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Tables of Contents for Ebay the Smart Way
Chapter/Section Title
Page #
Page Count
Acknowledgments
xxxi
I. Introducing eBay
1
32
Online Auctions and eBay
3
10
Markets
5
6
Law of Supply and Demand
7
1
Other Online Auctions
8
1
Specialty Auctions
9
1
Auction Games
10
1
What's Up?
11
2
Opportunities for Buyers
13
8
Individuals
14
2
eBay's Role
15
1
The Time Factor
15
1
The Market
16
1
Risk
16
1
Transaction Overhead
17
2
Shipping and Handling
17
1
Insurance
18
1
Sales Tax
18
1
Escrow Fees
18
1
Payment
19
1
Rent or Buy at Auction
19
1
Summary
19
2
Opportunities for Sellers
21
12
Individuals
22
2
Advertising
22
1
The Time Factor
23
1
The Market
23
1
Retailers
24
4
Online Retailers
25
1
eBay Retailers
25
1
Special Retail Sales Projects
26
1
Offline Auctioneers
26
1
Service Providers
27
1
Risk
28
1
Transaction Overhead
28
3
eBay Fees
29
1
Merchant Credit Card Charges
29
1
Shipping and Handling
29
1
Sales Tax
29
1
Customer Service
30
1
Responsibility
30
1
Opportunity
31
1
Cost
31
1
Summary
31
2
II. Learning to Use eBay
33
134
How eBay Works
35
42
Community Values
36
1
User Agreement
36
2
Trust
38
1
Navigation
39
7
Site Map
39
1
Browse
40
1
Sell
40
1
Services
40
1
Search
41
1
Old Search
41
1
Search Aids
42
2
Help
44
1
Community
44
2
Preparation
46
1
Save As
46
1
Frozen Browser
47
1
Paste In
47
1
Registration
47
4
Welcome New Users
47
1
Before You Register
48
1
Registering
48
1
Alias (Log-In Name)
49
1
Password
49
1
Registration Form
49
1
Confirmation
50
1
Auctions
51
8
Categories
51
2
Individual Auctions
53
1
Types
53
1
Normal
53
1
Reserve
53
1
Dutch
54
1
Private
54
1
Comparison
55
1
Restricted Access
55
1
Duration
55
1
Prohibited Auctions
56
3
Gallery
59
1
After the Auction
59
1
Escrow Services
60
1
Wanted Page
61
1
Researching an eBay User
61
1
Researching Market Values
61
2
Representing Yourself
63
2
Feedback System
63
1
About Me
63
1
Be Prepared
64
1
A Web Page
64
1
Edit
65
1
Security
65
5
ID Verify
66
1
Privacy
67
1
Digital Signatures
67
2
Quality of Protection
69
1
By-Product
69
1
Community
70
1
Chat
70
1
Is a Community for You
71
1
User Tutorials
71
1
eBay Customer Service
72
3
My eBay
73
1
Anywhere
74
1
Charity
75
1
Summary
75
2
Bidding
77
22
Bidding
78
9
Finding What You're Looking For
78
1
Categories
78
1
Searches
78
3
eBay Search Tips
81
1
Misspellings
81
1
Reading the Listing
81
1
New
81
1
Reading the Auction
82
2
Auction Ad
84
1
Making a Bid
84
2
Bidding Increments
86
1
After All
86
1
After Your Bid
87
2
Checking Your Email
87
1
Reviewing Your Activity
87
1
Current Auctions
87
1
My eBay
87
1
Bidding
88
1
Watching
88
1
Being Outbid
88
1
Winning the Auction
88
1
Following Up
88
1
Retracting a Bid
89
1
Optional eBay Bidding Features
89
5
Grading and Authentication
89
1
Grading
89
1
Authentication
90
1
Verification
90
1
The Switch?
91
1
Appraisal
92
1
eBay Insurance
93
1
iEscrow
93
1
Personal Shopper
94
1
Illicit Merchandise
94
2
Summary
96
3
Selling
99
22
Sellers (Auctioneers)
100
4
Payment Arrangements
100
3
Setting the Minimum
103
1
Rating the Condition of the Item
104
2
As Is
104
1
Know the Market
105
1
Common Sense
105
1
Entering an Auction
106
5
Types of Auctions
107
1
Input
107
1
Length
108
1
Auction Ad
108
1
Photograph
109
1
Bulk Upload
110
1
Buy It Now
110
1
Counter
111
1
Authentication and Other Protections
111
4
Authentication
111
1
Verification
111
1
Grading
112
1
Appraisal
112
1
Shipping Insurance
113
1
Receipt
113
1
eBay Insurance
114
1
Escrow
114
1
Authentication and Escrow
114
1
After You List the Auction
115
3
Retracting an Auction
116
1
No Bids
116
1
Relisting
117
1
Follow-Up
117
1
Accounting
117
1
Seller Search
117
1
My eBay
118
1
Customer Service
118
1
When an Auction Is Not a Sale
118
1
Real Estate
119
1
Summary
119
2
Reputation
121
22
eBay Feedback System
122
12
Positive, Neutral, Negative
123
1
Positive
123
1
Seller Enters a Positive
123
1
Buyer Enters a Positive
124
1
Neutral
124
1
Seller Enters a Neutral
124
1
Buyer Enters a Neutral
125
1
Negative
125
1
Seller Enters a Negative
126
1
Buyer Enters a Negative
126
1
No Rating
126
1
Special Cases
127
1
Comments
128
1
Negative or Neutral Feedback
128
1
Positive Feedback
129
1
Informational Feedback
130
1
Fairness
130
1
Communication
131
1
Negotiation
132
1
Name-Calling
132
1
Anger
133
1
Public Record
133
1
eBay Action
134
1
On the Positive Side
134
1
It's Your Reputation
134
1
It's Their Reputation
135
1
How the System Works
136
3
Comment on a Rating
137
1
Comment on the Other Party's Rating of You
138
1
Comment on Your Rating of the Other Party
138
1
Bickering
139
1
Public or Private
139
1
Liability for Defamation
139
1
Evaluating a Person's Reputation
140
1
Safe Harbor
141
1
Conclusion
141
2
Reporting and Recourse
143
24
Most People Are Honest, But
144
2
If You Are a Bidder
144
1
If You Are a Seller
144
1
Shill Bidding
145
1
Adverse to Buyers
146
1
Adverse to Sellers
146
1
Negotiate
146
1
Remedies
147
13
Receipt
147
1
Buyer's View
148
1
Seller's View
148
1
Refund and Return
148
1
Buyer's View
149
1
Seller's View
149
1
Mediation
150
1
Report to eBay
150
1
Unresolved Dispute
151
1
Nonperformance
151
1
Insurance
152
1
Better Business Bureau
152
1
Civil and Criminal Liability
153
1
Civil Claim
153
1
Criminal Complaint
153
1
No Threats
154
1
Civil Suit
155
1
Criminal Prosecution
156
2
Across State Lines
158
1
State Court
158
1
Federal Agencies
159
1
Federal Court
159
1
eBay
160
1
Collecting a Judgment
160
1
Prevention
160
1
Forget It
161
1
eBay Offenses
162
2
Feedback Offenses
162
1
Bidding Offenses
162
1
Selling Offenses
163
1
Contact Information-Identity Offenses
163
1
Miscellaneous Offenses
164
1
Verified Rights Owner Program
164
1
Summary
165
2
III. Bidding Strategies
167
30
Timely Bidding
169
28
Realities
170
1
Strategies
171
7
Buy Low
172
1
Large Selection
173
1
Saving Time
174
1
Resale
175
1
Retail
175
1
Arbitrage
176
2
Fun
178
1
Tactics
178
16
Research
178
1
The Refresh
179
1
The Scare
180
1
The Pass
181
1
The Bay Way
182
1
The Game
183
1
The Smoke Out
183
2
The Snipe
185
1
With Software
185
1
Without Software
186
1
The Double Window
187
3
The Ten Cents Difference
190
1
The Routine Check
191
1
The Multiple-Auction Finesse
191
1
Two Auctions
192
1
Three Auctions
193
1
Why?
193
1
Dutch Auction Bids
193
1
Organization
194
1
Summary
195
2
IV. Software
197
12
Software for Bidding and Selling
199
10
What's Wrong with eBay Software?
201
1
What to Avoid in eBay Software
202
1
What to Look for in eBay Software
202
2
Services
204
1
This Book
205
1
eBay eBay Software
206
1
Summary
206
3
V. Selling Strategies
209
164
Customer Service
211
28
Business at eBay Auctions
212
10
The Occasional Seller
213
2
The Part-Time eBay Business
215
1
Independent Contractors
216
2
Fulfillment
218
1
Drop Shipping
218
1
If You're Small
219
1
The Full-Time eBay Business
219
1
With a Website
219
2
Without a Website
221
1
A Little Bit More
222
2
Guarantee
223
1
Packaging
223
1
Goods That Don't Work
223
1
The Gift
224
1
Payment
224
1
Response Times
224
2
The Other Side of the Story
225
1
Shipping and Handling
226
3
Packaging
226
1
If It Doesn't Get There
227
1
Shippers
228
1
Postage
229
1
Trades
229
1
Communication
230
1
Offer to Communicate
230
1
How to Get Organized
230
2
Spreadsheet
231
1
Database Manager
231
1
On Paper
232
1
Power Sellers
232
1
Where the Gold Is
233
1
On-Site Auctions
234
1
Amazon.com
234
1
Benchmarks of Customer Service
235
2
Summary
237
2
Handling Images
239
18
Photography Tips
240
1
Digitizing Photographs
241
5
Kodak Photo CD
241
1
Kodak Picture CD
241
1
Kodak PhotoNet online
242
1
Scanner
242
1
Digital Camera
243
1
Size
244
1
Image Markup
245
1
Photo Manipulation
245
1
Format
246
1
Making Photographs Available
246
4
Storing Photographs
246
1
Website
246
1
ISP Account
247
1
Special Services
248
1
eBay Picture Service
249
1
Uploading Photographs
249
1
Pulling In Photographs
250
1
Making It Happen
250
3
At eBay
251
1
In the Template
252
1
In the Bulk Upload
253
1
Other People's Photographs
253
1
Graphics
254
1
Summary
255
2
Using a Template for eBay Ads
257
44
eBay Advertising
258
6
The First Goal
258
2
The Second Goal
260
1
Product Information
260
2
Purchasing Information
262
1
Promote Yourself and Your Other Auctions
263
1
The Third Goal
263
1
Unique Products
264
1
Presenting the Ad
265
21
Text
265
1
Grammar
265
1
Paragraphs
266
4
Copy Writing
270
1
Typesetting
271
2
Layout
273
2
Color
275
1
Background Color
275
1
Ad Background Color
275
1
Font Colors
276
1
Color Combinations
276
1
Browser-Safe Colors
276
1
Recommendation
277
1
Links
278
1
Your Website
279
1
Manufacturer's Website
279
1
Review Website
279
1
Email
279
1
Auction List
280
1
Media
281
1
Spanning the Web
281
1
Photographs
281
1
Music
282
1
Voice
282
1
Promoting Unique Products
282
2
Institutional Advertising
284
1
Other Media
284
1
Consider the Bidders
285
1
Using an eBay Ad Template
286
9
What Is an Ad Template?
286
1
Using a Template
286
1
Sample Template
286
4
Item for Auction
290
1
Body of Text
290
1
Boilerplate
291
1
Web Page Link
291
1
Photograph Link
291
1
Changing Colors
292
1
Doing a Little HTML
292
1
Special Features of the Template
293
1
The Ad
293
2
Alternatives
295
1
The One-Line Title
295
3
Searches
296
1
Word Order
296
1
Dressing
297
1
At the End, the Beginning
298
1
Purpose
298
1
Summary
298
3
Conducting Auctions
301
32
General Auction Techniques
302
14
Timing
302
2
Best Times
304
1
Best Time of Year
305
1
The Right Time
305
1
Who's There
306
1
Convenience
306
1
Multiple Auctions
306
1
How Long?
307
1
Seller Control
308
1
Pricing
309
1
Low Minimum with a Reserve
309
1
High Minimum Bid
310
1
The Market
311
1
Research
311
1
Anomalies
312
1
Dutch Auctions
312
1
Special Attraction
312
1
Storefront
313
1
Featured Auctions
313
1
Changing Auctions
314
1
Check the Buyer
314
1
Notify High Bidder and Set Deadline
314
1
The After-Auction Auction
315
1
Follow-Up
315
1
Trades
316
1
Database Techniques
316
13
Tables
318
2
Using Microsoft Access
320
1
Using an Existing Database
321
1
Adding Data for eBay Auctions
322
2
Queries
324
1
Extracting Data from a Database
324
2
The Template
326
1
Making the eBay Query to Access
326
2
Making the Miva Merchant Query to Access
328
1
Exporting Data from Access
328
1
Using Your Table
329
2
Add
329
1
Subtract
329
1
Change
330
1
The Whole Thing
330
1
Summary
331
2
Uploading Auctions in Bulk
333
28
Database
334
2
Email
336
1
Word Processor
336
3
Which Template?
337
1
Template Within a Template
337
2
Mail Merge
339
1
The Templates
340
10
eBay Template
341
2
Template
343
6
Word Processing Template
349
1
The Merge
350
3
The Mail-Merge Document
350
2
The Mail Merge
352
1
Email Submission
353
2
Copy and Paste
354
1
Payment for Auctions
354
1
Benefits and Disadvantages
355
2
Benefits
355
1
Disadvantages
356
1
Alternatives
357
1
Summary
358
3
Taking Payment
361
12
Payment Methods
362
5
Checks
362
1
Protection against the Claim of Fraud by the Buyer
363
1
Protection against Fraud by the Seller
364
1
What Does an Authorized Check Accomplish
364
1
Try It
364
1
Credit Cards
365
1
Merchant Accounts
365
1
Money Orders and Cashier's Checks
365
1
Cash on Delivery
366
1
International Money Orders
366
1
Cash
366
1
Special Payments for the Web
367
5
PayPal
367
2
Billpoint
369
2
Instant Payment
371
1
Instant Payment Plus Fixed Price
371
1
Escrow
372
1
Summary
372
1
VI. Advanced eBay for Sellers
373
48
Using eBay for Marketing
375
12
Compared to What?
376
1
The Plan
376
5
Four Steps
377
1
Entire Collection
378
1
Quick Link
378
1
Website
378
1
Return Link
378
1
In the Long Term
379
1
Repeat Auction
379
1
Serious Auction
379
1
Other Businesses
380
1
Marketing, Not Retail
380
1
Retail and Marketing
381
1
eBay User Agreement
381
1
Professional Services
381
3
The Package
382
1
Institutional Advertising
382
1
Information Products
383
1
The Professions
384
1
General Services
384
1
Services Included
384
1
Summary
385
2
Building a Website
387
22
A Commerce Website
388
10
Links to eBay
389
1
URLs
390
1
eBay Buttons
390
1
Institutional Advertising
391
1
Information
392
1
Calculators
393
1
Catalog
393
1
Transaction Services
394
1
Online Processing
395
1
Merchant Account
395
1
Accounting
396
1
Cost
396
1
Customer Service
397
1
Who?
397
1
Commerce Website Database
398
8
Website Catalog Database
399
6
Review
405
1
A Less Serious Website
406
1
Marketing
407
1
Summary
408
1
What's behind eBay Businesses?
409
12
The Basics
410
1
Sales Tax License
410
1
Drop Shipping
410
1
A Variety of Ideas
410
9
Wholesale
410
1
Special Mail-Order Wholesale
411
1
Government Surplus
411
1
Closeouts
412
1
Auctions
413
1
Special Products
414
1
Manufacturers
414
1
Special Manufacturing
414
1
Remanufacturing
415
1
Small-Time Manufacturing
416
1
Art and Handicrafts
416
1
Estate Sales
416
1
Make the Rounds
417
1
Packages
417
1
The Web Department
418
1
Wheeler-Dealer
419
1
Good Deals
419
1
Summary
420
1
VII. Useful Aids to Selling on eBay
421
24
Using Web Authoring Software
423
12
Multimedia and the Web
424
1
Composer
425
8
Text
427
1
Typesetting
428
1
Graphics
428
1
Links
429
1
Background Color
430
1
Tables
431
2
Browser
433
1
Chop It Off
433
1
Summary
434
1
Using Image Software
435
10
Digitizing Photographs
436
1
The Digital Darkroom
436
6
Contrast
437
2
Brightness
439
1
Gamma
440
1
How Do You Do It
440
1
Sharpen
440
1
Cropping
441
1
File Formats
442
1
GIF
443
1
JPEG
443
1
PNG
443
1
There's More
443
1
Summary
444
1
VIII. Specialty Auctions
445
86
Local Auctions
447
12
US Local Auctions
448
4
For Bidders
448
2
For Sellers
450
1
Real Estate
451
1
Strictly Local
451
1
Foreign Auctions
452
6
For Faraway Buyers
453
1
Language
453
1
Communication
454
1
Currency
454
1
Shipping
454
1
Taxes
454
1
What to Do?
455
1
For Faraway Sellers
455
1
General Considerations
455
1
Specific Opportunities
456
1
Who's the Competition?
457
1
Summary
458
1
eBay Motors
459
40
Buying a Car Nationally
462
21
My Buying Experience
462
1
Determining Value
463
1
The Blue Books
463
2
The Spread
465
1
Bidding
466
1
How to Protect Yourself
467
1
Local Purchase
467
1
eBay Purchase
468
1
Test Drive and Engine Inspection
469
1
Any Purchase
470
2
Consummating the Transaction
472
1
Escrow
473
1
Escrow.com
473
1
Bank Escrow
474
1
TitleTransfers.com
474
1
Escrow Fee
475
1
Dealer
475
1
Verification
475
1
Agency
476
1
Mediation
477
1
Sight Unseen
477
1
eBay Local Purchase
478
1
Seller ``Maltactics''
478
1
Impulse Buying
479
1
My Buying Experience (conclusion)
479
3
The Last Word on Buying
482
1
Selling a Car Nationally
483
11
Determining a Car's Value
483
1
Winning Bid
484
1
My Selling Experience
485
1
Protecting Yourself
485
1
Local Buyer
485
1
eBay Buyer
486
1
Test Drive and Inspection
486
1
Test Drive
486
1
Engine Inspection
487
1
eBay Buyers
488
1
Verification
488
1
Buyer
488
1
Seller
489
1
Don't Assume
489
1
SquareTrade Mediation
490
1
Using Escrow
490
1
Information Sells
490
1
Appraisal
491
1
Photographs
491
1
My Selling Experience (conclusion)
492
2
Online Alternatives
494
2
Fees
496
1
Kruse International
497
1
Summary
497
2
Businesses
499
12
Basic Considerations
501
4
Opportunities for Buyers
501
1
Time Factor for Businesses
501
1
Supply for Businesses
502
1
Opportunities for Sellers
502
1
The Time Factor for Businesses
503
1
The Market for Businesses
504
1
New Goods and Equipment
504
1
Government Entities
504
1
Services for Business
505
5
Categories
506
2
Registration
508
1
Fees
508
1
Select
509
1
Auctions
509
1
Feedback
510
1
Summary
510
1
eBay Premier
511
8
Buyers
513
1
Sellers
514
2
Live
516
1
Summary
517
2
Half.com
519
12
Buyers' Benefits
521
3
Books
521
1
Buying Books
521
1
And if It's Not in Stock
522
1
Music
523
1
Movies
523
1
Games
523
1
Searches
524
1
Reputation
525
1
Selling on the Half
526
3
Selling Procedures
526
1
Shipping
527
1
Fee
528
1
Business
528
1
Summary
529
2
Appendix I Top 10 Tips
531
4
The top 10 tips for success on eBay for both buyers and sellers
Appendix II Top 8 Tips
535
4
The top 8 tips for successfully auctioning items on eBay
Appendix III Top 9 Tips
539
4
The top 9 tips for successful bidding on eBay
Appendix IV eBay Magazine
543
4
Appendix V Illicit Practices
547
6
General Offenses
548
1
Feedback Offenses
549
1
Bidding Offenses
549
1
Selling Offences
549
1
Identity Offenses
550
1
Miscellaneous
550
3
Index
553