Customer Reviews

eBay: The Missing Manual

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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I purchased this book only a week ago and it has already helped me to acquire an in-demand item from eBay at the right price! It has MUCH more information than other books on eBay I've read and even Help on the eBay site itself--the thoroughness of this author is going to help any eBayer who buys this book. It's an eBay encyclopedia but written as concisely and readably as the manual that it is. Every section introduced me to facts and tips I didn't know, such as how to "shadow" another bidder, and where to sell consulting services online. And there are a lot of "Bewares" for both buyers and sellers that really help (for instance, what feedback percentage ratings to be wary of). This book was the closest I got to the vast mechanism that is eBay. BUY THIS BOOK!!!--you'll be glad you did!!!

If there was one book I would suggest to anyone venturing into the waters of eBay, it'd end up being this one... eBay: The Missing Manual by Nancy Conner. This one covers it all.

Contents:
Part 1 - Buying on eBay: Ready, Set, Shop!; Bidding, Paying, and Following Up; Finding - and Getting - Bargains; Power Buying Strategies
Part 2 - Selling on eBay: Sell Stuff, Make Money; Honing Your Competitive Edge; Going from Hobby to Business; Specialty Selling; Cool Tools for Sellers
Part 3 - Finding Other eBayers and Getting Help; Finding Help
Part 4 - Appendixes: Where to Learn More; HTML for eBayers; Other Auction Sites; Index

Like all other eBay books, this one covers how to buy and sell on eBay. The writing's good, but there'd be nothing special if it stopped there. Where this book earns its keep is when it goes into areas I haven't seen covered in any other book. I've never seen a book go into any detail on other resources to learn about eBay, such as call-in internet radio shows and newsletters. I've never seen a book cover HTML in a small number of pages in order to allow the seller to create better auction pages. There's good coverage on third-party sites that give you more information on how to best price your auctions. There's even material on how to evolve from buying and selling as a hobby to running a business based on eBay. Package all this up with clear writing and numerous screen shots, and you really *have* found the missing eBay manual.

To paraphrase eBay's latest ad campaign... "Whatever you're looking for, you'll find *it* in eBay: The Missing Manual"...

I've read many eBay books, and this is by far the best on the market. It's more than comprehensive, it's amazing. Covers everything from the basics of buying items to what the best tools are for sniping all the way through what type of corporation is best for you if you want to sell items on eBay. Not only is eBay covered in more depth and better than in any other book out there, but similar sites and dozens of eBay tools, competitors, and add-on sites are also covered. All you need is here, and I'm not kidding. First rate. BUY THIS BOOK, YOU WON'T REGRET IT!!!

This is an excellent walkthrough of the basic features, along with some pro tips, for both the buying and selling aspects of eBay. There is more on the selling aspects, but that's only natural since there is more to do there. The writing is good. The screen shots demonstrate the points but aren't overused. And the author genuinely seems to know what she is talking about.

eBay doesn't come with a manual, and the online help feature that eBay provides is inadequate and hard to navigate--sometimes you can't even find your way back to a page that you know exists.

Enter Nancy Conner and O'Reilly Books with the latest in the "Missing Manual" series. If you are new to eBay, or know someone who would like to get started, the decision is simple: Buy the book. For the beginning to advanced eBay user, this is a very good introductory tutorial and reference. Most advanced users will not have the depth of knowledge in all areas that is available here, so for anyone wanting to become more proficient in using eBay, this book is also highly recommended.

A lay-flat binding lets the reader keep the book open on the desktop for easy reference, and the profusion of screen shots and sidebars for important points are well organized. The beginner can use this book as an introduction to eBay, and the experienced user can find useful tips and techniques that are well worth the modest price.

The two major parts of the book cover the fundamental yin and yang of eBay activities: Buying and Selling. Each activity is explained from the foundation up, with the how and why of each detail and its importance to the whole clearly explained. Even if your only interest in eBay is to buy, the section on Selling will explain why sellers do certain things and what the concerns are from their side of the transaction--both important insights.

Two additional smaller sections deal with discussion boards and other resources useful to eBay users both on and off the site, and an appendix containing short chapters on Where To Learn More, HTML, and Other Auction Sites.

One interesting feature of this and other O'Reilly books is a code that gives the buyer access to the online edition free for 45 days. If you're going to be traveling, you can leave the book at home and download some chapters to read.

Since eBay is constantly changing, it presents a moving target, so one hopes that this first effort will be kept current with future releases. If they do, some of the weaker areas can be improved, too. Information on fees is sketchy in several areas, most particularly the eBay Stores section, which needs more depth across the board. Likewise, PayPal needs more than a few pages. And although the Appendix on HTML might be useful for beginners, it should be omitted in favor of URL's to some of the excellent online tutorials, freeing up the pages for a larger index and a glossary instead. eBay is heavy with jargon, and terms like phish, NARU, and pink slap should be easy for the beginner to find.

Best book I have read about eBay. Very comprehensive, detailed and well written. Hard work went into producing this book.
It is both for beginners and beyond.

This is a great starter book for anyone curious about buying or selling on eBay. My only issue is that the book could probably use a refreshing. eBay is a very dynamic property and this book was probably written at least a year ago.

I started using ebay way back in 1998, originally just buying but then I started selling. I am amazed by how much Nancy Conner covers in this book that I didn't know about ebay. Her writing style is great. She explains things very well. I've looked at a lot of other ebay books and this is by far the best I've read. I would recommend it to people looking to buy or sell on ebay.

Great book in explaining all the aspects of safe buying and selling items on eBay!!! It has helped us enormously.

Are you one of the millions of people who buy and sell on eBay? If you are, then this book is for you! Author Nancy Conner, has written an outstanding book that will help you get to the site, get registered, and get going.

Conner, begins by showing you everything you need to get going on eBay. Then, she shows you how to bid on eBay auctions with confidence. The author continues by showing you how to search better than the competition and bid smarter. In addition, she then shares other secrets serious shoppers use to prevail on eBay. The author also introduces eBay tips and tricks. Then, the author shows you how to hone in on your strategy for a competitive edge. Next, she shows you how to turn your eBay hobby into a part- or full-time business. Next, the author shows you how to get in on the action and create a sales niche within eBay's specialty auctions. Then, she briefly describes the software that you can use on eBay. The author continues by presenting general and specialized discussion groups, both on and off eBay, that will help you make satisfying connections. Finally, she covers a Learning Center just for newbies, a Help page, interactive help via live chat or e-mail, a centralized Services page, a site map, discussion boards, and more.

After reading this excellent book, you'll be using eBay like an old pro. In other words, this book was will help you ramp up your eBay experience--find more bargains, build better auctions, and close more sales.