posted on August 30, 2001 04:03:56 PM
It is very unstable out there these days. A friend just started a new job a few months ago. They decided that they had to do some cutbacks. Since my friend was among the last hired, he was the first to go. So tell them that you don't wish to be subject to some bosses' whims or moods. When you have your own business, you are in control. The "net" (job security) was always just an illusion anyway. Good luck to you. Wishing all of us a fantastic winter season! Can't wait$$$!!!
posted on August 30, 2001 06:57:59 PM
I just gave up a real job after 18 years to do this full time. When I told my co-workers what I was going to do they were envious. I'm not the major breadwinner but I do need an income. Ahhh, what a life. After 18 years of driving 19 miles one way to work I can now get out of bed, make a cup of coffee, and walk to "work" in my pajamas (my "office" is a spare bedroom). This winter I won't have to make that 19 mile drive in the snow and I won't have to worry about hitting a deer like I did last year. Sure, there are disadvantages but after thinking about doing this for about a year I'm comfortable with my decision.
iluvladybugs---are you going to the same auctions I am with the $2.00 boxes of quality pre-owned merchandise??
posted on August 30, 2001 08:39:48 PM
Actually, the mind your own business quote came from my lawyer .... reminding a newbie lawyer to tell his client to mind her own business as I was busy minding mine
posted on August 30, 2001 10:02:06 PM
Man, that burns me when someone says that. I had a "real job" working at a Home Depot.Working crazy hours (open till midnight), holidays, weekends, etc. Never seeing my wife and kids. Some "real jobs" are just great for taking your life away, and all for a measley paycheck. I now work from my home, see my familty all the time, bring the kids to school,go on family vacations, etc. and pretty much come and go as I please.(Making triple what I did at Home Depot), and answering to no one but myself.It's amazing how my not having a "real job" has allowed me to buy a brand new truck, and have 3 trips to Florida planned this upcoming year, that are already paid for. It's nobody's business what you do for a living, and most people are just jealous. I certainly don't miss punching the clock, and having others tell me what to do. They can keep their "real" jobs.When they ask when you are going to get a real job, tell them "when hell freezes over".
[ edited by mipakaco on Aug 30, 2001 10:12 PM ]
posted on August 30, 2001 10:25:19 PM Q... What do you do say when someone says
get a real job
A.. Then I’d have to get up and drive to work every
day, slave for 40 + , kiss my boss’s ass and put up with a
bunch of people I cant stand ..all that to make half the money
I’m making now......
.
EBAY ID
JUMPIN*JACK
[ edited by jumpinjacko on Aug 30, 2001 10:27 PM ]
posted on August 30, 2001 11:21:12 PM
It is stupid someone said something like that
I never have a job since I finished my 2 degrees
Is is boring to stay in office and waste time
I work for my self in my life
but my income I guess than a lot of professional or excustive
And I can control my life and time
whenever I like to walk with my son I can do it
I can eat and watch moive during I running my computer business
whenever I wake up , noboby bore me
Do you think this is Better than get a
'REAL', worry about the traffic , worry about
the weather, worry about the laid off...or boss...
posted on August 30, 2001 11:43:54 PM
Actually never had a real live person have the balls to ask this exact qestion to me personally.
But the questions from family are way worse! What cha doing on that computer? Whatcha selling?--that old thang?
Are you still are the 'Puter? Ha checking out the Boob Sites!
Yes for about 12 hours a day I check out the boob sites. Geesh where did those listings come from that I researched, photographed and listed--must have been magic. It is work, but the kind of work I like! I am in my undies even as I write,
Long Live the Boob Sites. They have to make a living too.
posted on August 31, 2001 12:06:33 AM
Even when I had a job, people would tell me to get a "real job", so go figure.
Say, "yea I had a real job at the park picking up dog crap, but the job stunk."
Or try this, "yea, I a had a real job as a teller at a bank. Made good money too, took home $250,000 a month."
[ edited by quickdraw29 on Aug 31, 2001 12:09 AM ]
posted on August 31, 2001 05:29:08 AM
How come nobody ever asks me that! When people hear I have an ebay business, they want me to sell stuff for them or tell them how to get started.
posted on August 31, 2001 06:16:31 AM
I have now been “self employed” since July of 1999. Since making the plunge I have put a new roof on my house, bought a new car, and have been able to keep three months ahead on my mortgage, second mortgage and two months ahead on my car payments. Not to mention for the first time in years, being able to pay all my normal bills with no problems and have a little extra left over to enjoy doing the things my wife and I like to do. Plus I have taken a few nice vacations.
So when someone asks me “Why don't I get a real job? “ I ask them how they can get by these days on a fixed hourly wage. Then I tell them not in a bragging way, that I am paid three months ahead on my first and second mortgage and two months ahead on my new car. Sometimes I get little devious and have a bit of fun with them by turning the tables a bit. I ask them if they are able to maintain three months ahead on their mortgage and two months ahead on their car payments with their current job. I add “I’m just wondering because up until now I certainly wasn’t able to”.
I know that’s more than I probably should say to people but I’m sick of people thinking this isn’t work. I am at my computer most of the day like any one else would be at a “normal job”. I’m listing items for sale, answering e-mail, packaging orders, buying new merchandise, making trips to the Post Office, answering the phone, picking up inventory from a local vendor then coming back to sort it and get it ready for sale. Working for myself I have to wear all the hats and do all the required jobs that need to get done. Luckily I get a little help from my wife otherwise I probably wouldn’t find enough hours in the day to get everything done.
Most people just don’t have the guts to work for themselves. There is a certain stress level not knowing at the end of the week what their paycheck will be. There is also a certain excitementin that as well. Let’s face it, It’s a rush.
To all of “US” that work for ourselves. We are definitely a different breed of people. You and I are risk takers. Most people can’t even comprehend what we do and what it takes to generate an income for ourselves. People who make comments like “Why don’t you get a real job” are jealous of us. Even if they won’t admit it, deep down they wish they could stay home and work for themselves but they will never take the gamble that is required working for yourself. They don’t have that special type of courage it takes to do what we do.
posted on August 31, 2001 06:32:42 AM
I used to get that all the time to until my neighbors would see me out working straight through the weekend while they sat on their a$$es.Anyone who does things on their own know that at times it is more stressfull and can hold longer hours than a quote "real job".I think alot of people just don't think it is possible for a person to be independent like that.When I see people running around on the weekend and doing what they wish and I am busy working I know it IS a job that I have.You would like to take off but you know you have to work.The only things I dislike about it is self motivation and of course the isolation.Other than that you can't beat doing things on your own as it has a certain gratification that is hard to explain.
[ edited by wildanteeker on Aug 31, 2001 06:33 AM ]
posted on August 31, 2001 06:56:13 AM
When I gave up my "real" job to become a consultant (I was single at the time) my mother gave me a lot of gried about getting a "real" job. I asked her to define what that meant.
"Where you get paid by someone else."
I pointed out that I was getting paid by someone else.
"Where you dont work out of the house."
I asked her if I rented another apartment and moved my computer there, other than paying an extra rent, how would this qualify as a real job.
"Where someone tells you when to start working and when to stop working."
I told her my clients want me to start working as soon as possible and to stop working when I'm too tired to concentrate or the job is finished. Did this qualify?
"Where you get paid a flat salary and not by the hour."
So if instead of $60 an hour, my clients gave me $500 a week and instead of working and getting paid for every hour, I would work get the same amount of money whether I worked 40, 50 or 60 hours a week, that would make it a real job?
"Where you work for only one person."
And if we ever have an argument, that person fires me and then I'm unemployed, rather than working for several people and if one of them doesn't work out, I still have other work to do.
We went around in circles for a while. It's been 20 years since and she still hasn't come up with an acceptable definition.
posted on August 31, 2001 07:09:09 AM
When are you going to get a REAL job?
five minutes later, when I'm done laughing, and wiping a tear from my eye, I say your kidding, right?
Rob
(had a "real" job for 26 years, but the conversations at home with the 2 great danes are so much more interesting than anything discussed at the water cooler)
posted on August 31, 2001 07:44:54 AM
Being self-employeed and selling items on ebay full time are two different things.
I have a full time job and sell on ebay for extra cash. I would never dream of giving up my full time job just so I can sell on ebay.
Ebay is to unpredictable. Ebay at the drop of a hat can suspended your account for no reason at all. It is not worth the aggrevation of spending the next two months arguing with them to get your account reinstated. Plus you have to deal with all the excuses from high bidders who dont pay. I would never risk my guaranteed income on people who just care about themseleves --- which ebay does
If you are self employeed and do "real work" such as consulting good for you. I would love to quit my full time job and be self employeed where I set my own hours. My success is then determined on how motivated I am and how much work I want to do. It is not controlled by a company's ability to keep their website operational.
posted on August 31, 2001 07:56:20 AMI was just wondering if anyone else has this happen to them, and what is a good way to respond without getting defensive?
I just tell any pinhead with that kind of moxy that "I've been gainfully unemployed for over 2 decades" and then "How about you?"
posted on August 31, 2001 09:05:41 AM
wildboy: "In my opinion selling on ebay is not a real job. "
Clearly it isn't Your real job, you have another elsewhere. So we are back to defining "real". Ebay is my only job and I pay all my own bills from the income, how is that not "real"?
Or, if it is un-real, I have to define un-real as better than real since I have no commute, no boss and no fear of being laid off.
posted on August 31, 2001 09:33:05 AM
"Being self-employeed and selling items on ebay full time are two different things."
Sure, if you're listing auctions, packaging and bookkeeping for someone else, that is working full time on ebay. If you're not working for an employer, than you are self-employeed.
posted on August 31, 2001 10:45:17 AM
I was unemployed for 5 years before becoming self employed. I'd get a job (if I was lucky) during those 5 yrs for maybe a week at most and my husband who I'd left would stalk me at work and cause me to be fired. I would get the blame from the boss for "bringing that type of stuff there." I was refused protective orders by the court and still do not have one this day even though he wrote me letters describing how he was going to kill me and "lick the blood up with my tongue." The judge read the letters and said that they weren't threatening and that he saw nothing wrong with a husband writing his wife a letter.
I later worked part time for places only to be screwed over each time. Places didn't like that I have physical handicaps and would make up lies about me to fire me so that I couldn't sue for discrimination. Make it a point to ruin my rep. Never again! I will never, ever again trust another person to be the boss of me.
posted on August 31, 2001 12:18:31 PM
quickdraw 99: read the thread below and see how Ebay goes around suspending users because they just feel like it.
reader99: no fear of being laid off. You should. (read below as well)
If you depend on ebay or any other auction site for your income you are crazy. It is a fad that will end soon. After all how much junk can be sold over the internet. Once all the gullible buyers realize the stuff they are purchasing is worthless they will not visit ebay. I wonder how many people will continue to use ebay with the economy taking a turn for the worse.
Did we read the same thread? Here's what ebay stated for their reason, "The reason given was a general reason 'Interfering with eBay's site and/or operations'."
That does not indicate suspension because they just felt like it. Obviously that user violated some rule.
I've built up a little business on other sites so if ebay suspends me I will hardly be shut out of earning income.
"Once all the gullible buyers realize the stuff they are purchasing is worthless they will not visit ebay."
Worthless? A car they buy on ebay is not worthless. A book for educaton or enjoyment is not worthless. An item for their collection, their hobby is worthless? Come on, speak some sense. Commerce has been around for a very log time and people still buy "worthless" stuff.
[ edited by quickdraw29 on Aug 31, 2001 12:44 PM ]
posted on August 31, 2001 04:44:08 PM
Today was payday for the person who told me to get a real job. She was shorted a whole day. It was a mistake of course, but she has to wait until the next paycheck (2 weeks) to get her money.
I wanted so badly to say "I'm sure glad I don't have to depend on someone else for a paycheck", but I kept my mouth shut!
posted on August 31, 2001 05:48:54 PM
wildboy - have you ever been to ebay? Check it out...that might clear up some of your confusion. And the sky is NOT falling either.
posted on August 31, 2001 06:24:03 PM
Since I am about to be laid off from a 22 year 'real job', I feel that I am about to start my first 'real job' now. I look forward to being completely EBAY employed. I have done this for 2-3 years on a part time basis and I love it. I can't wait to do it full time, just got a new faster computer. I tell people I want to work for myself now.