Product Description

Online auction sales have grown exponentially in each of the last several years, and the undisputed industry champion is eBay, which commands nearly 90% of all online auction business. Selling merchandise on eBay is so simple and profitable that the marketplace has become as fiercely competitive as it is crowded. Whether just starting out or hoping to achieve greater success, online sellers need a solid business strategy to outrun their rivals. EBay Business the Smart Way is the answer, covering topics like:

* Startup * licenses * building credibility * accounting * inventory management * shipping * finding products to sell * creating a storefront website * Taxes * liability * saving expenses by buying business supplies on eBay

and hundreds of other crucial issues, from how to market your products and your business to hiring employees -- or getting assistance without hiring!

A tremendous timesaver that lets readers focus more on selling their products, and less on business processes, EBay Business the Smart Way is the key to running a low-risk, high-profit online auction business.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #655900 in Books
• Published on: 2003-06-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 512 pages

Barbara Weltman's Big Ideas for Small Business newsletter
"an easy-to-read, highly informative book that covers eBay from soup to nuts."

Home Business, Huntington Beach CA
"the author presents a comprehensive strategy -- plus savvy tips - for selling on eBay as a full-time,money-making enterprise.

About the Author
Joseph T. Sinclair (Vallejo, CA) is the author of EBay the Smart Way (0-8144-7118-8) and several other books on computers and software. He has also been a successful online entrepreneur.

Customer Reviews

Excellent for Beginners
I received this as a gift. Being that I've been an eBay PowerSeller on several different accounts, I honestly didn't think I'd learn much from this.

I might have simply put the book down after the first chapter, but one thing I can say about Joseph Sinclair is that he is very easy to read. I ended up reading nearly everything in there. And even though I already knew most of what's in there, I did end up learning quite a bit, and was able to take a new perspective on everything that I already knew.

Overall, I'd say this book is best for those new to selling on eBay, but even the most hardened eBay vets will be able to grab scraps of goodness from it.

eBay Business the Smart Way: Maximize Your Profits on the Web's #1 Auction Site
I learned quite a few tips from this book. I took his advice on photographs for auctions. I researched some of the close out web sites he listed. I am also doing some market research on my own right now. I am now what he calls a "picker". Learning as I grow my store. I took his advice on whether or not to start a website. Got my store going like he said. This is my new store. I have grossed over $300 in less than 2 weeks, and I am hoping to add a few zeros to that number.

Critics welcomed:

www.stores.ebay.com/NYC-Trend-Setters-Outlet

Wish me luck!

Useless, Notthing Useful if you are a Serious Seller on eBay
Plain useless, nothing useful for those who are serious about selling on eBay. Take it from some one who is Power Seller in Gold Tier and is serious about listening to those who know anything about eBay. Lets see what this book does right and wrong.
Pros:
1. Author has captured lot of diverse ideas on what to do. Unfortunately most of these are common knowledge and appears to be captures from common discussion forums on eBay (in fact since the book has been written if you look you will find more ideas) and expanded simple one liner ideas into chapters for this book.
Cons:
1. There are no examples on how to implement different common sense ideas. This points to either lack of author's knowledge or reluctance to share his experience. Take a simple example - author states how to write CVS file and how important these files are in big words but there is no explanation of where these files are used or how! (ofcourse all pro knows how and you can search more it in discuss forums). Every chapter is full of such words with no examples.
2. Full of references to author's other books. Why do you write a book if you just want others to buy other books from you!
3. This book is at best collection of tactics with no attention to any strategic model for a business. In my opinion, eBay business can't run without a strategic business model. There is a book by Wingo which does a good job of presenting how an eBay business can be built around a few solid models. Unfortunately I doubt author of this book has any idea of what a business model means.
4. Author thinks he is an expert just because he knows a few tricks.

I feel like I wasted my money and time on this book. There are better books out there than this one. I have learnt my lesson. You should always read at least one or two sections of a book before buying it. There are plenty of folks out there who think they know a lot and would waste their and your time by writing a book.