FAIR SHAKE

[balzenawe]

[font=Century Gothic] Hi...Ok.. here's MY story...and I will keep it as brief as possible:

A little over 6 years ago, a friend of mine introduced me to eBay. He showed me generally, in about 15 minutes, how to use all of the features [listing, completed listing research, etc..]. So, I took that 'new' knowledge, opened a Paypal account, and ...zoom...was on my way.

In the first 2 months there, I was just shy of Powerseller status [didn't want it, really..too tough to maintain]. I learned as I went, treated my customers well, and had great transactions both buying and selling. Had my share of 'ouchies' on both sides of the coin, but, worked them out between Me and the other parties... I learned quickly that eBay was NO real help in those matters. For years, everything was pretty smooth. I made money on eBay during my 'slower' musical seasons.

In the last year or so, I had been getting the feeling that things were getting more 'strained' ... higher fees, more ads, and other assorted aggravations. It was getting less fun, although I still had good customers. As 2007 ended, I felt that maybe it was time to check out other sites. But eBay had made me 'complacent', as it was still the easiest way to sell my 'non sports' items. So I kind of leaned back in my chair, comfortable...and that's when it was kicked out from under me!

The 'lower fee' email, with the 'deceptive' text, woke me up. No longer would I have my 'tools' needed for success ... no longer would my years of working hard for both eBay's and MY reputation mean squat... and ..no longer would I be able to support this now 'sinister entity' to help support myself financially. It was TOO risky! So, I decided to list elsewhere.

Well, with 2 sales in six weeks , 'rice' has become MY middle name ...... even 'minor luxuries' have been forsaken for 'survival' ... and no matter HOW bad that I need to make money, MY inner 'truthfulness' to my philosophies and values in life will NOT allow me to contribute ONE PENNY to a Heartless site with an evil emperor, who seems intent on 'ruining' this once 'noble' house that many of us had come to call 'home'. I just can not bring myself to do THAT! [/font]

[FirmGrip]

Hey thanks for sharing your story!! I understand that feeling. I get so uptight if one of my kids even goes to LOOK for something on eBay! I just can't handle having any transaction going on with them at this point. My account is still open with them, but I'm not even sure why.

I did close my PayPal account, which felt nothing but GOOD!

And as for the ads on this forum? Well, I was going to pay to get rid of them, until I saw that the only Payment option was PayPal. I just can't do it. I will be writing to them to ask for another payment option, and until then I guess I just won't upgrade!! Just making my own little tiny statement. But all our little tiny statements are going to amount to a whole lotta NOISE, huh?!!!

[minifashions]

Hey thanks for sharing your story!! I understand that feeling. I get so uptight if one of my kids even goes to LOOK for something on eBay! I just can't handle having any transaction going on with them at this point. My account is still open with them, but I'm not even sure why.

I did close my PayPal account, which felt nothing but GOOD!

And as for the ads on this forum? Well, I was going to pay to get rid of them, until I saw that the only Payment option was PayPal. I just can't do it. I will be writing to them to ask for another payment option, and until then I guess I just won't upgrade!! Just making my own little tiny statement. But all our little tiny statements are going to amount to a whole lotta NOISE, huh?!!!

Part of the reason why I haven't listed on my site of choice, Etsy, is because Pay Pal is the only choice for instant payments. Other than that, everything about that site is great. I contacted them awhile back ago and asked them if they will add an alternative instant payment method and I was informed that they are working on it. I hope that will happen soon!

[balzenawe]

I am working on the song, and will still keep checking back for input for it up until the 'final draft' and 'vocal recording', so it IS still possible to have your ideas included.---Joe

[UncleJeffrey]

I have the perfect artist for the song! Stephen Lynch. You can find him on-line easily. He's known for comedy music, but if you've ever seen the expressions on his face when he sings, he's absolutly perfect for us! Somehow, I have a feeling that this song will be comedic to a certain extent... It's the best way to get people involved...make them laugh, and this guy can do it by raising an eyebrow...I've seen audiences absolutly lose it simply from how he delivers the line.

My quick story: Been on eBay a couple years 3 or 4, I think. Finally started getting a following, invested $500 in new merchandise right before they raised all the prices. Now me and the Old Man have $500 of brand new Liquid Blue T-shirts for our very own selves! We would up not 'eating' our stock, but wearing it!

I was finally making average of $500 per month and they had to go and mess everything up... Bankruptcy seems inevitable

My husband is a musican and we've wrote a few funny songs about news worthy events...Let me know if you get stuck, we'll be thrilled to help!

[balzenawe]

I had decided to leave 'comedy' out of the song, but it will not be a 'tear jerker' either. There were REAL issues and concerns put forth in so many ways, that I have taken a deep look at the recurring themes, and although I, and a few other songwriters, are not done with the lyrics, some very strong points have been made, both directly and indirectly, through the people. THAT is what I hope is captured, through verse and melody, in this project.

Any contributions that you would like to make, either on forum here or privately, are still welcome!

I will also add that I included some 'commercial music' appeal, as I hope that the song will also get the 'general public' to take a moment and listen to OUR message.---Joe

[FirmGrip]

After listening to some of your music, balzenawe, I have confidence that you will do a great job of this!! I know you could do it just on your own, but opening it all up for input from everyone is such a strong message of Unity--one we obviously embrace wholeheartedly here at Fair Shake!!

Thank you for doing this, and for getting as many people involved in it as possible. Keep bridging across websites, please, for those of us who have been banned and blocked, and help bring us all together!

And I'm sure if anyone else wants to make a stab at creating a song, there's plenty of room for more! It's a serious issue, and probably needs a serious song--but anyone who knows me personally knows I value HUMOR a great deal--and it would be fun to see a humorous song as well! This is a HUGE effort, and any and all contributions will be appreciated--the more NOISE, the BETTER!!!

[balzenawe]

Firmgrip - Man do I have a 'strange' and sometimes'warped' sense of humor ...you should hear some of my COMEDIC songs .. but that was 'checked at the door' for this project. Along with 'ego'.

I promise that after this Unity song project, I will make some of my other compositions available for those who may be interested. But, once again I want to stress that I have tried to do as little 'self promotion' as possible, as to not 'dilute' my sincere efforts with this song. I am one of you all, just a voice in the big chorus, regarding this effort. I just happen to have the 'means' of achieving this. And want to share the opportunity.

I have found inspiration EVERYWHERE, as it should be. It is impossible to use everybody's 'words' in a 4 minute song, but that was/is not my intent. The intent is to capture the overall 'spirit'. And yes, I would like to see this as the FIRST OF MANY other song efforts! I am 100% behind that! ---Joe

[balzenawe]

Hi. Just a quick 'song update' -

The 'First Draft' of the Lyrics has been completed, and the 'Song Title' has been chosen. The ' instrumental melody tracks' are 'in the can', as they say, for the most part. 'Lyrical revision' WILL continue until around midnight EST, then the vocals will be recorded, the song mixed down, and a CD of it, with the copywrite form, will be sent to the Library of Congress early Monday, probably via 'overnight express' with tracking, to know when they have it.

I am my own worst critic musically, but I am very pleased with what has been created. I have done my best to 'translate' the general 'feelings' that have been submited by everyone, along with my general 'research' from the last 10 days, and have kept my usual 'catering to the music industry norm' out of it.. I have also tried to include some 'commercial appeal' for the general public, so that they may be 'pulled in' to hear OUR message.

I plan to 'distribute' this song on Tuesday, April 1st [no 'joke'] through various means. I am working on those logistics. I am keeping the 'lyrical content' and 'song title' to myself until then ...sorry, but that will make it 'fair' for everyone to receive it 'generally' together.... as One.

PS: I am having a lot of trouble opening and posting to the eBay 'Seller Central' threads today....<u><b>Jose</b></u>...is that YOUR doing??? Shame on you! ..... Ha, Ha, Ha!!!!!!

[FirmGrip]

Thanks for your faithful updates, balzenawe, and for your emphasis on a removal of ego and self-promotion. Very refreshing, and appreciated by ALL, I am sure!

I am so glad you are becoming an active participator at Fair Shake, and I hope that you will continue to visit us often in the weeks and months ahead. Your attitude and active efforts at unification are MOST APPRECIATED!!!

[balzenawe]

First thing is first:

JUST SAY NO TO EBAY!!! ** BOYCOTT IN YOUR OWN WAY!!!!!!

The Quarter is ENDING! Hold up on your Listings for at least a couple of more days if you can, until April 1st!!!

I think that EVERYONE [ myself included] should get out their Dictionaries and look up the word UNITY, so that we are all familiar with its meaning. We ARE UNIFIED against eBay ...THAT should be the focus. Personally, I am a 'faction' of ONE, but I stand with ALL of my Brothers and Sisters. There IS NO wrong way to boycott, in my opinion.

Okay, next:

As of 5:03 AM EST this morning ....the Song is DONE! There are some other issues regarding it that need to be addressed before the 'general release' [Copyright submission in the 'Public Domain', some production 'tweaking', etc], which is planned for Tuesday, April 1st [ the copyright submission should be received by the Library of Congress by then]. I want to say that this song is one of my better all time projects, in MY opinion. That is saying a lot, as I am truly my own biggest and worst critic - I always strive for perfection!

I want to thank everyone who has contributed [including those who do not even know that they have!!!], and I hope that you all think that I have 'done you right' with this tune. As I have said, although I used a few 'words' from individuals, I have tried to convey our 'overall' message, and I hope that I have put them in a song that could also be 'generallly accepted' by the average person, AND Music Industry execs [ie, I gave it some 'commercial' appeal]. But...you can let ME know on Tuesday.

And also, I will NOT send it to anyone to 'preview', nor will I give away the 'song title' until Tuesday... . please don't ask! I think that the 'All or None' distribution approach is also inclusive of the word UNITY. Once it is 'released' ... IT IS YOURS, each and every one of you , your song to do with what you want. I do not have capabilities for 'youTube' and such, and I do not feel that I need to. MY part in this effort was to write and record the song. It is up to the rest of YOU ALL to do the rest. And, there will be no wrong or right way to do that. So, I hope that you all make it available for everyone in your own way. And, I also hope that this song gives 'direction' for plenty more 'Unity' and 'Creative' efforts regarding the Boycott ... there have been several already.

Once again, thank you all for the 'inspiration'!!!!!

[minifashions]

Thank you Joe! I can't wait to hear it.

[ThumbsUp]

Hi Joe -

You have really accomplished your pre-release promotion - I can't wait for Tuesday! Thanks for posting your updates and the story behind the story, etc. Looking forward to hearing it!

Deb

[FirmGrip]

I'm excited, too!! I'm glad that you feel good about what you have produced--I know it will be well received.

Thank you for all your effort, and your WONDERFUL attitude about Unity!!!

Three cheers for JOE!!!

From Dictionary.com, I like this definition of Unity:

5. oneness of mind, feeling, etc., as among a number of persons; concord, harmony, or agreement.

UNITE!!!! :o)

[balzenawe]

Hello - Just a 'Song Update':

First, Joyflsong [eBay member] became 'Executive Producer' [in the biz, that generally means the 'money' person] by paying for all Copyright and Overnight Mailing expenses, and am very thankful to have her donate to this effort . I did not ask .. it was just there! Thanks, Joyflsong!

The Copyright is on its way to DC, and should be there tomorrow afternoon EST, according the the USPS. The copyright form is very 'dry', and really leaves no room for flexibility or color [typical Government document...] , so I HAD to use my name for signature, and added [Inspired by The N.O.I.S.E.] after my name. I wanted to write' inspired by the 2008 eBay Boycott 'N.O.I.S.E.', but there was not room. At least on THAT form! And to reinterate - I have waived any royalties on this effort. The copyright was to insure that NO ONE else could cash in on it at all. I have waived any monetary compensation on its present and future use by ANYONE!!

I am VERY anxious for you all to hear it, and I am working on the 'delivery' methods and capabilities today, so that when I get the 'Deliv Conf' tomorrow, it will be a smooth release. Once you have it ...it is YOURS to do with what you please. Burn it, youtube it, 'torture' your children with it [they MAY like it!] ...whatever! There may be some difficulties, but it WILL be delivered to your computer at least, until any other 'difficulties' are worked out.

If all else fails, contact eBay support.....HA, HA, just kidding! We will address any issues 'together'. The emailed MP3 can also be made into a CD hard copy...AND can be forwarded to others. So, these 'grass root' methods will help!

Last thing - You all were 'great drivers' for this 'vehicle' regarding this effort. I hope that is 'reflected' in the content of the song. The effort that was put in by all of you was 'channeled' to the best of my ability. The closer the song got to completion, the more deeply I dug to mix our message with a general commercial feel for everyone. So... I hope that you are pleased with the 'Product'.

Bye For Now.....Joe