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Don't let a 'blip' ruin your business
publication date: May 23, 2007
***
- Editorial
- Auction Audacities - Ways People Scam Online
Auction Users
- How to Take eBay Photos That Sell
- eBay Listing Tips from an eBay Master with over
10,000 items sold on eBay
***
Hello,
First off, sorry about last week's eLetter, or rather the lack of it. =
These
things happen when you live out in the wild, up a
hill, with lots of wind and plenty of power cuts. The whole
sorry and very expensive disaster was down to a tiny power
cut, just a blip, but whereas my computer usually restarts
automatically after a power cut, this time I got a strange
message instead, something to do with 'data lost due to
unexpected close down of computer'. Or something like
that!
Now don't get me wrong, even I am not stupid enough to try
to run a business with just one computer and no back up! I
actually have five computers - and no back up!
I don't back up my computers or my work and when a
computer goes out of action I just move to another computer,
forget all the lost work, and start again.
But last week was different, I had all of my 'eBay
Confidential' work on that one computer, not a single word
exists elsewhere but on that computer.
So no computer, no back up CDs, no newsletter.
So sorry! I will try to do better next time but I know in my
heart that I really won't change the way I work. I probably
won't work at backing up all the different files and folders I
work on each day. It takes too long, gets very confusing,
and culminates in hundreds of CDs containing thousands of
different files, and generating more problems than just
trusting to luck.
That was until the computer man who came to repair the
machine told me about a neat device, just a hard drive really,
which holds about four times the maximum amount of data
on most computers. Just seventy quid, that's all it cost,
seventy pounds, and it works like lightning. No longer do I
need to insert CD after CD to back up all manner of different
items because one CD is never big enough for all the files
and folders I have on my poor overworked machine. This
new drive plugs into the USB portal (a sort of plug-and-
groove concept), you click on wherever you store your files
(in my case all over the desktop), choose 'copy', click on the
USB icon, choose 'paste'. Everything backed up in about
thirty seconds. And it took me ten years and millions of
words in lost data to discover this great device.
Which brings me to the crux of this editorial because
perhaps, like me, you really do need to take time out
sometimes to check for potential problem areas (like my data
back up policy), outdated practices (such as the 'Great
Christmas Gift' message I have just realised is still
accompanying many of the gift products in one of my eBay
shops (from two years back), even a major spelling mistake
that might keep hundreds of your products from being seen
by potential buyers. My cat postcards for example, I haven't
sold one in months, I put the whole thing down to tough
competition from fellow sellers - until a subscriber to 'eBay
Confidential' emailed to say 'Postcard' is not spelled
'Postcad'.
I should have checked that, and the rest, but I didn't, and I'm
paying the price in lost work, lost data, lost orders, lost
money.
So, big moral of this story, Sunday is no longer a work day
for me, it's check up day!!!!
Why not join me, check out areas where you are wasting
time repeating the same old tasks, replacing work you've lost
out of pure carelessness, then spend more of that time
actually locating and listing new products on eBay. Much
more profitable!
***
Free Gift
***
I have a great free gift for you this week but I can't get it to you until tomorrow lunchtime. It's A COMPLETE GUIDE TO
SELLING EBOOKS ON EBAY and I only recently finished
writing it. It's big, packed with tips, and you can have it by
emailing me avril@clippingsfactory.com with 'Avril eBay
Book' in the subject line. As soon as I can manage it,
tomorrow, I will upload the eBook and send you the access
details.
Happy eBaying,
Until next time,
Avril
***
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***
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***
Auction Audacities - Ways People Scam Online Auction
Users by Bill Wardell
***
You can find just about anything on eBay and these days a
random browse brings CDs, clothing, cars, and skin to your
computer screen. That's right, I said skin. One man recently
auctioned patches of his body to advertising companies, who
tattooed their logos on to him.
eBay isn't the only site for surfers bit by the auction bug.
There are literally hundreds of sites on the web where you
can sell your useless crap and use the money to buy
someone else's useless crap. It's a flea market if I ever saw
one-just online. And hey, it's not all junk. You can find some
great deals on auctions sites.
One problem: People are getting scammed, which turns
them off to these types of sites altogether. Of course,
security is bound to be an issue whenever the Internet and
money are involved, but these five ways should help prevent
you being scammed.
1. Phony Users. I don't know what the reason is behind it,
but some users will bid on items when they never have any
intention of purchasing it. Your auction will be over, and the
user will cancel his auction membership and disappear - and
there's not much you can do to stop him. Most auction sites
charge a fee to sell items, so not only do you still have the
unwanted item on your hands, but you also have lost money
trying to sell it.
One way to prevent this from happening is to closely keep
track of your auction. When the auction closes, take note of
the second and third runners up. That way, if the winner
bails on you, you can contact the others to see if they are
still interested in purchasing the item from you. At some
sites, you also have the option of only accepting bids from
confirmed users - these are bidders who have either won
and paid for items in the past or who have their own
auctioneer's account set up with the site. Check the
guidelines, because every site is a little different on their
definition of 'confirmed buyer.'
2. Stolen Credit Cards. If you own a business and choose
to accept credit cards, be careful about how you do this
online. When a user pays with a stolen credit card, it may
take a few days for the rightful owner to realise what has
happened. Guess what? You won't get the money for your
item, which is already in the mail - as good as gone.
Credit card payments are tricky, and I don't recommend
using them unless you own a business with an online
website that has credit card payments available. If not, call
the credit card company. The name and address that the
user provided for shipping should be the same name and
address on the card. Companies are glad to check their
records for you - it saves them time and money when their
cards are stolen. If it doesn't match up, decline the card and
ask for payment in another way.
3. Shipping and Receiving Scoundrels. Whether you're
the buyer or seller, you should be cautious about the
exchange of money and goods. Users can easily take your
money or item and disappear without sending you what
you're due.
In most conditions, it is the buyer's responsibility to send
payment first. If you're using a personal check to pay for an
item, date the check two weeks from the day you send it.
That way, if the seller never sends the item, you can cancel
your check before its cashed. The best choice, especially for
larger items, is to use an escrow service. These companies
act as a go-between for buyers and sellers.
4. Check Bouncers. As with stolen credit cards, buyers can
easily scam sellers by sending them checks that are no
good. You receive the payment and mail the item, but when
you go to cash the check, you find out that it is worthless.
Don't shoot yourself in the foot - use a third party service
instead.
Third party payment services, the most popular of which is
PayPal, allow people to create free online accounts to
transfer money. Using a bank account or credit card, you
can send and receive money almost instantly, which
prevents users from stealing your stuff. This is the best
option for payment after an online auction.
5. Identity Thieves. As with any online service, you need to
be very careful with your personal information to prevent
identity theft. These crooks are getting very sneaky, often
the emails or messages you receive from them look and
sound very official. As people are getting more web-savvy,
so are cyber criminals.
Use a well-known auction site that you trust. These sites
should never ask for information like your social security
number. Most of the time they won't be the ones trying to
scam you. Other users will use their company name to send
emails demanding such information. If you get something in
your inbox that looks fishy, forward it to the company or give
them a call, and professionals there can tell you if it's legit.
These sites will also never ask for your user name and
password in an email, so beware of claims that this
information is needed.
Use common sense. The information you share online
should be limited and you should always take preventative
measures to protect yourself. Sites are only as secure as
their users, so if you get scammed, most times you only
have yourself to blame. Before signing up with any auction
site, check their policies. Knowledge is the key to keeping
your online transactions protected so that you can buy and
sell all the personal property, goods and services you want.
Before long, that green and orange polka-dotted couch will
be yours.
Bill Wardell Is the Senior Editor/Creator/Developer of Online
Security Authority, the Author of 'Don't Take Candy From
Strangers' and a AuthoritySiteCenter Certified Coach.
Speaker and Radio Show Host, Publisher, Researcher and
National Radio Guest! To Get more Information about ID
theft and Online Scams, go
***
How to Take eBay Photos That Sell by June Campbell
***
Do you want to take eBay photos that sell your item?
Taking eBay photos is easy, especially if you have a digital
camera.
First, you will do best with natural lighting. If you can, move
your item so it is close to a natural light source, such as
patio, balcony or window. Incandescent or fluorescent
lighting tends to create a 'color cast' that distorts your
article's color.
Your digital camera could have a special feature that adjusts
your white balance so you get good color when using
artificial lighting. However, natural lighting is your best and
simplest option.
Turn your camera's flash to 'off' if your camera permits you
to do this. Indoor flash lighting can cause an unwanted glare
in the photograph. Also, the color is less satisfactory than
you get from natural light.
If your picture is too dark or if the automatic flash comes on,
then add a second light source. For example, place a lamp
or light bulb to one side, or on two sides. If you plan on doing
a lot of eBay selling, you might want to invest in a special
photography light. If you plan to sell on eBay only
occasionally, then you can make do with simple
arrangements.
Set your digital camera to take the smallest size picture
possible. Many cameras call this the 'email setting.'
Alternatively, they could call it the '640 by 480' setting.
Larger settings are suitable for pictures that you intend to
print. Pictures that you will display on a computer, especially
from a web site, can and should be small sized. Computer
monitors display pictures at a low resolution called '72 dots
per inch'. Higher resolution photographs will still display
online at 72 dpi, but will take much longer to download when
a potential customer clicks on your eBay sales page. When
you're taking photos that sell on eBay, you don't want to lose
customers by making them wait too long for a picture to
download.
Digital cameras are highly sensitive to vibration or
movement. For best results, use a tripod to stabilize the
camera. You might also try setting the camera on a table or
stand and using the Self Timer to take the picture. If you
must hold the camera in your hands, holding it with both
hands affords the highest stability.
When taking eBay photos that sell, you don't want a blurry
image.
Take a selection of photos with your digital camera. Upload
them to your computer for editing. Use photo editing
software to resize your photos to meet eBay's requirements.
Photo editing software may have come bundled with your
camera. If not, software such as 'Adobe Photo Elements' is a
popular choice. eBay's Basic and Enhanced Picture
Services will also do the trick.
About the Author
Imagine Taking Great Pictures
With Your Digital Camera...
In Less Than 30 Minutes!
***
eBay Listing Tips from an eBay Master with over 10,000
items sold on eBay by Rick C. Kern
***
Why do Buyers and Sellers love eBay?
The buyers are on eBay for the great selection of newly
listed items. The Sellers love eBay because they can get
their item in front of a large interested audience.
EBay Fees are Important
The eBay fees work to increase traffic and keep junk from
being relisted over and over if it doesn't sell. EBay has two
main fees. The Listing Fee and the End of Auction Fee. They
have several other fees involving how your auction item
looks and how many pictures you have showing but let us
focus on how the two main fees work to make eBay a great
marketplace.
EBay Listing Fee
This was Yahoo's mistake. Most of the sellers on eBay do
not like paying the listing fee so Yahoo eliminated it. The
listing fee keeps the items available on eBay fresh. If you
only charge a fee when an item sells then people put items
up at high prices and list them over and over and the
inventory clogs up with stuff that is too highly priced or
nobody wants. Fresh items are guaranteed to be found on
eBay because of the listing fee.
The listing fee adds up fast if you list an item a couple of
times and it doesn't sell. List at too high a price or without
enough information in the listing and it doesn't sell. Poor or
no Pictures and your item won't sell.
The listing fee gives you an incentive to start the item as an
auction and not as a fixed price item. The eBay listing fees
go up significantly if you choose to put a minimum price on
your item. I call it 'going naked' when I list a Dell computer
and start the bidding at .25 even though I need to get a
minimum of $350 for it. If you take the time to write a good
advertisement you can often get much more money than
someone who has the same item but with a poorly written
ad.
eBay Tips on End of Auction Fee
This fee is only charged when your auction ends
successfully. The bid is higher than your minimum or above
your starting bid. This is eBay sharing in your good fortune of
selling your item.
Other Listing Fees
eBay has a whole bunch of different optional fees you can
add to your listing to make it potentially more rewarding for
you. My favorite upgrade is the Gallery Picture currently
$0.35 extra. I generally avoid most of the other extra fees,
feeling they are great for eBay but not better for me.
Gallery Pictures
Probably the best deal of the add-on fees is the Gallery fee.
In my opinion the 35 cents extra for the Gallery fee is
probably the best value. I don't have any faith in most of the
other extras.
Great Photos make Great Auctions
I use a lot of photos in my auctions. The higher priced the
item, I will put more pictures in the auction. I think on more
expensive items it is really important to get some great high
quality clear crisp pictures.
At least one photo that Jumps
If you take several photos of your items you are likely to get
one or two that are really sharp. At least one really crisp
clear picture makes an auction much more profitable.
Show your Flaws
It is important to show flaws on your item if they exist. If
there is a little paint flaw, take a picture of it. This usually
won't affect the price much but it will improve your feedback.
Storing Pictures for eBay
You can store one picture on eBay for each auction. You will
be charged 15 cents for extra pictures you post for your
auction if you post them on eBay. I store all of my pictures
on Photobucket.com. I currently have over 400 pictures
stored there for my auctions for free. Storing Photos on
Photobucket is free for about 800 small photos or $25 per
year for unlimited storage. I first started using them in 2004.
At that time it was free to store about 100 photos depending
on the size of the photos. They load fast when you pull up an
eBay auction. They are very simple to sign up for and use.
Sizing your Picture
The resolution of your photo is important. I set my camera to
email mode which takes pictures that are between 60kb and
90kb in size. This is important because on the higher
settings my 5 megapixel camera takes photos that are up to
300kb in size. With 300kb photos your auction will load so
slow that people will stop your auction from loading before
they get to look at it because they do not want to wait. If
buyers have dial-up access this is even more important.
About the Author
Rick C. Kern eBay Master, has over 10,000 items sold on
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