untitled

Index

359

AAcronyms, in title, 245Action figure toys, 86–87Active users, 6Addresses

anonymous, 154confirmed, 304e-mail, collecting/protect-

ing, 339–340Advanced Link Builder,

347–348Animals, collectibles, 78–79Antiques

house items to sell, 94shipping, 177–178stores, 47–48

Appraisals, 89, 228–229Art items to sell, 94Auction houses, 103Auction premiums, 103Auctions

Buy It Now (BIN) price,260

completed, 59–60,293–309

driving traffic to, 338–341duration, 261–263during, 281–290Dutch, 9–10, 264end time, 262ending early, 287–288inactive, 285live, 103–104monitoring, 281–282not ending early, 288–289online, future, 349–354private, 60regular, 18–21relisting items at, 322reserve, 16, 21–22reserve price, 258–259sales donation, 260–261short, 262

start time, 262–263starting price, 253–258terminology, 7–18understanding, 18–22

Authentication, 229–231Auto Process (photo pro-

grams), 213–214Auto shippers, 55Automated preferences

feedback reminder, 301item shipped, 300payment received, 300payment reminder,

299–300programs for, 298types of, 298–299winning buyer notifica-

tion, 299

BBasic eBay store, 325Basic picture service, 265–266Bidders

non-paying, 311–314preapproved, 82winning, 281–282

Biddingfollowing, 19–21history, 19, 21phony, 82proxy, 16shill, 17

BidsDutch auction, 9increments, 7, 8initial, for cars, 55–56phony, 82

Billpoint, 157Bold title, 269Books

market data, 68selling, 70shipping, 176–177

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360 INDEX

Books, movies, and music categoryitem storage, 70market data, 68–69projected sales, 67selling in, 67–71

Borders, listing, 269Bubble wrap, 179, 180Business

building, 117–133future, 337–348goals, 117–119income tax, 131–132insurance, 132–133key questions, 118legal fees, 131–132license, 130mission statement, 120sales tax, 130–131starting, 149–164working plan, 119

Business cards, 124, 125, 338–339Business plans, 120–130Buy It Now (BIN)

adding, 289buyer response to, 260defined, 8fees, 260price, 260

BuyersBuy It Now feature response, 260diverse needs, 33–35feedback reminder, 301global marketplace benefit, 35information, 294–296item shipped notification, 300payment received notification,

300payment reminders, 299–300questions, 281–282requirements, 278researching, 273reserve auction response, 259satisfaction, 276user IDs, 61

CCable access, 141Cameras. See Digital camerasCars. See also eBay Motors

cleaning, 189FAQs, 55hot-selling, 54initial bids, 55–56insertion fees, 53

inspections, 55new, 53–56photos, 55purchase insurance, 54reserves, 55–56sale fees, 52–53sales risk, 54selling, 52–56shipping, 55transaction service fees, 53

Cash payments, 163Categories

books, movies, and music, 67–71browsing, 8cheat sheet, 243choosing, by browsing, 242choosing, by keyword, 239–241choosing, by research, 238–239clothing, shoes, and accessories,

63–67collectibles, 76–80computers and networking,

61–63consumer electronics, 56–61defined, 8directory, browsing, 242doubling up, 242–243eBay information, 238eBay store, 330–331examples, 9gross merchandise volume by, 6home and garden, 71–76identifying, 237–243jewelry and watches, 87–90levels, 9mistakes, 238numbers, 9, 220numbers, noting, 241percentages, 242quick access, 243researching, 219–220sports, 80–83toys and hobbies, 83–87usage, knowing, 238

CharityeBay store donations, 333–334fundraisers, 42sales percentage donations,

260–261Checks, personal

clearing, 163payment method, 162, 305–306received, 306

Claims, insurance, 315–317Classified ads, 109–111


361INDEX

Clothing, shoes, and accessoriesabbreviations, 65cleaning, 190condition, 197hottest trends, 66house items to sell, 94kids, 67market data, 64picking up, 65–66retail sales, 108sales projections, 63sales tips, 65–67selling, 63–67shipping, 63, 175–176subcategories, 64used, 66vintage, 67wholesale lots, 66wrapping, 176

Clothing mannequin, 206Cloud dome, 204Collectibles

animals, 78–79ephemera, 79financial data, 76pottery and glass, 79–80selling, 76–80shipping, 177–178subcategories, 77–78

Color, item, 194, 195, 248Commodity item store, 46–47Competition

price and terms, 233–234researching, 231–234timing and, 231–233

Completed auctions. See alsoAuctions; Shipping

determining, 293–294feedback, 307–308invoices, sending, 301–303money collection, 303–306options, 294recordkeeping, 295searching for, 294viewing, 59–60winning bidder notification,

297–301Computers

condition, 197keyboards, 138–139memory, 137monitors, 138printers, 139requirements, 136–138resources, 137–138

shipping, 174upgrading, 137–138workstation setup, 142

Computers and networking categoryhouse items to sell, 94–95inventory, obtaining, 62new/used search, 62sale figures, 61selling, 61–63shipping, 63subcategories, 61–62vintage items, 62–63

Condition, itemdescription, 195determination importance, 194in listing description, 248mentioning, 194–195range, 195

Confirmed addresses, 304Consumer electronics

condition, 197hot retail items, 58–59house items to sell, 95sales figures, 56sales tips, 60–61selling, 56–61shipping, 174subheadings, 57vintage, 59–60wholesale purchase, 57–58

Crafts, selling, 40Credit cards

accepting, 158–159for identity verification, 154in listing, 272–273processing, 161–162

Cropping photos, 212–213Cube Lite, 205Customer service, 35Customers

leaving negative feedback,318–319

loyal, making, 337–338non-paying, 311–314unhappy, 314

DDamaged shipments, 316–317DAS (Dependable Auto Shippers), 55Descriptions. See also Listings

accuracy, 249–250adding to, 287details, 248–249, 252editing, 287elaborate Web design, 250

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362 INDEX

Descriptions (cont.)filling out, 250–251input page, 244missing information, 249sample, viewing, 251–252standard, 250tag (insert), 252writing, 248–252

Details, itemage, 198–201, 248brand/artist/company, 193, 248color, 194, 195, 248condition, 194–197, 248in description, 248–249, 252history, 198–201, 249markings, 193, 248name, 191size, 191, 248writing up, 191–201

DHL, 168, 172Digital cameras

camera phones, 141features, 207learning, 140photo quality and, 207point-and-shoot, 140requirements, 139–141resources, 140selecting, 140as startup cost, 124

Discounts, multiple purchase, 277Diverse market needs, 33, 34Donations, sales percentage, 260–261Doubling categories, 242–243Drop-off stores

cons, 24–25financial realities, 22–23, 24price restriction, 24–25pros, 23resource, 25risks, 25use criteria, 23weight restriction, 25

DSL access, 142Dutch auctions, 9–10DVDs and movies. See also Books,

movies, and music categorycondition, 71formats, 71market data, 68–69selling, 70–71shipping, 176–177

EeBay

advantage, 27–50business potential, 5–7competition purchases, 350as fragmented industry, 28–35future, 349–354history, 3–5as market leader, 5, 352predications, 349–351purchasing items on, 106–107registration, 152–155research, 218–222

eBay Live, 22, 341eBay Motors. See also Cars

defined, 52fees, 52–53home page, 54purchase insurance, 54sale projections, 52selling example, 36–37tips and tricks, 55

eBay storesanchor, 325auction listings changed to,

332–333basic, 325business support, 352categories, 330–331cost example, 326–327customizing, 330–333defined, 10description, 328–329e-mail marketing, 343–344featured, 325features, 327fees, 325–327hotline, 330, 347information, 328–329level selection, 330listing header, managing,

342–343listing items, 10–11listings, 332–333listings, exporting, 346–347logo, 329marketing, 342–348modifying, 331–332name, 328non-sold items, 333–334opening, 325–333prices, 325promotional flyers, 344–345requirements, 328


363INDEX

search feature, 327setting up, 328–330theme, 328

Economies of scale, 29–30Education. See ResearchElectronics. See Consumer electronicsE-mail

addresses, anonymous, 154addresses, collecting, 339–340addresses, protecting, 340answering questions through,

282–286checking, 282eBay store marketing, 343–344phishing, 352–354reminders, 311–312tracking numbers, 307

Employees, 131End time, auction, 262Ending auction early, 287–289Enhanced picture service, 265Ephemera, 79Escrow, 11Estate liquidation, 44–45Estate sales. See Garage sales

FFan apparel, 83Featured eBay store, 325Featured Plus!, 269FedEx, 168, 172Feedback

defined, 12leaving, 307–308negative, 308, 313–314, 318–319number, 155options, 308positive, 12, 308reading, 12reminder, 301

Feedback ratingbuilding, 12, 155defined, 12for PowerSellers, 15sellers, 155

Final value fees, 13Finances. See also Business plans

cash flow, 125–128inventory, 128–130start-up costs, 123–125

Flatrate shipping, 274Flatware, 75, 220, 224–225Food sales, 73–74Fragmented industry, 28–35

Froogle, 346–347Fundraising, 40–42Furniture

cleaning, 189condition, 197sales examples, 76shipping, 174–175

GGallery Featured, 269Gallery photo, 267–268Garage sales

alternative, 37–39bargaining at, 99end of sale, 100–101niceness rule, 101planning, 97–98purchasing at, 97–101as quick merchandise source,

101quick survey, 99risks, taking, 99–100timely arrivals, 98what to look for, 98–99

Gardening items, 74Gift services, 270Glassware, 197GMV (gross merchandise volume), 6Going-out-of-business sales, 108–109Google research, 223–225Grading, 229–231Greyhound, 168, 173Gross merchandise volume (GMV), 6

HHandling fees, 31, 181–183Hardware, 136–142Help

live, 252research, 226–228

High transportation costs, 30–31Highlight title, 269Highly diverse product line, 32–33History and age

eras, 199–201finding, 199in listing description, 248–249provenance, 198–199

Hobby items, 39, 83–87Home and garden category

builder/contractor aspect, 76flatware, 75furniture subheading, 76gardening subhead, 74


364 INDEX

Home and garden category (cont.)home décor, 75house items to sell, 95item construction, 74market data, 72–73size, 72subcategories, 72–73tools, 76

Home Page Featured, 270Home-based business rider, 132Homemade items, selling, 111House items for sale, 91–95HTML builder, 347–348

II Buy sheets

back, 356defined, 143front, 355

I Sell sheetsback, illustrated, 358backside information, 296binder, 130brand/artist/company, 193color, 194condition, 194–197defined, 143filling out, 191–201front, illustrated, 192, 357markings, 193name, 191paid, 306size, 191

Identifying itemsauthentication and grading,

229–231with eBay research, 218–222with expert research, 228–231with Google, 223–225with help, 226–228rare, 227–228with reference books, 225–226

Income taxes, 131–132Initial bids, for cars, 55–56Insertion fees

defined, 14eBay stores, 325–326item pricing and, 15list of, 15

Insuranceclaims, 315–317home-based business rider, 132inventory, 132missing shipments and, 315–316purchase, motor vehicles, 54

shipping, charging for, 181–183types of, 133USPS package, 171

International purchasesgrowth, 351missing shipments, 315sending invoices for, 302–303

International shipments, 183,289–290

Inventoryinsurance, 132ledger system, 128–129organization, 130tracking, 128–130

Invoices, 301–303

JJewelry and watches

appraisals and, 89charms and charm bracelets, 89diamond rings, 89ethnic/tribal jewelry, 89house items to sell, 95market data, 88sales projections, 87

Jobbers, 104–105

KKeywords

category selection by, 239–241driving traffic to auctions with,

339eBay store, 346search, 13–14

LLegal fees, 131–132Licenses

obtaining, 130in start-up budget, 124

Linking, from Web sites, 340–341Listing designer, 267Listing fees

eBay stores, 326percentages, 352raised, 5

Listingsadding to, 287border, 269Buy It Now (BIN) price, 260categories, 237–243creating, 235–252creation daily routine, 235–236description, 248–252


365INDEX

duration, 261–263in eBay store, 10–11exporting, 346–347extra features, 266–271gift, 270item location, 264mistakes, fixing, 286–289moving to eBay store, 332–333page counter, 271Payment and Shipping section,

271–272payment methods, 272–273pictures, 264–266private, 261promoting, 269–270quantity, 264reserve price, 258–259reviewing, 278–279revising, 286–287sales donations, 260–261scheduling, 263shipping and sales tax, 273–276similar items, 338spelling, 246starting, 236–237starting price, 253–258submitting, 279title, 243–247visibility, increasing, 267–269

Live auctions, 103–104Location, item, 264Low barriers to entry, 28, 29Lowel ego light, 205

MManufacturers’ goods, 107–108Margins, 96Marketing (eBay store)

eBay methods, 342e-mail, 343–344HTML builder, 347–348keywords, 346listing header management,

342–343listings file, exporting, 346–347promotional flyers, 344–345

Marketing plan, 122Markings, item

in listing description, 248in preparation, 193

Measurements, 188Merchandise

assessment, 189books and magazines, 70can’t sell on eBay, 73–74

cars, 52–56cleaning, 189–190clothing, shoes, and accessories,

63–67collectibles, 76–80computers and networking, 61–63consumer electronics, 56–61details, writing up, 191–201determining, 51–90flow chart, 142–143home and garden, 71–76jewelry and watches, 87–90movies and DVDs, 70–71music, 67photographing, 203–216preparation for sale, 187–202sports, 80–83toys and hobby, 83–87work flow, 135, 142

Merchandise sourcesauctions, 103–104classified ads, 109–111garage, estate, and yard sales,

97–101from home, 91–95homemade items, 111jobbers and wholesalers, 104–105manufacturers’ goods, 107–108methods, 91–113from purchases, 96–111retail and going-out-of-business

sales, 108–109thrift stores, 102–103wholesale on eBay, 106–107

Metal items, 189, 197Millennium effect, 59Mission statements, 120Misspellings, in title, 39Money collection, 156–157Money orders, 162Multiple item discounts, 30–31, 277Music. See also Books, movies, and

music categorymarket data, 69selling, 71shipping, 176–177vintage, 71

Musical instruments, 95MWT (mint with tag/s), 65My eBay, 282–286

NNegative feedback, 308, 313–314,

318–319Network access, 141–142


366 INDEX

Niches, 121–122Non-payment, 311–313NWT (new with tag/s), 65

OOrganization

inventory, 130work space, 135–148

OSHA (Occupational Safety andHealth Administration), 142

Overstocks, 104

PPacking

insurance claims and, 317peanuts, 180

Page counters, 271Part-time business, 42–44Payments

cash, 163collecting, 303–306credit cards, 158–159, 161–162information, eBay remembering,

271in listing, 272–273methods, 156–157, 272–273money order/cashier’s check,

162options, 35PayPal, 157–161personal/business checks,

162–163received notification, 300reminders, 299–300Visa/MC/Amex/Discover,

161–162PayPal

acceptance, 159benefits, 157–158credit card acceptance, 158–159defined, 157label printing with, 306–307in listing, 272necessity, 159ownership, 157payment, checking, 305payment fees, 157, 159refunding money through, 307registered users, 157shipping with, 306Web site, 159

PayPal accountschecking, 303merchant rate, 159

signing up for, 159–161types, 158unverified, 260User Agreement and Privacy

Policy, 160verified, 161

Pep Boys, 55Phishing e-mails, 352–354Phony bids, 82Photo Studio, 204Photography

background, 205item, 203–216lighting, 204–205quality and features, 206–207reflective items, 210small items, 207tricks, 208–210white items, 209–210

Photography area. See also Work areabackground setup, 205defined, 143example, 146inclement weather, 145lighting setup, 204–205outside, 144–145props, 206setting up, 144–145, 203–206transporting items to, 206

Photosadding to listing, 264–266basic picture service, 265–266brightness, 213–214cars, 55color contrast, 213–214cropping, 212–213editing, 211–215, 216enhanced picture service, 265gallery, 267–268hosting, 209multiple, of each item, 208naming, 215options, 266pixels, 208–209quality, 206–207rotating, 211–212saving, after editing, 214–215saving, to hard drive, 210–211sizing, 212supersized, 208Web hosting for, 266

Picture Manager, 215–216Picture pack, 208Pixels, 208–209Positive feedback, 12, 308


367INDEX

Pottery and glasscondition, 196condition terminology, 196house items to sell, 95selling, 79–80

PowerSellers, 6, 15–16Preapproved bidders, 82Preparation (item)

cleaning, 189–190details, writing, 191–201process, 187–202routine, 187–188

PriceMiner, 255Pricing

BIN, 260competitors, 233–234drop price strategy, 257example, 258guessing on, 256low strategy, 257perceived value and, 256repricing, 324reserve, 258–259starting, 253–258strategies, 257–258

Printing, shipping labels, 179Private auctions, 60Private listings, 261Product line diversity, 32–33Promotion

business cards, 338–339eBay store, 342–348e-mail, 339–340keywords, 339listing, 269–270seller networking, 341wanted lists, 339Web site links, 340–341

Promotional flyers, 344–345Props, photography, 206Provenance, 198Proxy bidding, 16, 19–20Purchasing items. See also

Merchandise sourcesfrom classified ads, 109–111on eBay, 106–107at garage, estate, and yard sales,

97–101manufacturers’ goods, 107–108margins, 96at retail/going-out-of-business

sales, 108–109at thrift stores, 102–103

QQuantity, item, 264Questions

answering, 282–286answering twice, 284changing listing based on, 286inactive auction, 285monitoring, 281My eBay, 282personal nature, 285posting, to auction page, 285response, 285subjects, 283winning bidder, 281–282

RRealistic market price, 229Reference books, 226Refunds

through PayPal, 307selling fees, 313

Register: Enter Information page,152–153

Registered users, 6Registration

Register: Enter Informationpage, 152–153

User Agreement and PrivacyPolicy, 153

user ID selection, 153–154Regular auctions, 18–21Relistings. See also Listings

creating, 322–324knowing how to create, 323–324monetary aspects, 322prices, 324reviewing, 324simplicity, 323timing, 324

Repairing, 198Replacement or insurance valuation,

229Research

authentication and grading,229–231

buyers, 273category selection from, 238–239company/artist background, 224competition, 231–234eBay, 218–222examples, 62flatware, 220, 224–225glass items, 221–222Google, 223–225


368 INDEX

Research (cont.)help, 226–228pricing, 253–255professional, 228–231rare items, 227–228reference books, 225–226as treasure hunt, 217

Reseller’s permit, 131Reserve auctions

buyer response to, 259defined, 21example, 21–22feeds, 16for investment protection, 258

Reserve price. See also Pricingfor cars, 55–56defined, 16, 258hidden, 56, 258not met, 21starting price and, 259

Retail sales, 108–109Returns

avoiding, 249–250handling, 276–277policy, 276

SSales items. See MerchandiseSales tax

collecting, 130–131in listing, 276permit application, 130

Searchescompleted auctions, 294current auction, 218eBay store, 327item specifics for, 247–248keyword, 239–240title, 238wholesale lot, 106

Second chance offers, 17Sellers

accounts, 156feedback rating, 155full-time, 48–49high-volume, 350–351similar, networking with, 341terms, 34–35types of, 27–28

Sellingbenefit examples, 35–37benefits, 37cars, 52–56clothing, shoes, and accessories,

63–67

collectibles, 76–80computers/networking compo-

nents, 61–63consumer electronics, 56–61estates, 44–45fees, eBay stores, 326full-time, 48–49as garage sale alternative, 37–39as hobby supplement, 39home and garden merchandise,

71–76homemade items, 111jewelry and watches, 87–90nights and weekends, 44one item at a time, 35–37for others, 112–113own creations, 40as part-time business, 42–44prices, average, 118–119by retirees, 44seasonal, 43sports merchandise, 80–83as store front supplement, 45–48toys and hobby items, 83–87user IDs, 61

Selling Manager/Selling ManagerPro, 298–301

SGS Automotive, 55Shill bidding, 17Shipments

damaged, 316–317don’t arrive, 315–316wrong item, 317–318

Shippingaddresses, 304antiques and collectibles,

177–178books, movies, and music, 69calculated, 275cars, 55charges, 35charging for, 181–183clothing, shoes, and accessories,

63, 175–176computers, 174consumer electronics, 174DHL, 168, 172different merchandise types,

173–178economies of scale and, 30FedEx, 168, 172flatrate, 274freight companies, 175Greyhound, 173, 268handling and, 31high cost, 30–31


369INDEX

information, sending, 165insurance, 181–183, 275–276international, 183, 275labels, 179large items, 174–175in listing, 273–276media items, 176–177method comparison, 166–168methods, 166multiple items and, 30–31non-breakables, 175–176notification, 300process, 306–307questions, 283–284quotes, 181, 274quotes, international, 289–290size and weight restrictions,

167–168small breakables, 177–178time, 35tracking numbers and, 307UPS, 168, 169USPS, 168, 170–171wrong item, 317–318

Shipping areadefined, 143materials, 178–179setting up, 147–148, 178–179

Shipping suppliesbubble wrap, 179, 180on eBay, 181packing peanut dispenser, 180packing peanuts, 180purchasing, 180–181scale, 181in shipping area, 179types of, 180

Sign-in feature, 235–236Signing out, 237Simple Link Builder, 347Size, item, 191, 248Sniping, 17–18Sorting, auction items, 222Souvenirs, 83Specifics, item, 247–248Spelling, in listings, 246Sports items, 80, 83Sports memorabilia

cards, 81, 82house items to sell, 95market data, 81selling, 81–82

Staffing and operational plan, 122Staging area. See also Work area

areas to use for, 144defined, 143

setting up, 143–144table, 188

Start time, auction, 262–263Starting price. See also Pricing

example, 258guessing on, 256perceived value and, 256research, 253–255reserve price and, 259strategies, 257–258too high/too low, 255–256

Start-up costs. See also Financesbusiness cards, 124, 125digital camera, 124education, 124licenses, 124low, 123sample worksheet, 123work area remodel, 124

Stolen items, 110Storage area

defined, 143photograph, 147setting up, 145–147

Street value, 229Subtitles, 268Supplemental selling, 46–48

TTerms, competitors, 233–234Thrift stores, 102–103Timing

competition and, 232–233importance, 231relistings, 324time of day and week, 232time of year, 231–232

Title and description searches, 14Title-only searches, 14Titles. See also Listings

acronym use, 245bold, 269editing, 287example, 246highlight, 269importance, 243information in, 246input page, 244number of characters, 245searches, 238writing, 243–247

Tools, 76Toys

action figures, 86–87condition, 197


370 INDEX

Toys (cont.)die cast, 86house items to sell, 95market data, 84–85trading card games, 86vintage, 85–86

Toys and hobbies categorymarket data, 84–85sales projections, 83

Tracking numbers, 307Trading Assistants, 112–113Travel category, 95Troubleshooting

damaged shipments, 316–317negative feedback, 318–319non-payment, 311–314shipment never arrives, 315–316unhappy customers, 314wrong item shipped, 317–318

UUnhappy customers, 314United States, eras, 199–200United States Postal Service. See USPSUPS. See also Shipping

charges, 182claim payment, 169insurance, 182item wrapping requirements, 170pickups, 169pros/cons, 169weight and size restrictions, 168

User Agreement and Privacy Policy,153, 160

User IDsavailability, 154changing, 151choosing, 18defined, 18eBay store designation, 10length, 152list, 152multiple, 61picking, 150–152selection hints, 151–152

USPS (United States Postal Service).See also Shipping

insurance, 171international shipments, 183Media Mail, 177pickups, 170, 171Priority Mail, 177pros/cons, 170–171rates, 183weight and size restrictions, 168

VVacation fundraising, 41–42Vehicles parts and accessories, 95Video games, 95Vintage items

clothing, shoes, and accessories,67

computers and networking,62–63

consumer electronics, 59–60music, 71toys, 85–86

Visa/MC/Amex/Discover terminal,161–162

Visibility, item, 267–269

WWaiting for Money book, 297Wanted lists, 339Water marks, 197Wholesale lots

clothing, shoes, and accessories,66

consumer electronics, 57–58purchasing, 106–107searching for, 106

Wholesalers, 104–105Winning bidders. See also Buyers

automated notification, 299feedback points, 295information, 294–296notifying, 297–301questions, 281–282

Wireless access, 142Work area

computer workstation, 142hardware, 136–142living space and, 144merchandise work flow, 135network access, 141–142organizing, 135–148photography area, 143, 144–145remodel costs, 124shipping area, 143, 147–148,

178–179staging area, 143–144storage area, 143, 145–147

Working plans, 119

YYard sales. See Garage salesYellow question mark, 250


untitled

Documents

basic picture service

based business rider

yard sales

time business

ebay store

size restrictions

damaged shipments

price