Hi!
 
Just a quick note re: non-profit sales on eBay.  Can't find the original
post (sorry --- so far behind!) --- re: missionfish and eBay's rules.
 
I sell full time on eBay.  I also sell on behalf of the Ferret
Association of CT on eBay.  And do NOT use MissionFish precisely because
they charge an administrative fee.  There are other more esoteric reasons
that need not be discussed here :)
 
There was also an issue with offering "choice of".
 
With our eBay friends, it's all semantics!
 
I understand you can sell a sz "large" -- but then offer to allow an
exchange for a Sm, Med, or XXL.  Just leave the size out of the listing
header.  eBay is concerned with fee avoidance.  In their view, putting a
Large listing and letting you pick size means they loose money.  I have
a store (1 Ferret's Treasures) on eBay so it's a bit easier to do -
but as I last understood the rules, it is legitimate.  (Rules change
constantly ... but then, so do we all! :)
 
As for offering listings on behalf of charities.
 
As one might gather - there are so many scams out there, that eBay HAD
to do something!  I have turned folks in for having raffles and all sorts
of nonsense for dubious causes........ therefore eBay had to go with
MissionFish....and they DO have administrative fees.  FACT just chooses
not to use them!  But if someone goes through them - even if we get $.70
on a $1 raised, who are we to complain!  It is $.70 for the furries!
 
But there IS a way to ensure that you do not need to go through Mission
Fish.
 
See this listing
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7183538272
 
I have a link to the approval from the non-profit authorizing the
auction.  That gives the non-profit a track record to ensure they
receive $$ for auctions someone offers on their behalf.  It also
protects the bidder by knowing that they money will really go to the
charity designated.
 
Hope that helps!
 
Ann Gruden
Ferret Association of CT, Inc.
and Principal of 1 Ferret's Treasures by FACT
[Posted in FML issue 5023]