New Year's Resolutions for 2009

I don't make New Year's Resolutions. I set goals for myself for the coming year. For 2009, I have decided to do less, but to do it more efficiently.

This blog is now the only one I write. I've decided that the payoff for blogging for other people or companies just isn't worth the time, and to be frank, the rules are getting so strict it isn't fun anymore. I had to crank out a certain number of posts a week, use photos from only certain sites, and include specific links. It became too much of a hassle. I just want to write about fun eBay stuff or share money saving ideas.

I'm not going to worry about those lazy eBay sellers who copy my listings or photos. I've learned a valuable lesson this year: Those types of sellers don't last on eBay. Anyone who plans to make their livelihood by imitating another person's work has zero staying power on eBay (or anywhere else for that matter). The key to success on eBay isn't doing what the competition is doing, the key to success is doing better than the competition and staying one step ahead of them. I change the items so frequently in my store now, I can hardly keep up.

I've started a few more eBooks that I hope will help you. I am in the middle of an eBook about maximizing the power of Best Match, and another one all about using the internet to market your store and increase traffic.

I also have some guests lined up for podcasts. Kristine McKinley, the eBay Tax Expert will be on in January. Jamie from Vzaar is also scheduled to do a podcast about his very cool video product (it is free).

I plan to continue bringing you Hot Lists, money saving tips, and eBay tips that will help you work faster and increase your sales.

I also plan to cook dinner more often for my kids who are sick of sandwiches.

Thanks to all my loyal readers who are making this eBay journey with me. I hope we can all continue to learn from each other and have a prosperous and exciting 2009.

Warm Regards,

eBay Coach Hot List - Issue #5

It's here! Hot List Publish Date: December 26, 2008. My eBay Hot List contains 12 items that have been good sellers on eBay within the last 30 days. This Hot List is a combination of discontinued items, member's club items, and common drug and grocery store items. I've also included tips for using coupons and discounts to help you get these products at even deeper discounts.

Issue 5 of the eBay Coach Hot List report contains the following:

7 Discontinued Drug Store Items
3 Drug and Grocery Store Items (not discontinued)
2 Member's Club Items (not discontinued)
Re-Cap of hot selling items on my eBay Facebook Group

My Hot List explains exactly where to find these items, the retail price, the average selling price on eBay, and links to completed listings. Click here to get your copy!

Congratulations to JennDiggy, Kathy, TKE96, Deane, and Ginny who won a free copy on the blog giveaway.

Happy selling!

Santa is Coming!!

Merry Christmas!



Smiling is my favorite, too. Enjoy the day!

How to List eBay Items Faster Using Shortcuts

Listing your eBay items can be tedious and time consuming, even if you use an auction template service such as Seller Sourcebook or Auctiva. Creating listings can be especially frustrating if you aren't the fastest typist in the world. Do you know about "shortcut" keys? This is an efficiency tip for anyone looking to save time when using word processing programs or using any computer applications.

You can avoid constantly reaching for the mouse (and same time) if you are familiar with Microsoft keyboard shortcuts. Just hold the two keys simultaneously and the action will be performed. In my previous life before eBay, I worked in an office creating extremenly long documents (hundreds of pages) and PowerPoint presentations. I had to crank out some seriously long documents with strict deadlines. These commands significantly reduced the time required to complete the documents. Efficency experts will tell you that the more you can use your keyboard keys, and the less you have to reach for your mouse, the faster you can work. Some of the most common shortcuts I use are:

CTRL+Z = Undo the last action. This is great if you typed a sentence you don't like, or deleted something by mistate. Just hold the CTRL and Z keys at the same time and your last action will be undone.

CTRL+A = Select all. If you want to select all the text on a page or in a block, hold the CTRL and A keys down. The text will be highlighted and you don't have to use your mouse to select everything.

CTRL+V = Paste. Use this one with the command above for copy and paste - much faster than selecting with the mouse and right clicking paste.

CTRL+END = Takes you to the end of a document or page. Faster to use this command than to scroll all the way down the page.

CTRL+B = Bolds highlighted text.

You can see a complete list of all the shortcut keys by clicking here. You might find others that are useful in creating your listings or blogging. Once you start using these shortcuts, you'll be amazed at how much faster listing goes. Here is a cool little card you can print out and put by your computer to help you learn the shortcuts.

Happy selling!

eBay Coach Hot List #5 - Win a Free Copy!

My little elves and I are diligently working on the next Hot List. The release date on the next list is December 27. Hopefully, we will all be recovered from overeating fudge, Christmas cookies, and egg nog by then!

I will be giving away a free copy to 5 lucky winners. To qualify to win, just post a comment below. Extra entries will be given for doing the following:

Post this giveaway your blog
Stumble or Digg this post
Add to Twitter
Add to Facebook or MySpace
Make sure you tell me which ones you did, and leave contact information in your comment!

Hot Item - As Seen on TV

New hot tip posted on the Facebook SAHMs eBay Seller Group. As Seen on TV item selling for 12 times the price you can buy it for through the TV ad. That's right, get two of them for $19.99 - one sells on eBay for up to $120. You won't belive this one! As Seen on TV products can be hot sellers at holiday time.

Click here to join the SAHMs eBay Seller Group and start listing this As Seen on TV item for Christmas. I nearly fell over when I saw the prices on the completed listings!

Happy selling,

Shopping at Flea Markets for Items to Sell on eBay

Today's post is brought to us by John S, a fellow seller and flea market extrodinaire.

Whether you call them swap meets, flea markets, jockey lots or a host of other regional terms a flea market as defined by Webster’s is: “usually open-air market for secondhand articles and antiques”. In reality they are so much more, they are even a great source to find items to sell on eBay.

What was once the domain of antique dealers, used car part sellers and farmers peddling their crops has in the last few decades turned into place where a myriad of vendors selling all kinds of items, both outdoors as well as inside cavernous barn like buildings. If there is something you want chances are good that you will be able to find it at a flea market.

They are a wonderful resource for eBay sellers to find items to sell. In the spring and summer families choose to load up their unwanted household items and drive them down to the flea market to sell. It is truly like going to dozens of garage sales all within steps of each other. There are crafters selling all kinds of hand made items. The one business type that I always look for is the vendor selling health and beauty products. Some of the products on the “Hot List" can usually be found there at a great discount.

Tips, Tricks and Hints:

Of course wear comfortable shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking and standing.

Watch what you wear. Dress comfortable but not glitzy. Leave the bling and expensive handbags at home. If you want to get good deals, its better if you dress the part. The vendors are very sharp and can read their customers very well.

Do not be afraid to haggle. Remember the vendors only rent their 10 x 10 spot for the day they really don’t want to load everything up at the end of the day and take it back home. They are use to people asking for a discount. Be smart, don’t ask, “will you take less”, name the price you want to pay.

Timing is everything. If you are looking for hard to find collectibles or other garage sale items you need to get there real early. Antique buyers are combing through tables as the sellers are setting up. If you want to get great deals then you need to be there as sellers are putting their items away.

Keep your money separated. You would be surprised how many times you can get a vendor to accept even less when all you pull out of your pocket is $8.00 for a $10.00item.

Bring cash. Few vendors take checks and even fewer take plastic. Besides, with all the identity theft these days, giving those numbers along with your driver’s license is not a good idea.

Don’t bring anything larger than a 20-dollar bill. Counterfeiters are notorious for using flea markets to launder their wares. If you bring large denominations you might go home with some funny money.

Flea markets are fun! And profitable. Some of the markets are huge and daunting at first. Take it slow if it’s your first time. Always keep an eye out for those items you are looking for and keep your mind open for ideas. Most important, have fun!

Dropshipping and eBay

This is test, but you won't get a grade or hear a beep. I've found yet another site to earn money writing for, and wanted to test the "syndicate article" feature. Basically, it is a cut and paste of code, but somehow it earns you money. That's what the test is about.

Can You Really Make Money Dropshipping on eBay?

Drop shipping is a business model where seller does not keep inventory in stock, but acts as an order-filler. Customers purchase the item from the seller, who collects the money, then contacts the drop shipper, pays him, and the drop shipper mails the product to the customer. The seller never touches or sees the product. Many (inexperienced) eBay sellers assume that the drop shipping model is the fastest, easiest, and most efficient way to make money on eBay. I have to disagree for the following reasons.

First, there are only a limited number of drop shippers out there. Many sellers on eBay use the same drop shipping companies – which means all of these sellers are getting their products for the same price. The drop shipper provides a photo and a description of the item, so the eBay sellers descriptions all look the same, and are priced the same. Do you really want to join that herd of competitors? eBay is already oversaturated with too many sellers who drop ship. What is going to make you stand out if 1,000 sellers are already offering the same product that you are about to try to sell?

Second, you will never see or touch the product. Are you sure it is of good quality? Do you know how it works if you have to answer technical questions? If it is clothing, will you know the fiber content, measurements, and other specifics?

Third, returns can be confusing. Sellers cannot survive on eBay without a fair return policy. So, how will this be handled? Will the item be returned to you or to the drop shipper? You will have to issue the refund since the customer paid you – but are you sure that the drop shipping company will accept returns or exchanges?

Finally, many drop shipping companies charge a fee to join their program or have an account. Will you have to sign a contract? Is the fee reasonable, or just another expense that you can avoid if you find items to sell on your own?

As an eBay seller since 2003, I am here to tell you that an eBay business is work. It is not sitting in front of a computer watching money roll into your Paypal account. If you are of the opinion that making money on eBay using drop shippers is an easy and fast process, please consider these pitfalls experienced by other sellers. If drop shipping were so easy and lucrative, everyone doing it would be rich. You may be better off shopping garage sales, thrift stores, or some other source for your inventory.

If you are still convinced that drop shipping is the answer, you may want to look into Doba, who works closely with eBay. I talked with the people at Doba at eBay Live last year, and they do offer a lot of high quality products. The key to making money on eBay is knowing what to sell and when. Remember, there is no magic product that sells all the time every time for a huge profit.

Sign up for a Doba Free Trial
and see if drop shipping works for you.

Content Source: Can You Really Make Money Dropshipping on eBay? - Bukisa.com

Check out this new site called Bukisa. It is similar to eHow, but a little more user friendly and you earn money faster. Granted, I've only submitted a few articles, and made a couple of dollars, but I see some potential here.

Survey - Do You Use Auction Sniper Software?

Auction sniper software. Sounds like something a Green Beret would use. I see those ads all the time. I buy on eBay (not as much as I sell), but have never used any type of auction sniper software. In fact, most of what I buy is store inventory or fixed price, so I don't get involved in auctions that much. I guess I am too impatient. I am also to cheap to pay for something that I can do myself!

I am just wondering if anyone has ever used auction sniper software, how difficult it is, and if you like it. I have heard of Auction Sniper, Bay Genie, JBidWatcher, and Auction Sentry. What, if any have you used?

Happy selling,


Photo - DWS Art.

How to Respond to Customers Asking, "Where is my Order?"

If you plan to sell on eBay for any length of time, you will be asked this question. Many times. Over and over. "When did you ship my item? When will I receive my order?"

You probably already emailed this information to the customer. Either they didn't read the email, it went to their bulk mail folder and they haven't seen it, or they deleted your email and forgot what it said.

I keep the following statements in a WORD document and copy and paste it whenever I get this question. Don't reinvent the wheel everytime you do something. Create template letters (you can fine tune them for specific situations) on hand so that you don't have to type every single response from scratch. Feel free to copy and use these templates yourself.

Here is the one I use for international customers:

Hello, your item has been dispatched. According to our international customers, some packages arrive within 5 days, others take up to 30 days or more. Your package should arrive shortly. Usually a delay is caused when the package is held up in customs in your country. Please check our feedback for reassurance – our customers report that their packages are delivered safely and quickly.

Thank you again for your purchase, and please keep us informed of the status of the delivery.

Here is the one I use for domestic customers:

Hello, your item was shipped on {DATE}, buy USPS Priority Mail, Delivery Confirmation #____________. Items usually arrive within 2-3 business days but may take as long as 7 business days. Please check our feedback for reassurance – our customers report that their packages are delivered safely and quickly.

Thank you again for your purchase, and please keep us informed of the status of the delivery.

Yes, these responses are kind of vague, but we have no idea where the package is at any given moment. We can't really say, "Your package just arrived at the sorting facility in Dallas." Usually these responses are sufficient and the customers just want assurance that the item is on the way. Good communication today means repeat business tomorrow.

Related Links:

Get More (FREE) Form Letters in the VIP Library

How to Reduce Shipping Costs

How to Increase Sales on eBay by Offering International Shipping

Happy Selling,

Snoopy Fire King Mugs Still Hot on eBay

This is not a new tip, it has been around for a while. There are specific Snoopy Fire King mugs that are collector's items and bring over $250 each on eBay. The most popular one is the Snoopy Red Baron mug shown above. (The problem is finding them to sell.)

This one went for $285 on November 23. Click here to see the auction.

If you are really into Snoopy and Peanuts collectibles, or want to learn more, Amazon has a book called More Snoopy (R) Collectibles: An Unauthorized Guide with Values that outlines and explains specific Snoopy items and their values.



Add Snoopy items to your list of "things to look for" at thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets, and estate sales.

Other articles about what to sell on eBay:

Walmart Items to Sell on eBay for Profit

Make Money on eBay Selling Items from Big Lots

Dollar Store Items to Sell on eBay for Profit

Happy selling!

New eBay How-Tos for November

Practical eBay tips and tricks. Feel free to rate or comment!

How to Make an eBay Photo Backdrop for Less than $1(This is the technique I use!)

How to Know What to Sell on eBay

How to Ship a Package to a Military (APO FPO) Address
(Don't forget our service men and women and their families!)

How to Avoid Scams as an eBay Seller

How to Avoid Scams as an eBay Buyer

How to Print Postage from Your Home Computer

How to Find eBay Inventory in Rural Areas


How to Get Free Stuff:

How to Get Free Cosmetics from Ulta

How to Get a Free College Education from Corporate America
(This is how I got my degree. Hard work, but worth it!)

How to Get Free Coffee


Financial:

How to Teach Kids to Handle Their Own Money

How to Make Money Fast to Pay Bills

How to Boost Your Credit Score in a Bad Economy


Other random articles - stuff I learned from life on this planet for 42 years.

How to Make a Healthy Breakfast for Kids

How to Break a Cell Phone Addiction

How to Punish a Teenager

How to Keep Your Kids Believing in Santa Claus

How to Prevent Holiday Weight Gain

Interested in contributing to eHow and making money writing articles? Click here for more info.

Happy selling!

What to Sell on eBay – Down Vests

Down vests are good sellers. Men's, women's, and children's - they all are good sellers. You can find them at thrift stores for $1 - $2. The higher the down content, the more you can sell them for on eBay. Look for brands like LL Bean, Land’s End, Eddie Bauer, The North Face, Columbia, Patagonia, and Obermeyer. Even off brands do well as long as the down content is high. 100% down is optimal.

As always, when shopping for used clothing to sell on eBay, look over the item well before purchasing it. Look for rips or tears, make sure zippers work, make sure all snaps are present, and check for stains.

Another great thing about selling down vests is that they are lightweight and easy to ship. You can offer free shipping on these – just build the shipping price into the price of the item. Remember, free shipping helps get you to the top of Best Match.

Be sure to offer international shipping. Europeans like 100% down vests and coats. Down is high quality, holds its value, and is warm!

Click here for completed listings for 100% down vests.

Related articles on selling used clothing on eBay:

How to Make Money Selling Sweaters on eBay

How to Make Money Selling Cashmere on eBay

How to Make Money Selling Tennis Apparel on eBay

Happy selling,

Tips for Increasing eBay Holiday Sales

21 days until Christmas and counting. Are you working hard like a little elf? To crank out even more sales, try these tips:

1) Always add Buy It Now. This is not the time of year for waiting for an auction to end. Time is of the essence.

2) Clearly communicate when you will ship, your shipping carrier, and when the customer can expect his package. Use Delivery Confirmation this time of year. It is worth the extra cost if you normally don't use it. (You will prevent alot of headaches!)

3) Offer express shipping on gift items and toys. Don't be afraid to charge a REASONABLE handling fee. You will have to deal with post office and traffic hassles.

4) Decide when will be the last day you will ship, and clearly communicate this to your customers. Put this info on the header on your store page. Here is how to do that:

Go to your store home page.

Scroll to the bottom right where it says SELLER MANAGE STORE.

Click on PROMOTION BOXES on the left side.

Click CREATE NEW PROMOTION BOX.

Click the 3rd option, COMMUNICATE TO YOUR BUYERS.

You can create a box to be placed at the top of each page explaining any pertinent information about your holiday shipping schedule or other details. After the holidays, just remove the promotion box.

Related articles:

Prepare for Holiday Selling

Make Money Selling Toys on eBay

How to Get Free Gifts to Give at Christmas

Happy selling!

Make eBay Shipping Easier – Add Photos to Shipping View

For me, shipping is the most boring part of the eBay selling process. My mind tends to wander off and I make mistakes. Ever sent someone the wrong item? Trust me, it happens to the most experienced sellers.

Here is a quick and easy way to make your AWAITING SHIPMENT screen more visual and minimize mistakes.

Go to your AWAITING SHIPMENT screen.

Look on the far right; you may have to scroll over. You will see this:



Click on CUSTOMIZE DISPLAY.

Then you will see this:



You can customize the columns you want to see. I don’t really care about the item #, emails sent, or some of that other stuff. But look near the bottom and you will see PICTURES and a box to check.



Check the box. Save your changes. Now go pull up your AWAITING SHIPMENT screen and you should see the gallery images next to each item. You can do this on any other views such as SOLD, UNSOLD, etc.

I think this setting prevents mistakes and makes shipping faster as you can just look at the photo to see what you have to ship.

Related articles on eBay shipping:

Reduce Shipping Costs

Get Free Shipping Supplies

How to Ship an International Package

How to Ship to a US Military Address

Happy selling,

How to Get Undeserved Negative Feedback Removed on eBay

Real situation. Buyers must think we are stupid.

Items sells. ($85 dollar item.)

Buyer doesn't pay.

UPI process is completed - 8 days pass.

Buyer responds with comment about why he won't pay - decided he didn't want the item. Lame excuse, doesn't hold water.

Buyer never pays.

Dispute is closed, FVF refunded.

Buyers thinks he has the upper hand and leaves me a negative, knowing sellers can't leave negatives for buyers anymore.

Here is eBay's Policy on Holding Buyers Accountable:

"Enhanced protection for Unpaid Item: In addition to removing Feedback left by buyers who fail to respond to the Unpaid Item process, we now also remove Feedback when the buyer responds but it's clear they did not complete the transaction—for example, if they state they bought the item elsewhere or had a family emergency. Sellers don't deserve negative or neutral Feedback in such cases, and we now remove it."

I emailed eBay and asked about this situation. Neg was removed. So, bottom line, you have to be proactive in having undeserved negatives removed. it isn't automatic. Save or bookmark this post. If you sell on eBay long enough, this will happen to you at some point.

Happy selling,