Dear eBay Queen;

I receive an email with information about eBay Live. Have you ever been? What exactly is it? I sell 20 to 40 items a week, would it benefit me to go? Thanks!

Jon

Dear Jon ;

In my opinion, eBay live is quite possibly the most fun you can have working. This convention is for buyers and sellers. No mater what your buying or selling level, there is something for you at eBay Live! 

There is a great list of guest speakers giving classes and signing books. Also the financial guru Suze Orman will be there! There are hundreds of classes to help you reach your selling goals and learn more effective and efficient ways to sell items on eBay.   Meg Whitman, CEO of eBay and Bill Cobb the President of eBay North America will speak at the Keynote address. Both of these executives are known to be out mingling with the crowds, meeting all the buyers and sellers of eBay. Most importantly, eBay Live is a time to network, share tips and learn new ways to become a better businessperson.

I have been to eBay live!, and will be going again this year. Last year eBay Live! Was held in Las Vegas. I went thinking that it would be fun. I had no idea how much I would learn and how accessible the executives and eBay staff were to talk to. eBay Live! 2007 will be held in Boston Massachusetts June 14-16. Registration is $60.00 until April 6^th, and $75.00 after that. For more information on eBay Live! Check out this link: http://pages.ebay.com/ebaylive/ . You can also find great travel deals at http://www.orbitz.com.

Dear eBay Queen;

My friend and I have been talking back and forth for a while on ways we can work from home and make some real money – enough to pay the rent, health insurance, utilities, etc. Not necessarily get rich, although that would be nice, but make enough to support us without having to work outside of the home.

 I have seen the infomercials about making money on eBay, and last week my friend went to a seminar for a company that would set you up with an online store. They set you up with a website that they design for you. They also guarantee that your website will be listed very high on Google and other search engines. The company promises to give you information about finding drop shippers for the item(s) you decide to sell on your website. The cost is something like $2700. My friend is seriously thinking of doing it. I am skeptical of it. Do you have any suggestions or advice?

ET, Wellsville

Dear ET;

I would be skeptical also. Since you didn’t say what company is offering to set your friend up with a website and online store, I can’t really comment on them. I would say you should check out their credentials with the Better Business Bureau and do a Google search of them.

I have a few questions for you. How would you rate your computer skills? Are you a self-starter? If you have a little computer experience, and you are the type of person that isn’t afraid to do a little work. You could do all of those things the company is offering from $6.95 a month. I would consider looking into Prostores. http://www.prostores.com/product-information.shtml Prostores is an eBay company, they will do everything this company is promising, with the exception of finding the merchandise. Merchandise can be found all over the Internet and from wholesalers in and around the state.

If Prostores is too much of a commitment, you can always open and eBay store. With an eBay store your items will be sold on eBay instead of your own web site.

Good Luck to both of you in finding your spot in the world of eBay and online stores.

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 320090352364 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page). Whoever said you can’t get your childhood back, never shopped on eBay. 1958 Tonka Highway Service Truck SOLD 1802.00 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320090352364 

Suzie Eads is a nationally known eBay marketer and eBay trained Education Specialist. She lives in Rantoul. Do you have a question for the eBay Queen? E-mail: questions@asktheebayqueen.com.