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 all-in-one for dummies
by Marsha Collier.
Hoboken, NJ : John Wiley, c2009.
- "9 books in 1"--cover.
- Includes index.
Build an eBay business : quicksteps
John Cronan, Carole Matthews.
New York : McGraw-Hill, c2009.
Your quick, full-color guide to eBay In this easy-to-use guide, color screenshots and brief instructions show you how to set up and run a profitable eBay business in no time. You will learn how to develop a business plan, build inventory, create great listings, manage successful sales, handle customer service, set up an eBay store, use eBay Specialty Sites, and become an eBay Trading Assistant.
eBay rescue profit maker
Kevin W. Boyd.
New York : Alpha Books, c2009.
eBay Rescue Profit Maker provides the tools and methods you need to shake up your eBay business and make it profitable. This book will radically change your way of thinking about product selection and provide a guaranteed roadmap to eBay success.
The eBay phenomenon : the story of a brand that taught millions of strangers to trust one another
Elen Lewis.
London : Marshall Cavendish Business, c2008.
Full of anecdotes and insightful analysis, this chronicle details the story of the brand name that changed society and empowered the average consumer to participate in a universal marketplace like never before. From the sale of $6 million jets to buckets of seawater, this book explores eBay's amazing online community of strangers and the trust they exude when exchanging goods and money. With more than 168 million registered users in 33 countries, this study explains the evolution and power of one of the world's most iconic brand names.
The Maui CEO : import from China, sell on eBay, and live wherever you want
John Tennant.
New York : iUniverse, c2008.
- Originally published: New York : iUniverse, c2005.
- Includes index.
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. |
| (more on Meg Whitman) |
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.
