Christopher Matthew Spencer - Ultimate Guide to eBay for Business

Entrepreneur Press, Publisher

Cover Design: Andrew Welyczko

Production and Composition: Eliot House Productions

2021 by Entrepreneur Media, Inc.

All rights reserved.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Spencer, Christopher Matthew, author.

Title: Ultimate guide to eBay for business / by Christopher Matthew Spencer.

Description: Irvine, CA : Entrepreneur Press, [2021] | Summary: A master class on the entire process of setting up an eBay store and increasing sales reach for both new and existing businesses. Features poven tips and techniques for planning, starting, and executing a successful, profitable eBay business-- Provided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2021037923 (print) | LCCN 2021037924 (ebook) | ISBN 978-1-64201-144-9 (trade paperback) | ISBN 978-1-61308-457-1 (epub)

Subjects: LCSH: eBay (Firm) | Internet auctions. | Electronic commerce.

Classification: LCC HF5478 .S644 2021 (print) | LCC HF5478 (ebook) | DDC 658.8/777--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021037923

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021037924

Printed in the United States of America

Preface

Whats Under the Hood?

T his book is dedicated to every entrepreneur who has the courage to walk over hot coals, and whos far too committed to notice they did. We live in a time when geography no longer limits our business opportunitiesthe most exceptional world that has ever existed. eBay has been around just about as long as ecommerce, so they know a thing or two about selling online. My eBay experience dates back to 1999, so I can boast about as many things Ive done wrong as Ive done right. You dont need this book but you should have it because youll quickly step over all the puddles that I naively stepped into over the years.

I wrote this book to provide actionable ideas to amplify your success when using eBay as a platform for both product sourcing and selling. Not everyone will be successful in business, but when you follow proven techniques, your probability for success will be nearly certain. Your persistence, patience, and tolerance for risk carry you forward with poise in the business world. While I never endorse get-rich-quick ideas, I am passionately convinced you will grow rich at a steady clipand I am confident this book will help propel you forward.

This book is my collection of ideas for doing business on eBay and beyond, curated from many very smart people. Every impressive automobile should have a mighty engine under the hood, and this book has all the horsepower youll need to win the eBay race. This is the Ultimate Guide to eBay for Business. Everything youve accomplished thus far in your professional life has made you ready for this. Lets crush it together because the sky is the limit on eBay!

May the odds be ever in your favor!

A reference guide such as this one is intended for flipping. I refer to the content as random access material, or RAM. This buffet of advice works well if read in a linear fashion, but it is equally helpful if you choose to go straight to whichever section youre most interested in. If you love reading books cover to cover, by all means, please do so here. Otherwise, flip to the Contents and explore whatever interests you without regretting skipping over the things youve already mastered.

Remember that this is not exclusively a book on how to sell on eBay. This is a business guide to using eBay. In my humble opinion, learning to score great deals when sourcing merchandise has peer importance to learning how to sell. Both are moneymaking business opportunities. Savvy corporate purchasing agents cut costs every day by sourcing on eBay, tradespersons locate scarce parts to repair older equipment, and eBay sellers buy pallets of goods to resell using both eBay and other channels.

Here are the key points of what Ill be discussing:

An introduction to eBay and all the wonderful things and people that make eBay great!

The basics of how to use eBay

How to search eBay like a pro and filter out the clutter so youll uncover the gem merchandise youre looking for

Selling essentials that support onboarding as an eBay merchant

Advanced selling concepts that will substantially enhance your sales results and propel your eBay business forward

Sourcing and Power Buyer tips that are guaranteed to expand your expertise and ensure that all your trades are safe and successful

All sorts of clever ways to help you sell your stuff with ideas that Ive collected along my eBay journey

Layering in some extra income via the eBay Partner Network, eBays very own affiliate program

All sorts of important back-office stuff that will keep you on the right path at work and with the government

I hate to assume things about you, but Ill make a few silly suppositions, beyond the fact that youd love to earn enough money on eBay to fill a bank vault. Im going to assume that you:

Own a computer

Have an internet connection

Have a bank account

Are proficient with email

Have a way to capture photos, such as your phone, a tablet, or a camera (Your mobile phone is all you really need to photograph items)

Have a backdrop or background to place behind your items for photography

Have good, indirect natural light or lighting equipment

After the sale youll need a few more tools:

A cheap flexible tape measure

Packing supplies, such as boxes, tape, a tape dispenser, bubble wrap, or other packing materials

A way to print shipping labels, such as an ordinary printer or a dedicated label printer

A postal-compliant shipping scale with a capacity large enough to weigh your biggest item and the ability to weigh as little as one ounce (I paid less than $20 for mine)

By no means is my list going to predict every possibility. Youve probably also been around business long enough to realize that persistence and determination are worth their weight in diamonds. Youll need those, too. Curiosity, passion, and consistency will also help you thrive. If you have those in spades, you will be both successful and triumphant in your eBay business.