That's it I'm done

[rosscd57]

Well - that's it I'm done.

Removed all my Listings and deleted them

I'm not going out for at least 2 or 3 weeks depending on circumstance.

Good Luck everybody

And Stay Safe

And keep yr stick on the ice.

[sylviebee]

I wasn't aware that relief checks wouldn't be issued unless there was absolutely no income at all.  That seems harsh to those who make a few extra dollars on eBay etc.

[femmefan1946]

They took 20 days to arrive by lettermail. That's right, 20 days from Toronto to Vancouver. Normally it's 6 days max.

Over the decades I've been in mail order, selling everything from woodstoves to postage stamps, I have learned to allow 21 days for delivery within North America.  I'm usually pleasantly surprised.

We've had two mail deliveries this week one on Sunday (!) and one on Thursday. Both included advertising flyers -- for pizza.

[zee-chan-jpn-books]

Mine is a community mail box so I have only been checking it on the days that I have work...

But I'm going to stop working soon. The pandemic is getting worse and my doctor wrote me a doctor's note telling me to stay home. Welp, good bye full time job! Will have to look into how to apply for EI.

I'll hold off on selling on eBay... going to see if there's going to be new impacts with mailing things.

[ypdc_dennis]

---

@zee-chan-jpn-books wrote:
... But I'm going to stop working soon. The pandemic is getting worse and my doctor wrote me a doctor's note telling me to stay home. Welp, good bye full time job! Will have to look into how to apply for EI.
I'll hold off on selling on eBay... going to see if there's going to be new impacts with mailing things.

---

Good luck. 

Here's one start point:

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html

[forester_studios]

Eat crow? Really. Jesus, you love kicking folks when they're down don't you! I've been through tough times too. You're judgemental attitude is disgusting.

[forester_studios]

Every document I've read says NO income for 14 days before applying. I talked to folks at my local Community Resources Office and they confirmed this. So I shut down. I'd rather have the $2,000 a month in govt. assistance than base my future on fickle ebay buyers who may of may not be here in coming weeks.

[rosscd57]

Ya but I don't whine about it.

[forester_studios]

What the hell is wrong with you. I didn't whine about anything you mindless troll. I merely reported facts others need to know. I have many friends online. They are pulling together as a supportive community in a time of crisis and you have nothing better to do with your time than attack stanngers on the internet for no good reason? People I know are dying and you do this? You are an awful person aren't you!

[valuestore]

Im sure this wont be a popular post but for us sales have doubled since this all started, like amazon this is a boom time for online commerce. Im going to keep going until either a supplier stops supplying or postal system shuts down. I feel doing anything else is really just abusing the system at a time when Canada need us, its not time for a paid holiday. Though I understand some at risk maybe different situations, such as being immuno compromised.

[mcrlmn]

You were actually making a living and supporting yourself with your eBay profits?
That $2000 month sounds a lot better than what I clear a month.
I figured you'd be making the same chump change I do.

I'm retired, and do this as a hobby.
If it weren't for pensions income 44 years earned me, I'd be lining up for that payout too.

I don't think I'd be trivializing over my meager eBay income.
I would've forwarded the application by now.

It is tragic; the circumstances of this opportunity.
I'm apprehensive every evening my daughter returns home from work.
I wish she qualified.
We'd probably both sleep better at night.

[valuestore]

From my understanding the CERB pays everyone the same 2000 month.  But heres the problem if a person was making 'hobby' 1000 a month and the CERB will pay 2000? thats I hope not how it works because droves of people will be deliberately shutting down to profit off the CERB. 

[ricarmic]

---

@ricarmic wrote:
Inside Canada shipments have been ok, the last two USA shipments that were tracked (Mar 17 and 26) are both dead in the water so to speak in the USA after leaving the Chicago processing plant, the've been "in transit" since.

They're what are making me glad I shut down when I did. The Mar 17 buyer has already been inquiring, I think they're using a forwarding company which can very much complicate things too of course, if it ever even gets to the forwarding company!

---

Today I got an INR for a $50 item to Toronto (2 hrs drive from me) mailed March 16th, so it isn't just international that is a problem anymore.... just phoned the buyer who's fine but worried of course, we set up a plan when to refund and repay assuming it does arrive (they're a repeat buyer over the last few years). Yet another reason I'm glad to be shut down, all the INR "paperwork" and negative cash flow isn't great either!

It is going to be very difficult to know when it is a good time to reopen too....

[valuestore]

Guess it depends on what you sell

Snip of essential services from BC not ordered to close, (ie/ not collect the CERB)

Food and Agriculture Service Providers

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provinci...

Retail
Grocery stores
Convenience stores
Farmers’ markets
Other establishments engaged in the retail sale or provision of food
Pet or livestock supply
Liquor
Cannabis (including producers)
Other household consumer products, such as cleaning and personal care products
Stores that sell groceries and also sell other non-grocery products, and products necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential daily operation of residences, such as:
Home supply
Hardware
Building material stores
Pawn brokers
Garden centers and nurseries
Stores that sell supplies that ensure the safety of essential workers, such as:
Appropriate footwear
High-visibility clothing
Hardhats

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

@ricarmic 

According to the eBay announcement that was supposed to not be happening.

https://community.ebay.ca/t5/Announcements/Helping-each-other-through-COVID-19-in-ways-that-matter-t...

Helping each other through COVID-19 in ways that matter the most

Seller Protections: We want to reassure you that you will not be penalized for being unable to get an item out the door as fast as usual or if you have to unexpectedly cancel an order. To this end, Seller Performance Standards will not be negatively impacted for the next 90 days. For more on this topic, check the announcement board where we post frequently. 

This should also cover late or any other possible delivery issues.

-Lotz

[ricarmic]

Hi Lotz! Yes this is the performance standards.

I actually won't get a performance hit anyway, unless I made eBay step in to refund, which I wouldn't do because this is a repeat customer I want back "post-COVID" , whenever that might be.

As far as I know the "help" doesn't mean we don't have to send the $$$ back, just that we aren't punished for being slow....

[femmefan1946]

It's cheaper and quicker to pay everyone the same amount than to do a means test.

That's how the OAP and baby bonus work. The overages will be taxed back.

And putting that "unearned" $1000 into the marketplace will pay for itself in the short term.

Even if it just keeps the neighbourhood pizza joint delivering.

[retroman_studios]

Everyone's situation is different.

My mom has high blood pressure and is 79, Dad is diabetic, heart patient etc. So for me, it's just not gonna be worth the hassle.

The CERB benefits will of course be taxed, so any who think they can play the system may get a rude awakening post CV19.

Also, if a person quit a job, as in you work at Safeway and quit, they won't be eligible for CERB.

So yes, many will probably apply, but eventually the bad apples will be weeded out.

My goal is to Apply and any and all funds placed in a savings account. When I need funds, I transfer and note what it's used for. That way when tax time comes next year I will have the extra money set aside ready to remit any balance owing.

Probably the biggest mistake people can make is lump money like this in with the regular bank account and in a sense treat it like free cash. Then when tax time comes next year, wait for the panicked of people who can't believe how much they owe and they are broke.

The sad part is I can't say, well I only make $600-800 or so a month etc, it's a lump sum deal.

So my personal advice: if you qualify, apply but keep tight records on how you use it, and keep it in an account where you won't be tempted to "splurge". My eSavings account charges a $5 fee if I purchase on my card from savings, so I only ever do it in dire need when I need something and can't go online to transfer funds. I feel it's a good deterrent.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

Hi @ricarmic ... I was just basing that on my recent past letter package delivery times in Canada. They can be all over the map. I've had packages to Edmonton(From Calgary) take 7 days + and Montreal delivered overnight. There still is the possibility it may show up..................Eventually. The one thing that adds fuel to the situation is some customers are under the impression that delivery times(The gospel according to eBay) are 100% consistent and accurate. Sadly they are not. Domestically or Internationally. One second late and they hit the INR button.

-Lotz

[ricarmic]

I think a bigger problem (at least in my "stamp world") is that the buyers are thinking the INR official process is a communication process which it is not. It is a claims process with time limits.

Most of the time when I talk to these folks on the phone, they have no idea I'm forced to do something within 5 days (refund or prove delivery) they were simply letting me know they hadn't received it yet. That's what makes me unhappy, I have to spend seriously more time communicating and paperwork wise to resolve these than if they were simply to send a message advising that they hadn't received it yet so I knew.

[forester_studios]

No I was not making a living or supporting myself with ebay profits. I rarely make enough in a month to cover expenses. Ebay helps supplement my income. I was laid off from my part time job last month and the way this pandemic is going I have no idea when the place I work at will reopen (Could be months from now). I don't have a pension. I've no choice but to apply for the help the govt. is offering to survive for the next few months. The website to apply on doesn't start taking applications until Monday.