eBay: The Missing Manual
The Missing Manual
1st Edition
Published on 4. October 2005
Book
Paperback/Softback
463 pages
978-0-596-00644-0 (ISBN)
Description
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.
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.
More details
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
08/2005
1st Edition
O'Reilly
€16.49
Available for download
E-Book
08/2005
1st Edition
O'Reilly
€21.49
Available for download
Person
Nancy Conner has a PhD in English from Brown University and has taught writing, including technical writing, to college students for more than a dozen years. She is currently a freelance copyeditor, specializing in technical books covering topics ranging from the MS Office suite to programming languages to advanced network security.
Content
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 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 Service 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