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September 26, 2007
Consumer Credit and Debt Counseling On eBay?
For a lot of people, budgeting is such a pain. But for those who are averse to doing so, the consequences of their spending habits can be very unforgiving. It's such a simple idea - i.e. spending less than one earns - but it takes a little discipline to keep track of incoming & outgoing funds, and much more emotional stamina to submit to an accountability structure, even if that structure is only on a piece of paper.
When spending gets out of control and people find themselves deeply in debt, there is often a feeling of helplessness and embarrassment. Consequently, debt and credit counseling services have sprung up all over the US and beyond. It is big business since so many people are in financial trouble.
I think it would be interesting to see people auction off debt counseling services on eBay the way they auction off eBooks. In our global world, people are becoming a lot more comfortable speaking on the phone with others who are hundreds of miles - if not continents - away. So a phone-centered debt counseling business from eBay sales could be a creative option.
Posted by SydneyJohnston at 11:40 AM | TrackBack
September 25, 2007
USA Debt Management On eBay
I was recently poking around eBay to see what kind of debt and credit-related material people are selling. USA debt management is such a huge problem in our want-it-now-pay-it-later culture that I figured there would literally be thousands of books, training course, and the like out there. When I checked, there were less than 300.
On the Internet in general, it seems there are tons of debt and credit services offering a wide range of help opportunities.
The problem is apparently pretty significant with debt in the UK as well. I have to think this would be a very good eBay market.
Posted by SydneyJohnston at 12:51 PM | TrackBack
September 23, 2007
GPS Auto Tracker: A Possible eBay Niche?
If you're following technology on eBay, you've undoubtedly noticed that the use of GPS tracking devices is becoming more commonplace with the development of new technology. Now you can track everything from your automobile to your family dog. Small units can be permanently mounted on commercial vehicles which will allow dispatchers to more efficiently manage routes and delivery times. Smaller portable units give parents the opportunity keep track of their children in real time at a time when reports of abductions are in the news each day. With the use of GPS Tracking systems, keeping track of your loved ones and assets could not be easier.
Each day there are about 250 auctions on eBay that are related to GPS tracking devices. Considering the number of searches for GPS tracking related products on Google, this is a relatively small number of offerings. All of which leads one to believe that the sale of these devices may be a niche worth exploiting ... especially with the wild and crazy holiday season soon to explode on us.
Posted by SydneyJohnston at 11:20 AM | TrackBack
September 21, 2007
eBay Selling Requires Care & Precision
eBay selling truly does require attention to detail and - spelling! Case in point, an auction for a bottle of "Allsop" berr. If you're like me, you're wondering what's so special about a bottle of beer??? Well, in this case, about half a million dollars!
WHY would someone pay so much money for a bottle of beer? I haven't a clue. Here is the description for the second auction:
Museum Quality ALLSOPP's ARCTIC ALE 1852 SEALED/FULL!!!
RAREST Historic Beer in the World! AMAZING HISTORY!!!
There is a lot of outpouring sympathy for owner #1. Not to be hard-hearted, but that's Reality. Sorry fella, but you had the same opportunity that Buyer #2 had - but (s)he paid attention and you didn't. Quite a lesson in this auction.
Posted by SydneyJohnston at 1:22 PM | TrackBack
September 18, 2007
Antique Stoves: The Antique Stove Is A Small - But Genuine - Market
OK, I admit it. Some of the collectibles sold on eBay are totally mystifying to me. Antique stoves are an example of passions that I don't understand - although I certainly respect this market.
This is currently for sale on ebay for $500 and it's a Magic Chef stove from the 1940's-1960's. Honestly, I'm not sure why anyone would want this because it's not functional without a big expenditure and simply storing it "for show" would take up a lot of room.
The seller says, "i have seen stoves of this sort in restored mint condition selling for 2,000 dollars to over 7,000 dollars." Is this true or not? I have no idea - but if this eBay seller is correct, there is a LOT of money in this market.
Apparently, there are three main types of antique stoves that are collectible:
ANTIQUE STOVES FOR CAMPERS: These were first produced on a mass scale in the early years of the last century. The earliest models were powered by either alcohol or pressurized kerosene. It seem to me that these would be rather dangerous, but people flocked to these "new" stoves as an improvement over the campfire.
ANTIQUE STOVES FOR THE HOME: These were actually popularized in the middle of the 19th century. They were powered by kerosene that offered a wick to the home owner.Again, they were dangerous and people must have died or burned down their homes with these stoves, but they were quicker than heating up a wood-burning stove.
ANTIQUE STOVES FOR INDUSTRIAL USE: Clearly, these were used in factories and were giant contraptions compared to the antique stoves mentioned above. Usually they had no feet since they were resting on a concrete floor - and clearly the home version MUST have feet due to wood floors. It used a "roarer burner" for power.
Posted by SydneyJohnston at 3:42 PM | TrackBack
September 16, 2007
Ebay Class Action Lawsuit: Ebay Allegedly Unilaterally Modified "Good 'Til Cancelled" Listings
According to a class action lawsuit, Ebay allegedly increased its monthly insertion rate on all “Good ‘Til Cancelled” store listings from 2 cents per listing to between 5 and 10 cents per listing. The lawsuit alleges that eBay made this increase “in mid-stream without adequate notice, or consent”. The lawsuit further alleges that while eBay “unscrupulously opted to increase rates for pre-existing Good Til Cancelled listings to boost profits”. Claims are made for breach of contract, violations of the California Business and Professions Code, and Unjust Enrichment.
Posted by SydneyJohnston at 12:36 AM | TrackBack
September 14, 2007
Barbie Collectibles On eBay 2007
When referring to eBay history, the two most famous items mentioned in the same breath are Barbie and the pez dispenser. But, yes, Barbie collectibles are STILL hot on eBay!
It's surprising to discovery that the average age of the Barbie collectible is 40! Whe the Mattel company, maker of the Barbie doll, discovered that Barbie wasn't just a child's play toy anymore (thanks mostly to eBay) they institued a labeling system in 2004 to help adult collectors evaluate the available Barbies. These labels are color coded:
PINK: these are the mass produced dolls, such as the very familiar "Model" Barbie dolls
SILVER: 50,0O0 of these dolls are made and include:
* Ballet Barbie
* Birthday Barbie dolls.
GOLD: there is a limit of 25,000 of these and include:
* Designer Bride
* Pin-Up girls
PLATINUM: these are the most rare because there are less than 1,000
* The Faerie Queen
* White Chocolate Obsession
* Nurse Barbie
Posted by SydneyJohnston at 12:11 AM | TrackBack
September 11, 2007
Antique Porcelain Dolls Have A Devoted Following On eBay
There is a thriving eBay market on antique porcelain dolls - and some of them sell for substantial prices. Om fact, antique dolls of every kind find new homes every day, thanks to eBay. And what kinds of prices do sellers receive? That's based on:
1. Price
2. Condition
Many kinds of antique dolls are sold:
1. Papier machie
2. Wax
3. China
4. And dolls from vairous countries, like the "bebe" from France or the German "dolly faced" doll
How can a seller best succeed? Always, always, it's by knowing the market. One of the best ways to do this is to join a doll collecting club. In this way, you will become acquainted with collectors & buyers. Many collecting club sponsor doll shows and seminars to educate their members on antique doll collecting.
And don't forget doll accessories. The higher prices are for the dolls, of course, but accessory sales will be more frequent and so can be equally lucrative.
To get the highest prices for antique dolls you must adhere to the ethics of reputable doll assocations. Be willing and able to provide proof of your claims concerning the doll's age & condition.
Posted by SydneyJohnston at 11:34 PM | TrackBack
September 8, 2007
No eBay Listing Fees Through September 30 ... IF
To encourage the use of their Gallery features, eBay is not charging any listing fees from now through September 30. The Gallery features include the Gallery picture which costs $.35. According to eBay, here's the deal:
* No listing fees for items that list for $9.99 or less when you use the Gallery picture feature
* Of your opening bid is $10 or more, you receive 25% off your listing fee
Posted by SydneyJohnston at 11:28 PM | TrackBack
September 5, 2007
eBay Help For A Career In Dog Training?
If you're interested in dog training - either for yourself or as a career - is there any help to be had on eBay?
A career in dog training can be exciting and rewarding. Almost everyone loves dogs and the number of people who own dogs is increasing. There are basically two types of dog training careers available. They are divided up into pet and service dog training. Both are in demand however there are far more opportunities in pet dog training. A career in dog training requires much more than a love of dogs. You also must love people as well as they are the ones you will be training as much as their pets. So many dog trainers who love dogs find they cannot effectively deal with all of the different personalities that the dog owners have. As a result many new dog trainers quickly become disillusioned and quit training. The bottom line is that a career in dog training is also a career in people training.
And eBay is loaded with goodies like kennel pads, bark collars (what are those?), dog obedience dumbbells, and much more. Still, considering the popularity of dogs, and the necessity of training them or going nuts, there isn't a huge supply of accessories. This morning there were 1821 items listed under dog training - but there are websites that have thousands of different items. At the very least, this might possibly be a great eBay niche.
Posted by SydneyJohnston at 11:56 AM | TrackBack
September 4, 2007
Next "Live" Auction Genius Class Begins Saturday, September 8
Lsbor Day, or Labour Day if you live in Canada, is a favorite holiday of mine for two reasons. First, it's the mental signal that fall has arrived, even if the calendar doesn't yet agree. The kids are back in school all over the US today, at the latest, if they haven't returned earlier, and cooler temperatures are on the way. Considering the record temperatures here in Georgia and the critical drought, this will be a welcome relief.
Secondly, the Internet will be coming alive again! Yeah! Summer is always slow with August being our worst month of the year so increased activity and energy is most welcome. So for that reason, we are beginning our third - and final - "live" class of the 2007 year.
A live class means that I & my students meet online once each week for eight weeks. We are all in an online conference center where everyone sees what's on my computer screen. Anyone and everyone is welcome to talk at any time and comments & questions are quite welcome.
There is also the added value of support: support from me & support from fellow classmates which is incredibly valuable. Classes are from 10AM till noon ... but honestly, they sometimes run over that time period. When I get on a roll, I'm not quitting! :-)
Join us for two weeks (four hours) of lessons. If you're not happy, we'll cheerfully refund your tuition.
Posted by SydneyJohnston at 12:21 PM | TrackBack
September 3, 2007
eBay Selling: How To Block Bidders From Your eBay Auctions
Yes, eBay allows you to block bidders from your auctions and that's an important part of your eBay selling. You might be wondering why you would want to block anybody from one of your auctions or Buy It Nows? There are some really valid reasons as you'll see below.
Where Do I Go To Block Bidders?
Go to your "My eBay" folder. This is available to all eBay account holders and can be accessed from the home page of eBay, as well as most other pages on the site. Look in the upper right hand corner.
WHO Can I Block?
There are strong reasons for blocking certain kinds of buyers - or, should we say, "Pretend" buyers.
#1: Specific IDs
You can block up to 1,000 specific bidders. These are done by eBay IDs and all you need to do is fill in the form, separating each buyer with a comma. These bidders/buyers who will no longer be able to bid on, or purchase, your listings. The list will apply to all your items. You can add or delete bidders/buyers at any time.
#2: Block Specific Countries
When you list any merchandise on eBay, you can specify countries to which you will sell. This, naturally, excludes other countries, so it would seem that blocking bidders from a specific country can be overkill. However, this requirement can help you avoid buyers who agree to purchase your items without realizing you don't ship to their location.
For instance, I don't ship to France because their customs process is horrendous! Lost merchandise, partial merchandise, delays of weeks are all, sadly, common in France. Having French residents bid on my items is a waste, so eliminating this problem by blocking that country saves both them, and me, some stress.
#3: Block Buyers With A Negative Feedback Score
We can b ock buyers who have a feedback score of -1, -2 or -3. This requirement can help you avoid buyers who have received more negative than positive feedback from other eBay members bidding on your item. Chances are if the buyer has negative feedback, there are good reasons and our encounter with them will most likely be unpleasant, too.
#4: Block Buyers With "Unpaid Item" Strikes
We can block buyers who have received 2 Unpaid Item strikes in the last 30 days. This requirement can help you avoid buyers with a history of not paying for items they have agreed to purchase. The advantages of this are obvious. In fact, eBay only allows this block under the conditions stated above which are far too generous, in my opinion. I think that two strikes at any time would be more reasonable.
#5: Block Buyers Who May Bid On Several Of My Items & Not Pay For Them
For some mysterious reason, bidders sometimes seem to have a vendetta against a particular seller. These losers delight in bidding on most or every auction of a particular seller - and then refusing to pay. Fortunately, I haven't suffered this kind of attack but I know two people who have and it's very unpleasant - and expensive - to deal with. Obviously it happens more than we're normally aware or eBay wouldn't have a rule specifically for this problem.
This rule allows us to b lock buyers who are currently winning or have bought 1-10, 25, 59, 75 or 100 of my items in the last 10 days.
In addition, there is an option of only applying this block to buyers who have a feedback score of 0-5. How does this work in real life? Here are some eBay examples.
= = = = = = =
Example 1:
You select “Block buyers who are currently winning or have bought ‘10' of my items in the last 10 days.” You also select “Only apply this block to buyers who have a feedback score of ‘5' or lower.” Two eBay members, eBaydaisy (feedback score of 7), and johneBay (feedback score of 3), are currently winning or have bought some of your items and are interested in bidding on or buying more.
eBaydaisy (feedback score of 7) is currently winning or has bought 10 of your items in the last 10 days. When eBaydaisy tries to bid on or buy another of your items, she will not be blocked. Although you are blocking buyers who are currently winning or have bought more than 10 of your items in the last 10 days, eBaydaisy has a feedback score of 7, which is higher than the 5 you set as part of the requirement. johneBay (feedback score of 3) is currently winning or has bought 10 of your items in the last 10 days. When johneBay tries to bid on or buy another of your items, he will be blocked. johneBay’s feedback score is 3, which is lower than the 5 you set as part of the block.Example 2
You select “Block buyers who are currently winning or have bought ‘10’ of my items in the last 10 days.” You do not select “Only apply this block to buyers who have a feedback score of ‘0-5’ or lower.” eBaydaisy (feedback score of 7) will be blocked when she tries to bid on or buy another of your items. This is because you are blocking buyers who are currently winning or have bought 10 items from you in the last 10 days, and you have chosen not to apply the block only to buyers who have a feedback score of ‘0-5’ or lower. In this situation, eBaydaisy will be blocked regardless of her feedback score.
johneBay (feedback score of 3) will still be blocked, since you have chosen not to apply the block only to buyers who have a feedback score of ‘0-5’ or lower. In this situation, johneBay will be blocked regardless of his feedback score. In fact, any buyer who is currently winning or has bought the maximum-allowed number of your items in the last 10 days will be blocked, regardless of their feedback score.
= = = = = = =
#6: Buyers Without A PayPal Account
eBay claims that PayPal account holders have up to an 80% lower "Unpaid Item" rate, therefore we are able to b lock buyers who don't have a PayPal account.
What If I Currently Have Listings Posted?
Whenever you decide to apply some of these blocks, all open listings will be affected. However, all existing bids will be unaffected, meaning that if someone with negative feedback is ALREADY bidding on one of your listings, that bid will remain.
The "Buyer Requirements Exemption List"
To allow specific eBay members to bid on or purchase your items regardless of any requirement(s) you select, add them to your buyer requirements exemption list. This means that they can bid, even if they are affected by one of the conditions above that you have already blocked.
Clearly, there are occasions in which the 'bidder blocking' features can be highly desirable. Use restraint, though, since you're potentially reducing the number of bidders for your listings.
Posted by SydneyJohnston at 12:13 PM | TrackBack
September 1, 2007
Guided Fishing Trips & eBay Fishing Equipment
There is a ton of great fishing equipment for sale eBay. Given the popularity of fishing, this is no surprise.
Outside of eBay, there are many Pro Bass shops which vary from state to state and even town to town. That is because one of their specialties is focusing on local needs. On vacation, if you forget something for your fishing, or you find the local fish require different tackle, you can find it at local Pro Bass shop with no problem. All the stores are pretty well-stocked and large.
It would also be interesting to see people on eBay auction off "fishing consulting services" that are of interest to people. The fishing "counselors could not only direct people to web sites targeting their interests, for example, specialize on (such as fishing trips), but they could also provide personal consulting services to the winner.
Such auctions would preferably be delivered in a geography that is close for the seller & buyer. But then in our global world, people are becoming a lot more comfortable speaking on the phone with others who are hundreds of miles away. So a phone-centered fishing consulting business from eBay sales could be a creative option.
