The Official eBay Guide to Buying, Selling, and Collecting Just About Anything

by Kaiser, Laura Fisher; Kaiser, Michael; Omidyar, Pierre

• ISBN13: 9780684869544
• ISBN10: 0684869543
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-11-16
• Publisher: Touchstone

Summary

HAPPY HUNTING ON eBayAunt Fannie's cameo pin collection...the cartoon-character lunch boxes you had in third grade...that cast-iron doorstop you bought for $2 but is really worth $200....Whether you're a busy buyer, an avid seller, or just a fun-loving browser, you'll find countless collectibles like these on eBay, the world's largest person-to-person online trading community.Now -- in this official primer from the popular Internet site that has revolutionized the collecting world -- the experts at eBay unlock the secrets of successful online buying and selling, for everyone from the enthusiastic beginner to the seasoned pro. Featuring an introduction by Pierre Omidyar, eBay's founder and chairman, and packed with tips and stories from "eBaysians" all over the country,The Official eBay Guideis the only authorized book that shows you how to* BUY SMART-- unraveling the mystery of value, bidding to win, and learning how to spot the really good stuff* BE A SAVVY SELLER-- from writing the perfect item listing to collecting payments from your happy customers* LEARN FROM THE EXPERTS-- top eBaysians, Ambassadors, Power Sellers, and eBay employees lend advice and share secrets for success* FIND THE GREAT STUFF-- how to work garage sales, flea markets, tag sales, estate sales, and even theotherkind of auctionPacked with invaluable resources, information, and practical tips,The Official eBay Guidealso features entertaining stories about the millions of people who make up the eBay community. It's your must-have companion for mastering the art of buying and selling an astounding range of collectibles and items, from the practical to the whimsical.

Author Biography

Laura Fisher Kaiser & Michael Kaiser are collectors, writers, and longtime eBaysians. Laura is Deputy Editor at This Old House magazine. For fifteen years, Michael was an executive at a nonprofit organization. A former art glass dealer, he is now a consultant and writer. The Kaisers live in Manhattan.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	v
Introduction	xv
Pierre Omidyar
How to Use This Book	xix
Part I The Thrill of the Hunt
Welcome to the World's Largest Person-to-Person Online Trading Community	3	(14)
The eBay Revolution: The Mouse That Roared	4	(1)
The Four Pillars of eBay	4	(2)
Who Makes Up the eBay Community?	6	(1)
Before eBay/After eBay	7	(1)
Meet Our Extended Family	8	(1)
Mastering the eBay Way in Five Easy Steps	9	(2)
Why Buying on eBay is Safe	11	(1)
A Nickel Tour of the Site	12	(2)
What Makes eBay Auctions Unique?	14	(1)
Traditional Auction vs. eBay Auction	15	(2)
The Perfect Setup	17	(20)
You Gotta Be in It to Win It: Technical Stuff	17	(1)
The Need for Speed: Bits and Band-width	17	(3)
Registering to Become Part of the eBay Community	20	(2)
What's in a Name?	22	(1)
What eBay Charges Per Item	23	(2)
Going Dutch	25	(1)
Who You Are: Picking a Handle and Password	26	(4)
How eBay Keeps You in the Loop	30	(1)
Community Customs	30	(5)
Why Spam Ain't Kosher	35	(2)
The Quest for Amazing Stuff	37	(20)
Homing In, Category by Category	37	(1)
The Big List at a Glance	38	(1)
What You Won't Find	39	(2)
Finding What You're Looking For	41	(5)
The No-Frills Search	46	(2)
Follow the Leader: Tracking Like-minded Bidders and Sellers	48	(1)
Personal Shopper	49	(2)
Gallery Hopping and Shopping	51	(1)
Beyond Collectibles: Everyday Wonders	51	(2)
Real Estate Reality Check	53	(1)
The ``Great Collections'' Connection	54	(1)
Kruse Control	55	(2)
Let the Bidding Begin	57	(20)
Demystifying the Bidding Process	57	(3)
What It Means to Bid	60	(1)
Retracting a Bid	61	(1)
You Absolutely Positively Have to Have It: Bidding to Win	61	(1)
Capitalism for the Rest of Us	62	(5)
Up and Up: Bidding Increments	67	(1)
Cracking the Bid Code	68	(1)
Understanding Reserves	69	(1)
Dutch Auctions	70	(1)
Do Your Due Diligence	71	(1)
Good Questions to Ask	71	(6)
Part II Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow
Putting It on the Block	77	(26)
Details, Please: Listing Your Item for Sale	78	(5)
The Key to Winning Titles	83	(2)
Some Like Plain Vanilla	85	(4)
The Great Listing Checklist	89	(1)
Files with Style: Using HTML	89	(3)
Say It with Pictures	92	(1)
A Host of Options	93	(8)
Off-the-Shelf Software	101	(2)
Taking Care of Bidness	103	(22)
Name Your Price	103	(1)
Is It Really What You Think It Is?	104	(2)
To Reserve or Not to Reserve?	106	(2)
Establishing Payment Methods and Terms	108	(1)
Perfect Timing	109	(1)
Payments Made Easy	110	(1)
Sorry, You Can't Bid on Your Own Auction	111	(1)
Getting the Shipping Straight	111	(1)
Happy Returns	112	(1)
Final Touches	113	(1)
Forget Something?	114	(1)
Sellers, Please Stand By	115	(1)
Knocking Off Early	116	(1)
Canceling Bids	117	(1)
Your Item Didn't Sell	117	(2)
Building a Business on eBay	119	(6)
Part III Making Contact
The Bidding Is Closed---Now What?	125	(12)
Buyer Meet Seller, Seller Meet Buyer	125	(1)
You've Got Mail	126	(1)
Tracking Down Email Addresses	127	(1)
I Want a Cookie	127	(1)
Temporary Parking: Escrow Services	128	(3)
Shipping News: Getting Out the Goods	131	(1)
Ordering Supplies on the Net	132	(2)
Stamp Me---I Must Be Dreaming	134	(2)
Closing the Loop: Leaving Feedback	136	(1)
Safe Harbor and Happy Trading	137	(16)
Heading for SafeHarbor	138	(1)
Suspicious Minds: Identifying and Reporting Bad Behavior	138	(4)
Stake Your Claim: Insurance Against Fraud	142	(2)
Violations eBay Responds to Automatically	144	(1)
It's the Law: Prohibited, Questionable, and Infringing Items	144	(2)
Protecting Your Privacy	146	(1)
eBay's Privacy Policy	146	(1)
Making Your Experience More Positive	147	(1)
When a Deal Goes South	148	(3)
Best Remedy Prevention	151	(1)
Escrow Services	152	(1)
Who Was That Masked Man? Reaching Out to People Beyond Email	152	(1)
When You Need a Friend	153	(20)
For Do-It-Yourselfers	154	(1)
By the Boards	155	(3)
eBay Customer Service Boards	158	(1)
Peer-to-Peer Support Boards	159	(3)
Talk the Talk	162	(2)
Giving Back	164	(9)
Part IV You Are What You Collect
Collecting Your Thoughts	173	(8)
Why Do People Collect?	173	(3)
Collecting vs. Accumulating	176	(1)
When Does a Collection Start? When Does It End?	176	(1)
Kids' Kollections	177	(3)
Getting Picky: Building and Upgrading	180	(1)
The Mystery of Value	181	(18)
Separated at Birth: No Two Collectibles Are Exactly Alike	181	(2)
Eight Is Enough: The Collectibles Checklist	183	(3)
Mint to Be	186	(2)
Consult Before You Clean	188	(1)
Distinguishing Price from Value	189	(1)
Car Collecting Caveats	190	(3)
Where Passion Meets Price: Collecting as an Investment	193	(3)
Ready, ``Set,'' Go: Collectors' Series	196	(1)
How Limited Is a Limited Edition?	197	(2)
Becoming an Expert	199	(12)
Mastering the Details	199	(1)
Training Your Eye---and Ear, Nose, and Fingers	200	(3)
Immersing Yourself in the Market	203	(1)
Research, Research, Research	203	(8)
Where the Action Is	211	(12)
Making the Rounds	211	(8)
Collector Connections on the Web	219	(1)
Special Sources for Established Dealers	220	(3)
Out In the Field	223	(18)
Marketplace 101	223	(1)
Dealing with Dealers	224	(1)
Haggling with the Best of Them	224	(2)
Price Check, Aisle Six	226	(1)
Everything's Negotiable	226	(4)
A Tax Break for Dealers	230	(1)
Mood Breakers	230	(1)
Maximizing Your Auction Action	231	(2)
Beyond Negotiating: The Law of Averages	233	(1)
Finders Keepers: Shopping Etiquette	234	(2)
Tricks of Trading	236	(1)
It Happens to Everyone: Buying Mistakes	237	(4)
Part V Putting It All Together
My eBay and Other Ways to Keep Track of It All	241	(10)
My eBay	241	(7)
Simple Spreadsheets You Can Create	248	(3)
Documenting the Goods	251	(38)
Creating an Inventory	251	(4)
Insurance	255	(4)
Appraisals	259	(1)
Questions for the Appraiser	259	(1)
Collector, Appraise Thyself	260	(1)
Coming to Your Town: The Antiques Road Show	261	(1)
You Can't Take It With You	261	(1)
Going Public: Donating to an Institution	262	(1)
Trailblazing a Library	262	(1)
APPENDICES
eBay Site Map	263	(4)
eBay Category Overview	267	(22)
Index	289

Excerpts

Introduction

by Pierre Omidyar, Founder and Chairman of eBay Inc.

First, a confession: I'm not a real collector. But I like to consider myself a collector by proxy -- someone who's interested in other people's collections. As many people know, my wife, Pam, collects Pez dispensers, and it's become part of the eBay legend that I invented the Web site just so she could pursue this hobby. The truth is, long before I clued in to her Pezmania, I had been thinking about how to create an efficient marketplace -- a level playing field, where everyone had access to the same information and could compete on the same terms as anyone else. As a software engineer, I worked for a couple of Silicon Valley companies, and I had even cofounded an early e-commerce site. This got me thinking that maybe the Internet was the place to create such an efficient market. Not just a site where big corporations sold stuff to consumers and bombarded them with ads, but rather one where people "traded" witheach other.I thought, if you could bring enough people together and let them pay whatever they thought something was worth (in other words, have them bid in an auction format), real values could be realized and it could ultimately be a fairer system -- a win-win for buyers and sellers.

Around the same time, Pam (who was then my fiancée) mentioned that she wished she could find other Pez collectors with whom she could buy and sell dispensers so she could complete her collection. It occurred to me that the Internet might again be the perfect medium for accomplishing this. After all, the Net was becoming pervasive -- businesses and households were getting hooked up at an amazing rate. With such a critical mass, you'd be bound to have a few Pez purveyors -- and who knows what else? Best of all, the Net was interactive: I could imagine people not only communicating with each other one on one around a transaction, but also sharing information about their passion.

However, when eBay's AuctionWeb (the name was later shortened) launched on Labor Day, 1995, I never dreamed that the site would become the leading Internet destination for people buying and selling just about anything. It all seems more of a happy accident than a grand business design -- like that old commercial where the guy with the chocolate bar runs into the guy with the peanut butter and -- eureka! -- the peanut butter cup is born. Indeed, eBay.com is the perfect convergence of technology and great people. Person-to-person online trading in an auction format is a fascinating concept, but it merely provides an infrastructure for an even more fascinating sociological experiment. There have been millions of positive transactions on eBay, proving time after time that people are basically honest and trustworthy and eager to do a good job. Without the passion and goodwill of collectors and small entrepreneurs, eBay would no doubt have been just a blip at the end of the twentieth century.

I have to admit that it wasn't until almost a year after the first auction that I really understood who our users were. My business partner Jeff Skoll, an analytical powerhouse, had finally talked me into having a focus group, which included people from all walks of life. One of them was a truck driver who said, "I don't use eBay that much -- I'm on it only two or three times a day. But my son is on all the time. He has packages coming and going constantly." Then the truck driver and everyone else in the group asked to take a break so they could go check their auctions. Wow! Not only were these people dedicated, but I could see that eBay had become a part of their lives.

Of course, I'd been well aware that we were on to something for some time. I launched eBay on the space my personal Internet service provider allocated to me as a member. After a few months, I was getting so much traffic they kicked me off the personal site. In February of '96,Ihad to start charging people. My initial goal was just to cover my rising costs of Internet service; I wasn't even thinking profit. People seemed happy to pay for the service, except I was so busy keeping the site going, I couldn't even get to the mail and open the checks that were piling up. That's when I realized my little hobby/experiment had taken on a life of its own. A couple months later, I had to buy my own server and hire a part-time employee to open the mail. We were no longer working out of my house, but this was still very much a start-up company. The three of us worked out of one room and Jeff kept a suit at the office "just in case" he had to meet with some business bigwig. Neither of us quit our other jobs until August of that year.

By the time Meg Whitman joined the company in early '98 as our CEO, we realized that eBay was a collector phenomenon. But, of course, the collectors already knew that -- and they guided us. Their fingerprints are all over the site, from policies and categories to chat rooms to the new interface introduced in 1999. We listen to all user suggestions and, as we add and improve our services, we will continue to do so. eBay is today what our members have built and will be tomorrow what they want it to be. I always tell our members "if you don't like something on eBay, change it." Whether you're a collector or dealer or both, the worst thing you can be is apathetic or disaffected.

One of the most unexpected and gratifying aspects of eBay is the impact it's had on people's lives. eBay has given many people a way to achieve success on their own terms, whether that means becoming a self-sufficient businessperson, finding all the lost toys from one's childhood, or simply finding a bunch of like-minded souls. eBay's strength depends on our members' ability to connect with other members of this new global trading community.

That's what this book is all about.The Official eBay™ Guideis the only book authorized by our company. In the following pages, you'll find clear explanations of the ins and outs of the site, tips for selling and bidding smartly, do's and don'ts of eBay etiquette, and strategies for building and maintaining a stellar collection. In short, our goal is to help you the user be as successful on eBay as possible.

I may not be a collector, but I have found a few treasures on eBay, and sweated snipers in the process. In fact, I bought Pam's wedding gift -- a rare "Pez pal bride" Pez dispenser, of course -- on the site. (The staff then chipped in and bought the matching groom for her in another eBay sale.) Winning that for her was much more of a kick than I expected. And that's really the point of eBay -- to have fun. No matter how much the eBay universe expands, I hope we never lose that sense of wonder.

Copyright © 1999 by eBay Inc.

How to Use This Book

Welcome toThe Official eBay™ Guide to Buying, Selling, and Collecting Just About Anything.This book's mission is to help you be a successful eBay user. On a point-and-click basis, eBay isn't hard to master. But there's much more to eBay than words and images on a screen. The world's largest person-to-person, auction-format online trading site has spawned, for many people, a new way of life. Getting the most out of eBay means -- among other things -- mastering new technical skills, searching for amazing stuff (both online and beyond), understanding the economics of the collectibles market, becoming a savvy buyer, perhaps running your own small business, and interacting with other traders (and friends) who make up the eBay community all over the world.

In this book, we attempt not only to demystify the technological intricacies and philosophical underpinnings of eBay, but also to help people get the most satisfaction out of building their collections, no matter what they collect. The book is organized into five sections:

• Part I: The Thrill of the Huntgets you started on eBay with information on registering, finding great stuff, and bidding strategies.

• Part II: Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrowhelps you sell your items on eBay, from writing good descriptions, posting images, and using HTML to thinking through the details of being in business on eBay.

• Part III: Making Contactcovers what happens when the flush of bidding is over -- getting items shipped and dealing with problems. And just in case, you can find the help and support you need from eBay staff and your peers.

• Part IV: You Are What You Collectdelves into the heart of collecting, including becoming an expert, sources of antiques and collectibles, and making buys in the field.

• Part V: Putting It All Togetheris about the care and feeding of your collection, from keeping track of your eBay activities to documenting your "babies" for their own good.

The book follows a logical progression of its own, but each chapter is also designed to stand alone. This book contains the collected wisdom of many eBaysians, but if you can't find what you're looking for, let us know so that we may include it in a future edition. Success on eBay comes from sharing. Send your feedback and tips for eBay success to: [e-mail].

Copyright © 1999 by eBay Inc.

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Excerpted from The Official E-Bay Guide to Buying, Selling and Collecting Just about Anything by Laura F. Kaiser, Michael Kaiser
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.