EBay for Dummies
Authors: Marsha Collier
Tags: #Electronic Commerce, #Computers, #General, #E-Commerce, #Internet auctions, #Auctions - Computer network resources, #Internet, #Business & Economics, #EBay (Firm)
®
For Dummies
®
, 6th Edition
Table of Contents
Part I: Getting a Feel for eBay
Part II: Buying Like an Expert
Part III: Making Money the eBay Way
Part IV: Even More of eBay’s Special Features
Part I: Getting a Feel for eBay
Chapter 1: Why You’re Going to Love Your Time on eBay
What Is eBay, and How Does It Work?
Private (shhh-it’s-a-secret) listings
Buy It Now and fixed-price sales
Extra Gizmos You’re Gonna Want
Chapter 2: Ready, Set, Go: Signing Up on eBay
Registering Is Free, Fun, and Fast
Like, what’s your sign? Filling in required information
Do you solemnly swear to . . . ?
It must be true if you have it in writing
Getting to know you: Optional information
A Not-So-Quick Word about Choosing a User ID
Chapter 3: You Can Go Home — Again and Again!
Exploring Your Home Page Search Options
Peering through the home page search box
Going where the Advanced Search link takes you
Home Links, the Next Generation
Maneuvering through Categories
Using the Seller’s Items Links
Chapter 4: My Very Own, Private eBay
Keeping Track of Your Personal Business
Checking your account information
Choosing your notification preferences
Understanding Your Seller Dashboard
Organizing in the Organize Area
Following the Action on Your Buying and Watching Pages
Keeping track of Items I’ve Won
Sleuthing with Items I’m Watching
Surveying Your Sales on Your My eBay Selling Page
eBay’s Selling Manager/Selling Manager Pro
Keeping Track of Your Transactions
You have the last word — responding to feedback
Part II: Buying Like an Expert
Chapter 5: Seek and You Shall Find: Research
General Online Tips for Collectors
Go, Joe: Following an expert on the hunt
Finding More Research Information
Finding other sources of information
Looking to Find an Item? Start Your eBay Search Engine
Using the Advanced Search page
Shortcuts for a Quick eBay search
Finding eBay Members: The Gang’s All Here
Chapter 6: Shopping eBay: The Basics
Beating the Devil in the Details
Read the item description carefully
Placing Your Bid on an Auction
Bidding to the Max: Proxy Bidding
Specialized Auction Categories
The Agony (?) of Buyer’s Remorse
Avoiding deadbeat (non-paying bidder) status
Chapter 7: Power-Buying Strategies
Find Out an Item’s Bidding History
Strategies to Help You Outsmart the Competition
Time Is Money: Auction Strategy by the Clock
Using the beat-the-clock strategy
Chapter 8: After You Win the Item
Getting Your Paperwork Together
Sending the Payment Promptly and Securely
Using PayPal, a person-to-person payment service
Keeping in Touch: Dealing with an AWOL Seller
You Get the Item . . . Uh-OhWhat’s This?
Filing to Get a Refund through PayPal
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?
Getting the goods on your goods
Spy versus spy: Comparison selling
Know What You Can (and Can’t) Sell
Questionable items: Know the laws
eBay Fees? What eBay Fees? Oops . . .
Uncle Sam Wants You — to Pay Your Taxes
Two wild rumors about federal taxes
Chapter 10: Time to Sell: Completing the Cyber Paperwork
Getting Ready to List Your Item
Examining the Sell an Item Page
Filling in the Required Blanks
Creating the perfect item title
Listing the number of items for sale
Setting a starting price — how low can you go?
Your secret safety net — reserve price
I want to be alone: the private auction
A picture is worth a thousand words
Listing the payment methods you’ll accept
eBay Options: Getting Eyes on Your Item
Checking Your Work and Starting the Auction
Midcourse Corrections: Fixing Current Listings
Making changes before bidding begins
Making changes after bidding begins
Chapter 11: Save Gas — Drive Your Mouse to an eBay Store
Unlimited Shopping from the Stores Page
Conducting an eBay Stores search
Selling from Your Own Virtual Storefront
Chapter 12: Closing the Deal and Shipping It Out
Bookkeeping and Staying Organized
Talking to Buyers: The ABCs of Good Communication
Getting the right (packing) stuff
Preparing Postage with Endicia
Chapter 13: Troubleshooting Transactions
Dealing with a Buyer Who Doesn’t Respond
Other Possible Auction Problems
The buyer backs out of the transaction
The item you send is busted — and so are you
You have regrets — seller’s remorse
Auction Going Badly? Cut Your Losses
If all else fails, end your listing early
Filing for a final value fee credit
Chapter 14: Increase Your Profits with Pictures and Other Strategies
Making Your Picture a Thing of Beauty
Use traditional photos? Yes, I scan
Software that adds the artist’s touch
Making Your Images Web-Friendly
The Image Is Perfect — Now What?
Using an ISP to store your images
Using image-hosting Web sitesto store images
Part IV: Even More of eBay’s Special Features
Chapter 15: Privacy: To Protect and to Serve
What Does eBay Do with Information about Me, Anyway?
What Do Other eBay Members Know about Me?
Spam — Not Just a Hawaiian Delicacy
I Vant to Be Alone — and Vat You Can Do to Stay That Vay
Chapter 16: Staying Safe and Sane
Keeping eBay Safe with Trust & Safety
Abuses You Should Report to Trust & Safety
Reporting Abuses to Trust & Safety
Stuff eBay Won’t Do Anything About
Knowing the Deeds That Can Get You Suspended
eBay Motors Vehicle Protection Program
Getting the Real Deal? Authentication and Appraising
Chapter 17: The eBay Community: Joining In with Other eBay Members
Hear Ye, Hear Ye! eBay’s Announcements Boards
User-to-User Discussion Boards
Other Chat Rooms (Message Boards)
The eBay Friends from All Over discussion Board
Chapter 18: eBay’s Fun Features
Truly Righteous Stuff for Charity
And Now for Our Feature Presentation
eBay’s Saved Searches e-mail service
Getting Free Calls over the Internet with Skype
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: Understand Post-Auction Charges and Payment Methods