eBay For Dummies

454 Pages·2016·9.21 MB·English

by  Marsha Collier

eBay® For Dummies®
Published by: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ
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Copyright © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2016939682
ISBN: 978-1-119-26019-6
ISBN 978-1-119-26020-2 (ePub); ISBN 978-1-119-26026-4 (ePDF)
eBay® For Dummies®
To view this book's Cheat Sheet, simply go to
www.dummies.com and search for “eBay Cheat
Sheet” in the Search box.
Table of Contents
Cover
Introduction
About This Book
Foolish Assumptions
Icons Used in This Book
Beyond the Book
Where to Go from Here
Part 1: Getting a Feel for eBay
Chapter 1: Why Being on eBay Is Crazy Fun
What Is eBay, and How Does It Work?
All About Auctions
“Buy It Now” on eBay
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: Let’s Do It! Signing Up on eBay
Registering on eBay
Registering Is Free
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
Home Links, the Next Generation
Maneuvering through Categories
Bottoming Out
Chapter 4: Ground Central, Your Private, My eBay
Getting to Your My eBay Page
Keeping Track of Your Personal Business
Understanding Your Seller Dashboard
Using the Resolution Center
Organizing in the Lists Section
Following the Action on Your Buying
Surveying Your Sales on Your My eBay Sell Page
Keeping Track of Your Transactions
Getting and Giving Feedback
Part 2: Buying Like an Expert
Chapter 5: Deal or No Deal? Buying Hacks and
Searching Tips
Online Tips for Collectors
Finding More Research Information
Looking to Find an Item? Start Your eBay Search
Finding eBay Members: The Gang’s All Here
Chapter 6: Get a Deal: Shopping eBay
The Item Listing Page
Beating the Devil in the Details
Factoring in the Extras
Placing Your Bid on an Auction
Bidding to the Max: Automatic Bidding
Specialized Categories
The Agony (?) of Buyer’s Remorse
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
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?
Getting a Refund
Don’t Forget to Leave Feedback
Properly Giving the Detailed Seller Ratings (DSRs)
Part 3: Making Money the eBay Way
Chapter 9: Selling in Your Slippers for Fun and
Profit
Why Should You Sell Stuff on eBay?
Finding Stuff to Sell
Know When to Sell
Know Thy Stuff
Know What You Can (And Can’t) Sell
Reporting a Problem Listing
Intellectual Property Violations
eBay Fees? What eBay Fees? Oops …
Uncle Sam Wants You — to Pay Your Taxes
Chapter 10: Time to Sell: Making Your Listing
Irresistible
Getting Ready to List Your Item
Examining the Sell Your Item Page
Filling In the Required Blanks
Checking Your Work and Starting the Listing
Midcourse Corrections: Fixing Current Listings
Chapter 11: Shopping or Selling with an eBay
Store
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
Shipping without Going Postal
Buying and Printing Postage Online
Chapter 13: Troubleshooting Transactions
Dealing with a Buyer Who Doesn’t Respond
Other Possible Auction Problems
Going Badly? Cut Your Losses
Chapter 14: Increasing Profits with Photography
and Other Strategies
Using Images in Your Listings
Making Your Picture a Thing of Beauty
Making Your Images Web-Friendly
The Image Is Perfect — Now What?
Tell Your Story on Your Profile Page
Part 4: Even More of eBay’s Special Features
Chapter 15: Security: Protecting Yourself Online
What eBay Knows about You
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: Understanding the Rules and Getting
Help
Keeping eBay Safe with eBay Security
Buyers Are Safe When Shopping on eBay
Abuses You Should Look Out For
Reporting Abuses to eBay Security
Stuff eBay Won’t Do Anything About
Knowing the Deeds That Can Get You Suspended
Launching a Report or a Return
Getting the Real Deal? Authentication and Appraising
If It’s Clearly Fraud
Chapter 17: Marketing Sales with Social Media and
the Community
Joining the eBay Community
Learning and Selling through Social Media
Chapter 18: eBay Bucks, Charitable Buying and
Selling, and Going Mobile
Rewards Program for Shoppers: eBay Bucks
Selling and Buying: Helping Nonprofits
Go Mobile — for Buying and Selling
Part 5: The Parts of Tens
Chapter 19: Ten (Or So) Golden Rules to Succeed
on eBay
Buyer: Research 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: Protect Your Privacy
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