Can You Always Trust Feedback?

Feedback is something all eBayers are familiar with. But as Danna Crawford writes at Practical eCommerce, feedback comes in many forms and not all of it is to be trusted.

One example of feedback that is not to be trusted, I have personally experienced. It involves a condo at the beach that I own and rent out. It is in a building at the beach that has dozens of condos. It is a very nice building with two pools, a spa, barbecue deck, and many other amenities.

Several years ago some people rented one of the condos. These people apparantly had no respect of rules. Rules like no running by the pool, no glass bottles in the pool area, no public drunkeness, no disturbing other guests... all meant to help everyone there have a safe and enjoyable stay. These people repeatedly broke these rules and were given numerous warnings to no avail. Finally, one night the police had to be called because other guests' safety was at risk. The people causing all this ruckus were finally asked to leave.

Within a few weeks some slanderous comments were left on a public website that asks for evaluations of vacation stays at various beach hotels, motels, and other rental properties. Year after year those same or similar comments were left. All were similar enough that any intelligent person could only conclude that they were left by the same person or group.

This is just one example of how reputations can be ruined or hurt by anger and bitterness through no fault of the 'seller'. The lesson here is that whenever you are reading feedback, whether it is concerning another eBayer or in any other form, take it with a grain of salt, as they say. Remember, when people are happy or satisfied, they often don't leave feedback, except on eBay. For more, read Danna Crawford's post.

Dr. eBay

Books, Product Sourcing #1

When I teach people how to sell and make money on eBay the most common question is, "What should I sell?" One answer I give is, "Sell what you know." Do you have a hobby, a job, a passion, a pastime, or love of something? This is something to ponder and out of that you may come up with the answer to the first question. This begins a series of posts on the subject of sourcing, i.e. finding sources for the items that you sell.

When I first had someone tell me to sell what I know, my immediate thought was that there wasn't anything in my hobbies or jobs that I could connect with a product to sell on eBay. Later I did think of one or two things, but I felt no passion for them. Some years later I read something about selling books on eBay and I realized I love books. I've had a passion for books and have collected books for years.

After thinking about and researching this new potential eBay product for a few weeks, I decided that books made sense for me. New books are available in dollar stores, and at clearance sales in book stores, supermarkets, and elsewhere. Are there sources for books where one can make a decent profit margin? Of course! Used books are available at yard sales and estate sales as well as public library book sales.

I did further research and read some papers and books on the subject to learn the ropes of sourcing, choosing, pricing, & shipping. So now I sell mostly used books on eBay, on Half.com, and on Amazon. I don't get rich selling used books, but it is only one of my income streams. The people who can succeed selling one product are few and far between today.

So what is your passion? Tell us a little by leaving a comment.

Dr. eBay

Is Your Online Business Full of Drama?

As an online business owner, be it on eBay or another online selling venue, if your daily business life is full of drama it will undermine everything else you do in that business. Sometimes it can be very difficult to remain positive. In the past year and a half, many successful sellers on eBay have gotten sidetracked by negative reactions to changes eBay Inc. made to the rules of selling and buying on the site. No matter what or where your business is, remaining positive can be difficult when someone keeps changing the rules.

Our friend Danna Crawford has created a new blog called Run Drama, Run. It's aim is to help us all leave the drama behind and keep positive in our business and our private life as well. I urge you to check it often to help keep the drama away.

Ken
Dr. eBay

Google Announces New eBook Platform

Google announced yesterday that they will begin selling eBooks this summer. They have created a new platform that will allow readers to load ebooks onto various devices, according to a news story on MercuryNews.com.

Do you have an eBook in the works or already being sold? This may be worth watching.

Auction Progress Every Place I Sell

Auction Progress Every Place I Sell