Getting started with eBay

Andrea MercadoReference & Techie Librarian

Reading Public Libraryhttp://www.slideshare.net/andreamercado/getting-started-with-

ebay

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What is eBay?

http://www.ebay.comeBay is The World's Online

Marketplace®, enabling trade on a local, national and international basis. With a diverse and passionate community of individuals and small businesses, eBay offers an online platform where millions of items are traded each day.

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Step 1: Choose User ID Choose several beforebefore you register Beware: the exact one you want may be

taken A combination of at least 2 letters and

numbers Use the “Check availability of User ID”

button (on the registration form) See site for User ID rules and

restrictions: http://snipurl.com/ebayuserid

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Step 2: Sign up

Name, address and phone number Date of birth, to 18+ years of age Email address

Must be an real address to activate your account!

Guided tour of registration (best in IE): http://snipurl.com/ebayregisterdemo

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Step 3: Payment options PayPal: http://www.paypal.com

Owned by eBay Middleman to your bank account or credit card Basic account is free Learn to pay with PayPal: http://

snipurl.com/ebaypaypal Debit or Credit Card

Directly through seller Personal checks, cashier's checks, or money

orders More information about payment options:

http://snipurl.com/ebaypayment

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Step 4: Learn to shop

Option 1: Browsing Categories: home page or “Buy”

button Motors: all cars, all the time Express: crème de la crème Sellers Stores: run by a single Seller More information on how to find:

http://snipurl.com/ebayfind

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Step 4: Learn to shop

Option 2: Keyword searching Start with a few keywords: Nike sneakers 8.5Nike sneakers 8.5 Be specific: Nike sneakersNike sneakers, not just NikesNikes Exact word or phrase: “Red Sox”“Red Sox” Truncate to include more: book*book* Search must include: sneakers +Nikesneakers +Nike Search should not include: sneakers –sneakers –

ReebokReebok More information about searching:

http://snipurl.com/ebaysearchtips

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Auction transactionsRequire you to be the highest bidder to win.

Auction-like Listings: These include Reserve Price Auctions and Private Auctions.

Second Chance Offer: Under certain circumstances, the seller can offer the item to a bidder other than the auction's winner.

Multiple Item Auction: a.k.a. “dutch” auctions; Listing that offers two or more identical items.

Specialty Sites: eBay Live Auction and eBay Motors.

More informationg about eBay auctions: http://snipurl.com/ebayformats

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Fixed price transactionsLet you buy without bidding.

Buy It Now: Allows a buyer to get the item right away without waiting for an online auction to end.

Best Offer: Buyers can suggest a price they are willing to pay for that item (kinda like Priceline.com).

Specialty Sites: Half.com by eBay and eBay Stores.

More informationg about eBay auctions: http://snipurl.com/ebayformats

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Advertisement transactions

Connect buyers with sellers. The Want It Now: buyers can tell

sellers exactly what they want to buy. http://snipurl.com/ebaywantitnow

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Elements of an Auction Item name Item number Starting bid Current bid End time Shipping

information “Meet the Seller”

Links to Seller Feedback

Description Photos (optional,

but a HUGE plus) Payment methods Bidding box

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Assess a seller before bidding

Does the seller have experience selling, or is the seller new? Check their start status:http://snipurl.com/ebayrating

Does the seller have negative feedback? Why? Was the problem fixed?

Is the listing detailed? Does it include all information and photos?

If you ask a question about an item, does the seller reply promptly and clearly?

Is the item really, really cheap, but the shipping is very expensive? http://snipurl.com/ebayshipping

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How bidding works Bidding is *serious* Click on the “Place a Bid” button Pay attention to bid increments before

you place a bid Highest bidder vs. Outbid Bidding again Strategies vary Guided audio tour on how to bid and buy:

http://snipurl.com/ebaydemo

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Paying for your item Check payment options before you bid Don’t wait until you win to set up your

payment options The seller will contact you when the

auction is over Make sure you figure in shipping and

handling costs More information about paying for

items:http://snipurl.com/ebaypayment

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Feedback Good buyers and sellers leave feedback Feedback is *permanent* Wait until you receive your item Avoid feedback wars: try to resolve

disputes directly More information on feedback:

http://snipurl.com/ebayfeedback

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Selling on eBay Try buying first You’ll definitely need:

Account Digital camera Photo hosting PayPal account Credit Card on file (free) or ID Verification

($5) eBay Selling overview:

http://snipurl.com/ebayselling

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Seller’s fees Insertion fees: depends on starting or

reserve price Final value fees: depends on ending

price of auction Optional feature fees: reserve

auctions, Buy It Now, listing upgrades, picture services, seller tools.

Specialty services: specific list of fees. More information about fees:

http://snipurl.com/ebaysellfees

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Being a good seller Complete, detailed, clear listings with

photos Fair shipping prices Answer inquiries promptly Leave seller feedback for buyers Resolve disputes through eBay seller

channels Guide to Seller Resources:

http://snipurl.com/ebaysellresources

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eBay Reference Sources New to eBay:

http://snipurl.com/newtoebay Tips for New Users:

http://snipurl.com/ebaynewtips eBay Help:

http://snipurl.com/ebayhelp eBay Glossary of Terms:

http://snipurl.com/ebayglossary eBay Acronyms:

http://snipurl.com/ebayacronyms eBay Chat Workshops

http://snipurl.com/ebayworkshops

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Useful Books

eBay : Top 100 Simplified Tips & Tricks by Julia Wilkinson (2006).

Don't get burned on eBay by Shauna Wright (2006) NEW 381.17 WRI

Letters to eBay : hilarious auctions, crazy emails, and bongos for grandma by Art Farkas (2007) BESTSELLER DISPLAY

The Official eBay Bible by Jim “Griff” Griffith (2005) 381.17 GRI

Selling beyond eBay : foolproof ways to reach more customers and make big money on rival online marketplaces by Greg Holden (2006) 658.87 HOL