31_569244 bindex.qxd 8/18/04 12:42 PM Page 367

Index

All Selling area, 58, 59–60, 65, 74, 253 Symbols and Numerics Amazon.com Web site, 108, 151 * (asterisk) search operator, 148 America Online (AOL) Web site hosting, @1 (at sign, one) search operator, 148 159, 160, 226 , (comma) search operator, 148 American Merchandise Liquidators Web - (minus sign) search operator, 148 site, 135 # of Watchers (Number of Watchers) American Philatelic Society, 155 feature, 64 AmeriSurplus Web site, 135 { } (parentheses) search delimiters, 148 ammunition, selling, 86 “ ” (quotation marks) search AMNACS (American Numismatic delimiters, 148 Association Certification Service), 155 99¢ Only store, acquiring merchandise ándale Web site, 190 at, 126 animals, selling, 86 7-Eleven money order, 240 announcement pages, 351 1099 form, 351 announcing future auction, 50 30-day Federal Trade Commission rule, 52 antique mall, liquidating merchandise 24-hour auction, 46 at, 345 Antique Trader, 152 AOL (America Online) Web site hosting, • A • 159, 160, 226 API (application program interface), 47, AAASeller.com Web site, 189, 190, 226 190, 269, 271 About Me page, 27, 54, 55, 71–73, 110 appraisal, online, 154 About the Seller page, 110, 120 artifacts, selling, 88 Abovethemall (eBay seller), 327–329 artprice.com Web site, 153 access-restricted auction, 39, 42 as is/where is, 351 account summary page, 69–70 asterisk (*) search operator, 148 accounting, double-entry, 291 at sign, one (@1) search operator, 148 accounts payable/receivable, 351 AT&T WorldNet Web site hosting, 159 Accredited Registrar Directory, 169 Auction Advisor seminar series, 81 Action Figure Digest, 152 Auction Tamer software, 193 action figures, selling, 17, 132, 152 auction, traditional Address Verification COPYRIGHTEDService (AVS), 249 MATERIAL acquiring merchandise at, 129–132 Adult Only area, 39, 42 consignment clinic, 154 age of bidder liquidating merchandise at, 346–347 determining, 84 selling by auction house on eBay, 34–35 reporting underage bidder, 98–99 Auction Wizard 2000 software, 189, 194–195 alcohol, selling, 84, 86, 87, 88 AuctionHawk Web site, 190, 226 All Bidding area, 58 AuctionHelper Web site, 189, 190 All Buying area, 59, 60–64 AuctionPayments.com Web site, 241–242 All Favorites area, 58, 67–69 31_569244 bindex.qxd 8/18/04 12:42 PM Page 368

368 Starting an eBay Business For Dummies, 2nd Edition

AuctionWeb Web site, 10 BidPay.com Web site (AuctionPayments. AuctionWorks Web site (MarketWorks. com), 241–242 com), 189, 191–192 Big Lots, acquiring merchandise at, Auctiva Web site, 190 126–127 authenticating item, 154–156 blocking bidder, 75, 94 author contact information, 6 BobMill (eBay seller), 329–330 Autograph Collector, 152 boldface listing option, 121, 202, 206, 211 autographs, selling, 88, 152, 153, 155 bonding transaction, 103, 245, 247 AVS (Address Verification Service), 249 Bonhams & Butterfields auction house, 346 bonus policy, 52, 86 bookkeeping. See also tax • B • accounting, double-entry, 291 Ballista template listing system, 192 accounts payable/receivable, 351 bank debit, payment by, 245 accrual basis, 300 banner advertising, 114, 166, 170–172 calendar, keeping daily, 293 Barbie Bazaar, 152 cash basis, 300 baseline, 12 checkbook, reconciling, 296 Basic Search Options page, 149–150 credit card, 293–294 batteries, selling, 88 expense, posting, 290–291, 293–294 Beanie Babies, selling, 52, 133 QuickBooks bookkeeping chart of bidding account, 305 absentee, 351 software, 26, 290, 295–296 age of bidder, determining, 84 standards, 291 All Bidding area, 58 supporting information, 293–294 annotating bid, 62 time period to keep documentation, blocking bidder, 75, 94 294–295 canceling bid, 73–74, 76, 351 books, selling, 17–18, 31 contract, bid as legally binding, 95 bottles, selling, 84, 87 Dutch auction, 40, 61 Bowers and Merena Auctions Web site, 154 highest bid, displaying, 61 broadbandreports.com Web site, 20 history of bidder, researching, 75, 76–77 B2B (business to business) trans- increment, 351 action, 139 live auction, 35 Bubblefast (eBay seller), 23, 330–332 management tool overview, 73–75 bulk, buying product in, 14 minimum bid amount, 74 business license, 284–287 preapproving bidder, 75 Buy It Now feature, 45, 76, 119, proxy, 44–45, 94 208–210, 211 retracting (canceling), 73–74, 76, 351 Buyer Community Participation shielding, 94 Number, 250 shill, 92 buyer’s premium auction fee, 130 sniping, 354 buySAFE service, 247 starting, 39, 40, 44–45 stealing bidder, 91 store, online, 119 • C • total, displaying, 61 cable TV descramblers, selling, 87 tracking, 60–61, 64–65 calendar, keeping daily, 293 underage bidder, reporting, 98–99 canceling unwelcome bidder, 94–95 auction, 73, 74 winning bid, displaying, 61, 62–63 bid, 73–74, 76, 351 31_569244 bindex.qxd 8/18/04 12:42 PM Page 369

Index 369

Cardking4 (eBay seller), 332–333 cleaning item for sale, 220, 221, 223, Carfax automotive service, 32–33 312–313, 315 cars, selling, 31–34, 131, 212 ClickStamp postage printing service, cash on delivery (C.O.D.), 242 318–319 catalogs, selling, 86 Cline, Jillian (eBay seller), 338–339 category Closeout Specialists Web site, 135 changing mid-auction, 201 closing choosing, 30–31, 201 auction, 47, 146 Clothing Shoes & Accessories, 31 vacation, online store for, 111 Collectibles, 15, 30 clothing, selling custom, 118 acquiring merchandise, 14, 129 Find a Main Category feature, 30–31 category, 31 Mature Audiences, 42, 89 children’s clothing, 18 Merchant Kit, 48 cleaning, 220, 315 Motors, 31–34 introduced, 14–15 multiple categories, listing auction in, 51, lingerie, 39 201, 211 mannequin, 219–220 Other Items, 118 photographing, 16, 219–220 Overview page, 30 steamer, 220 searching, 147 used clothing, 89 specializing in, 14, 145 Cloud Dome (photography tool), 218, 222 store, online, 114, 118 C.O.D. (cash on delivery), 242 Toys & Hobbies, 30 coins, selling, 152, 154, 155 caveat emptor, 352 collectibles, selling. See also specific CDs, selling, 152 collectible cell phone, sending End of Auction notice acquiring merchandise, 128, 129, 130 to, 70 category, 15, 30 Certified Developer, 190 introduced, 14 Certified Public Accountant (CPA), 290 ten-day auction, 46 CGC (Comics Guaranty, LLC), 155 value, determining, 145, 152–153 ChannelAdvisor.com Web site, 189, 190–191 Collector Editions, 152 chargeback, 248, 249, 251 Collectors Universe Web site, 153 charity auction, 54, 130, 132 Collier, Marsha check, payment by contact information, 6 cashier’s check, 239 eBay Timesaving Techniques For e-check, 244–245 Dummies, 46, 143, 183, 264 Escrow.com check handling, 245, 246 comic books, selling, 153, 155 PayPal check handling, 244–245, 250 Comics Guaranty, LLC (CGC), 155 personal check, 80, 243–245 comma (,) search operator, 148 reconciling checkbook, 296 community event, liquidating merchandise checkout, automating, 187 at, 345 choice auction, 51 community values, 83–84 choosing product line, 13–18 Compare Items feature, 182 Christmas merchandise, acquiring, 125 competition, researching, 64, 69, 151 cigarettes, selling, 87 computer hardware needed, 20 cigars, selling, 87 comScore Web site, 108 city tax registration certificate, 284–285 connecting to Internet, 20–22 classified liquidation ad, running, 348 consignment, 141–143, 154, 193, 195 consumerism, responsible, 83 31_569244 bindex.qxd 8/18/04 12:42 PM Page 370

370 Starting an eBay Business For Dummies, 2nd Edition

contract payment service, online, 26, 248 bid as legally binding, 95 PayPal, 250, 251, 252 consignment agreement, 141 QuickBooks, 296, 307 partnership agreement, 281 real estate fee overview, 37 selling, 88 reserve price auction, 41 cookie system, 57 scanner, 224 Cool eBay Tools Web site, 6, 183, 215, 229 search engine submission service, 172 Corel Web Designer software, 159 Selling Manager feature, 189, 194 corporation, running business as, 282–283 shipping, 13 Cortese, Joe (eBay seller), 192, 337–338 SquareTrade seal, 103 cost Stamps.com, 324 auction management service, online, 192 steamer, 220 auction management software, 188–189 store, online, 108, 113, 119 banner, 114, 166 subtitle, 121, 211 boldface listing option, 121, 206, 211 ten-day auction, 46, 211 bonding transaction, 247 tripod, 217 Buy It Now feature, 211 U-PIC, 275 buyer’s premium, 130 UPS, 264, 268, 269, 275 buySAFE service, 247 USPS, 264, 271, 273, 275, 317 camera, digital, 217 VeriSign, 261 car fee list, 34 Web site, 162, 163, 167, 169, 186 categories, listing in multiple, 211 Yahoo! Express, 173 check, cashier’s, 239 Yahoo! PayDirect, 255–256 ClickStamp postage printing service, 319 ZoneAlarm, 366 consignment selling, 142–143 cost of item, determining. See value of credit card, 247–248, 259 item, determining CuteFTP, 179 Costco, 128, 257, 258–260 domain name registration, 169 countdown timer, 63 Endicia.com postage printing service, counter, 206–207 320, 321 counterfeit merchandise, selling, 86, 90 Escrow.com, 246 CPA (Certified Public Accountant), 290 FedEx, 264, 267 credit card fee avoidance, 93 bookkeeping, 293–294 fixed-price sale fee list, 38 changing credit card information, 70 FVF, 34, 38, 50, 194, 212 chargeback, 248, 249, 251 gallery, 121, 208, 211 cost, 247–248, 259 hammer fee, 130 Costco, 258–260 highlight option, 121, 202, 205, 211 CVV2, 255 home-page featured auction, 202, 211 debit by eBay, viewing, 69 ID Verify, 76 Escrow.com, handling by, 245, 246 insertion (listing) fee, 37–38, 40, 108, 119, importance of accepting, 26 210–211 insurance, 81 ISP, 21, 22 merchant account, 26–27, 247, 256–258 lighting, studio, 218 payment service, online, 26, 248 Listing Designer option, 121, 205, 211 random charge check, 255 listing, scheduled, 211 security, 26 merchant account, 27, 257–258 selling, 86 money order, 239–240, 241 SET, 249 Paint Shop Pro, 225 transaction, card not present, 352 31_569244 bindex.qxd 8/18/04 12:42 PM Page 371

Index 371

Verified by Visa acceptance, 249 DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), 21–22, 359, VeriSign transaction processing, 76, 360, 364 260–261 DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) cruises, selling, 87 number, 352–353 currency duplicate auction, 51–52 counterfeit, selling, 86 Dutch auction value of item, currency considerations bidding, 40, 61 when determining, 145 categories, running in multiple, 51 customer service, 118, 231–238 color coding, 64 CuteFTP software, 160–161, 179 described, 39–40 CuteHTML software, 25 featured auction listing, 40 CVV2 credit card security, 255 insertion (listing) fee, 40, 211 non-paying buyer alert, 98 reserve price option, 42 • D • Second Chance feature, 50 Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) DVDs, selling, 31, 128 number, 352–353 DAZzle software, 319–320 DBA (doing business as), 352 • E • dead on arrival (DOA), 352 EA (enrolled agent), 290 DEK Auction Manager software, 193 e-appraisal, 154 Department of the Treasury property Earthlink Web site hosting, 159 auction, 131 eBay Motors, 33–34 Dependable Auto Shippers, 33 eBay Timesaving Techniques For Dummies description area, 112, 213–214, 229, 232 (Collier), 46, 143, 183, 264 Dial-A-Zip software, 319 eBay University, 81, 201 Didn’t Win page, 61 e-check, payment by, 244–245 Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), 21–22, 359, EIN (employer identification number), 353 360, 364 electronic equipment, selling, 88 Disabled Online Users Association (DOUA), e-mail 327, 328 address, changing, 70, 76 discount club store, acquiring address, keeping current, 98 merchandise at, 127–128 address, privacy of seller’s, 24 display stand, 220–221 address, wireless, 70 dispute resolution, SquareTrade, 76, 77, 87, auction cancellation notice, e-mailing, 74 100–104 automating, 181, 235 DOA (dead on arrival), 352 buyer, written communication with, dog-related merchandise, selling, 338–339 234–238 doing business as (DBA), 352 eBay employee, verifying e-mail from, 99 Doll Reader, 152 forwarding, 24, 186 dollar store, acquiring merchandise at, link opening e-mail window, 53 126–127 notification preference, setting, 85 dolls, selling, 40, 129, 152 PayPal, from, 97, 187 DOUA (Disabled Online Users Association), phishing, 97 327, 328 reporting fraudulent, 97 double-entry accounting, 291 search result, e-mailing, 69 drop-down box policy, 90 Selling Manager feature, sending drop-ship service, 136 from, 194 drugs, selling, 86, 87, 280–281 signature, 234 31_569244 bindex.qxd 8/18/04 12:42 PM Page 372

372 Starting an eBay Business For Dummies, 2nd Edition

e-mail (continued) duration, 76 sorting, 181 e-mail address change recorded in, 76 spam, 135 icon, 67 transaction interception, 93 introduced, 24 winner notification, 187, 235–236 leaving, 67, 77–78, 188, 194, 237 embargoed merchandise from prohibited Mutual Feedback Withdrawal, filing for, 77 country, selling, 89 negative, 77, 78, 94, 103 employee payroll processing, 288, 300, payment reminder, checking feedback 303, 306 before sending, 236 employer identification number (EIN), 353 PayPal, 250 e-names.org Web site, 169 PowerSeller requirement, 79 End of Auction notice, 70 responding to, 78–79 Endicia.com postage printing service, 271, Second Chance Offer scenario, 50 305, 319–321 seller feedback, 24 enrolled agent (EA), 290 SquareTrade mediation, 77 entrepreneur, 353 SquareTrade membership, effect on, 103 Escrow.com Web site, 245–247 star color-coding, 76 estate auction, acquiring merchandise transaction, on, 78 at, 130 user ID change recorded in, 76 Ethernet networking standard, 358, 360 fictitious business name statement, event tickets, selling, 88 filing, 284 Excel software, 26, 187, 296, 311 File Transfer Protocol (FTP), 160, existing business, bringing to eBay, 18–19 178–179, 226 expert eBay seller, 185 final value fee (FVF), 34, 38, 50, 194, 212 extension, FrontPage, 160 Financial Accounting Standards Board, 291 Find a Main Category feature, 30–31 Find Items page, 148. See also searching • F • firearms, selling, 86 family business, running on eBay, 17–18, firewall, 365–366 330–332 fireworks, selling, 86 Favorite Sellers area, 69 five-day auction, 45 favorites, 58, 67–69 fixed-price sale, 37–38 featured auction listing, 40, 202–204, 211 flatbed scanner, 224 Federal Employee Tax ID number, 288 flooding market, 138 Federal Trade Commission 30-day rule, 52 FOB (free on board), 137 Federal wire-fraud statute, 92 font, 48, 53 Federation of Tax Administrators food, selling, 88 Web site, 288 format, business, 279–283 FedEx (Federal Express), 264–267, 274 fraud protection program, 50, 80–81, 245 fee avoidance, 93 freight on board. See FOB (free on board) feedback freight, selling unclaimed, 134, 135 accessing, 76 freon, selling, 88 automating, 188, 196 FrontPage software, 25, 160 boosting feedback rating via buying from FTP (File Transfer Protocol), 160, yourself, 24 178–179, 226 Buy It Now feature, feedback rating future auction, announcing, 50 needed for, 208 FVF (final value fee), 34, 38, 50, 194, 212 buyer feedback, 24, 66, 76–77, 94, 237 31_569244 bindex.qxd 8/18/04 12:42 PM Page 373

Index 373

image-related, 180, 183 • G • Merchant Kit, 47–48, 49 GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting store, online, 117 Procedures), 291 template, 11, 117, 192, 196 gallery, 115–116, 121, 179–181, 207–208, 211 text, hidden, 90 garage sale, 128–129, 343–344 human parts and remains, selling, 86, 87 gateway, merchant account, 257 hyperlink, 159. See also linking General Services Administration HyperText Markup Language. See HTML auction, 131 generalist seller, 214 • I • Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures (GAAP), 291 IBI (information-based indicia), 317 GeoCities Web site hosting, 159, 160, ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned 166, 172 Names and Numbers), 168–169, 170 Gibson Research Corporation Web site, 366 icon overview, 67 giveaway policy, 52 ID Verify feature, 75, 76, 208 Giving Works auction, 54, 342 IDs, selling government, 86 glasses, selling advertising, 153 income splitting, 282 going-out-of-business sale, acquiring incorporation, 282–283 merchandise at, 129 InexpensiveDomains.com Web site, 169 Goldmine, 152 information-based indicia (IBI), 317 Goodwill, acquiring merchandise at, 14, Inkfrog Web site, 189, 190, 226 132–133 insertion (listing) fee, 37–38, 40, 108, 119, Google, submitting Web site to, 173 210–211 grading item, 154, 155 insurance guns, selling, 86 credit card, 81 QuickBooks insurance charts of account, 305 • H • shipping, 80, 267, 270, 274–276, 320 hair, selling, 87 Interland.com Web site hosting, 163, hammer fee, 130 164–165, 167 hard drive size needed, 20 Internal Revenue Service (IRS), 131, 292, hard to find (HTF), 353 294, 295, 351 hazardous material, selling, 89 international selling, 89, 240, 252, 255 hidden text, policy regarding, 90 International Standard Book Number highlight listing option, 121, 202, 205, 211 (ISBN), 353 hobby, turning into business, 14–16 Internet connection, 20–22, 357, 358–359 holiday, closing auction on, 47 Internet Corporation for Assigned Names Home Networking For Dummies (Ivens), 357 and Numbers (ICANN), 168–169, 170 home page, eBay, 12–13, 40, 202–204, 211 InterNIC Web site, 169 hosting, Web site, 159, 161–167, 172, 186 inventory, 182, 191, 192, 303, 311 HTF (hard to find), 353 invoice HTML (HyperText Markup Language) defined, 353 cutting and pasting, 183 printing, 194 editor, 25–26, 159 IP (Internet Protocol) address tracing, 92 font, 48, 53 IRS (Internal Revenue Service), 131, 292, generating, 117, 160, 182–183, 229 294, 295, 351 hyperlink, 159 ISBN (International Standard Book Number), 353 31_569244 bindex.qxd 8/18/04 12:42 PM Page 374

374 Starting an eBay Business For Dummies, 2nd Edition

ISP (Internet Service Provider), 20–22, 92, payment, refusing to accept from winning 157, 159–160, 226 bidder, 93 item number, 62 prohibited item policy, 86–87 Items I’m Selling area, 64–65 trademark usage, improper, 90, 91 Items I’m Watching area, 63–64 trading violation, 91–96, 98–99 Items I’ve Sold area, 65–67 transaction interception, 93 Items I’ve Won area, 61, 62–63 LegalZoom Web site, 283 Ivens, Kathy (Home Networking For liability, 280–281, 282 Dummies), 357 license agreement, 48 business license, 284–287 • J • selling, 86 Jasc Paint Shop Pro software, 225 limited liability company (LLC), 282 jewelry, selling, 220–221 Lindhorst, Steve (eBay seller), 333–334 job lot merchandise, acquiring, 138 Lindsell-Roberts, Sheryl (Writing Business Letters For Dummies), 233 LinkExchange network, 166 • K • linking keystone, 353 About Me page, from, 55 keyword auction, to another, 53 online store description, 112 e-mail window, opening via link, 53 spamming, 53, 88, 89–90 illegal item, to site offering, 55 Web site, 172 online store, linking from auction, 119 knives (weapons), selling, 89 photograph, to, 53, 181 policy, 50, 53, 55 TipLink buttons, 49–50 • L • vendor, to third-party, 53 Web site, linking to eBay auction from label printing. See printing label external, 47–49 law enforcement Web site, linking to external from eBay buyer, reporting to, 100 auction, 27, 50, 53, 55 eBay cooperation with, 90 liquidating unsold merchandise, 341–348 police-related merchandise, selling, 89 liquidation merchandise, acquiring, 130, stolen merchandise auction, 131 131, 134–135, 136, 138 Le Vine Family (eBay sellers), 330–332 Liquidation.com Web site, 138 LeakTest software, 366 lister, 28 ledger book, 24 listing legality boldface option, 121, 202, 206, 211 age of buyer, determining, 84 categories, in multiple, 51, 201, 211 bid as legally binding contract, 95 ending early, 73, 74 bonus, offering regulated item as, 86 error, correcting, 74 check, passing bad, 244 featured auction, 40, 202–204 document preparation, online, 283 highlight option, 121, 202, 205, 211 Federal wire-fraud statute, 92 identical listings, maximum permitted, 51 illegal item, linking to site offering, 55 insertion fee, 37–38, 40, 108, 119, 210–211 illegal item, reporting seller offering, 99 online store listing header, custom, 118 jurisdiction, 84 policy, 51–53 liability, 280–281, 282 PowerSeller listing volume requirement, 79 31_569244 bindex.qxd 8/18/04 12:42 PM Page 375

Index 375

pre-sale, 52, 89 Microsoft Works software, 296 relisting, 11, 67, 183 militaria, selling, 86 scheduling unattended, 184, 196, 211 Mill, Bob (eBay seller), 329–330 searching for new, 68–69 MIMB (mint in mint box), 354 Sell Similar feature, 11, 183–184 mint, 354 Seller’s Assistant software, using, 189, mint in box (MIB), 354 195–196 minus sign (-) search operator, 148 shipping quote, including, 232 MissionFish.com Web site, 342, 343 Turbo Lister software, using, 80, 184, 197 modem, 21, 359 upload, bulk, 184 money order, payment by, 239–242, 246 Listing Designer option, 121, 205–206, 211 money, selling counterfeit, 86 ListingRover (eBay seller), 333–334 More Search Options page, 200 live auction, 34–35 Motors category, 31–34 LLC (limited liability company), 282 movie-related merchandise, selling lockpicking devices, selling, 86 DVD, 31, 128 lodging, selling, 87 memorabilia, 30, 46, 132, 133, 145 logging off, 57 posters, 46, 153 lottery tickets, selling, 86 VHS tape, 48 Lyn Knight Currency Auctions MSN Web site hosting, 159 Web site, 154 msnTV Web site hosting, 159 MSRP (manufacturers suggested retail price), 354 • M • Multistate Tax Commission Web site, 288 Magic-By-Mail (eBay seller), 334–335 municipal tax registration certificate, mail order business, bringing to eBay, 19 284–285 mailing list music marketing on, 47 background, 182 selling, 86 selling, 18, 152 ManageAuctions.com Web site, 207, 226 Mutual Feedback Withdrawal, filing for, 77 manufacturers suggested retail price My Account area, 58, 69–71, 78, 85 (MSRP), 354 My eBay page MarketWorks.com Web site, 189, 191–192 accessing, 58 Mature Audiences category, 39, 42, 89 All Bidding area, 58 Mavica camera, 216 All Buying area, 59, 60–64 McAfee software, 366 All Favorites area, 58, 67–69 mediation, 77, 102. See also SquareTrade All Selling area, 58, 59–60, 65, 74, 253 dispute resolution customer service tool, as, 232 medical devices, selling used, 89 desktop shortcut to, creating, 58 mega pixel, 215 Items I’m Selling area, 64–65 Melrose_Stamp (eBay seller), 336–337 Items I’m Watching area, 63–64 Member Profile, 62 Items I’ve Sold area, 65–67 membership suspension, 95 Items I’ve Won area, 61, 62–63 merchant account, 26–27, 247, 256–258 Personal Information area, 70 Merchant Kit feature, 47–48 Preferences area, 57, 70–71 Meridian software/Web site, 189, 192–193 Views box, 63, 65 meta tag, 172 My Summary area, 58, 59 MIB (mint in box), 354 My Web Wholesaler Web site, 135 Microsoft Web site hosting, 163, 165–166, 172 31_569244 bindex.qxd 8/18/04 12:42 PM Page 376

376 Starting an eBay Business For Dummies, 2nd Edition • N • • P • NameProtect.com Web site, 168 Pacific Bell DSL Web site hosting, 159 NamesAreCheap.com Web site, 168, 169 packaging NARU (not a registered user), 354 selling packaging material, 330–331 National Check Fraud Center, 244 shipment, needed for, 13, 312–317 National Fraud Information Center Paint Shop Pro software, 225 (NFIC), 100 Pair Networks Web site hosting, 186 navigation bar, 58 pallet, acquiring merchandise by, 136–137 Nelson, Stephen L. (QuickBooks 2004 For paperwork, 24 Dummies), 297 parentheses ({ }) search delimiters, 148 network, home, 355, 357–366 partnership, running business as, 279, Network Solutions Web site, 168, 169 280, 281 neutraceuticals, selling, 280–281 password, 57, 70 newsgroup, marketing on, 47 payment. See also credit card; PayPal NFIC (National Fraud Information payment service Center), 100 bank debit, 245 NGCA (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation cash, 243 of America), 155 check, cashier’s, 239 99¢ Only store, acquiring merchandise check, personal, 80, 243–245 at, 126 C.O.D., 242 Noblespirit (eBay seller), 337–338 e-check, 244–245 Nolo Web site, 279 escrow service, 245–247 Norton AntiVirus software, 366 international, 240 not a registered user (NARU), 354 marking item paid manually, 67 NPB (non-paying buyer), 50, 95–96, 98, money order, 239–242, 246 194, 237 NPB, 50, 95–96, 98, 194, 237 number, item, 62 received notice, 237–238 Number of Watchers (# of Watchers) refusing to accept from winning feature, 64 bidder, 93 Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of reminder, 236–237 America (NGCA), 155 search result, limiting by payment Numismatic News, 152 option, 149 service, online, 26, 248 status, displaying, 67 • O • store, online, 121 ODR (online dispute resolution), 102 transfer, instant, 244–245 offensive material, selling, 89 winner notification, including payment office, home, 27–28. See also storage space information in, 235 Omidyar, Pierre (eBay AuctionWeb co- Yahoo! PayDirect, 245, 255–256 founder), 10 PayPal payment service 1099 form, 351 account needed to use, 250 one-day auction, 45 accounts, payment from multiple, 252 Online Authentics Web site, 155 adding to auction, 49 online dispute resolution (ODR), 102 address confirmation, 251 online store. See store, online AVS, 249 OOP (out of print), 354 Buyer Community Participation Other Items category, 118 Number, 250 chargeback, 249, 251 31_569244 bindex.qxd 8/18/04 12:42 PM Page 377

Index 377

check handling, 244–245, 250 file format, 224 cost, 250, 251, 252 file size, 232 CVV2 support, 255 gallery, 115–116, 121, 179–181, debit card, 250 207–208, 211 deposit, 250 hosting, 186, 191, 192, 225–226 downloading data from, 187, 252–253 HTML, image-related, 180, 183 e-check, 244–245 jewelry, 220–221 e-mail from, 97, 187 lighting, 218 feedback system, 250 linking to, 53, 181 home page, 250 macro, 216 interest paid on cash balance, 255 page-top option, 227 international payment, 252, 255 Picture Services feature, 226–228 introduced, 26 prop, 219 label printing, 321, 322 riser, 220 membership, verified, 251 rotating, 228 phishing, 97 scanning, 224 QuickBooks, integration with, 305, 307 seamless (background), 222 random charge check, 255 search result, displaying in, 149 receipt, 67 stage, 214, 222 registering with, 253–255 studio, 214–222 search result, limiting to, 149 supporting item for, 220–222 Seller Overview page, 253 tripod, 216, 217 Seller Protection policy, 251–252 uploading, 178–179, 191, 192, 195, 227 shipping service, 238, 321–323 Photoshop software, 225 transfer, instant, 244–245 picture. See photograph Web site support, 161, 162 Picture Services feature, 226–228 withdrawal, 250, 251, 255 Pitney Bowes ClickStamp postage printing payroll processing, 288, 300, 303, 306 service, 318–319 PCGA (Promotional Glass Collectors plain old telephone service (POTS), 22 Association) Web site, 153 plants, selling, 87 PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), police 154, 155 buyer, reporting to, 100 PCI Coin Grading Service, 155 eBay cooperation with, 90 personal information selling police-related merchandise, 89 importance of introducing yourself, 233 stolen merchandise auction, 131 My eBay page Personal Information policy area, 70 bid shielding, 94 selling, 86 bonus, offering, 52, 86 pesticide, selling, 89 choice auction, 51 phishing, 97 drop-down box, 90 photograph duplicate auction, 51–52 background, 222, 223 fee avoidance, 93 camera, digital, 215–217 giveaway, offering, 52 clothing, 16, 219–220 keyword spamming, 53, 88, 89–90 Cloud Dome, 218, 222 linking, 50, 53, 55 cropping, 208, 228 listing policy, 51–53 description area, in, 229 payment, refusing to accept from winning display stand, 220–221 bidder, 93 editing software, 224–225 PayPal Seller Protection policy, 251 31_569244 bindex.qxd 8/18/04 12:42 PM Page 378

378 Starting an eBay Business For Dummies, 2nd Edition

policy (continued) privacy potentially infringing item, 89–91 domain registration information, 170 privacy, 24, 85 policy, 24, 85 prize, offering, 52 private auction, 39, 43 prohibited item, 86–87 prize policy, 52 questionable item, 87–89 processor (transaction clearinghouse), 257 Second Chance feature, 33, 50 product line, choosing, 13–18 store, online, 110, 117, 118 Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), text, hidden, 90 154, 155 trading violation, 91–96, 98–99 Professional Sports Authenticator postage (PSA), 155 meters, selling, 87 profiling buyer, 146 printing using Web-based service, 271, prohibited item policy, 86–87 318–320, 323–324 promotion freebie, selling, 133 Postal Service. See USPS (United States Promotional Glass Collectors Association Postal Service) (PCGA) Web site, 153 posters, selling, 46, 153 Propertybureau.com Web site, 131 potentially infringing item policy, 89–91 proprietorship, sole, 280–281 POTS (plain old telephone service), 22 provenance, 354 PowerSeller, 12, 79–80 proxy bidding, 44–45, 94 Preferences area, 57, 70–71 PSA (Professional Sports Preferred Solution Provider, 190 Authenticator), 155 pre-sale listing, 52, 89 Purchase Protection program, 32, 51 prescription devices, selling, 87 PreservationPublishing (eBay seller), 338–339 • Q • price of item, determining. See value of questionable item policy, 87–89 item, determining QuickBooks software printing invoice, 194 balance display, 297 printing label chart of accounts, 301–306 automating, 187 Company preferences tab, 301 ChannelAdvisor, 191 cost, 296, 307 DAZzle, 320 EasyStep Interview feature, 298–301 Endicia.com, 320 introduced, 26 FedEx, 267 inventory processing, 182, 303 Items I’ve Sold page, from, 67 online service, 307 Meridian, 193 PayPal, integration with, 305, 307 PayPal, 321, 322 payroll processing, 300, 303, 306 printer, 318 Pro version, 296–298 Seller’s Assistant, 196 register, 354 Selling Manager, 194 reporting, 297 Stamps.com, 323 sales tax processing, 299, 303 UPS, 268 QuickBooks 2004 For Dummies printing postage using Web-based service, (Nelson), 297, 301 271, 318–320, 323–324 quotation marks (“ ”) search Priority eSupport PowerSeller service, 80 delimiters, 148 31_569244 bindex.qxd 8/18/04 12:42 PM Page 379

Index 379

Salvation Army, acquiring merchandise at, • R • 132–133 random charge credit card check, 255 Sam’s Club, acquiring merchandise at, 127 ReadyHosting.com Web site hosting, satellite descramblers, selling, 87 163–164 scanning photograph, 224 real estate, selling, 19, 35–37, 212 SCG (Sportscard Guarantee), 155 recalled merchandise, selling, 87 scheduling unattended listing, 184, 196, 211 record-keeping. See bookkeeping seamless (photography background), 222 records, selling vinyl, 152 searching redundancy, 162 article, avoiding, 147 refrigerant, selling, 88 auctions, completed, 44, 150, 200 Related Links box, 59 Basic Search Options page, 149–150 relisting item, 11, 67, 183 case sensitivity, 147 report, generating, 187, 192, 193, 196, 297 category, 147 reporting combining words, 148 bidder, underage, 98–99 Compare Items feature, 182 e-mail, fraudulent, 97 conjunction, avoiding, 147 illegal item, seller offering, 99 e-mailing search result, 69 NFIC, fraudulent activity to, 100 engine, eBay, 31 police, buyer to, 100 engine, Internet, 172–173 trading violation, 91, 95–96, 100, 104–105 excluding word, 148 Request to Provide (RTP) form, 274 favorite searching, 68–69 resale certificate (sales tax), 134, 139, 287 listing, new, 68–69 resale store, acquiring merchandise at, location, limiting by, 149 132–133 More Search Options page, 200 reselling item bought on eBay, 64, 69, payment option, limiting by, 149 139–141, 345–346 photograph display in search result, 149 reserve price auction, 33, 40–42, 74, phrase, 148 210–211 quantity, limiting by, 149 responsible consumerism, 83 seller, limiting by, 151 restricted access auction, 39, 42 sorting search result, 149 returns spelling variation, 148 acquiring merchandise via buying, store, online, 118, 119, 121 134–135 syntax, 146, 148 store, online, 118 Titles and Descriptions option, 147 Review Payments page, 121 trademark, 168 riser (photography prop), 220 value of item, determining via, 44, Road Runner Web site hosting, 159, 160 150–151 rock and roll memorabilia, selling, 154 wholesale merchandise, for, 139–140 router, 359 wild card, 148 RTP (Request to Provide) form, 274 seasonal merchandise, acquiring, 125, 135 Second Chance feature, 33, 50, 67 Secure Electronic Transactions (SET), 249 • S • securities, selling, 87 Security Center area, 100, 104–105 sales tax, 118, 134, 287–288, 299, 303 seeds, selling, 87 SallyJo (eBay seller), 339–340 self discipline, 10 salvage merchandise, acquiring, 134, 135 Sell Similar feature, 11, 183–184 salvagecloseouts.com Web site, 135 31_569244 bindex.qxd 8/18/04 12:42 PM Page 380

380 Starting an eBay Business For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Sell your item page, 30–31, 183, 227, Small Business/Self-Employed 229–230 Web site, 292 Sellathon ViewTracker service, 185 Smith, Marjie (eBay seller), 327–329 seller feedback, 24 sniping, 354 Seller’s Assistant software, 189, 195–196 sole proprietorship, 280–281 Selling Manager feature, 65, 80, 189, 194 Sony Mavica camera, 216 Selling-Related Links box, 60 Sothebys Web site, 153 seminar series, 81 spam SET (Secure Electronic Transactions), 249 e-mail, 135 seven-day auction, 46 keyword spamming, 53, 88, 89–90 7-Eleven money order, 240 SpareDollar.com Web site, 189 Severance, Sally (eBay seller), 339–340 specializing in specific category, 14, 145 shelf-pull merchandise, acquiring, 135 spelling, 46, 148 shelving, 310 spider, Internet search engine, 172 Shields Up software, 366 SpoonFeeder software/Web site, 189, 193 shill bidding, 92 sport merchandise, selling Shippertools.com Web site, 272–273 collectibles, 153, 155, 332–333 shipping. See also printing label; specific equipment, 16, 125 carrier Sports Collectors Digest, 153 calculator, 232 Sportscard Guarantee (SCG), 155 car, 33, 34 spreadsheet software, 26, 296 carrier, choosing, 263–264 SquareTrade dispute resolution, 76, 77, 87, check, clearing before, 80 100–104, 118 cost, 13 Stamp Collector, 153 drop-ship service, 136 stamps (postage), selling Escrow.com requirement, 246 collectible, 153, 155, 329 FOB, 137 counterfeit, 86 heavy item, 265 stamps (rubber), selling, 336–337 insurance, 80, 267, 270, 274–276, 320 Stamps.com, 323–324 limiting by location, 94, 118 Stannard, Jeff (eBay seller), 336–337 listing, including shipping quote in, 232 “Starting a Business and Keeping Records” manifest, 134 (IRS), 295 marking item shipped, 67 State Employer number, 288 notice, 237–238 statistics packaging, 13, 312–317 auction, 184–186 pallet merchandise, 137 Web site, 162 PayPal shipping service, 238, 321–323 stealing bidder, 91 QuickBooks shipping charts of accounts, stealitback.com Web site, 131 303, 304 stealth indicia service, 321 store, online, 118, 122 steamer, 220 tracking, 238, 252, 267, 270 stock, acquiring. See merchandise, Shooting Star software/Web site, 189, 193 acquiring signature, e-mail, 234 stocks (securities), selling, 87 signing out of eBay, 57 stolen property Skoll, Jeff (eBay AuctionWeb co- buying at police auction, 131 founder), 10 selling, 87 slot machines, selling, 89 storage space, 13, 27, 28, 309–311 Small Business Center Web site hosting, Store Builder feature, 115 163, 165–166, 172 31_569244 bindex.qxd 8/18/04 12:42 PM Page 381

Index 381

store, online Sellers link, 110 About the Seller page, 110, 120 Store Editing/Branding list, 115 auction, linking from, 119 Submit It! search engine submission banner, 114 service, 172–173 bidding, 119 subtitle, 121, 204–205, 211 branding, 110, 111, 167 surety bonding, 103, 245, 247 Buy It Now feature, 45, 76, 119, 208–210 surveillance equipment, selling, 87 category, choosing, 114, 118 suspension of membership, 95 color theme, 111 swap meet, liquidating merchandise at, commitment needed, 111 344–345 cost, 108, 113, 119 syntax, search, 146 creating, 111–114 System Status Announcements Board, 351 customer service, 118 description, entering keyword information in, 112 • T • exchange, 118 Tate, Ken (eBay seller), 332–333 Gallery feature, 121 tax. See also bookkeeping HTML, 117 accountant, hiring, 290 listing header, custom, 118 calendar, keeping daily, 293 logo, 118 city tax registration certificate, 284–285 naming, 109–110, 112, 113 corporation, 282–283 payment, 121 deduction, 354 policy, 110, 117, 118 EA, hiring, 290 promotion, 120 employee tax withholding, 288 refund, 118 Federal Employee Tax ID number, 288 returns, 118 income splitting, 282 sales tax, 118 LLC, 282 searching, 118, 119, 121 partnership-run business, 281 Seller’s hub, 110–111 QuickBooks tax charts of account, 306 shipping, 118, 122 sales tax, 118, 134, 287–288, 299, 303 sorting, 115 sole proprietorship, 280 SquareTrade membership, 118 State Employer number, 288 template, 117 supporting information, 293–294 title features, optional, 121 1099 form, 351 transaction, 121–122 W-9 form, 355 vacation, closing for, 111 Tax Information for Business Web site, 294 Web site, using in conjunction with, 110 tdwcloseouts.com Web site, 135 Storefront feature Teddy Bear Review, 153 eBay, 98 teddy bears, selling, 153 MarketWorks, 192 template, HTML, 11, 117, 192, 196 Stores page Template studio software, 196 accessing, 108 ten-day auction, 46, 211 Create New Page link, 117 terms of service (TOS), 355 cross-promotion box, 120 text gallery view, 115–116 boldface listing option, 121, 202, 206, 211 list view, 115 case sensitivity when searching, 147 Open a Store link, 111 font, 48, 53 opening page, 109 grammar, 233 Seller Manage Store link, 115 hidden, 90 31_569244 bindex.qxd 8/18/04 12:42 PM Page 382

382 Starting an eBay Business For Dummies, 2nd Edition

text (continued) removing completed, 63 punctuation, 233 security, 26 size, 232 split, 354 spelling, 46, 148 store, online, 121–122 writing auction description, 112, VeriSign transaction processing, 76, 213–214, 232 260–261 30-day Federal Trade Commission rule, 52 travel packages, selling, 87 three-day auction, 45 Treasury Department property thrift store, acquiring merchandise at, auction, 131 132–133 Tuesday Morning, acquiring merchandise tickets, selling at, 127 event tickets, 88 Turbo Lister software, 11, 80, 184, 197 lottery tickets, 86 TV descramblers, selling, 87 travel tickets, 87 24-hour auction, 46 timing, 45–47 TipLink buttons, 49–50 title, auction, 62 • U • tobacco, selling, 87 United Parcel Service (UPS), 264, 268–270, TOPHOSTS.COM Web site, 163 274, 275 TOS (terms of service), 355 United States Postal Service. See USPS toys, selling Universal Resource Locator (URL), 158 acquiring merchandise, 129 University, eBay, 81, 201 action figures, 17, 132, 152 unwelcome bidder, 94–95 category, 30 U-PIC (Universal Parcel Insurance dolls, 40, 129, 152 Coverage), 274–276, 320 introduced, 17–18 uploader, 178, 184. See also FTP (File teddy bears, 153 Transfer Protocol) tracking UPS (United Parcel Service), 264, 268–270, bidding, 60–61, 64–65 274, 275 buyer, 187 uptime, 161 shipping, 238, 252, 267, 270 URL (Universal Resource Locator), 158, 169 trademark User Agreement, 51, 85, 279 searching, 168 user ID usage, improper, 90, 91 changing, 24, 70, 76 Web site name, 168 choosing, 22–23 TrademarkSearchForFree.com multiple, having, 57 Web site, 168 store name, using as, 109 Trading Assistant seller, 142 transferring to third party, 279 transaction USPS (United States Postal Service) bonding, 103, 245, 247 API, 271 B2B, 139 auction, lost package, 131 contacting buyer, 100 Click-N-Ship, 271, 318 feedback, 78 cost, 264, 271, 273, 275, 317 interception, 93 delivery confirmation, 272–273, 318, 320 interference, 92 IBI, 317 processor, 257 31_569244 bindex.qxd 8/18/04 12:42 PM Page 383

Index 383

insurance, 80, 274, 275 Vendio Web site, 189 Media Mail, 264, 271, 318 vendor, linking to third-party, 53 money order, 240–241 VeriSign transaction processing, package pick up, 319 76, 260–261 packaging supplies, 316–317 VeRO (Verified Rights Owners) program, 90 Parcel Post, 264, 271 VHS tapes, selling, 48 postage, printing using Web-based view counter, 206–207 service, 271, 318–320, 323–324 ViewTracker service, 185 Priority Mail, 264, 271, 272, 316–317, 320 VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), 33 rate calculator, 270 virus protection, 366 selling on eBay by, 30 visitor volume, eBay total, 108 vehicle, buying from, 131 vitamins, selling, 280–281 Web site, 270 • W • • V • watching item, 63–64 vacation weapons, selling, 86, 89 closing online store for, 111 Web Easy 5 software, 159 selling vacation package, 87 Web site value of item, determining backing up, 162 action figure, 152 banner advertising, 166, 170–172 Amazon auction result, via checking, 151 cost, 162, 163, 167, 169, 186 antique, 152 data transfer limit, 162 appraisal, online, 154 domain, 168–170 autograph, 152 hosting, 159, 161–167, 172, 186 CD, 152 importance of, 157–158 coin, 152, 154, 155 keyword, assigning, 172 collectible, 145, 152–153 linking to eBay auction from external competitor auction, via checking, 151 site, 47–49 consignment clinic, 154 linking to external site from eBay auction, currency considerations, 145 27, 50, 53, 55 doll, 152 marketing, 166, 170–173 market fluctuation, 145 meta tag, 172 profiling buyer, 146 music, background, 182 record, vinyl, 152 naming, 167–168 reference resource overview, 152–154 online store, using in conjunction searching eBay, via, 44, 150–151 with, 110 sport-related merchandise, 155 PayPal support, 161, 162 stamp, 153 redundancy, 162 teddy bear, 153 search engine, submitting to, 172–173 Yahoo! auction result, via checking, 151 shopping cart support, 162 values, community, 83–84 space, free, 158–161 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), 33 space, paid, 161–167 Vehicle Purchase Protection program, 32 statistics, 162 vehicles, selling, 31–34, 131, 212 technical support, 162 31_569244 bindex.qxd 8/18/04 12:42 PM Page 384

384 Starting an eBay Business For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Web site (continued) trademarking name, 168 • Y • transferring files, 160–161 Yahoo! uptime, 161 auction result, checking to determine URL, 158 item value, 151 winner notification e-mail, including Web Express feature, 173 site offer in, 236 PayDirect service, 245, 255–256 Webhostdirectory Web site, 163 search engine, 173 weekend browsing, 46 store, online, 108 Western Union money order, 240, 241–242 Web site hosting, 159, 163, 166–167, 172 WHOIS database, 170 Yellow Pages, 152 Wholesale Central Web site, 135 youreallycan.com Web site, 167 wholesale merchandise, acquiring, 138–140, 143 wildlife products, selling, 86 • Z • wire-fraud statute, Federal, 92 ZoneAlarm software, 366 withholding form, tax, 288 Zoovy.com Web site, 189, 190 W-9 form, 355 workshop, online, 81 WorldNet Web site hosting, 159 Writing Business Letters For Dummies (Lindsell-Roberts), 233