Ebay Business for Dummies

Reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher

Imagine that you just found out about Ebay. You are interested in finding some items on an auction or want to sell some of your equipment or some other product. You want to know everything about the service, how to find items, how to bid, even how to sell your items on auctions and make some money. Ebay does not have a manuals. The next best thing to a user’s manual that will give you a solid understanding of this auction site is this great book - Ebay Business.

I was confounded that it took me so long to find this book. Several years ago, like many others, I started buying selected items like cameras, meteorites, stamps and more. I learned the “hard way” how to deal with finding the right items, bidding, trying to outbid others and later selling items. I did well but I was not efficient. I now have a pretty good knowledge of auctioneering through my “trials and tribulations.” I could have saved myself time and effort and become a more effective “auction player” if I had read this book first. And I think you will feel the same way.

This book is nine books in one. In 868 pages, it details all that you need to know about Ebay. It’s not the prettiest looking book (black on white text and non color photos, etc.) but it is “what’s inside that counts!” The author is an ebay Powerseller, has written two other best-selling Ebay books already - Ebay for Dummies (4th edition) and Starting an Ebay business for Dummies. Perhaps this book is an integration of both of these other top selling books into one. She has carefully and concisely written almost everything you would want to know about eBay. It starts with the first chapter and just keeps on going.

It’s not overwhelming. Start from the beginning or pick and choose which chapters to read and learn with.The index is solid and detailed. It is a great reference to find what you want to know within the massive book.

Part 1 covers the Basics while Part 2’s chapter shows the essential tools that you can use. Detailed section that eBay users will find very useful are Chapter 3 (Checking things out before buying ) which includes giving and receiving feedback, scrutinizing a seller’s reputation, getting protection on Ebay and more); succeeding by sniping (the art of outbidding at the last second which I have succeeded and lost); Chapter 3 buying and selling like a pro allows you start selling and your business if that is what you also want to explore as well. Part 4, Sourcing Merchandise educates you on online retailing, presenting your items, promoting your goods, power selling,office and legal information and storing and shipping materials. In short, this book covers all your want to learn about eBay.

Don’t let the title fool you. Most of the dummies books, I have found are done well. This instructional book is good for Novice eBay users to Advanced. It will grow with you as you learn so it is a great buy for many reasons. If you want to know all you can find about Ebay, this is a superior book to start and work with throughout your eBay experience.

It is an all in one desk reference. This book was published in 2005 and I wish I had found it sooner. In the beginning, I did not think I needed some instruction for starting to buy and later sell. But there were a lot of “little things” to find out about and educate myself much of it “trial and error bases.” This book would have saved me a lot of time and would have made me a more efficient auctioneer. Having said that, I would say get this book if you are serious about selling some items or gaining some items. Using Ebay is not difficult but working with it on a more consistent and effective basis would have helped me initially and now. In that case, I would say check this great book out. You will be educated and learn more at the same time in a direct and easy manner. The book is easy to read and has a wealth of information that will help you now and later to do the best on Ebay.