"I will also let you know of any other properties that we might put up for sale."

Donald A. Ballek, Kansas Department of Commerce, Business Development Division

"We just wanted to let you know that the closing on the former Gaylord School property is final, and the new owners are in the process of moving in.  We thank you for your service that helped make this possible."

"We would highly recommend your service for any community (or individual) needing to find a buyer for property.  The response to the listing that you provided for us was great.  Within hours of you putting our listing on the eBay site, we had our first leads on the property.  We received many positive comments about the photo gallery that you provided for us and feel that this really aided in the making of the sale.  The internet links that you set up with our listing made it easy for prospective buyers to be able to gain information about our surrounding area and communities.  Any of our serious prospective buyers had taken the time to check out all of the links and found them to be very helpful.  Your service made it easy for us to use the internet to facilitate the sale our property.  It enabled us to reach prospective buyers from all across the country.  This would have been difficult for us to do otherwise.  We were surprised at how smooth everything went and pleased that we were able to close the deal in such a timely manner.  We started with what we thought would be a difficult property to sell, and ended up in a position of being able to choose from many "prospective buyers", one which we believe will be an economic asset to our community.  Needless to say, as I'm sure you can tell from this letter, we are very pleased with how the sale went."

"Your personal service to us was excellent.  Because of the many leads that came directly to us, the frequent "lead summaries"  that you provided to us of the additional ones that came through you was of great assistance in helping us keep track of all the responses.  We especially appreciate that you were even able to give us some "technical assistance" with a few problems we were having in using our computer.   Thanks again for all of your assistance with the selling of our property."

Daryl Lehmann, Mayor City of Gaylord  Yahoo! News - Story About Communities Selling School Buildings On eBay

"The business transaction was very easy and we didn't have to be in Kansas to get everything completed. It was far more complicated to purchase my current house than it was to buy the school! Also the tax benefits for doing improvements are tremendous!"  "I'm so glad you listed the school, we couldn't be happier."

"Total square footage being somewhere around 30,000sq ft. I loved it. I was scared (still am), it was huge! But the possibilities for a small company were obvious. We aren't rich but we could definitely work on this place and get some useable rooms to start with. The possibilities!! I then went back and talked more with Daryl and Jim. They sold me. I haven't felt so relaxed in a long time. These are good people, not out to make a buck but to help their town in whatever way they can. When I left I didn't want to go home, I already felt I was at home."

"For two agonizing weeks we waited (Two weeks in Seattle is like two months in Kansas, a different pace to life). I didn't sleep much I wanted to come back there so bad. Finally on September the 14th they called us. I was fear and hope all tied up in a knot. Jim told me the news and of course tears of joy burst forth making the rest of the phone call rather difficult. I just wanted to scream and cry and laugh all at the same time. We got it!! Hooray, Hooray, we got a school today!!!"

"These are the best people I have ever met in my life. Do I know my neighbors? Yes, and their families and I celebrated with many of them this Christmas. I have come to a beautiful place, I was so worried I would miss the mountains but the rolling hills and heart rending sunsets make up for it. My worry was that I would be alone here with no one to help me. Many have helped, many more have offered. I go to coffee in the mornings with the girls and go to the neighbors and chat if I get lonesome. It is different here; there are no multiplex movie theaters within a 12 minute drive, no malls within 8 minutes. I can't go out and buy a new computer in the blink of an eye. I can't go spend money on miscellaneous garbage that I really didn't need anyway. I can go to auctions and find great stuff for a dollar or two that would have cost far more in Seattle. I can drive an hour and a half and be at Wal-Mart if I want to, if I want to. Or to the mall or to the movies, it does take longer but it's not a big deal when you aren't sitting in traffic the whole time and the scenery is lovely to drive through. You won't see many cars but you might see some deer, bunny rabbits or even a skunk or two!"

"As to repairing the school, there are a number of people here who can do the work for substantially less than what you would pay in a large city. That was a real selling feature for us, not only could we afford to buy the school but we could also afford to have it repaired. Of course being able to hire two employees for the cost of one out in Seattle certainly was a nice feature as well. This adventure story is still in the works but as of now I am the happy and proud owner of a school building in Gaylord, Kansas."

Gwen Archut, New Owner of the Gaylord School Building - Business Web Site TAB Funkenwerk

For sale on eBay: Buffalo's old school
By Dawn Marks
Enid Bureau

Friday, August 20, 2004 Edition: City, Section: NEWS, Page 8A  Dateline: BUFFALO

BUFFALO - When Buffalo School District officials decided to sell an empty elementary school, they turned to the World Wide Web.
Since the end of June, the northwest Oklahoma community has advertised a 1939 elementary school and 3.2 acres of land for $121,000 on eBay. Out-of-state buyers have expressed an interest.
The listing, which is not an auction item, is expected to solve a problem of too many classrooms for a dwindling school population and to help the town attract a new business, said James Leonard, Buffalo development director.
Superintendent Terry Chapman said school officials closed the school this year and moved students to the district's other elementary school.
"We don't have the population we used to," Chapman said. "We're just trying to increase efficiency."
A resident called Leonard and told him of a town in Kansas that had sold a school and got a business there using eBay. Leonard brought the suggestion to Chapman.
"I know he thought I was crazy," Leonard said, but "Kansas has done this several times."
Leonard said he thinks western Oklahoma will prove attractive to business owners looking to relocate or expand.
Officials want a viable business, and have asked interested parties to submit a 500 word business plan. If the building isn't used in the way indicated, the property will revert to the school system.
Chapman said residents are glad the school district is trying to save money and get the building on the tax rolls, but there are some feelings of nostalgia for the Works Progress Administration structure.
"Half the town went to elementary school there," he said. "I'm just guessing at the half. It might be more than that."

The Oklahoman Newspaper - Enid Bureau

"Thanks for doing such a great job leading me into the world of eBay. I may be back in a year or so with a 65 Mustang currently being restored."

"Let me know what I can do for a testimonial or such for the fine work of Mid West eServices, Inc."

Daniel D. Metz, Attorney at Law

"I have received the 64 Impala today and I like it very much."

"Dan is a very respectable person. I was going to write a positive feedback if the condition of the car would be OK. So, I will leave a positive feedback."

"It was nice to do business with you."

Kuniaki, Wall International, Inc.

"Like I told you when we set this up I was expecting the low bid around $1000.00 and the high bid around $5000.00, the high bid ($6600.99) exceeded my expectation.  I believe a good deal of the credit goes to you for the great set up you had on e-bay."

Larry Gagnon, Salina Public Schools USD-305

"I appreciate your outstanding professional effort.  I will use your services again if the need arises."

Norman Kelly, Attorney at Law

"Many Thanks"  "You did a great job.  I was so pleased but wish it could have sold.  Oh well.  I will highly recommend you if I ever hear of friends wanting to sell.  Use the extra $10 for a 6 pack."

Zella Roeder

"Sandy, we are glad to answer your questions.  First it is a pleasure to deal with some one like Dave who gives his all.  When he was at his sons graduation, away from home, he still kept us informed as to our leads.  Not many would do this in this day and age.  His presentation is far above any we have seen.  We have tried our own and in 30 days we got 2 responses.  With Dave's we have 20 in 28 days.  I saw his ad for a school in Morland Kansas and it was the best I had ever seen.  I have asked several to review our current ad and the response has been very positive.  We are sold on Dave Rose as a real AMERICAN that does what he says he will.  Yes we would do business with him again.  When we sell our resort we hope to travel and one of our first stops will Salina Kansas to meet Dave Rose and family in person.  If you have further questions please call us."

"Dave, Looks like we have a match.  Its almost like a heart transplant.  You have to make sure it all fits. Vickie and Joel Smith signed today for $xxx,000 for the ad on ebay. They are doing a 1031 so it will take a little time to get it all together. You would think they are great couple.  We are pleased to have them as the new owners and friends.  So as things progress we will keep you informed."   

Quinn and Sara Swartout, Owner of Pine Lake RV Resort and Campground - Business Web Site: www.pinelakervresortcamp.com