eBay Shopping Secrets

Brad Eden asked:


bvious that eBay provides internet users with an online flea market where buyers and sellers from around the world meet to conduct trade.

However, like most traders who are faced with an innovation of this sort, the first question will always be: It is safe?

The answer is yes, but devious scammers seem to be plotting daily to forward their dastardly schemes and take advantage of eBay’s power.

So, what is the user’s recourse? The users of eBay must learn to gather information and take meticulous care in dealing on eBay. Only then can they be less gullible to scammers.

A common consensus is that bidders are often scammed by sellers. But it is possible for things to be the other way around.

Here is a list of the common problems sellers encounter and the means to handle them.

Fake Escrow Services

A winning bidder may request that an escrow service be used to assure both parties of a fair transaction. Unfortunately, the seller is sometimes duped into using a fake escrow system.

To avoid this situation, the seller must always verify the authenticity of an escrow service. eBay recommends the use of escrow.com. If the bidder insists on his or her escrow service, chances are, that person is a scammer.

Victims of this fraud find it difficult to reclaim their items. They may, however, appeal to the legal system afforded by the state they live in. They must also contact eBay regarding the matter for any assistance they may be willing to offer.

Deadbeat Bidders

Deadbeat bidders (a winning bidder who doesn’t pay for an item at the auction’s close) are more common on eBay. If the winner of your auction does not pay, you may leave that person a negative feedback.

As for the listing fees the seller shells out, eBay lays out a four step procedure that sellers can use to potentially recover lost selling fees. If sellers complete the process to eBay’s satisfaction, they will receive a Final Value Fee credit and a re-list credit. Filing out an Unpaid Item dispute is the first step toward eBay reimbursing such fees. A person can report an unpaid item up to 45 days after an auction’s close.

Trade Dispute

This occurs when the seller and bidder disagree on some terms of the sale. This may also happen if there is a purported violation of any of these agreements.

If communication between both parties does not help, they may consider availing of a third-party dispute resolution outfit to help. SquareTrade.com is one of these outfits that eBay recommends.

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

A seller’s life may be made terrible because of the constant scamming attacks unscrupulous individuals undertake. But, with proper information and care, he or she can continue trading on eBay with relative safety.

Payment Methods on eBay

Gone are the days when only cash (or cattle in some cases) was the only accepted mode of payment for trades. As the concept of trading evolved, so did the means of paying for items.

Today’s electronic world pushes the envelop further. With the advent of online trading systems such as eBay, many new forms of payment have flourished.

First of all, on eBay, the mode of payment depends on the agreement between the buyer and the seller. Most often, the seller will specify his or her desired payment method. In these cases, the seller often has primacy in the decisions regarding payment modes. However, the buyer may still communicate with the seller regarding a viable alternative if it suits both parties.

The following is a list of common eBay payment modes.

Cash On Delivery

Cash is, after all, still cash. This payment method can be done through a third party courier system or by the buyer and seller meeting each other at an agreed place. The advantage of a cash transaction is that the exchange of the item for payment is done in the presence of the buyer and the seller (or the seller’s representative). However, some people will not accept the risk present when two strangers meet.

Personal Check

One popular method of payment is personal check. Writing checks is easy and safe. However, many sellers do not like accepting check because they are easy to cancel.

PayPal

PayPal is the payment of choice on eBay. In fact, eBay owns PayPal.

Using PayPal is easy, convenient, and relatively safe. PayPal acts as like an internet ‘wire transfer.’

After signing-up for PayPal, one may send cash to anyone with an email address using the PayPal system. PayPal also has security features that safeguard against fraud in case there is a dispute between the seller and the buyer. This system is best for transactions up to $1000.

Escrow.com

Escrow.com is the payment of choice for purchases over $500. Escrow.com holds the buyer’s money from the seller until the seller delivers the item. Only then will the funds be released to the seller. This system makes for a very safe, although highly procedural transaction.

Wire Transfer

This is the payment of choice for countries that do not carry the PayPal service. Wire transfers are risky because the buyer usually has to wire over the funds before the seller sends the items. The chance for non-delivery of items is high.

Other Payment Systems

The number of third party payment services is steadily on the rise. Their systems for payment vary. However, to be successful they must be convenient to use and safe as well.

Alexis-Blaise Kenne asked:


Selling eBooks on eBay offers a tremendous entrepreneurial opportunity. Selling ebooks on eBay can bring you a steady stream of sales and can assist you in your marketing campaign, just make sure you choose the right ones. selling eBooks on eBay eBay is making a lot of people rich,. If you are selling eBooks on ebay, state that you own the copyright to the material. Another way to create more profits selling ebooks on eBay is to create multiple bundles using only one or two ebooks. These creative ways of marketing will increase the returns you get selling ebooks on eBay. The best way to make profit by selling eBooks on eBay is to develop your own products. Widely considered the digital flea-market of the Internet, eBay is a goldmine for many infopreneurs, as selling ebooks on eBay is wildly profitable.

eBay continues to be the largest marketplace in the world. eBay is almost always ranked in the top 20 of the internets most visited websites. eBay is, in my opinion, the leading marketplace for digitally delivered products for items like software, programs, graphics, and of course eBooks. eBay give you an ‘About Me’ page, where you can write anything you like and link anywhere you like. Ebay, the online auction site, is the world’s biggest marketplace. Ebay is one of the best and biggest online auction sites in the world.

eBooks in eBay stores sell for as little as 1 dollar. eBooks that are sold at auctions can literally be sold for just 1 cent. Ebooks have become a very hot commodity. Ebooks are quick, cheap and easy to create. Ebooks for branding- Once you get listed in one of the biggest online markets, then you can expect a wider recognition as an author and this would indirectly enhance the sale of your ebook through ebay. Ebooks on Ebay for Research- The toughest part of finding a new project is to find a new market and if you by chance find one, then you can get a chance to create something new to market. Ebooks on Ebay for Affiliates- Ebay is not a place to look for affiliates, but you will be surprised with the results with Power Sellers on ebay. Often, eBooks can be purchased inexpensively with resell rights intact and then re-sold the eBay buying public at a price that generates a significant profit. Considering eBooks are generally digitally delivered, there is no room for profit via shipping, either. There are a few potential answers to why so many eBooks are available on eBay at very low prices. The second reason for low-priced eBooks on eBay has nothing to do with making a profit on the book sales. Others may simply ?pitch? future offerings at those who have bought the cheap eBooks via eBay. Another potential rationale for cheap eBook sales stems from the actual contents of the eBooks. Many of those who enter the eBay marketplace to sell eBooks view the sale of eBooks at a healthy margin as the recipe for success. By using eBooks as a way to a financial end, a smart eBook seller can find a way to make cheap sales a profitable venture. While some people are predicting doom for eBooks, the sales statistics are providing a different picture. If anyone has ever said you can’t make money from selling eBooks then they are lying.

Most ebooks are zipped inside a folder, then sent to the buyer via digital delivery software, couldn’t be easier. Ebook Authors are actually writing ebooks in the hope that YOU DO SELL THEM. You will get an amazing buzz from selling ebooks, meeting new people and ultimately making money from home.

Angela Anthony asked:


Big Bucks on eBay Part 1

Author: Angela Anthony

EBay has become the world’s largest online retailer. Basically, an online flea market, eBay provides a safe online marketplace where anyone can trade products with confidence. Tens of millions of people, worldwide, buy and sell millions of new and used merchandise on eBay every day, and with a customer base that large, you have at your disposal, customers with a need for what you are offering.

There are many people who make a living trading on eBay or who have made a living trading on eBay. Many people start off with items they already have, listing such items as clothing, toys, antiques, jewelry, automobiles, electronics, etc. Any item that you feel that may be of some value to others might be worth looking into. You can always search eBay to see if an item you have is selling, and the price for which it is selling.

Many people choose to make a business out of their eBay sales. Knowing what to sell or what’s selling is not a difficult task.

EBay’s Advance Search is one strategy to use is to search for items that have sold. By clicking on the Advanced Search link located at the top of eBay pages, and entering your keyword, whatever it is that you’re searching for, and selecting the Completed listings only checkbox, you will find out if items have sold, and what they sold for.

EBay’s Seller Central’s “What’s Hot” section helps to keep you on top of the “hot” items selling on eBay. In this section of eBay, you will find the Hot Categories Report which is updated monthly. This report lists what’s Super Hot, Very Hot, and Hot in each of the selling categories.

There are also hundreds of eBay statistics tools available on the web, such as Vendio, one of eBay’s first developer partners. With Vendio’s Sales Analyzer, you can understand eBay sales and improve your profits by getting a clear snapshot of sales history and recommendations to help you better optimize your sales, for $5.95 a month.

You can also search the categories listings to see what is selling.

Once you have decided on what you’d like to sell, you will need sources in which to purchase your goods. The idea is to buy low and sell high. There are hundreds of thousands of wholesale sources on the web that offer just about anything you’re looking for. It is very important that you do your homework and research various wholesale sources before you make any decisions. There are many wholesale sources on the web that sale wholesaler lists that are nothing more than fronts for middlemen and not true wholesalers. Many more sell lists of wholesalers without checking to see if the companies still exist or checking to see if they deal with small businesses. Many people have wasted money trying to buy merchandise from wholesalers that either require thousands of dollars in initial orders or unreasonable account setup fees. Any distributor who wants you to pay a “membership” or “setup” fee is probably not a true Wholesale Supplier. If it sounds too good to be true, it’s too good to be true.

There are reputable sources out there, you just have to do your homework. Alibaba (alibaba.com) is one of the sources used my many. Alibaba has millions of selling leads from around the world, and specializes in business-to-business trades, especially for international buyers trying to get into contact with Chinese sellers. With their Gold Supplier and TrustPass programs, Alibaba endeavors to provide transparency on the identity and legitimacy of your trading partner. Some people only conduct business with members that are TrustPass members. Of course, you should always do your own research when dealing with anyone supplier.

Another good source (if you are able to travel), is New York’s Wholesale District, especially if you’re looking for jewelry, clothing, and accessories. Most of the stores in this district require that you have a tax id number. Good bargains at wholesale prices are also found on New York’s Canal Street.

There are eBayers that search sales advertisements or other discount sources and try to find merchandise that is heavily discounted enough to buy and resell on eBay and make a profit. Some people even clip coupons from the newspaper and mailers, and sell them on eBay. Check eBay for various store coupons and you’ll see how it is being done. The key here is volume.

Local Auctions are also a good resource for finding things to sell on eBay. Check your local paper for upcoming auctions in your area. Depending on type of auction, you may be able to view a list of items available for auction or even view the items beforehand. This would be helpful because you could search eBay to see if any of the items available for local auction, are selling on eBay, and for what price.

State Surplus Auctions auction surplus property generated by the state government. These are usually one day auctions. You can sign up for notifications of upcoming auctions through your official state website. You can usually find good bargains at these auctions, including properties and automobiles, and you can preview items beforehand.

There are also auction and surplus resources on the internet. GovSales.gov and GSA Auctions are products of the Federal Government which features government assets available for sale. GovSales.gov allows the public to search assets available for sale, and makes it much easier for the public to find and purchase real estate and personal property from the federal government.

Liquidation.com is a business surplus auction that sells a wide variety of products such as apparel, computers, electronics, housewares, industrial equipment, vehicles, and more. Products are auctioned in single to bulk lots that range from new in a box to customer returns and used. Registration is free and easy. GoWholesale, a division of Liquidation.com, is a source that helps wholesale buyers connect with wholesale suppliers. Many auction sellers use goWholesale to find the products, services, and information they need for their businesses. You can find just about anything through these surplus and wholesale sources.

Trade Shows are also great venues for buying items at wholesale or discounted costs. As a jewelry seller on eBay, I got my start by attending a jewelry trade show in my area. I picked up some unique pieces and my first thought was to sell them on eBay. Before leaving the show, I made sure I had the contact information of the seller because I thought that I might purchase more from the seller. I photographed my items, wrote my descriptions, and posted my auctions. The items sold like hot cakes. I immediately called the seller and ordered more. It wasn’t long before I became a Power Seller on eBay.