How Has eBay Changed Your Life?

Has eBay made a significant impact on your life? For example, has eBay enabled you to greatly change your lifestyle? Did eBay allow you to make a career change? Did you meet your spouse through eBay? If so, please share your story by contacting us at ebaylife@ebay.com. Please note that your correspondence is very important to us; however, due to the volume of email we receive, we are unfortunately unable to reply to each individual personally.

Chris and Pam started trading on eBay in February 1999. "After a little trial and error, we established a lucrative home business buying and selling high-quality used clothing," Pam says. "Our sideline business on eBay allows us to earn extra income while still running our traveling photography studio."

The couple says they currently enjoy an extra $1,000 to $1,500 per month (sometimes more) from their eBay business. "This money goes a long way to helping us make ends meet and save for retirement while helping our two daughters finish their college education. eBay is wonderful!"

Three years ago, Lynn was involved in a bad car accident. "At the time, I was in college trying to get a better education since the factory I was working in had closed. I couldn't finish college due to my injuries and the need for physical and mental therapy, so I went to work part-time at a local store. I soon discovered that even this was too much for me." A friend of Lynn's who was in the process of closing her small resale store to sell on eBay told her about the site and convinced her to start her own business. "I now find it fun, helpful, challenging and profitable—plus I'm making my own hours, I'm free when my kids need me and no more working nights and weekends! I want to thank all of my customers so far and thank eBay for letting me get on with my life," she says.

eBay and a Marilyn Monroe magnet recently changed the lives of Kelly and Amy. Kelly was the seller, Amy was the only bidder, and they found, by exchanging addresses, that they live near each other in Silicon Valley. When they met, "it was love at first sight, and we hope to live happily ever after," they say.

Donna wasn't enjoying her job as general manager of a coffeehouse anymore, so she decided not to return to work after her daughter was born in August 1998. "I still needed to find some way to supplement our income, so I took a part-time job working weekends at a local store. My husband was able to stay at home with the baby, but it meant that the three of us could never spend any time together."

Late that fall, Donna's family got WebTV and her husband introduced her to eBay. When her husband began hinting that she was spending a bit too much, she began looking for things to sell. "I have always loved children's books, so that seemed a good place to start since it was something I was familiar with," she says.

"It took some time to build up an inventory and learn about the book-selling business, but I was loving it. Soon, I made enough to buy a computer. People were enjoying what I had to offer and I was feeling proud of myself for being able to contribute to the household income. After selling for about two months, I made enough to quit my part-time job."

Donna says she loves what she's doing so much, and it makes her feel good about herself to discover that selling on eBay is something she is good at. "I never thought I had a head for business, but apparently I do! I now have an established business, I am able to stay at home all day with my daughter, and my husband and I have time to spend with each other. I run a profitable business and eBay made it happen."

Sally used to work full time as a respiratory therapist but had to quit her job due to health reasons. "Since then I have felt unable to 'do my share' paying bills and all," she says. "My husband is sweet and has never complained, but the lack of my income was a BIG difference! Now on eBay, I can make up some of the money and I have a blast doing it! We can actually afford to go out to dinner once in a while, and the kids HAVE a savings now!"