eBay 101
(Getting Started as an eBay Buyer or Seller)
Welcome to the eBay experience! As you get started, it's important to learn some of the fundamentals essential for all beginners. Here you'll find out how to join, how to buy, how to sell, how bidding works, what your responsibilities as an eBay user are, and how to close a deal safely.
» Visit eBay Rules and Fees to learn more about the trading rules and selling fees that apply to eBay members as they engage in trade. Don't start without knowing at least something about eBay rules and fees, or you could end up in a tight spot!
» Visit eBay Website Areas to learn more about the structure and organization of the eBay website—as well as what's available to you as an eBay user!
» Visit eBay Rules and Fees to learn more about the trading rules and selling fees that apply to eBay members as they engage in trade. Don't start without knowing at least something about eBay rules and fees, or you could end up in a tight spot!
» Visit eBay Website Areas to learn more about the structure and organization of the eBay website—as well as what's available to you as an eBay user!
How did eBay start?
How did eBay start? A brief history of eBay from San Jose, 1994, to world domination.
How did eBay start? A brief history of eBay from San Jose, 1994, to world domination.
What is eBay?
An introduction to eBay: what it is, who uses it, where and why they use it, and what this means for you!
An introduction to eBay: what it is, who uses it, where and why they use it, and what this means for you!
Join eBay, Step-by-Step
To join the eBay community and begin buying and selling as an eBay member, follow along with this quick step-by-step guide.
To join the eBay community and begin buying and selling as an eBay member, follow along with this quick step-by-step guide.
Navigating the eBay Website
Navigating the eBay Website: major components of the eBay website, how to reach them, and what each one of them is for.
Navigating the eBay Website: major components of the eBay website, how to reach them, and what each one of them is for.
Make a Purchase on eBay
How to Bid or Buy on eBay: An index to the basics, from joining to finding your item to placing a bid.
How to Bid or Buy on eBay: An index to the basics, from joining to finding your item to placing a bid.
Make a Sale on eBay
How to Make a Sale on eBay, for those completely new to the eBay selling process.
How to Make a Sale on eBay, for those completely new to the eBay selling process.
Understanding the eBay Feedback System
How to evaluate feedback numbers, how it works, how to leave it, what to strive for and what to avoid.
How to evaluate feedback numbers, how it works, how to leave it, what to strive for and what to avoid.
Understanding eBay Bidding
How the proxy bidding system at eBay works and why it's different from live auctions.
How the proxy bidding system at eBay works and why it's different from live auctions.
eBay Rules Survival Guide
Though the eBay rule book is dozens if not hundreds of pages long, a few basic ideas are all you really need to keep in mind to stay on the right side of the eBay law.
Though the eBay rule book is dozens if not hundreds of pages long, a few basic ideas are all you really need to keep in mind to stay on the right side of the eBay law.
A PayPal Primer
Understanding the payment system preferred by eBay and the majority of its active buyers and sellers.
Understanding the payment system preferred by eBay and the majority of its active buyers and sellers.
Using the My eBay System
Using eBay's My eBay system to manage your own account, including your listings, sold items, bids and buys, favorite searches, and feedback profile.
Using eBay's My eBay system to manage your own account, including your listings, sold items, bids and buys, favorite searches, and feedback profile.
Understanding Detailed Feedback
Want to say more about a seller in feedback than just "positive," "negative," or "neutral?" eBay's relatively new "detailed seller ratings" tool can help you to express yourself in more detail.
Want to say more about a seller in feedback than just "positive," "negative," or "neutral?" eBay's relatively new "detailed seller ratings" tool can help you to express yourself in more detail.
Ten Things You Didn't Know About eBay
Did you know that you can blog on eBay just like you can on MySpace? Or that you can support your favorite cause by selling on eBay? Or that you can have eBay send text messages to your phone? Or that you may need a business license to sell on eBay?
Did you know that you can blog on eBay just like you can on MySpace? Or that you can support your favorite cause by selling on eBay? Or that you can have eBay send text messages to your phone? Or that you may need a business license to sell on eBay?
Simple Selling on eBay
Selling on eBay can seem intimidating, given the wide range of options and features offered to sellers. Luckily, for beginners there's also the simple selling form, which helps you to post items for sale with a minimum of fuss.
Selling on eBay can seem intimidating, given the wide range of options and features offered to sellers. Luckily, for beginners there's also the simple selling form, which helps you to post items for sale with a minimum of fuss.
Five "First Items" to Get You Started Selling
Sometimes the hardest part of becoming an eBay seller is deciding on and making your first sale. This can be especially true for would-be casual sellers that don't have a "business model" and aren't particularly interested in developing one. Here are some basic "what to sell first" ideas for the casual seller.
Sometimes the hardest part of becoming an eBay seller is deciding on and making your first sale. This can be especially true for would-be casual sellers that don't have a "business model" and aren't particularly interested in developing one. Here are some basic "what to sell first" ideas for the casual seller.
Building Your Feedback Profile
If your plan is to become a successful eBay seller, building a solid feedback profile is the place to start. There's no scientific formula for accomplishing this, but it pays to keep a few things in mind.
If your plan is to become a successful eBay seller, building a solid feedback profile is the place to start. There's no scientific formula for accomplishing this, but it pays to keep a few things in mind.