eBay

So you're shopping on eBay and you've encountered a situation in which you suspect that two different "sellers" may actually be one and the same person on the other end of the transaction, and it doesn't sit well with you.

How can you tell if this is really what's going on? What should you do? Are there any other logical explanations?

You may simply be thinking about the situation in a way that doesn't help you much. Here's an alternative way to approach this problem—one that serves you better.

See Also:

     • Top Scams Against eBay Shoppers
     • Top Scams Against eBay Sellers
     • How to Identify Fake or Counterfeit Goods

eBay search and search results have changed a lot over the years, but nothing like the change that is happening at eBay this year with the introduction of Cassini, eBay's new data-driven search platform.

Sellers are scrambling to understand how eBay will rank listings and what the best practices for great search placement are ultimately going to be. As always, eBay hasn't released calculation-by-calculation details, but they have been relatively open about the concept behind Cassini and the kinds of data that will play into search outcomes.

Using these as a guide, it's a small step to come up with best and worst practices for Cassini and your search placement on a new, Cassini-enabled eBay.

See Also:

     • Make Best Match Work for You
     • Understanding Top-Rated Seller Status
     • Monitor Your Seller Performance Rating

You found just the right item on eBay and managed to win it in a bidding war. You've been waiting for days and days and still no sign of delivery. And now, you've discovered that the online tracking information for your package says that it was marked as delivered some time ago.

Okay, where's your stuff? How can it be "delivered" if you clearly don't have it? Who's responsible for sorting all of this out, and what can you do to help ensure that you're not being taken to the cleaners? Read on to find out.

See Also:

     • What can I do about fake goods?
     • Is it safe to buy from China?
     • What if I wired money, but got nothing?

It's frustrating, and it often happens to new or infrequent sellers: you sold an item on eBay after carefully thinking about the price you wanted to get, only to find when all is said and done that you badly underestimated eBay and PayPal fees.

What can you do now? And is there a way to clarify the eBay and PayPal fee structure so this doesn't happen to you in the future?

See Also:

     • Automatically Calculate Your Fees
     • Control Your eBay Fees
     • What does it cost to trade on eBay?

There are a lot of cars, trucks, and other vehicles out there, and there are infinitely many more parts. Add to the picture remanufactured, pulled, aftermarket, and performance parts, and the automotive parts picture gets really complicated.

For buyers and sellers alike, this can mean headaches if purchased parts don't actually fit the vehicle for which the purchase was intended. This is where eBay's My Garage feature comes in. Here's how to use it, whether you're an eBay Motors buyer or sellers.

See Also:

     • Watch for Red Flags on eBay Motors
     • How does Vehicle Purchase Protection work?
     • What is AutoCheck and what does it tell me?

If you sell a variety of goods that demand different payment, shipping, and returns policies in each case, entering these on the selling form can be a time-consuming and error-prone process.

eBay's new pilot Business Policies tool helps to make the process easier, enabling you to predefine and give names to a variety of policies, then easily choose from these each time you list an item.

See Also:

     • Do Your Selling in Less Time
     • Make Packing and Shipping Easy
     • Inexpensively Outsource Bookkeeping

eBay is a great place to start your online selling life, but as your small business grows, it can pay to think beyond eBay's borders. Though it can seem intimidating at first, selling on multiple other channels—like Amazon, Etsy, or even your own website—can enhance both profits and growth opportunities.

Of course, there's also extra work involved, since you'll be managing inventory for and creating listings on multiple platforms, rather than just on one. But these days, there are lots of tools to help you streamline the process and make multichannel selling a reality for your operation, at any size.

See Also:

     • Use Terapeak for Market Research
     • Use Outright to Streamline Your Accounting
     • Don't Limit Yourself to eBay Selling

Deciding what to source based on "experience" or "gut feeling" is a mistake made by many aspiring eBay sellers, and one that can lead a young business into troubled water.

Your competition probably doesn't guess when they decide to acquire inventory; they acquire only what they know will turn a profit in the end.

You can be similarly certain just by using the same simple kinds of data that they use. It's not mind-bogglingly confusing (it certainly isn't rocket science in most cases), but it does take either legwork or cash to get the kind of data that you need to make good sourcing decisions.

See Also:

     • Should I join that drop-shipping website?
     • Use Terapeak for eBay Market Research
     • Time Your Listings for Results

eBay's Buyer Protection is the first line of defense for buyers that feel as though they haven't gotten a square deal or would like a refund when none is being offered. But eBay doesn't always rule for the buyer—in every dispute, someone has to lose, and every now and then that someone could be you.

Are there other options available to you if eBay has already ruled against you in a Buyer Protection case? Yes, there are. None of them are as quick or as easy as Buyer Protection for being made whole again, but if your case is a good one you may just get there in the end.

     • How Buyer Protection Works
     • How Seller Protection Works
     • How Motors Protection Works

From time to time, every seller finds an amazing opportunity that comes out of left field and is different from what they're used to doing. When this opportunity comes along for you, shouldn't you jump in with both feet?

Actually, not necessarily. There are good reasons to be cautious and to take things slow, and they don't all have to do with basic supply and demand and business risk—there's eBay and your own expertise and capabilities to think about as well.

See Also:

     • I want an eBay business, but how do I start?
     • Choose an eBay Business Model
     • Should I join that drop-shipping website?