Archive for June, 2007
eBay Live, is it worth going? How to make over your listings.
June 26th, 2007 | 
Author: Dear eBay Queen;
I hope you are back from eBay Live by now, and that you had a great time. I so wanted to go this year, but just couldn’t seem to get it all together.
Can you tell me where eBay Live will be in 2008? What is the most valuable thing you learned? Did you meet any interesting people? Do you think it would be a good thing for a full-time buyer and part-time seller to go to eBay Live next year?
CJ
Dear CJ;
I did have a great time at eBay Live! I highly recommend going to anyone that has an interest in eBay. I’ve been to many different conventions, but eBay is the only convention I have been to where the employees, from the CEO down to the customer service staff, are so easily accessible. They answer any question you have, and they cater to your every need. I met so many interesting people. There were people from all over the United States, and even around the world.
The networking possibilities are endless; you can be sitting next to someone who sells over $100K a month on eBay and the person across from you may sell $500 dollars a month. It is interesting to hear their eBay story, and to glean a bit of information from people on what makes their eBay business successful.
I am not sure I could narrow it down to just one valuable thing. There are just so many! I took classes covering every subject from listing tools, to product sourcing, to collectible round table discussions to becoming an eBay affiliate. The seminars there are from basic to advanced, and I know there is something for everyone. Some eBayers come to eBay Live and never go to a seminar. They hang out on the solutions floor, where there are vendors that will cover every aspect of buying or selling on eBay. I purchased a photo cube with lights for $39.99 and saved $50.00! But my best deal of the convention; I purchased Microsoft Office for $89.00 and received Windows Vista Ultimate for Free.
Next year eBay Live will be in Chicago. I hope to see you there!
Dear eBay Queen:
I am selling handmade ink pens. I craft these pens myself, and love doing it. I have not had much luck selling my pens. Could you look at this auction and give me your unbridled comments and suggestions, constructive or otherwise; I’d really appreciate it. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250128571842>
Marv; Georgia
Dear Marv;
Your ink pens are beautiful and your layout is good. Your auction title, “ Hand Crafted pen makes the gift and the thought count!” would be a good subtitle. For your main title you want to have searchable keywords. The title is so important when drawing a customer into your auction. When writing your title, consider how a prospective eBay buyer is going to search for your item. If this were my pen I would change the title to: "Handmade Red Cedar Wood Executive Pen". Another term that people are looking for when purchasing hand made items are “artist made”
Within the item description, I would consider describing the way you made the pen, how you learned the art (maybe some photos of you doing it) and more photos of the pen. You might want to consider offering a matching pencil or fountain pen to go with your ink pen.
When searching eBay’s completed items for “wood pen” or “handmade pen”, I found many of the successful auction include a handmade wood box or a certificate from the artist. These are two other options to boost your sales.
Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 230142552460 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page). In 1949 Pepsi-Cola tested the cone top can. If you can find one, it might just make your summer! 1949 Pepsi Cola Cone Top can SOLD $821.56 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230142552460
Are you an experienced seller and want to know more? Come to the Beyond the Basics eBay Class given by the eBay Queen. Monday, June 25th. 6:00pm at the Ottawa Library. For more information call 242-3080.
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.
Posted in General eBay Help, Product Help | 
Tags: eBay Live, Make over my listing, should I go?, what can I learn | 
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Help! I’m an eBay Seller and I get NO Respect!
Dear eBay Queen:
I started doing eBay full-time six months ago. I am doing pretty well with it, and I know I can make a living at this. I am having a hard time with my family and neighbors accepting the fact that I sell on eBay. They just drop by the house, call me several times a day or want me to watch their kids because “I’m not really working”.
Have you ever had this problem? How can I get the respect my work deserves?
RESPECT
Dear Respect;
I can hear Aretha singing in the background as I write this to you. “R-E-S-P-E-C-T find out what it means to me!” First off, congratulations on launching your successful business on eBay. This alone is a lot of hard work and deserves respect! Second, know it is not personal. I believe anyone who works at home can have a problem with people imposing on their work time. This is the same problem many housewives have had for years.
Just like you, I have had this happen to me. I have implemented a couple of rules to keep me on task.
- I do not answer the phone during work. Let the answering machine pick it up. You can call them back on your scheduled break.
- I don’t answer the door during working hours. Keep in mind I live just East of the Middle of Nowhere, so it is a rare occasion someone drops by my house. If you don’t feel comfortable not answering the door, you could put a note on your door letting people know you are working and will be done at your specified time. Kinda like one of those “We will be back” with the clock and moveable hands sign.
I’m sure you remember what it was like to have a job with a boss. Your boss would not want friends dropping by the office or your neighbor’s kids there. Bosses are also picky about talking on the phone instead of working. Adopt that attitude, and your family and friends will fall in line quickly.
Dear eBay Queen;
I had a new bidder with only 5 feedback, make a best offer on a pair of tennis shoes. I accepted. He later claims he made a mistake and refused to pay. I did an agreement to end the transaction. The transaction is closed, and bidder asks me to give him POSITIVE feedback and promises the same for me.
I looked up his bidding history, and discovered he bought the same pair of shoes from another seller 2 HOURS AFTER he bought them from me. His "honest mistake" in hitting the wrong button was a lie. I looked up his contact info – the phone number is disconnected.
I really want to tell him off for lying to me, and give him a negative for backing out of the transaction. What is the worst thing that could happen? What would you do?
Best Offer Reject
Dear Best Offer;
Well, that really stinks. This buyer was obviously taking advantage of your good nature. The first thing I would do is report him for having out of date contact information. http://contact.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ShowCUPortal It is against eBay policy for any eBay user to not have the correct contact information. This includes address, phone number as well as email. eBay will temporarily suspend a user for invalid contact information.
If you give this buyer a negative for not paying/backing out of the transaction, he could give you a negative in return. I don’t know how you feel about receiving a retaliatory negative, but it is something to consider before leaving feedback.
If this were my eBay transaction, I would not leave him any feedback, and block him from buying from me again. http://cgi1.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?bidderblocklogin In these kinds of situations, it is better to vent to an eBay friend and move on to the next sale.
Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 130111120897(enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page). I guess even Barbie needs a nice swimsuit for summer. Check out this auction 1958 Swimsuit Barbie Midge Wig Set SOLD $809.00. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270092150814
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.
Posted in Best Offer, Buy it Now, General eBay Help, Non-Paying Buyer, Product Help |
Tags: buyer said they bid in mistake, eBay, help with eBay, Respect |
No Comments »
Respect.. Find Out What it Means to eBay
Dear eBay Queen:
I started doing eBay full-time six months ago. I am doing pretty well with it, and I know I can make a living at this. I am having a hard time with my family and neighbors accepting the fact that I sell on eBay. They just drop by the house, call me several times a day or want me to watch their kids because “I’m not really working”.
Have you ever had this problem? How can I get the respect my work deserves?
RESPECT
Dear Respect;
I can hear Aretha singing in the background as I write this to you. “R-E-S-P-E-C-T find out what it means to me!” First off, congratulations on launching your successful business on eBay. This alone is a lot of hard work and deserves respect! Second, know it is not personal. I believe anyone who works at home can have a problem with people imposing on their work time. This is the same problem many housewives have had for years.
Just like you, I have had this happen to me. I have implemented a couple of rules to keep me on task.
-
I do not answer the phone during work. Let the answering machine pick it up. You can call them back on your scheduled break.
-
I don’t answer the door during working hours. Keep in mind I live just East of the Middle of Nowhere, so it is a rare occasion someone drops by my house. If you don’t feel comfortable not answering the door, you could put a note on your door letting people know you are working and will be done at your specified time. Kind of like one of those “We will be back” with the clock and moveable hands sign.
I’m sure you remember what it was like to have a job with a boss. Your boss would not want friends dropping by the office or your neighbor’s kids there. Bosses are also picky about talking on the phone instead of working. Adopt that attitude, and your family and friends will fall in line quickly.
Dear eBay Queen;
I had a new bidder with only 5 feedback, make a best offer on a pair of tennis shoes. I accepted. He later claims he made a mistake and refused to pay. I did an agreement to end the transaction. The transaction is closed, and bidder asks me to give him POSITIVE feedback and promises the same for me.
I looked up his bidding history, and discovered he bought the same pair of shoes from another seller 2 HOURS AFTER he bought them from me. His "honest mistake" in hitting the wrong button was a lie. I looked up his contact info – the phone number is disconnected. I really want to tell him off for lying to me, and give him a negative for backing out of the transaction. What is the worst thing that could happen? What would you do?
Best Offer Reject
Dear Best Offer;
Well, that really stinks. This buyer was obviously taking advantage of your good nature. The first thing I would do is report him for having out of date contact information. http://contact.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ShowCUPortal It is against eBay policy for any eBay user to not have the correct contact information. This includes address, phone number as well as email. eBay will temporarily suspend a user for invalid contact information.
If you give this buyer a negative for not paying/backing out of the transaction, he could give you a negative in return. I don’t know how you feel about receiving a retaliatory negative, but it is something to consider before leaving feedback.
If this were my eBay transaction, I would not leave him any feedback, and block him from buying from me again. http://cgi1.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?bidderblocklogin In these kinds of situations, it is better to vent to an eBay friend and move on to the next sale.
Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 130111120897 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page). I guess even Barbie needs a nice swimsuit for summer. Check out this auction 1958 Swimsuit Barbie Midge Wig Set SOLD $809.00.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130111120897Suzie 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.
Posted in General eBay Help, Negative Feedback, Non-Paying Buyer, Shipping, unhappy buyer |
Tags: business hours, eBay help, Negative Feedback, Respect |
No Comments »
