Online Auctions at eBay, Bid with Confidence, Sell with Success [Paperback]

Dennis L. Prince (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 14, 1999

Bid with Confidence is designed to familiarize Internet users with the phenomenally successful online auctions. Defined as the world's leading person-to-person online trading community, eBay has soared above all others to become the single most successful online auction and the third most visited Web site. Millions of Internet users are flocking to the site to buy and sell, but many lack the knowledge, experience, and savvy to participate in auctions or conduct their own auctions with confidence. This book introduces you to eBay and its features, including how to find items within eBay's extensive listings, how to research items and place bids, and how to employ techniques that increase success in winning the auction. You will learn how to create your own auction listings, from simple text to more creative and eye-catching HTML designs. You will also discover the best methods to track an auction, finalize deals, send or receive payment, and exchange merchandise. Plus you'll learn tips about good customer service, electronic etiquette, fair methods, and how to build trust in cyberspace. With this essential eBay guide, you will quickly learn how to achieve the most successful and enjoyable online auction experience.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dennis L. Prince is a business professional with a background in technical (computer) applications and corporate procurement principles. As a longtime online auction enthusiast, analyst, and advocate, he has studied the growth and potential of Internet auctioning as well as other forms of e-commerce since 1996. He has authored many successful books including Online Auctions @ eBay, 2nd Edition (September 1999, 0761524142) and Starting Your Online Auction Business (December 2000, 0761523162), both published by Prima-Tech/Premier Press Books and recognized by AuctionWatch as one of the "Top 10 Online Auction Movers and Shakers." Acclaimed for his commitment to promoting better understanding and execution in online selling, he has regularly contributed to a variety of noted Internet and auction service sites as AuctionWatch, Auctiva, Krause, Collector Online and ZDNet. He has been featured in the nationally distributed Access Magazine (2000) and Entrepreneur Magazine (2003) and has been featured on highly rated television and radio programs such as TechTV and C/Net Radio with Alex Bennett. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Premier (April 14, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761520708
• ISBN-13: 978-0761520702
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,865,933 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for beginners, but lacks material for seasoned eBayers, October 11, 1999

By 

Christopher Berger (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Online Auctions at eBay, 2nd Edition: Bid with Confidence, Sell with Success (Miscellaneous) (Paperback)

First off, this book is very well written. He has accomplished the difficult; making a computer book that's enjoyable to read. If I were new to eBay or to the online auction arena, I can see where this would help me. Dennis explains the entire process from A to Z.

Now for the downside. I sell daily at eBay, and I was hoping to gain a little more in depth information, ie. best times to post, credit cards, taxes, listing strategies, handling deadbeat bidders, etc. Based on the earlier reviews, this book was supposed to be beneficial to even the most advanced of eBay users. I did not find that to be the case.

All in all the book was worth the money. If you are new to eBay, then this is a MUST HAVE. I will hand it off to my father, as he is new to eBay and this should be right up his alley.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars If You've Sold On Ebay, This Isn't For You!, July 20, 2001

By 

Dawnee "-dd-" (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Online Auctions at eBay, 2nd Edition: Bid with Confidence, Sell with Success (Miscellaneous) (Paperback)

I was truly dissapointed in this book. As an Ebay seller with a feedback of over 400, I wanted to find a book that would help me increase my sales and give me some great ideas and resources.

Not only was there no new information in there, it was information that anyone who did any research on their would have already found using the internet and Ebay itself.

Out of all the reviews of all the books about Auctions out there, this one looked like the best for people who were already using Ebay. It's not.

If you're 100% new to Ebay and you don't have time to do a lot of research on your own, it's a great reference. Otherwise, I'd suggest putting the money this book costs into your piggy bank.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for any Ebay-sian wanna-be!, July 12, 2000

By 

Soozie4Him (Chicago suburbs) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Online Auctions at eBay, 2nd Edition: Bid with Confidence, Sell with Success (Miscellaneous) (Paperback)

I had been on Ebay for a few months when I read this book, and I have a feedback rating of 36. Some people said that this book is only for the people who are very new at Ebay. I disagree!

Dennis Prince does an OUTSTANDING job of explaining Ebay to people at all different places on the learning curve. The book is entertaining, captivating, and so very informative! His humorous style makes it a real pleasure to read.

I knew a fair amount of what Dennis has to say in the book, but I learned quite a bit too. He covers MANY different situations and tells them how to handle them. He deals with etiquette the eBay way and you will feel comfortable hopping right into the eBay auction scene after reading this book!

He covers bidding, selling (including how to research your item so you know what to charge for it), how to win if it's something you REALLY want to have, and much much more. He also covers in detail how to pack things safely and where to get materials, etc.

Dennis also covers how to take pictures of your items and get them on your item listing page.