eBay PowerUser's Bible

Whether you’ve just visited the eBay site for the first time or you’re already planning your eBay business, this comprehensive guide covers what you need to know. Learn how to bid successfully, choose items to sell that buyers want to buy, conduct safe financial transactions, take advantage of feedback, find the true bargains when buying, and get a fair price for things you sell. You’ll even find an entire section to guide you through setting up and managing a practical, profitable business on eBay.

Inside, you’ll find everything you need to become an eBay power user

• Understand how eBay works, what it can and cannot sell, and how to take advantage of all its services
• Find out what makes a good User ID, why you should set up multiple inboxes, and how to protect your privacy
• Navigate the site and explore different auction types
• Avoid fraud and learn how to deal with questionable sellers and complicated transactions
• Choose the right items to sell, create sales listings that attract bids, and capture images that generate buyer interest
• Learn to pack and ship items for safe, timely delivery
• Discover how to accept credit card and other electronic payments
• Develop a business strategy, set up a schedule, track expenses and income, and report taxes
• Identify good sources for building your inventory
• Create attractive, easy-to-read auction listings using eBay’s features and HTML

Now you can join the millions of eBay users who earn some or all of their income from eBay, with the in-depth instruction you'll find in this comprehensive guide. The basics are all here—how to register, set up a PayPal account, create compelling listings, track income and expenses, report taxes—plus loads of ideas and strategies to help you grow your business and get profitable. Packed with illustrated instructions, valuable tips, and terrific techniques, this is the book you need to move from shopper to eBay PowerUser—and succeed.

• Open a seller's account and create listings that sell

• Field questions, add new information, and drive the sale

• Launch an eBay Store and build inventory

• Find the best ways to receive payment and ship goods

• Master Accounting 101 for eBay sellers

• Market yourself and manage your business for growth

• Learn sniping and other bidding strategies

• Make business phone calls with Skype

• Avoid licensing, legal, and other pitfalls

Use your blog as a door for customers to meet you

eBay sellers can link to their Web sites' home pages

Check out the eBay Shipping Center for shipping services

Introduction.

Part I: The eBay Story and How It Can Help You.

Chapter 1: eBay’s Business Model.

Chapter 2: Highs and Lows in eBay History.

Part II: Getting Started: The eBay Basics.

Chapter 3: Registering and Assembling the Tools You Need.

Chapter 4: Exploring eBay: Beyond the Site Map.

Chapter 5: Understanding eBay Auction Types.

Chapter 6: Personalizing Your eBay Experience.

Chapter 7: Joining the eBay Community.

Part III: Buying Practically Anything You Want on eBay.

Chapter 8: Researching Before You Bid: Comparison Shopping.

Chapter 9: Locating and Buying Just about Anything.

Chapter 10: Bidding Strategies.

Chapter 11: Bidding on High-Ticket Items.

Chapter 12: Tracking Auctions Anytime, Anywhere.

Part IV: Selling on eBay.

Chapter 13: Choosing the Right Things to Sell.

Chapter 14: Assembling Your Tools and Opening a Seller’s Account.

Chapter 15: Creating Sales Listings That Sell.

Chapter 16: Managing Your Current eBay Sales.

Chapter 17: Making the Feedback System Work for You.

Chapter 18: Capturing Digital Images That Attract Bids.

Chapter 19: Accepting Online Payments.

Chapter 20: Packing and Shipping Like a Pro.

Chapter 21: Legal, Tax, and Accounting Needs .

Part V: How eBay Can Help You Run a Business.

Chapter 22: Turning Your Hobby into an eBay Business.

Chapter 23: Strategic Purchasing to Build Your Inventory.

Chapter 24: Tools for Managing Multiple Sales.

Chapter 25: Formatting Auction Listings.

Chapter 26: Creating a Business Web Site to Boost eBay Sales.

Chapter 27: Finding or Providing Professional Help.

Chapter 28: Developing eBay Business Applications.

Part VI: Troubleshooting.

Chapter 29: Problems with Questionable Listings.

Chapter 30: Problems with Completed Transactions.

Chapter 31: Avoiding Licensing, Legal, and Other Trouble.

Part VII: Appendixes.

Appendix A: eBay Lingo.

Appendix B: Hardware and Software You Need.

Appendix C: eBay and Auction-Related Web Sites.

Appendix D: Basic HTML Markup Terms.

Appendix E: Digital Photo Hosting Services.

Index.