Starting an eBay Business For Dummies

Want to turn your eBay use into a steady revenue stream? Come to where everyone starts, with a copy of the latest edition of Starting an eBay Business For Dummies. EBay superstar author Marsha Collier packs the fourth edition of her mega-selling book with everything you need to know, from how to tap the explosive power of social media for promoting your business to the very latest on eBay?s fees and payment structure, how to maintain your own customer service center, ways to build an audience, and much more.

• Shows you how to lay the foundation for a business by setting up a store and reviews legal requirements and restrictions
• Helps you price and source your merchandise
• Explores how to attract an audience using social media through your own site
• Gives you a quick MBA in budgeting, money transactions, customer service, shipping, and more
• Offers insight on other sellers who have been successful on eBay and what you can learn from them

Kick-start your eBay business and get profitable with this must-have guide from eBay superstar Marsha Collier.

Introduction 1

Part I: Getting Serious about eBay 7

Chapter 1: Launching Your Business on eBay 9

Chapter 2: The Finer Points of eBay Selling 31

Chapter 3: Cool eBay Tools 57

Chapter 4: Safe Selling Equals Profitable Sales 83

Chapter 5: Expanding Sales with an eBay Store 103

Part II: Setting Up Shop 119

Chapter 6: Finding Merchandise to Up Your Profits 121

Chapter 7: Pricing Your Items to Sell 139

Chapter 8: Establishing and Marketing Your Web Site 151

Part III: Business Is Business — Time to Get Serious 167

Chapter 9: Software Built for Online Auctions 169

Chapter 10: Dollars and Sense: Budgeting and Marketing Your Sales 185

Chapter 11: Setting Up Listings That Sell 199

Chapter 12: Providing Excellent Customer Service 219

Chapter 13: Collecting Your Money 231

Chapter 14: Shipping Your Items: Sending Them Fast and Saving Money 249

Part IV: Your eBay Back Office 263

Chapter 15: Getting Legal: Understanding Taxes and Licenses 265

Chapter 16: Savvy Record Keeping — Keeping the Tax Man at Bay 277

Chapter 17: Building an eBay Back Office 293

Part V: The Part of Tens 311

Chapter 18: Ten (or So) Sellers Who’ve Made the Jump from Hobby to Profits 313

Chapter 19: Ten Other Places to Move Your Merchandise 323

Appendix A: eBay Business Glossary 333

Appendix B: The Hows and Whys of a Home Network 339

Index 345

Marsha Collier is a world-renowned eBay maven, sought-after speaker, and bestselling author on eBay topics, with more than a million copies of her books in print. She has written all editions of eBay For Dummies, Starting an eBay Business For Dummies, and eBay Business All-in-One For Dummies.

Learn to:

• Set up a store and follow eBay rules
• Source and price merchandise, keep your books, and stay legal
• Establish a Web identity through social media
• Use software to help you budget, ship merchandise, and serve customers

Ready to make money? Let the bestselling eBay author guide you to online business success!

You've been flirting with the idea of launching an eBay business. Now you don't have to go it alone! Marsha Collier has been a runaway success on eBay for more than a decade, and she willingly shares her secrets in this fun, easy-to-follow guide. Here's how to get started, discover what sells, manage your business, handle marketing, and make money!

• Lay the groundwork — decide how much time you can give to the project and what to sell, get your equipment, and set up shop
• All about inventory — get great tips on where to find merchandise, how to price it, and where to list it
• The Web and more — see how a great Web site and social media marketing can bring in business
• Seller beware — learn about eBay's fees, handy tools to help you calculate expenses, and how to budget
• Super selling — find out how to take photos and write listings that showcase your items
• Show me the money — discover what you need to know about payment methods and how to protect yourself from fraud
• Ship shape — compare shipping carriers and find out how to get the best deal
• Keep the tax man happy — all about licenses, taxes, and foolproof bookkeeping

Open the book and find:

• How to turn your passions into eBay profits
• All about eBay's seller services
• Surprising places to find stuff to sell
• Customer service tips
• How to get free shipping materials
• Tips for stocking an effective office for your business
• Advice on staying legal
• Real-life stories from happy eBay sellers