Edible Ebay

After numerous years of buying on Ebay, I have finally decided, with full credit-crunch mindset, to actually, potentially, sell something. The thing that last put me off the addictive money-making (and I don’t mean for myself) machine, is that while attempting to show off my technical skills to my partner, he asked me to sell his mobile phone. ‘Easy-peasy’ I said, ‘I bet I can get at least 20 quid for it’. His expression showed one of pure delight as he pulled out his extremely old, Sony Ericsson wi-something-or-other, and my face faltered somewhat. Anyway, several days and bids later, it was almost sealed at £26.50. I had done him proud, and myself, as secretly I couldn’t figure out why any human being would want to pay more than a fiver for it. My instinctive paranoia was right. We had been the victims of fraudulent Ebay bidding, and after five emails from a mad criminal in Jamaica posing as a ‘PayPal’ Security Executive, I nearly handed over £10 of my own money! Bitter and dejected, I gave up and haven’t touched it since.

Until last night. I checked my bank balance and realised with the mortgage payment looming I needed to actually get off my backside and earn some extra cash. Rooting through the cupboards I found a number of items, including numerous Playstation games (sorry but, what would I need with Resistance-Fall of Man when I’ve got Tomb Raider Underworld coming out in a month?) and a handbag that has just simply never suited me. Dreading the ‘Sell’ button, I clicked away in hope. And, I was genuinely surprised. For years whenever I have had problems with Ebay, I longed to be able to phone them up and actually talk to someone…instead I was subjected to 24 hour email automated responses, that, quite frankly, have never responded.

Instead this time, when I had an issue with logging in because, ‘My computer was not recognised’ I was quickly reverted to a Live Chat room and began speaking with ‘Johanna’. Within five minutes I had changed my password, entered my phone number, and logged on under my ‘new computer’ which thankfully was now firmly on the selling list. The outcome? A brand new approach to Ebay security that has lovingly provided a step by step guide to a safer world of selling. Since then, I’ve had two bids with 5 days to go. Hurrah!

Who said selling old tat for small amounts was dead? Go forth and sell! (At least I can then buy new PS3 games without feeling guilty.)

All in a days work...

Question:
How do you bring a smile to a girls face on a Friday morning at 8am in the office?

Answer:
Give her a call!

Thanks to the gorgeous ladies at Tak Tik Bitch, I, ahem, stumbled across this cheeky little review for the Vibraexciter and discovered the answer. What?! Technology doesn’t just mean graphics cards, hard disk drives and USB’s you know! ;-)

Doesn’t make working in a call centre seem so bad…

Attention: People with tiny hands please read on....

Why, why, why, why, why must things always shrink beyond recognition? We don’t live in the land of The Borrowers. I’m referring to the conceptual design of the Super Phone from Tamer Koseli.

What’s wrong with a nice ordinary, easy to hold rectangular phone? You know, like the ones we’re used to?

I like his idea of cutting out all of the extras and just keep his design simple, functional and elegant, I really do. But personally, I don’t think there’s any need for the good old mobile to become a victim of ‘designorexia’. I appreciate that much of our techy gear is shrinking and fast - look at the nano and shuffle for example, the difference is that these designs work. The shuffle has the convenience of the clip and the nano stays in your pocket or on an arm band – easy peasy. Maybe he got his inspiration over a bowl of Lucky Charms; Koseli clearly had leprechauns and pixies in mind when he designed his Super (thin) Phone?!

Look at the size of it; compare the phone’s width to the SIM card! How many mini handed homosapien have you seen kicking about? I don’t want to hold my phone between my thumb and fore finger I’ll look silly!

I’m sorry if I’m being a stick in the mud but really, please stop.