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Absolute Beginner's Guide to Launching an eBay Business

  • By Michael Miller
  • Published Nov 24, 2003 by Que. Part of the Absolute Beginner's Guide series.
    • Copyright 2004
    • Dimensions: 7-3/8" x 9-1/8"
    • Pages: 360
    • Edition: 1st
    • Book
    • ISBN-10: 0-7897-3058-8
    • ISBN-13: 978-0-7897-3058-9

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Product Author Bios

Michael Miller is a top eBay seller and a successful and prolific author. He has a reputation for practical, real-world advice and an unerring empathy for the needs of his readers.

Mr. Miller has written more than 50 how-to and reference books in the past 15 years for Que and other major publishers. His books for Que include Absolute Beginner's Guide to eBay, Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics, and Absolute Beginner's Guide to Upgrading and Fixing Your PC. He is known for his casual, easy-to-read writing style and his ability to explain a wide variety of complex topics to an everyday audience.

Mr. Miller is also president of The Molehill Group, a strategic consulting and authoring firm based in Carmel, Indiana. You can email Mr. Miller directly at ebay-business@molehillgroup.com. His Web site is located at www.molehillgroup.com.

A real-world business book for the explosion of eBay entrepreneurs! Absolute Beginner's Guide to Launching an eBay Business guides you step-by-step through the process of setting up an eBay business, and offers real-world advice on how to run that business on a day-to-day basis and maximize financial success. This book covers determining what kind of business to run, writing an action-oriented business plan, establishing an effective accounting system, setting up a home office, obtaining starting inventory, arranging initial funding, establishing an eBay presence, and arranging for automated post-auction management.

Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Good for the beginner, March 19, 2006
By 
M. S. Oliver (Victorville, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Absolute Beginner's Guide to Launching an eBay Business (Paperback)
If you are trying to decide or have made that big decision to start an eBay business, check out this title. It's not wordy but gives good guidance. As well as the usual Table of Contents and Index (which are well done), there is an initial page that gives you Contents at a Glance. This is a nice and unusual touch that keeps you from any unnecessary searches because the Table of Contents is lengthy. Also, contained in the Introduction are adequate and easy to understand instructions on use. Be sure to read this before jumping ahead and you will be very pleased with your purchase. You will become an A++ seller.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars AS ADVERTISED, August 9, 2005
This review is from: Absolute Beginner's Guide to Launching an eBay Business (Paperback)
VERY EASY TO READ AND UNDERSTAND, WOULD RECOMMEND FOR THOSE JUST STARTING OUT ON EBAY.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful and Clear, March 8, 2007
By 
Emelar "Emelar" (Eastern Washington) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Absolute Beginner's Guide to Launching an eBay Business (Paperback)
Well-written and geared toward beginners--which made my life a lot easier! This book was actually far more comprehensive than expected. Clarity about how to actually start an eBay business, with great tips and detai. Also works as a business guide in addition to showing a great understanding of eBay. If you are serious about getting into an eBay business, I would highly recommend this book
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Online Sample Chapters

Step One to Launching Your eBay Business: Create a Business Plan

Step One: Create a Business Plan

Table of Contents



Introduction.

I. LEARNING THE ROPES.

1. Reviewing eBay Basics.

How an eBay Auction Works. Other Types of Auctions. Navigating the eBay Site. How People Make Money on eBay.

2. Using eBay's Advanced Features.

The Ins and Outs of User Feedback. Using My eBay to Track Your eBay Activity. Showing Off Your Business with About Me.

II. SETTING UP AN EBAY BUSINESS.

3. Step One: Create a Business Plan.

Thinking It Through—Before You Start. Why You Need a Business Plan. How to Create a Business Plan. The Components of a Winning Business Plan. Writing the Plan.

4. Step Two: Evaluate Your Funding Needs.

How Much Money Do You Need—and Why? Where to Find Funding. Which Is the Right Option for You?

5. Step Three: Deal with Business and Legal Issues.

Choosing a Type of Business. Filing and Registering. Dealing with Taxes. Setting Up Your Bank Accounts. Obtaining Insurance. Working Through the Checklist. Hiring Professional Help.

6. Step Four: Set Up a Record-keeping System.

Why You Need to Keep Good Records. Components of a Bare-Bones Record-keeping System. Setting Up an Accounting System.

7. Step Five: Set Up Your Back Office.

Setting Up Your Home Office. Setting Up Your Packing Center. Managing Your Physical Inventory.

8. Step Six: Find and Manage Your Inventory.

Where to Find Merchandise to Resell. Managing Your Inventory Levels.

9. Step Seven: Research Other eBay Auctions-and Set a Pricing Strategy.

Why Researching Pricing Is Important. How to Research Other eBay Auctions. Working with Grading, Authentication, and Appraisal. Setting a Pricing Strategy. Using Reserve Pricing. Using Buy It Now.

10. Step Eight: Establish Your eBay Presence.

Creating an eBay Seller's Account. Arranging to Pay Your Fees. Building Your Reputation—with Positive Feedback.

III. MANAGING YOUR DAY-TO-DAY BUSINESS.

11. Creating Item Listings.

Before You List. Understanding eBay's Fees. Creating a Basic Auction Listing. Listing in Bulk.

12. Managing Your Auctions.

Managing Your Auctions Manually. Using Auction Management Tools.

13. Managing Customer Payments.

Evaluating Different Payment Options. Accepting Credit Card Payments.

14. Managing Packing and Shipping.

Choosing a Shipping Method. Calculating Shipping and Handling Fees. Packing Your Items. Streamlining the Packing and Shipping Process. Shipping Larger Items. Shipping Internationally.

15. Dealing with Customers.

Answering Bidder Questions. Managing End-of-Auction Correspondence. Mining Your Customer Lists. Handling Buyer Complaints.

16. Dealing with Problems.

Contacting eBay for Help. Relisting Unsold Items. Checking Up on Questionable Bidders. Dealing with Deadbeat Bidders. Coping with Complaints About You. Your Best Resource—Other eBay Sellers.

IV. MOVING FROM SELLER TO POWERSELLER.

17. Becoming an eBay PowerSeller.

What Is a PowerSeller? Do You Qualify? PowerSeller Benefits. How to Become a PowerSeller. Ten Tips for Achieving PowerSeller Status.

18. Making Your Auctions More Effective.

Determining the Best Days and Times to List. Selecting the Right Auction Length. Picking the Right Category. Choosing Listing Enhancements. Writing a Powerful Item Listing. Creating Better-Looking Item Listings. Using HTML in Your Listings.

19. Working with Photographs.

Pictures Work—Here's Why. Taking Effective Photos. Scanning Instead of Shooting. Editing Your Photos—Digitally. Adding Photos to Your Item Listings.

20. Using Professional Auction Tools.

Should You Be Using Auction Tools? Evaluating Third-Party Auction Services. Another Option: Software Tools.

21. Opening an eBay Store.

What Is an eBay Store? Benefits of Opening Your Own eBay Store. Do You Qualify? The Costs of Running an eBay Store. How to Set Up an eBay Store. Listing Merchandise for Sale. Cross-Selling Merchandise.

22. Setting Up Your Own Web Site for Online Sales.

Utilizing a Prepackaged Storefront. Building Your Own Site from Scratch. Promoting Your Site.

23. Integrating eBay Auctions into an Existing Business.

Creating a Dual-Channel Sales Strategy. Creating a Dual-Channel Pricing Strategy. How Other Merchants Are Using eBay to Increase Their Sales. Cross-Promoting Both Channels.

24. Promoting Your eBay Auctions.

Cross-Promoting All Your Auctions. Linking from Other Sites to Your eBay Auctions. Advertising Your Auctions.

Index.

Errata

The errata for the book is available here in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) format. You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view these files. If you do not have the Acrobat Reader installed, you may go to Adobe Systems' web site to download this free reader.

Click on the links below to display the PDF file in a new window. Right-click on the link and select Save As if you want to download it to your hard drive.

Errata for the book - 22 kb -- 0789730588errata.pdf

 
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