As buyers, the keywords we use on eBay to search for items can make all the difference. Too many words ... too much information ... and our eBay searches will find zilch or near nothing. Then again, using one word or a phrase that is far too general - not specific enough - and that will yield thousands upon thousands of results and be overwhelming.
When you login on eBay's Web site you see the Search button on that main page and to the far left of it a blank for your search term or phrase. You want to make your search term as specific as possible without using too many words. Too many words and your search will come up with the big "0" or no results. Beside the box for your search term is another box that says "All Categories" and you'll see a pull-down menu. Click on that and choose the specific category that you think will include the item you're seeking. You are narrowing your search.
For instance, type in "men's pants 36X31" and search under "Clothes, Shoes and Accessories" and you will have one result. On this page add the word "khaki" to your search phrase and in Clothes, Shoes and Accessories click on the Search button again, along with clicking on the box, "Search title and descriptions" and you have different results.
Sometimes sellers fail to include key words in their titles but do place those words in their ad descriptions. I read somewhere that over 90% of eBay buyers never click on the "Search title and descriptions" box! This means YOU will have more selection when shopping on eBay. And it also means you might acquire that item for less since there is less competition.
Online auctions and item searches. The Help files at eBay include a wealth of resources including instructions for effective searches. But, know that much more on this topic will be covered here as well.
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online auctions, auction, eBay, information, save money, resources
Friday, February 15, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
eBay, PayPal by Phone
I used to be heavily involved in adult literacy as a trainer and administrator. Did you know over 94% of all people are visual learners? This means, if you are like me, you prefer to SEE something demonstrated. Or...you learn best by watching or by handling items, trying to DO it yourself after being shown how to do something. Or...by holding and reading over information - by looking over handouts or manuals. The remaining 6% of people learn best through auditory (hearing) or kinesthetic (touch) means. Most of us are predominantly in one camp (visual) but can learn best through a mixture of one or more methods of learning.
Why am I telling you this? Because just talking on the phone to someone from Customer Service at eBay doesn't do it for me. I'm a visual learner. That is, unless the person will wait patiently while I write down everything he or she says! No, that's why I like eBay's Live Help resource at www.ebay.com . I can chat with a customer service agent, ask my questions and instantly receive the answers, then print out our conversation and look it over again and again if I need to.
But, of course, I realize everyone does not learn best this way. And so, for you who are not visual learners? Here are some phone numbers you'll want to squirrel away for future reference. Both companies are in California. I'll be sharing contact info for other auction sites in later posts:
1 - eBay, Inc.
Customer Service Department
(800)322-9266 or (888)749-3229
2 - PayPal, Inc. (owned by eBay)
Customer Service Department
(888)221-1161
4 a.m.-10 p.m. PST (Monday - Friday)
Technorati Tags:
online auctions, auction, eBay, information, save money, resources
Why am I telling you this? Because just talking on the phone to someone from Customer Service at eBay doesn't do it for me. I'm a visual learner. That is, unless the person will wait patiently while I write down everything he or she says! No, that's why I like eBay's Live Help resource at www.ebay.com . I can chat with a customer service agent, ask my questions and instantly receive the answers, then print out our conversation and look it over again and again if I need to.
But, of course, I realize everyone does not learn best this way. And so, for you who are not visual learners? Here are some phone numbers you'll want to squirrel away for future reference. Both companies are in California. I'll be sharing contact info for other auction sites in later posts:
1 - eBay, Inc.
Customer Service Department
(800)322-9266 or (888)749-3229
2 - PayPal, Inc. (owned by eBay)
Customer Service Department
(888)221-1161
4 a.m.-10 p.m. PST (Monday - Friday)
Technorati Tags:
online auctions, auction, eBay, information, save money, resources
eBay's Live Help
I don't know about you, but when I need information, sometimes nothing is more frustrating than floundering about aimlessly trying to find it. And it's because I know knowledge is power and I don't possess it!
Thank goodness eBay foresaw the need for online auction buyers and sellers to communicate with REAL live customer service people. In my estimation, the most valuable resource on the eBay Web site is Live Help...with close runners-up eBay's Help files and Discussion Boards.
When you go to www.eBay.com , Live Help is in the upper righthand corner of that main page. You will see a gold colored balloon with a question mark within it and the words "Live help" to the right of the balloon.
Any question you have, whether you are a buyer or seller, can be answered LIVE through one-on-one chat with an eBay Customer Service Agent ... 24X7 ! Any time of day. Any day of the week. Any question. And you can print out your conversation before you log off and refer to it later.
I can't tell you how often this resource has bailed me out late at night when friends and foe are snoring - no one is up and at 'em except ... Yes, you guessed it ... eBay's Live Help staff! Only kidding, I don't have any foes! It was just fun to type what came to mind!
But seriously, avail yourself of this wonderful information source. Don't forget to take a peek at eBay's Help files first (links at the top and bottom of that main page). Also, at the top righthand corner under Community you will find a drop down menu to hop over to the Workshops/Discussion Forums.
If you have been reticent to buy on eBay or to start selling, just know you are not alone. Tap into the power ... knowledge power!
Technorati Tags:
online auctions, auction, eBay, information, save money, resources
Thank goodness eBay foresaw the need for online auction buyers and sellers to communicate with REAL live customer service people. In my estimation, the most valuable resource on the eBay Web site is Live Help...with close runners-up eBay's Help files and Discussion Boards.
When you go to www.eBay.com , Live Help is in the upper righthand corner of that main page. You will see a gold colored balloon with a question mark within it and the words "Live help" to the right of the balloon.
Any question you have, whether you are a buyer or seller, can be answered LIVE through one-on-one chat with an eBay Customer Service Agent ... 24X7 ! Any time of day. Any day of the week. Any question. And you can print out your conversation before you log off and refer to it later.
I can't tell you how often this resource has bailed me out late at night when friends and foe are snoring - no one is up and at 'em except ... Yes, you guessed it ... eBay's Live Help staff! Only kidding, I don't have any foes! It was just fun to type what came to mind!
But seriously, avail yourself of this wonderful information source. Don't forget to take a peek at eBay's Help files first (links at the top and bottom of that main page). Also, at the top righthand corner under Community you will find a drop down menu to hop over to the Workshops/Discussion Forums.
If you have been reticent to buy on eBay or to start selling, just know you are not alone. Tap into the power ... knowledge power!
Technorati Tags:
online auctions, auction, eBay, information, save money, resources
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Blogs and More
Auction related information and resources abounds online. But great information doesn't. Here are some fantastic blogs related to online auctions and a couple that aren't like Diet Without Starving at http://www.dietwithoutstarving.com/ . A brand new blog I'm watching focuses on volunteerism (used to call myself a professional volunteer - URL below).
Free downloadable guides for eBay buyers and sellers are available at Terry Gibbs' Web site, I Want Collectibles, at http://news.iwantcollectibles.com The bulk of the info is applicable to buying and selling on any auction site though so it's worth your time to mosey on over and snatch up one or both guides while they're still available. You'll find lots of other resources there too.
Jim Cockrum of Creative Internet Income Strategies and Skip McGrath of Make Money on eBay are fellas who know their stuff. I know you'll agree ...
Technorati Tags:
online auctions, auction, information, save money, resources
Free downloadable guides for eBay buyers and sellers are available at Terry Gibbs' Web site, I Want Collectibles, at http://news.iwantcollectibles.com The bulk of the info is applicable to buying and selling on any auction site though so it's worth your time to mosey on over and snatch up one or both guides while they're still available. You'll find lots of other resources there too.
Jim Cockrum of Creative Internet Income Strategies and Skip McGrath of Make Money on eBay are fellas who know their stuff. I know you'll agree ...
Technorati Tags:
online auctions, auction, information, save money, resources
The Most Important Thing
EBay announced several major changes last week that will affect all of the company's online auction sellers...and buyers. Effective February 20, 2008 there is good news and bad: while some seller fees are being reduced and this means sellers will save money on listing fees, other fees are being substantially raised (final value fees once items are sold).
No doubt buyers will see up close some kneejerk reactions - item and/or shipping prices raised in an attempt to offset the fee increases. What's a buyer to do? This piece of information I'm about to share with you is the most important thing an online auction buyer can do.
Never bid on an item until the very end of that auction. Why? Because bidding early drives up the final sale price of the item and often begins a bidding war! Watch the item ... eBay has a tool you can use to do this ... and wait until close to the ending time of the auction to make your bid(s). Yes, I know it can be a pain to do it this way, but you'll find you are often the only bidder by doing it this way and you can swoop in at the last minute, win the auction and walk away with the item you wanted and money in your pocket!
Technorati Tags:
online auctions, auction, information, save money, resources
No doubt buyers will see up close some kneejerk reactions - item and/or shipping prices raised in an attempt to offset the fee increases. What's a buyer to do? This piece of information I'm about to share with you is the most important thing an online auction buyer can do.
Never bid on an item until the very end of that auction. Why? Because bidding early drives up the final sale price of the item and often begins a bidding war! Watch the item ... eBay has a tool you can use to do this ... and wait until close to the ending time of the auction to make your bid(s). Yes, I know it can be a pain to do it this way, but you'll find you are often the only bidder by doing it this way and you can swoop in at the last minute, win the auction and walk away with the item you wanted and money in your pocket!
Technorati Tags:
online auctions, auction, information, save money, resources
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Welcome!
Welcome to Online Auctions Nook!
You'll find lots of great information and resources here and all of it related to online auctions. Whether a buyer or seller there is something for you. Networking, hot resources and auction "secrets" revealed. Stop in often. Share often. I'll be looking for you!
You'll find lots of great information and resources here and all of it related to online auctions. Whether a buyer or seller there is something for you. Networking, hot resources and auction "secrets" revealed. Stop in often. Share often. I'll be looking for you!
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