by Marsha Collier
Publisher’s Acknowledgments Executive Editor: Steven Hayes
Senior Project Editor: Nicole Sholly Senior Copy Editor: Barry Childs-
Helton Technical Editor: Patti Louise Ruby Editorial Assistant: Anne Sullivan
Sr. Editorial Assistant: Cherie Case Project Coordinator: Rebekah
Brownson Cover Image: ©iStockphoto.com/mbortolino
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Book Details
Price
|
4.00 USD |
|---|---|
Pages
| 431 p |
File Size
|
5,660 KB |
File Type
|
PDF format |
ISBN
| 978-1-11874886-2 (pbk) 978-1-118-74890-9 (ebk) 978-1-118-74875-6 (ebk) |
Copyright
| 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc |
Marsha Collier is the top-selling eBay author. Her name crops up a lot in the
same breath as e-commerce and customer service. No surprise there. She’s
the author of the For Dummies series on eBay (eBay For Dummies, Starting
an eBay Business For Dummies, eBay Business All-In-One For Dummies),
plus many other related, best-selling titles. She is one of the foremost ecommerce
experts and educators in the world. Her books are published
worldwide (special editions for the U.K., Germany, India, France, Canada,
Australia, Russia, China — and an edition in Spanish. As of 2007, there were
a million books of her books in print, her first was published in 1997 and has
been on the many top Best Seller lists.
Marsha intermixes her writing about eBay with her role as experienced
spokesperson. While traveling across the United States and around the world,
she makes regular appearances on television, radio, and in print to discuss
online commerce and customer service.
Marsha earned her eBay stripes as a longtime seller on the site. She began her
eBay selling career in 1996 to earn extra money for her daughter’s education
(and eventually paid for university with her eBay earnings). She grew her
business to a full-time venture and was one of the first eBay PowerSellers.
Nowadays, you can find everything from autographed copies of her books to
photography tools, pet toys, and DVDs in her eBay Store (“Marsha Collier’s
Fabulous Finds” at http://stores.ebay.com/Marsha-Colliers-Fabulous-Finds)
and on her website.
(http://www.coolebaytools.com). Marsha also co-hosts Computer
and Technology Radio on WSradio at
In 2004, Marsha began a blog, Marsha Collier’s Musings
(http://mcollier.blogspot.com) to talk about timely topics she
thinks her readers will enjoy. An early innovator in social media, Marsha
penned several books, two of her favorites are The Ultimate Online Customer
Service Guide and Social Media Commerce For Dummies. Her online brand
has grown as she shares thoughts on how businesses can make the most of the
Internet. She has recently been awarded several honors:
2013 Huffington Post #2 of the Top 100 Customer Service Pros on Twitter
2013 Forbes Top 20 Women Social Media Influencers
2013 Forbes Top 50 Social Media Power Influencers
Edelman Tweetlevel: Top Media 100 Users by Influence
2012 Forbes Top 50 Social Media Power Influencers
2012 Small Business Book Awards: Startup Book Category, Starting an
eBay Business For Dummies
2012 The 100 Most Powerful Women On Twitter
2011 Forbes Top 10 Women Social Media Influencers
Marsha currently resides in Los Angeles, CA. You can contact Marsha via
her website, coolebaytools.com.
Introduction
I just can't believe it; this is the eighth edition of eBay For Dummies. When I
wrote the original edition in 1999, I had no idea that this book would become
the top-selling book for those wanting to learn about eBay.
Over a million people have learned how to succeed at an eBay business by
reading my books. In your hand you have the book that will get you on the
road to your own online business. Heed my words and you'll be getting the
no-nonsense facts about eBay from an active user.
I'm a longtime eBay shopper as well as a Top Rated Seller. My original
career was in retail marketing, and for over 14 years I've been making money
on the site. (I even put my daughter through college on my profits!) I work
from home and apply my background successfully to all facets of the site.
My enthusiasm and excitement for shopping and selling on the eBay
Marketplace seems to have spread to so many corners of the world. eBay
users (like you and me) total close to 120 million active users worldwide —
that's quite a community. It's a community of buyers who have time to scour
the site for items to buy — and of sellers who forage for wholesale items to
sell online and make a few dollars (or a full-time living). This makes eBay a
massive e-commerce marketplace — and the best part is that eBay is
available to anyone who wants to take the time to learn how it works.
My books are written sequentially, and this is the one to start with if you're a
beginner. eBay For Dummies will give you the solid foundation you need to
go on to my other, more advanced books on eBay selling.
The venue is constantly evolving; familiar links may move, but the basics are
there to be found. It isn't too hard to master, but just as with any tool, when
you know the ins and outs, you're ahead of the game. You can then get the
deals when you shop, and make the most money when you sell. You've come
to the right place to find out all about eBay. This book is designed to help you
understand the basics about buying and selling on eBay, the most successful
e-commerce community. You need a firm grasp of the basics before you can
succeed in any endeavor. Here are all the tools you need to get moving on
eBay, whether you're new to the Internet or a seasoned veteran. You see how
to turn your everyday household clutter into cold, hard cash — and how to
look for items that you can sell on eBay.
look for items that you can sell on eBay.
If you're an online shopper, I show you how to figure out how much you
should spend and how to get great deals. How much money you earn (or
spend) depends entirely on how often and how smartly you conduct your
eBay transactions. You decide how often you want to run auctions and place
bids; I'm here to help with the smart part by sharing tips drawn from what
I've learned over my past ten years on eBay.
A website as complex as eBay has many nooks and crannies that may confuse
users. Think of this book as a detailed road map that can help you navigate
eBay, getting just as much or as little as you want from it. Unlike an actual
road map, however, you won't get frustrated folding it back to its original
shape. Just close the book and come back any time you need a question answered.
After you figure out the nuts and bolts, you can start buying and selling stuff.
This book is full of terrific buying and selling strategies that help you get the
most out of your transactions. With this book and a little elbow grease, you
can join the ranks of the millions of people who use their home computers to
make friends, find great deals, have a lot of fun, and make a profit. When you
get the hang of eBay and feel that it's time to graduate (no cap and gown
required) from this book, look for my Starting an eBay Business For
Dummies — it'll take you to the next plateau.
Table of Contents
Introduction
About This Book
Foolish Assumptions
Icons Used in This Book
Beyond the Book
Where to Go from Here
Part I: Getting a Feel for eBay
Chapter 1: Why Being on eBay Is So Much Fun
What Is eBay, and How Does It Work?
All About Auctions
eBay auctions
Reserve-price auctions
Restricted-access auctions
Private (shhh-it's-a-secret) listings
“Buy It Now” on eBay
eBay Stores
Buy It Now and fixed-price sales
Want to Make Some Cash?
Get a Deal and Get It Fast!
Research for Fun and Profit
eBay's Role in the Action
Features and Fun Stuff
Extra Apps You're Gonna Want
Chapter 2: Ready, Set, Go! Signing Up on eBay
Registering on eBay
Registering Is Free
Like, what's your sign? Filling in required information
Do you solemnly swear to . . . ?
It must be true if you have it in writing
A Quick Word about Passwords
A Not-So-Quick Word about Choosing a User ID
Your License to Deal (Almost)
Chapter 3: Finding Your Way Around eBay
What Is the Home Page?
Sign In, Please
Follow the Links
Exploring Your Home Page Search Options
Seeking items through the search box
Going where the Advanced Search box takes you
Home Links, the Next Generation
Maneuvering through Categories
Bottoming Out
Chapter 4: Your Very Own, Private eBay
Getting to Your My eBay Page
Keeping Track of Your Personal Business
Checking your account information
Choosing your communication preferences
Your Feedback link
Account links
Understanding Your Seller Dashboard
Using the Resolution Center
Organizing in the Lists Section
Searches you follow
Sellers you follow
Keeping your follows on the “down low”
Sleuthing with your Watch list
Following the Action on Your Buying
Seeing the items you’re buying
Keeping track of your purchased items
Surveying Your Sales on Your My eBay Sell Page
Your Active Selling page
Your Sold page
eBay's Selling Manager/Selling Manager Pro
Keeping Track of Your Transactions
Getting and Giving Feedback
How to get positive feedback
How to get negative feedback
The Feedback page
Reading your feedback
You have the last word — responding to feedback
Leaving feedback with finesse
Part II: Buying Like an Expert
Chapter 5: Deal or No Deal? Buying Advice and Searching Tips
Online Tips for Collectors
The experts speak out
Following an expert on the hunt
Making the grade
Finding More Research Information
Searching sites online
Finding other sources of information
Looking to Find an Item? Start Your eBay Search Engine
Using the Advanced Search page
Finding Sold Items
An international search
Finding a specific seller
A Bidder search
Shortcuts for a quick eBay search
Finding eBay Members: The Gang's All Here
Chapter 6: Get the Deal: Shopping eBay
The Item Listing Page
Beating the Devil in the Details
Read the item description carefully
Get the scoop on the seller
Factoring in the Extras
Payment methods
Using an escrow service
Shipping costs
Placing Your Bid on an Auction
Bidding to the Max: Automatic Bidding
Specialized Categories
eBay Motors
eBay Stores
The Agony (?) of Buyer's Remorse
Retracting your bid
Avoiding deadbeat (unpaid item) status
Chapter 7: Winning eBay Strategies
Make an Offer!
Find Out an Item's Bidding History
Get to Know the Other Bidders
Strategies to Help You Outsmart the Competition
Time Is Money: Auction Strategy by the Clock
Using a laid-back strategy
Using the beat-the-clock strategy
Chapter 8: Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner?
eBay Calling: You're a Winner
Getting Your Paperwork Together
Getting in Contact
Sending the Payment Promptly and Securely
So, What's Your Number?
Checking Out
Communicating with the Seller
Keeping in Touch: Dealing with an AWOL Seller
You Get the Item . . . Uh-Oh What's This?
Filing to Get a Refund
Don't Forget to Leave Feedback
Properly Giving the Seller's Detailed Star Rating (DSRs)
Part III: Making Money the eBay Way
Chapter 9: Selling in Your Bunny Slippers for Fun and Profit
Why Should You Sell Stuff on eBay?
Finding Stuff to Sell
Know When to Sell
Know Thy Stuff
Getting the goods on your goods
Spy versus spy: Comparison selling
Know What You Can (and Can't) Sell
Prohibited items
Infringing items
Restricted items: Know the laws
Forbidden items
Reporting a Problem Listing
Intellectual Property Violations
eBay Fees? What eBay Fees? Oops . . .
Insertion Fees are negligible
Final Value Fees
Optional fees
Keep current on your profits
Uncle Sam Wants You — to Pay Your Taxes
Two wild rumors about federal taxes
State sales tax
State income taxes
Chapter 10: Make It Sell: Completing the Cyber Paperwork
Getting Ready to List Your Item
Examining the Sell Your Item Page
Filling In the Required Blanks
Selecting a category
Creating the perfect item title
Writing your description
Listing the number of items for sale
Setting a starting price — how low can you go?
Buy It Now for auctions
Setting your auction time
Your secret safety net — reserve price
I want to be alone: The private auction
Put me in the Gallery
Filling out the item location
Listing Designer
Listing the payment methods you'll accept
Setting shipping terms
Checking Your Work and Starting the Listing
Midcourse Corrections: Fixing Current Listings
Making changes before bidding begins
Making changes after bidding begins
Chapter 11: Shopping or Selling with an eBay Store
Selling from Your Own Virtual Storefront
Paying the landlord
Running an auction is easy too
Opening your eBay Store
Chapter 12: Closing the Deal and Shipping It Out
Bookkeeping and Staying Organized
Talking to Buyers: The ABCs of Good Communication
Thank you — I mean it
Let's keep e-mailing
Shipping without Going Postal
Shopping for a shipper
Getting the right (packing) stuff
Buying Postage Online
Preparing Postage with Endicia
Shipping directly from eBay
Chapter 13: Troubleshooting Transactions
Dealing with a Buyer Who Doesn't Respond
Requesting immediate payment
Setting buyer requirements
Going into nudge mode
Do a little sleuthing
Blocking a customer
Stepping things up a notch
Other Possible Auction Problems
Buyer back out? Try Second Chance offer
The item you send is busted — and so are you
You have regrets — seller's remorse
Going Badly? Cut Your Losses
Making changes or canceling bids
Blocking bidders
Ending your listing early
Filing an Unpaid Item case
Déjà vu — relisting your item
Chapter 14: Increase Your Profits with Pictures and Other
Strategies
Using Images in Your Listings
Choosing a digital camera
Choosing a scanner
Making Your Picture a Thing of Beauty
Get it on camera
Yes, I scan
Software that adds the artist's touch
Making Your Images Web-Friendly
The Image Is Perfect — Now What?
Using your website to store your images
Using image-hosting websites to store images
Using eBay's photo uploader
Putting On the Hits
Tell Your Story on Your About Me Page
Tell the World on Your Profile Page
Part IV: Even More of eBay's Special Features
Chapter 15: Privacy: Protecting Yourself Online
What eBay Knows about You
What you tell eBay
What cookies gather
Your eBay sign-in cookie
Web beacons
What web servers collect
Cookie-removal-ware
eBay's Privacy Policy
What Does eBay Do with Information about Me, Anyway?
What Do Other eBay Members Know about Me?
Spam — Not Just a Hawaiian Delicacy
Sending spam versus eating it
Trashing your junk mail
E-mail spoofing
I Vant to Be Alone — and Vat You Can Do to Stay That Vay
Chapter 16: Staying Safe and Getting Help
Keeping eBay Safe with eBay Security
Buyers Are Safe When Shopping on eBay
Abuses You Should Report
Selling abuses
Bidding abuses
Feedback abuses
Identity abuses
Operational abuses
Miscellaneous abuses
Reporting Abuses to eBay Security
Stuff eBay Won't Do Anything About
Knowing the Deeds That Can Get You Suspended
eBay Motors Vehicle Protection Program
PayPal Purchase Protection
Launching a Report
Getting the Real Deal? Authentication and Appraising
If It's Clearly Fraud
Chapter 17: Social Media and the eBay Community
Joining eBay's Community
News and chat, this and that
Filling in your eBay Profile and creating Collections
Hear ye, hear ye! eBay's Announcements Board
Help! I need somebody
User-to-user discussion boards
eBay groups
Learning and Selling through Social Media
Finding friends and customers on Facebook
Connecting in 140 characters on Twitter
Chapter 18: Mobile eBay Apps and Fun Features
The Loyalty Program for Shoppers: eBay Bucks
The Perfect Gift? An eBay Gift Certificate
Go Mobile — for Buying and Selling
Selling and Buying: Helping Nonprofits
eBay Giving Works
Creative charity auctions
Part V: The Part of Tens
Chapter 19: Ten (or So) Golden Rules for eBay Buyers and Sellers
Buyer: Investigate Your Treasure Before You Buy
Buyer: Check the Seller's Feedback
Buyer: Check the Price Tag and Bid Wisely
Buyer: Leave Positive Feedback for a Good Seller
Buyer: Cover Your Assets
Seller: Really Know Your Stuff
Seller: Polish and Shine
Seller: Picture-Perfect Facts
Seller: Communication Is Key
Seller: Be a Buyer's Dream
Seller: Listen to the Music
Buyers and Sellers: Keep Current, Keep Cool
Chapter 20: Ten (or So) Services to Ease Your Way
Third-Party Management Services
Auctiva
inkFrog
Vendio and Vendio stores
Auction Wizard 2000 on your desktop
Important Tools for Buyers and Sellers
Sniping with BidRobot
eBay fee calculators
Kabbage: Working capital
eBay's Software and Services
eBay's free Turbo Lister
Selling Manager and Selling Manager Pro
eBay PowerSellers
Top Rated Sellers
Appendix: Finding Stuff to Sell
Knowing the Market
Do You Have Talent, Provide a Service?
Catching Trends in the Media
On the web
On television
Catch up with youth culture . . .
Check out eBay
Check out magazines
The Hunt for eBay Inventory
The goods are out there
Tips for the modest investor
About the Author
Cheat Sheet
More Dummies Products
Bookscreen
About This Book
Remember those open-book tests that teachers sprang on you in high school?
Well, sometimes you may feel like eBay pop-quizzes you while you're on the
site. Think of eBay For Dummies, 8th Edition, as your open-book-test cheat
sheet with all the answers. You don't have to memorize anything; just keep
this book handy to help you get over the confusing parts of eBay. Over the
years, some of the top sellers and buyers on the eBay site have visited with
me when I'm at a book signing or teaching an eBay seminar just to show me
their dog-eared, highlighted, marred copy of an earlier edition of eBay For
Dummies that got them started. This book will do the same for you.
With all that in mind, I've divided this book into pertinent sections to help
you find your answers fast. I'll show you how to
Get online and register on eBay.
Navigate eBay to do just about anything you can think of — search for
items for sale, set up listings, monitor your transactions, and join the
community circuit.
Bid on and win eBay auctions and find low prices at fixed-price sales.
Choose an item to sell, pick the right time for your listing, market it so
that a bunch of people see it, and make a nice profit.
Communicate well and close deals without problems, whether you're a
buyer or a seller.
Handle problems with finesse, should they crop up.
Become a part of a unique community of people who like to collect, buy,
and sell items of just about every type!