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Selling on eBay
Got something to sell? Join the millions who use the Internet.
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eBay terminology
Auction - traditional sale format
Fixed-price (Buy it now) - buy items at fixed price
eBay store - Sellers pay month fee to get separate 'rental space'
Reserve price - lowest price a seller will accept for an item
Escrow - Service that holds payment until buyer receives item from seller |
eBay, which started on Labor Day in 1995, has quickly grown to be one of the most popular Internet auction sites. Over 100 million registered users on eBay buy and sell a variety of items, eveything from furniture to automobiles, to computers to concert tickets.
eBay business at your fingertips
Kevin W. Boyd.
New York : Alpha Books, c2008.
There's a lot to know about doing business on eBay. But you don't need to know all of it at once. eBay Business at Your Fingertips lets you pinpoint the information you want right now, with sections that are highly organized, tightly written, and easy to navigate. For example-deciding how to list an item. Book jacket.
Bringing home the Birkin : my life in hot pursuit of the world's most coveted handbag
Michael Tonello.
New York : William Morrow, c2008.
The complete idiot's guide to starting an eBay business
by Barbara Weltman and Malcolm Katt.
New York : Alpha Reference, c2008.
Part of the popular The Complete Idiot's Guide series, this title has been revised and updated in its second edition. This title walks the user through steps from beginning an eBay company to becoming a power seller through the program. Following the usual format, there are frequent boxed focuses, bulleted points, and an easy-to-follow text. Annotation #169;2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
eBay PowerSeller secrets : insider tips from eBay's most successful sellers
Debra Schepp, Brad Schepp.
New York : McGraw-Hill, c2008.
If you want to take your eBay sales to the next level, this proven guide has all the inside trade secrets that have propelled the savviest entrepreneurs into eBay PowerSellers-those earning up to $150,000 per month through auctions. "eBay PowerSeller Secrets" teaches you how to effectively run a store that never closes, sells globally, and offers virtually unlimited income potential, with valuable advice on advertising, collecting payments, running an eBay store, selling and shipping internationally, and much more.
eBay quicksteps
John Cronan, Carole Mattews.
New York : McGraw Hill, c2008.
Profit big on eBay--the QuickSteps way! In this easy-to-use book, color screenshots and brief instructions show you how to buy and sell eBay in no time. Follow along and learn to bid at eBay auctions, find bargains and unusual objects, sell all kinds of items, make your products stand out, find out about other buyers and sellers, and much more. Each chapter' s " How to" list and color-coded thumb tabs make it easy to flip straight to the tasks you need to do.
eBay requires that sellers register by creating an account before they can put items up for bid. Sellers are also charged a fee for every auction.
Once an item is sold to the highest bidder, the buyer and seller communicate through email to determine payment and shipping options.
Credit card, debit card, personal check and money order are some of the most common payment options. Many members prefer to use Paypal, an online payment service that is easy to access and prevents financial fraud.
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eBay's CEO
Meg Whitman became eBay's CEO in 1998. That year she took eBay 'public' selling 6.5 million shares to the public. She was the first female Internet billiionaire. |
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Tips for Beginner Sellers
- When listing an item, choose keywords carefully, selecting words that buyers will be most likely to search for
- Place items in appropriate categories; research to see which categories have the most activity for the items you are selling
- Provide clear images of your products
- Give detailed item descriptions for the products, anticipating any questions that buyers might have
- Clearly state the return policy, including who is responsible for shipping costs if an item is returned
- Stage auctions for 7 days, ending on a weekend between 6:00-8:00 PM Pacific Time
- Test the waters with your products using the regular eBay service; if you are successful you might consider opening an eBay store to reach more users.
With these tips in mind, eBay can be a safe, efficient and fun way to do business!
Article by: St. Louis Public Library staff.
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