eBay has touted their platform as a global marketplace where almost anyone can trade almost anything with anyone else. And much of the things that we sell on eBay goes to buyers all over the world. But the fact is, due to shipping costs and the unsuitability of many items for shipping, for the vast majority of things you might want to buy it is much more efficient to buy these items locally. You can get them almost instantly, you can look at them before paying or taking possession of them, and you can lower transportation costs.

eBay is now making a major effort to add a significant local commerce component to their platform. Recently they have added a new capability called “Recommendations” which is basically a set a additional links designed to help you find exactly what it is that you want. As a major part of this feature are recommendations when they think it might be helpful for the buyer to search for the item locally. This new recommendation will tell you how many items for your search are located near you (you can also see it automatically by including your ZIP Code in your search). They have also created a new local page that will give you the ability to quickly search and browse for local items. You can get to it simply by clicking the new "Search Locally” link they have added.

We are very excited about this new functionality. We see this as the next step in online commerce – giving local facilities, like Auction Inn, the ability to efficiently reach local audiences for items that might be more suited to local sales. We look forward to additional enhancements of this functionality as we expand the range of services that we offer to local individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations.

February has been very exciting for our newest group of WORK-ABLE trainees. They have moved from the classroom to work hands on in the Auction Inn facility. Part of the group is trainee Angela, who we are featuring in this month’s newsletter!

Angela is 18 years old and has just recently relocated to Lancaster from Kissimmee, Florida. She is currently a senior in high school at J.P. McCaskey High School, and is working towards graduation in June 2008. So far, Angela’s favorite aspect of Auction Inn is the fundraising efforts that she has experienced. After graduating from the program, she hopes to go to college for ultrasound diagnostics. When I asked Angela about her thoughts on the entire WORK-ABLE job training program, she said she thinks the program has helped her open her eyes up to different ways to view life, and she really likes the environment at the facility here. We really hope the best for Angela, and are excited to see her grow within the program, allowing her to easily accomplish her dreams for the future!

Everyone in the Auction Inn team would like to introduce our newest member to the Lancaster staff, Robert Bustin.

Robert Bustin, 25, is from Sayre, PA, and has lived in the Lancaster area on and off since 2001. A Sayre Area High School Graduate in 2001, Bob attended Millersville University and graduated 2007 with a B.A. in Government and Political Affairs and a minor in Economics. Bob would like to continue his education at Millersville or another school part-time in an effort to obtain a B.A. in Economics also. The idea of working for a small company in its early stages intrigued Bob, as well as the social enterprise movement that Auction Inn is leading. So far, Bob really enjoys working at Auction Inn, and is looking forward to taking our marketing initiatives to new levels. In his spare time, Bob enjoys playing trivia games, reading history and science books, skiing, canoeing/kayaking, and watching any Philadelphia sports team. We are very fortunate to have Bob on our team, and look forward to seeing him grow within Auction Inn!

Every year, on or around February 2nd, Emerald Asset Management holds their Groundhog Day Forum in Philadelphia, which has now become one of the areas most notable events for small businesses young and old. Started in 1994, the attendee list has grown from a meager 100 with less than 12 presenting companies, to well over 400 businesspeople and an excess of 40 presenters. For the past four years Auction Inn has been attending this forum, and this year we were able to introduce our WORK-ABLE trainees to this unique experience, giving them an inside look into how Emerald works, what they do, as well as what sort of potential success comes from experience, education, and perseverance. Moszell Williams and Angela Acosta were fortunate enough to meet the guest speaker this year, Fox Anchor Liz Claman, as well as other keynote speakers former Secretary of the Navy John Lehman, economist Joel Naroff, and Coach Phil Martelli of St. Joseph’s University. To top off the day, Moszell and Angela were able to speak live on AM1210 talk radio about their experiences at the forum and with Auction Inn. With this year being my first time at the event, I must say this was quite an educational experience. I was very proud to see the professionalism and maturity in the trainees, as well as the interest they both took in the at times very technical subjects that were addressed at the forum. We all returned refreshed, with a renewed drive to succeed in our endeavors.

The pubic is invited to take part in two separate donation drives sponsored by Auction Inn, which will take place during the month of March. The first fundraiser was held on Saturday, March 1st from 9am to 12pm at the Landisville Turkey Hill located at 1991 State Rd, Lancaster, PA, just off of Route 283 across from Kelly Cadillac. This event was highly successful, already bringing in many items that we hope will sell very well including a vintage accordion, guitars, an inflatable river raft, a set of Porsche tires, various television sets and other electronics. The drive is to benefit Clare House, a transitional shelter for homeless women and children that provides a temporary home in a caring environment, life-skills programs and aftercare support leading to self-sufficiency.

The second fundraiser was held on Saturday, March 8th from 9am to 12pm at the Barnes & Noble Booksellers in the Red Rose Commons Shopping Center on Fruitville Pike. The funds raised for this event will go to benefit Domestic Violence Services of Lancaster County, a local organization who provides direct services to victims of domestic violence and their dependent children and to serve as advocates in educating the local community to the issues of domestic violence. Some of the more unique items brought in thus far were a Mountain Dew Mini Fridge, a copper cookware set, various types of printers, and a reprint of a Marie Fox painting. This event also featured a book signing from 9 AM to 12 Noon by Pennsylvania author Kate Hertzog for her latest book, More Than Petticoats: Remarkable Pennsylvania Women, which showcases the lives of fifteen noteworthy Pennsylvania women through short and easy-to-read biographies. DJ Michael C Anthony was also broadcasting live at the donation drive with 101 the Rose from 9am-11am.

To participate in either of these worthy causes, donors need only to drop off their donations at Auction Inn’s main processing center at 241 West Lemon St., Lancaster, PA Monday – Friday, 9am-6pm, and Saturday 9am-2pm, or call (717)509-6592 for more information.

If you belong to a local nonprofit group in either the Lancaster, Harrisburg, or York, PA areas, and would like more information about our fundraising options, please feel free to contact us at 888-TO-THE-INN!