Marsha Collier - eBay® For Dummies®, 8th Edition

eBay For Dummies, 8th Edition

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Copyright 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey

Published simultaneously in Canada

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2013954171

ISBN: 978-1-118-74886-2 (pbk); ISBN 978-1-118-74890-9 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-118-74875-6 (ebk)

Manufactured in the United States of America

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Chapter 1

In This Chapter

Finding out about eBay

Figuring out your buying options

Selling stuff for cash

Researching items to buy or sell

Knowing eBay is watching over you

Using features and fun stuff

Getting the scoop on cameras and tools

e Bay has emerged as the marketplace of the 21st century. Way back in 2003, Wired magazine predicted that eBay's promise is that retailing will become the national pastime. Promise fulfilled: In 2012, e-commerce sales topped $1 trillion. The founder had a pretty great idea back in 1995 (read about some eBay history in the eBay's humble beginnings sidebar, later in this chapter), and the world has taken to shopping and selling online. eBay is a safe and fun place to shop for everything from collectibles to brand-new clothing, all from the comfort of your home.

eBay is now also a marketplace for new merchandise. It's no longer just the destination for locating unusual collectibles and hard-to-find china patterns. These days major brands have signed up and you can purchase new and useful items, such as alarm systems, tablets, lightbulbs, clothing, cars, homes just about anything you can think of.

Take a look around your house. Nice shoes (that you never wore). Spiffy artwork (that you're bored with). Great-looking clock (souvenir that doesn't match your dcor). Not to mention all the other cool stuff you own. All these great fashions, household appliances, and collectibles are fabulous to own, but when was the last time your clock turned a profit? When you connect to eBay, your PC or mobile device can magically turn into a money machine. Just visit eBay and marvel at all the items that are just a few mouse clicks away from being bought and sold.

In this chapter, I tell you what eBay is and how it works. eBay is today's gas-free alternative to driving and spending hours wandering through boutiques, antiques shops, or outlet malls looking for the perfect gift or tchotchke. The site can also be your personal shopper for gifts and day-to-day items.

Not only can you buy and sell stuff in the privacy of your home, but through your connections on eBay, you can also meet people who share your interests. Those who use the eBay site are a friendly bunch, and soon you'll be buying, selling, swapping stories, and trading advice with the best of them via various social media outlets.

To get to eBay, you need to access the Internet. To access the Internet, you need a Windows PC, a Mac, or a tablet with the eBay Mobile app. (Inexpensive laptops can be found for as little as $299.)

The Internet spawned all kinds of online marketplaces (known as e-commerce sites to Wall Street types), and eBay is the superstar. The reason it remains the leader is simple: It's the place where buyers look to do business with both big brands and small homespun businesses.

eBay itself doesn't sell a thing. Instead, the site is a platform for selling and does what all good markets do: It creates a comfy environment that brings together buyers and sellers. You can think of eBay as the person who set you up on your last blind date except the results are often a lot better. Your matchmaking friend doesn't perform a marriage ceremony but does get you in the same room with your potential soulmate. eBay puts buyers and sellers in an e-commerce environment and lets them conduct their business safely within the rules that eBay has established.

All you need to do to join eBay is fill out a few forms online and click. Congratulations you're a member with no fees or secret handshakes (you don't pay a fee until you sell something). After you register, you can buy and sell anything that falls within the eBay rules and regulations. (Chapter eases you through the registration process.)