Bottom Line
McGrath, an eBay expert, shares his knowledge with readers in an easy-to-read format that guides them from the very first baby steps of starting their own eBay business. What to charge, how to advertise,
sample contracts -- it's all in the book. Now all you need to do is find the customers and, yes, that's covered too!
At the eBay live events, everyone gets a name tag and if you're a Power Seller, it will denote that ranking. Without being too pushy, I try and ask the Power Sellers what they actually sell that gives them the special rank. The majority (of folks I talk with) are selling stuff for other people.
Think about it -- they have no merchandise of their own, but make money selling stuff for other folks. It's a great deal if you can make it work and using a guide such as McGrath's How to Start and Run an eBay Consignment Business is a good way to make it happen. Anyone can put stuff on eBay, but to get the most money for the items, it takes time and expertise. McGrath explains just how to get that expertise in his step-by-step guide.
As for getting enough time -- no help there, but his suggestions will help you streamline the way you get things done, so in the long run -- it will help save you time.
One particularly good section is Write Winning Auction Descriptions, which explains:
- The use of bullet points instead of one long sentence
- Including specifications and grading
- How power words can create an emotional appeal
- White space and why it works
- The way to increase sales with a call to action
I've been an avid eBayer since '96 and have developed my own pet peeves about the way items are listed and problems we've had as buyers, so I really enjoyed reading about the nuts and bolts of an eBay consignment business. He has lots of tips that are good for any eBay seller to use, not just in a consignment business. I've already made notes about a few things I want to try out on my next auctions! eBay books can run from simplistic to overly technical, this book hits just right note for me.
From McGraw Hill:Whether readers want to supplement their income or become an eBay Trading Assistant, they will find everything they need in this helpful, step-by-step guide. Among the many topics discussed in the book are the following:
- How to determine what will sell well on eBay
- How to create compelling listings
- How to sun successful auctions
- How to set up an eBay store for fixed-price selling
- How to open a "drop off" or consignment storefront or franchise
- How to build credibility and offer superior customer service, and more.
Skip McGrath is a certified eBay Trading Assistant and has been an eBay PowerSeller since 1999. He and his wife started selling antiques and collectibles from their antique store in the early days of eBay. After gaining experience from hundreds of successful auctions, Skip wrote his first book in 2000, The eBay Power Seller's Manual.
