SINGLE MOTHER'S HELPDESK

MID CENTURY MODERN JERRY ROUPE TEA TOWEL

2009-11-11T04:57:00.000-08:00

One way I survive as a single mom is by listing on Ebay. Right now I have this cute Jerry Roupe tea towel listed.

Missionfish and Ebay

2009-11-02T18:23:00.000-08:00

I sell on Ebay and wanted to donate part of my proceed to Habitat for Humanity; so I put the widget on my listings. After this week though; no more. Read this excerpt from blogger 'ProvisionEastonlow':
ProvisionalEastonlow
Saturday, May 30, 2009
eBay "Giving Works" and MissionFish are a Scam
eBay now allows sellers to auction an item for charity. Sellers can agree, in advance, to donate anywhere from 10% to 100% of the proceeds to the charity of the seller's choice, so long as that charity is on eBay's approved list. The listing shows a cute little ribbon, telling the bidder that the auction is for the benefit of charity, as well as a short paragraph extolling the benefits of the particular charity that will benefit. What's more, eBay discounts its fees in connection with charity auctions. The discount is proportional to the percentage donated to charity; eBay gives up almost all its fees if the auction is 100% for charity. Sounds great, but sadly it is a scam.
In the fine print, it turns out that all donations must be made through "MissionFish." What's more, MissionFish takes a fee for its service. There is a small notice on each charity listing stating that a "small deduction may apply." Those words are in faint print and small type. There is no "may" about it, and the deduction certainly is not "small." In fact, MissionFish charges far more than eBay. That's right, you would be better off ignoring eBay's offer to waive part of its fees. Simply sell the item, pay the fees and donate the balance to charity. Far more will go to charity that way than if you take eBay up on its supposedly charitable offer.
MissionFish charges:

20% of the first $50
15% of the next $150
10% of the next $800 and
5% of the amount above $1,000

So, for an item that sells for $500, MissionFish will charge $72.50. That's right, MissionFish takes $72.50 from the charity for the "service" of delivering your $500. By way of comparison, on the same $500 item, eBay would charge a $4 insertion fee (at most), plus a $19.69 final value fee, for a total of $23.69. So, eBay does not waive its fee. Quite to the contrary, the fee nearly triples! And, what is worse, you do not even see it unless you look very carefully.

Here is how MissionFish and eBay hide the fact that they are stealing from charities. Again, say you auction an item for $500 to benefit charity. The buyer sends the money to you. You then take the $500 and give it MissionFish, which tells you that you made a donation of $500. You never find out that about 15% of your money went to MissionFish.

Finally, eBay (which owns paypal) gets a fee when the money is sent to you by the buyer. So, you end up with less than $500 because paypal/Ebay takes a bite up front, but then you have to give MissionFish the full $500 so that MissionFish/paypal can take their next bite. And, if you forget to feed MissionFish the full $500, they will bill your credit card. Want to take your credit card off their account? No problem, just enter a new card and click that you authorize them to charge that. The website does not allow you to simply remove your credit card.
Do not be fooled! If you want sell something for charity, by all means do it, but do not tell eBay. Just sell the item and donate the proceeds yourself.

strawberry susan Downey link

2009-09-11T12:06:00.000-07:00

LINK SHOULD SHOW UP AT RIGHT.

Follow up: This 'freebie' never arrived. Disregard this promotion.

FREE 23 LOAD BOTTLE OF DOWNEY

2009-09-11T12:02:00.000-07:00

This is a super good offer and I like this site: Strawberry Susan. Just fill out the form and do an email confirmation on the offer. Simple! See link at right if this one doesn't show up.

http://www.strawberrysusan.com/downy_pr.php

CLOUD NINE SPA SOAP / PAMPER MAMA

2009-08-10T17:40:00.000-07:00

Mamas deserve pampering and this lovely soap sample will fill the bill. We have to take care of ourselves in order to 'go the distance' (sorry Field of Dreams). Just click on the link at right. After you fill it out; you may be directed to a website called Quality Health. Just click out of it.

FLINT RIVER FREE SAMPLE HEALTHY PET FOOD

2009-08-10T17:37:00.000-07:00

JUST CLICK ON THE LINK AT RIGHT TO RECEIVE A NUTRITIOUS PET FOOD SAMPLE FOR YOUR CAT OR DOG.

FREE SAMPLE DOVE HEAT DEFENSE THERAPY

2009-08-10T14:48:00.000-07:00

See the link at right for your free sample; no shipping and handling!

Chocolate for the Single Mom's Soul

2009-08-09T17:52:00.000-07:00

Again, it's the little things that count. A little free chocolate from the Mars company given away every Friday from 9 to 11:00 a.m. Just click on the link at right for details.

Angel Food Ministries

2009-08-07T20:39:00.000-07:00

This is a nationwide program with a search feature to help you locate a participating center near you. See the link on this blog. In general you will find the price of their 'food boxes' to be nearly half what it will cost you at the supermarket. This is good, wholesome food; not a bag of off brand canned goods but fresh produce, good meats and even prepared meals are offered. Check it out.

Okla. nurse's dream led to her home care business - Related Stories - ANA SmartBrief

2009-08-07T11:32:00.001-07:00

Okla. nurse's dream led to her home care business - Related Stories - ANA SmartBrief

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FREE SAMPLES FOR AUG. 7-14

2009-08-07T10:13:00.000-07:00

It's a small help but sometimes getting a 'freebie' in the mail can cheer you right up. Every week we will try to post current free sample offers we think you can use. We'll only post offers that don't require shipping cost or credit card info. That way you know free means free! Just copy and paste the links below.

FREE CLEANING CLOTH

http://76.12.169.100/suckup/FreeSample/tabid/410/Default.aspx

FREE CAT TREATS 'GREENIES' BY NUTRO. My cats love these!

http://www.greenies.com/en_US/FreeSample/

FREE COFFEE. Does ask that you subscribe to their email newsletter.

http://www.ibuycoffee.com/pleaseregister.dna

How May I Help You?

2009-08-07T09:37:00.000-07:00

You may not have planned it this way but here you are raising one or more children all on your own. It can be a very heavy burden and one you may feel you have to shoulder all on your own. The purpose of this blog is to assist you in real ways that will lighten that load and help defuse those feelings of isolation. More than just a collection of helpful advice; we are determined to be a resource for real and tangible help to mothers in need.