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eBay: The Missing Manual
It's the undisputed king of Internet auction sites. It's a
global bazaar offering a range of goods from Antiques to
Zulu Daisies. Cars, clothing, collectibles: you name it,
and it's likely that you can find on eBay. But along with
the vast selection of goods available, buyers and sellers
also encounter all the other elements
that markets are known
for: tricks and swindlers, overpriced goods, deceptive
labeling, small print, recycled items marked as new, and the
occasional rare priceless find or undiscovered treasure.
Seasoned eBay traders know that to successfully buy and sell
within this mega-shopping platform, you need to understand
the system. Unfortunately, the secrets of the site are often
tightly held by other buyers and sellers seeking a
competitive edge. But what if you're a newcomer? Or an
experienced trader who wants to make the jump to power buyer
or seller? eBay: The Missing Manual gives you the inside
information you'll need to become an eBay expert.
Buyers will find the most effective ways to find you want
and pay prices that are sure to bring a smile to your face.
And you'll get authoritative advice on strategic bidding:
how to watch for elusive items, time your bids to take the
competition by surprise, and--above all--avoid paying more
than you ought to.
Sellers will get sure-fire tips from eBay veterans who have
discovered ways to ramp up their own auctions and sell at
the highest possible prices. From the smallest details,
such as how to take and post the most effective photos of
your goods, to pricing strategies, inventory management, and
shipping methods, this user-friendly manual will help you
make more money on eBay. Whether you're selling a single
item or running fulltime business on the site, you'll find
tips to help you do it more effectively.
As in any community, problems and disputes arise, and you'll
learn how other eBayers resolve such troubles or work around
them.
eBay: The Missing Manual has gems of wisdom for everyone
from total novices to more experienced traders. If you're
looking to improve your eBay auction experience, you'll
savor the tips and trick revealed in this guided
exploration.
CONTENTS:
The Missing Credits
Introduction
Part One: Buying on eBay
Chapter 1. Ready, Set, Shop!
Get Registered and Get Going
Step One: Who Are You?
Step Two: Who Do You Want to Be (on eBay, Anyway)?
Step Three: Check Your Email
How to Find What You're Looking For
Just Browsing, Thanks
Searching
Better Searching
Deciphering Auction Pages
Auction Types
Timed Auctions
Reserve Auctions
Buy It Now
Best Offer
Private Auctions
Mature Audiences
Preapproved Bidder Auctions
Dutch Auctions
Live Auctions
My eBay-Your Shopping HQ
My Summary
All Buying
Start Selling!
My Messages
All Favorites
My Account
Chapter 2. Bidding, Paying, and Following Up
Is This Seller Trustworthy? How to Read Feedback
Tips for Interpreting Feedback
Bidding on eBay
Placing a Bid
When to Bid Again
After the Auction
Paying the Price
Where's My Stuff? Communicating with the Seller
Having Your Say: How and When to Leave Feedback
Buyers' Woes and What to Do About Them
The Seller Cancels Your Bid on Your Very First Auction
You Made a Mistake in Your Bid
You Don't Hear from the Seller After the Auction
You Bought It Now when You Meant to Bid
You Were Outbid-But Then You Won
You Bid Against Yourself
Chapter 3. Finding-and Getting-Bargains
Tips and Tricks for Serious Searchers
Speak the Search Engine's Language
Search for Items by Bidder
Search for Items by Seller
Have Searches Find You
Search Within a Price Range
Think Globally, Search Locally
Find What Other Shoppers Miss
Going, Going, Gone!
Buy It First, Buy It Now
Watch the Clock-and the Calendar
List It Again, Sam
Have Sellers Search for You
The eBay Toolbar
Go Wireless
Offsite Searching
What's It Worth?
Do Your Research
Comparison Shopping
Bidding Wars
Bid to Win
How to Win by Two Cents
Swoop in and Snipe
Other Proxy Bidding Strategies
How to Win Dutch Auctions
More Ways to Get a Good Deal
About Me
eBay Anything Points
Chapter 4. Power Buying Strategies
Tools for Power Buyers
Price-Analysis Tools
Feedback-Analysis Tools
Tools for Collectors
Hey, Big Spender
Smart Shopping for Big Spenders
Jewelry
eBay Motors
Real Estate
Avoid Scams
Designer Fakes
Shill Game
Spoof Emails
Sham Auctions
Bogus Escrow Services
Illegitimate Second Chance Offers
Part Two: Selling on eBay
Chapter 5. Sell Stuff, Make Money
Get the Lay of the Land
Learn from Others
What Should You Sell?
How Much Is It Going to Cost You?
Listing an Item
Register as a Seller
Choose an Auction Type
Step 1: Choose a Category
Step 2: Write a Title and Description
Step 3: Add Pictures and Details
Step 4: Specify Payment and Shipping Details
Step 5: Review and Submit Your Listing
During the Auction
Finding Your Item
Answering Buyers' Questions
Revising the Listing
Ending a Listing Early
After the Auction
Invoicing the Buyer
Getting Your Money
Packing and Shipping
Leaving Feedback
Common Problems
Miscommunication
Deadbeat Bidders
The Item Doesn't Arrive
The Item Arrives Damaged
The Buyer Wants to Return the Item
You Dealt with a Problem-and Got Negative Feedback for Your Trouble
Chapter 6. Honing Your Competitive Edge
It's All About You
Build a Better Auction
Tempting Titles
Irresistible Descriptions
Photos That Sell
More Photos, More Bidders
Auction Tips and Tricks
Best Category, Best Price
Meet or Exceed Buyers' Expectations
The More Auctions, the Merrier
Donate Some of Your Profits
Offer Incentives
Offer Anything Points
Sell in Lots
How to Get More Feedback
Big-Time Marketing Strategies
Identify-and Reach-Your Market
Get Some Buzz Going
Promote, Promote, Promote
Just Say No
Shill Bidding
Keyword Spamming
Stealing Photos
Violating VeRO
Avoiding Fees
Padding S&H Charges
Protecting Your Auctions
Blocking Unwelcome Bidders
Canceling Bids
Defending Your Auction
Scams to Watch Out For
The Check's in the Mail
Phishing for Sellers
" Damaged" Goods
Fake Escrow Sites
The I'll-Ship-It-Myself Scam
Overpayment
Chapter 7. Going from Hobby to Business
What Should I Sell?
Research the Market
Finding Merchandise
Doing the Paperwork
Write a Business Plan
What Kind of Business Are You?
Keep Good Records
Account for Yourself
Keep It Legal
Setting Up Shop with an eBay Store
Creating Your Store
Managing Your Store
Selling Internationally
Parlez-Vous eBay?
Money Makes the World Go 'Round
Worldwide Shipping
Sell for Others
Become a Trading Assistant
Find Business Beyond eBay
Franchise Fever
Become a PowerSeller
Join the Big Leagues
Membership Has Its Privileges (and Problems)
Chapter 8. Specialty Selling
Half.com: Mass Media Mania
Registering on Half.com
Listing an Item
Managing Your Inventory
Making a Sale
Selling on eBay Motors
Revving Up
Creating Your Listing
During the Auction
Crossing the Finish Line
Tips for a Successful Sale
Selling Real Estate Online
Two Ways to Sell
Tips for Selling Property on eBay
Live Auctions
eBay Giving Works
Signing Up to Contribute
How Can Buyers Tell It's for Charity?
After the Auction
eBay B2B
Sell Your Services on Elance
How Elance Works
Elance Professional Services
Signing Up and Bidding
The Drawback
Other Sites
Chapter 9. Cool Tools for Sellers
eBay Tools
Turbo Lister
Selling Manager
eBay Blackthorne
Accounting Assistant
eBay Sales Reports
Third-Party Software
Market Analysis
Listing and Auction Management
Email and Feedback Automation
Other Tools
Part Three: Finding Other eBayers and Getting Help
Chapter 10. Connecting with Other eBayers
Connect with the Community
Discussion Boards
Groups
Answer Center
Chat Rooms
eBay Affiliates
Other Places to Talk About eBay
Google Groups
Yahoo! Groups
Forums on Other Sites
eBay Live!
Chapter 11. Finding Help
Learning Center
Help Page
Help via Email
Live Help
Site Map
eBay Services
Help from Other eBayers
Answer Center
Discussion Boards
Chat
Part Four: Appendixes
Appendix A. Where to Learn More
eBay Updates
Start Spreading the News(letters)
Specialized Newsletters
The Chatter
Seller Newsflash
Newsletters for Buyers
eBay on the Air
More Radio Programs
The Unofficial Scoop
Auction News
Software Reviews
Further Education
Take a Workshop
Take a Live Class
Get Your B.A. in eBay
Appendix B. HTML for eBayers
Getting Started
Adding Colors and Backgrounds
Coloring Text
Adding Links
Creating Lists and Tables
Tables
Appendix C. Other Auction Sites
Amazon Auctions and Marketplace
AuctionAddict.com
Bid4Assets
Bidera
BidMonkey
Bidville
Bidz
Blujay
iOffer
Overstock Auctions
The Auction Man
uBid
Yahoo! Auctions
Index
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