"Cliffs Notes: Buying and Selling on eBay" by Greg Holden

One man's used espresso machine is another man's eBay miracle buy. Hop onto the Internet's hip, hot auction site, and discover virtual bidding, selling, and bargain hunting. Searching for the merchandise you want, strategies for naming your price, and protecting yourself from fraud are just a few essentials covered.



IN THIS BOOK
- Find what you’re looking for, from antique toys to classic cars
- Watch the auctions strategically and place bids at the right time
- Make the items you sell attractive to prospective bidders
- Protect yourself from fraud
- Reinforce what you learn with CliffsNotes Review

Table of Contents
Introduction
Why Do You Need This Book?
How to Use This Book
Don’t Miss Our Web Site
Chapter 1: Exploring the World of eBay
Comparing eBay to Traditional Auctions
Getting Ready to Connect
Docking Your Browser at eBay
Getting around the eBay Interface
The central images
The navigation bar
The Site Map page
Chapter 2: Registering and Starting to Bid
Registering with eBay
Picking the Auction That’s Right for You
Standard and Nonstandard Auctions
Featured Auctions
Shopping and Placing Your First Bids
Chapter 3: Searching for the Goods You Want
Looking through eBay Auction Categories
Searching by Using eBay’s Search Feature
Search the eBay home page
Searching with the Find Items page
Chapter 4: Being a Smart Shopper
Getting What You Want
Research the merchandise
Bid with your head (not your heart)
Bidding Strategies
Proxy Bidding
Sniping
Bid Increments
Bidding in Reserve Auctions
Participating in Dutch Auctions
Chapter 5: Protecting Yourself against Fraud
Preventing Trouble through Research
Communicating with buyers and sellers
Investigating feedback
Pricing and researching merchandise
The eBay Verified User program
Verifying a user’s identity outside eBay
Certifying your own identity
Finding Help in Case You Need It
eBay’s SafeHarbor
Other eBay problem-solvers
Other online resources
Insuring Your Transaction through eBay
Chapter 6: Completing the Transaction
Selecting a Payment Option
Cashier’s checks and money orders
Credit card payments
Using Escrow Services
Getting help from an escrow service
Comparing escrow services
Shipping and Package-Tracking
Looking up shipping costs
Tracking your package
Insuring your investment
Respecting the 30-day rule
Chapter 7: Joining the eBay Community
Giving Feedback on Buyers and Sellers
Viewing feedback
Posting feedback
The eBay Café
eBay Life
Giving to Charitable Causes
Chapter 8: Becoming a Virtual Auctioneer
Reviewing Your eBay Account
Auction Selling: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Decide what to sell
Step 2: Set the price
Step 3: Find the right category for selling
Step 4: Fill out the rest of the Sell Your Item form
Step 5: Write a good description of your item
Step 6: Review and submit the Sell Your Item form
Chapter 9: After Your Auction Starts
Editing Auction Descriptions
Processing Sales
Reselling Items
Ending Your Auction Early
Paying eBay
Insertion fees
Final value fees (commissions)
Paying the fees
Chapter 10: Adding Images to eBay Listings
Capturing Digital Images
Options for capturing images
Choosing a graphics format
Finding a host for your images
Adding Images to Your eBay Listing
Tips for Creating Images That Sell
CliffsNotes Review
Q&A
Scenarios
Visual Test
Consider This
CliffsNotes Resource Center
Books
Internet
Magazines & Other Media
Send Us Your Favorite Tips
Index