The Growing Frustration of eBay Sellers

When Julie Rodarte and her husband started selling on eBay (EBAY) six years ago, they stored their meager inventory in the family garage. As sales grew, and Rodarte carved out a niche in party and wedding favors, the operation expanded and she created JDR Supply. Now, the Bakersfield, Calif., company leases a 2,000-square-foot warehouse and has three employees. Rodarte, a mother of two with a third child due any day, says her 2008 sales revenue has averaged $23,000 a month, providing her with profits to invest in operations and a salary of about $25,000 annually.

"It's not a lot, but combined with the salary from my husband's job it allows us to do fun things like take vacations, while I'm working from home to be with my kids," Rodarte says.