"on june 12, 1995, at 1530 alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped cessna 402b airplane, n710ws, registered to and operated by the watchtower bible organization and tract society, collapsed its nose gear while taxiing back after landing.

hornetsnest

What on earth? It won't let me post the rest of this!

LoneWolf

120

WT's Airplane Damaged -Again- Visiting Another Fishing Lodge

by Gerard in

the watchtower's luxurious aircraft was damaged the first time in 1995:

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief2.asp?ev_id=20001207x03587&ntsbno=anc95la077&akey=1

"on june 12, 1995, at 1530 alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped cessna 402b airplane, n710ws, registered to and operated by the watchtower bible organization and tract society, collapsed its nose gear while taxiing back after landing.

hornetsnest

Hello, frenchbabyface,

LOL on flying around the state! I must warn you though, it is not for the faint of heart! My wife was nearly killed twice!

I wish that I could understand you a little better. That is not a criticism, but an honest desire, as there is much in your words that I think I agree with. I understand that English is not your first language, and thoroughly respect those who can converse fluently in more than one. I've always wanted to do that myself, but was too busy providing a living for my large family to learn.

I think our main differences (if I understand you rightly) is in perspective. It is part of human nature to swing from one extreme to the other. When we find something ugly in someone or something, we tend to reject everything that comes from that source. They end up throwing out the good with the bad! Yet I have found from hard experience that it is just as hard to find someone that is entirely wrong, as it is to find someone who is entirely right. Far better it is to take what you can and build on it.

In this case, yes, there are many within the organization that are very good people, and are doing all they know how to do what is right. Isn't that one of the major laments right here on the board, that of wanting to do all we can to get them out? Other than n aïveté, what really is their sin?

I find too, that this principle goes very high in the Organization, as I have contacts that go very high. There is one thing that is uniform regardless of how high you go, it being that no one is allowed to know what is going on beyond the things that are necessary to know, to accomplish their assignment. They are all kept in the dark. Plus, they, just like the common publishers, are afraid to ask too many questions. Even on the Governing Body themselves, they are fearful and hesitant due to fear of one another. There is one man, Theodore Jaracz, of whom I would richly enjoy flensing that big broad slab of lard he calls an ass. He is the one that has set the tone for this whole mess.

Am I saying that they are guiltless? No. They have a lot to answer for. I pray with all of my heart that I am never responsible for as much bloodguilt and loss of faith as they are. One of the reasons that I am as outspoken as I am is that I recognize the root cause of their failure. It is cowardice. They are more concerned about saving their own mangy hides than they are about Jehovah's good name or the welfare of the Little Sheep. If they had a little more backbone, then Jaracz and crowd wouldn't have a free hand to make everyone miserable, or like Achan, steal things that rightly belong to God, such as all the asinine glory and honor with which they cover themselves.

There is more that I would like to comment on, but it is already

120

WT's Airplane Damaged -Again- Visiting Another Fishing Lodge

by Gerard in

the watchtower's luxurious aircraft was damaged the first time in 1995:

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief2.asp?ev_id=20001207x03587&ntsbno=anc95la077&akey=1

"on june 12, 1995, at 1530 alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped cessna 402b airplane, n710ws, registered to and operated by the watchtower bible organization and tract society, collapsed its nose gear while taxiing back after landing.

hornetsnest

LOL, Pork Chop!!

You have that right! Actually, some of them are getting pretty good! I seen them mess their pants in 4-part harmony! Now THAT takes practice!

LoneWolf

120

WT's Airplane Damaged -Again- Visiting Another Fishing Lodge

by Gerard in

the watchtower's luxurious aircraft was damaged the first time in 1995:

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief2.asp?ev_id=20001207x03587&ntsbno=anc95la077&akey=1

"on june 12, 1995, at 1530 alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped cessna 402b airplane, n710ws, registered to and operated by the watchtower bible organization and tract society, collapsed its nose gear while taxiing back after landing.

hornetsnest

Gerard, put a cork in it.

Mike Royko had an excellent description of what you are doing. He called it "ranting on empty". Your childish attempts at logic would put a 3-year old to shame. But then, you're probably one of those who can't get it up unless he's screeching about something, anything, and it doesn't matter what it is.

And before you get your bowels in an uproar, let me state flatly that I've forgotten more about life, love, religion, the Organization, Alaska, and nigh on to most anything else mentionable than you ever knew. I started in the door-to-door work in 1946 at the age of 6. I spent 11 years in Alaska and flew all over the state in all kinds of conditions. My family and I lived in the Eskimo village of Bethel for 3 1/2 years serving where the need was great. (If you can't find it, it's 420 miles due west of Anchorage on the lower Kuskokwim.) I've driven deuce and a halfs (2 1/2 ton army trucks) for miles up and down that river on the ice to go in service. I've delivered 4 of our 6 kids and spanked little farts like you. I spent another 10 years and over a million miles as a long-hauler, driving everything from 18 wheel semis to 30 wheel B-trains full of hazmat..

I've posted on these boards for years, first on the old H2O and later on this one as "LoneWolf" until my account got messed up when Simon changed things about a year ago. My criticisms of the Society make your's look like a gentle breeze. (One of them will be posted within 24 hours.) However, there's one major difference. When I say something about them, I sign my name as well as hand deliver copies to the highest officials of the Society that are available, when applicable. You couldn't spend a day with me doing the things I do without messing your pants in a panic.

When I was there the Branch Overseer's name was P. G. Ronco, and for all I know he is still there. He would spell the Circuit Overseer (Bob Hartman) so that he could get some rest, and/or accept assignments that he couldn't get to. Most of the groups and isolated publishers lived so far away that it would be impractical to drive it even if there were roads. Yes, they called on the isolated publishers too. Even though there were only 3 of us publishers in Bethel much of the time we were there, one of them would spend a week with us twice a year. To have a Branch Overseer and his wife all to ourselves was something! To do all that traveling by commercial airline would be prohibitively expensive.

Plus, you grossly underestimate the Alaskan brothers. Many of them make good money. One of them was the financial genius behind Wien Consolidated Airlines (now part of Alaskan Airlines). I knew Sig Wien personally. One time a convoy of 3 small planes flew out to Bethel (500 miles one way) from Fairbanks to pick us all up for an assembly, then flew us all back after it was over. Another young brother was a commercial bush pilot at the age of 21. Many were flight instructors and certified aircraft mechanics. One of them was Lyle Nelson of Fairbanks, and his exploits were such that a wimp like you would pee your pants just reading about them.

Plus, believe it or not, they were generous. There were always a flock of pilots around that would vie with one another to fly someone somewhere. One time we personally were going to attend a convention in Vancouver, BC, and one of the brothers in the congregation took a look at our old beat-up junker and said, "No way!!" He practically forced us to take his brand new car, refusing to take "No." for an answer. That's a 5,000 mile round trip. (We spent some time at our folks place in Oregon too.)

I doubt that the Alaskan Branch had to pay one thin dime for those airplanes.

Most trips to the western part of the state were in two hops, each way. The stop in the middle was to eat lunch and fuel up. Sometimes the only food or fuel within 200 miles was a fishing resort and you had to fly out of route. So what? It was food and fuel, and nothing else mattered. Heck, one time during an emergency we came in for a landing on a restricted DEW line base that isn't even on the maps! You never saw so many soldiers with rifles in all your life! As soon as the commanding officers determined what the score was, they wanted them to go back to normal duties, but were having an awful time to get them to go, as it was a men only base, and we had a couple of gorgeous girls with us. LOL!!!

My suggestion? Sit down and be very quiet. Leave the criticism to those of us who know what we are talking about and can be effective at it. You are nothing but a joke, an amateur, and they are laughing at you.

LoneWolf

11

HELP WITH U.N INFO...PLEASE.

by integ in

i was wondering if someone could direct me to where i can download actual copies of the watchtowers response to the un scandal, and any other info i can download to show someone who is convinced it's "all lies".

i tried the search feature on this site, and for some reason it did'nt work for me.

thank's for any help you can provide with this.. integ.

hornetsnest

I might add that much of the official version is quoted and torn apart at this address: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/11/64357/1.ashx

LoneWolf