I love eBay and eBay has been good to me. I discovered the site in December of 1996 before it was eBay and before it was very reliable.

I first logged on to the Internet via a dial-up connection (It was slow 14.4.bps) and unstable. My first bidding efforts were unsuccessful as when I tried to place a bid but my server would stall and sit idle for 20 minutes or longer. By the time it was live again the auction was over and my bid lost. Being a brick/mortar auction follower I loved the idea and kept track of it until the name changed to eBay and I began selling in 1998.

In 1998 Beanie Babies were hot and I bought and sold full time for about two years. It was tremendously successful for me and I was one of the first round of Power Sellers. A lot of Beanie Babies were moved from Russell, KS across the USA and the world. Best part? I could stay home and take care of my granddaughter and do it from a town of 5000 people in central Kansas. My family and I operate several eBay businesses. My son buys and sells Mercedes, sailboats and airplanes on eBay. We also sell high ticket items such as Hummels, Sterling flatware, diamonds, etc. and four years ago I began concentrating on Christmas and holiday related items.

I encouraged others to tap into the potential of eBay in my hometown as better qualtiy internet became available. My life changed wonderfully in 2004 when I completed the eBay Education Specialist program and began teaching in rural communities across Kansas.

Teaching people how to have fun and make money on eBay...what an incredible opportunity. I watched for over 40 years as Main Street USA dwindled and small town life changed forever.

But the Education Specialist program gave me an opportunity to help people earn income as eBay sellers, the doors opened for people to stay in rural areas and support their cherished lifestyle. Over the past few years eBay has been good to me and I value the opportunities I've had with them both as a seller and Education Specialist.

In October 2004 I was flown to eBay Corporate (one of 20 selected nationwide) to be trained for their Holiday Helper program. January 2005 I was flown to New Orleans to be trained for the eBay University pool of instructors to teach eBay nationwide.

In February 2005 I was one of 10 nationwide to be flown to eBay Corporate to particpate in eBay Community Voices program.

In September 2007 I flew to Washington DC to participate in United States of eBay lobby against the remote sales tax

I believe that eBay can provide solutions for people in every nook and cranny of the United States. It opens the eCommerce door to opportunites that were expensive and difficult to access in the past. But the most exciting thing is. It is a level playing field with little risk to try. The best of all worlds in developing an online business.

I buy and sell collectibles, particularly vintage nativity sets. I love Christmas. It has been a passion for my family for 30 years. Collecting is a year round pursuit and decorating the house a major feat. Since I am located in rural America, eBay is often my only choice for buying my collectibles.

I have found that people turn to eBay when they cannot find something in their local market base. eBay businesses create income and resources for small communities and help them expand into a world wide market. It's been my privilege to move up from an Education Specialist to a Certified Education Specialist through the program.

Joyceb/danse
Joyce Banbury
http://auctionbbs.com

You can view my directory listing here.
Or, you can email me at auctionbbs@ruraltel.net.