book

eBay Hacks, 2nd Edition

by David A. Karp

June 2005

Beginner

463 pages

14h 19m

English

O'Reilly Media, Inc.

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This is Spinal Tap.The Simpsons (episode BABF22).Spider-Man 2.

Recent web browser.Email account.Email application.Control over your spam filter.The ability to tilt your head to the left.A digital camera.A credit card.Fun.
HTMLJavaScriptPerl
Hacks for AllHacks for BuyersHacks for SellersHacks for Developers
1.1.1. Leaving Feedback1.1.1.1. Positive.1.1.1.2. Negative.1.1.1.3. Neutral.
1.2.1. Digging Deeper1.2.2. Search for Specific Comments1.2.3. Distill Negative and Neutral Comments1.2.4. See Also
1.3.1. Feedback for Multiple Auctions1.3.2. Right-Click-o-Rama1.3.3. Feedback for International Users1.3.4.
1.4.1.1.4.1.1. A buyer’s expectations weren’t met.1.4.1.2. Deadbeat bidder.1.4.1.3. Communication breakdown.1.4.1.4. Retaliation.1.4.2. Etiquette and Netiquette1.4.3.
1.6.1. First Reply to Feedback1.6.2. Follow Up to Feedback1.6.2.1. Damage control.1.6.2.2. Correct a mistake.1.6.2.3. Continue the conversation.
1.7.1. Who Goes First1.7.2. If There’s Doubt1.7.3. Just in Case
1.8.1. Mutual Feedback Withdrawal1.8.2. SquareTrade
1.9.1. Newbie Buyers1.9.2. Newbie Sellers1.9.3. ID Verify1.9.4. Negative Feedback
1.10.1.1.10.1.1. Contact an eBay Member form.1.10.1.2. Use a different ISP.1.10.1.3. Look in the auction description1.10.1.4. See where the member’s photos are hosted.1.10.1.5. About Me.1.10.1.6. Modify your own photos.1.10.1.7. Piggyback on PayPal.1.10.1.8. Alternate PayPal email address.1.10.1.9. File a dispute.1.10.1.10. Additional contact information.1.10.2.
2.2.1. Excluding Unwanted Results2.2.2. Save Time and Typing with Wildcards2.2.3. Performing OR Searches2.2.4. Looking for Phrases
2.3.1. Search, Literally2.3.2. Punctuation
2.4.1. Search Within a Category2.4.2. Categorize Your Search2.4.2.1. Up.2.4.2.2. Down.2.4.2.3. Anywhere.2.4.3. Bookmark a Category2.4.4. See Also
2.5.1. Auction/Listing Pages2.5.2. Feedback/Member Profile pages2.5.3. Search Results and Category Listings2.5.4. View a Seller’s Other Items2.5.5.
2.6.1. How It Works2.6.2. Hacking the Hack
2.7.1.2.7.2.
2.8.1. The Hack2.8.2.2.8.3.2.8.4. The Greasemonkey Approach2.8.5.
2.9.1. Interpreting Condition2.9.2. Look It Up
2.10.1. View Seller’s Other Items2.10.2. Expand Your Search2.10.3. eBay Stores2.10.4. The Obvious2.10.5.
2.11.1. Expanding Your Search2.11.1.1. Within your own localization2.11.1.2. All items available to your country2.11.1.3. All items, everywhere2.11.2. Making Sure the Seller Will Ship to You2.11.3. Viewing Foreign Categories2.11.4. Excluding Foreign Items
2.12.1. Favorite Searches2.12.2. Quick and Dirty2.12.3. A Little Spit and Polish2.12.4.
2.13.1. Constructing the Robot2.13.2. The Code2.13.3.2.13.4. Running the Hack2.13.5.2.13.5.1. Search titles and descriptions.2.13.5.2. Add more information.2.13.5.3. Add gallery thumbnails.2.13.5.4. Send mail on Linux, Unix, Mac OS X2.13.5.5. Consolidate multiple searches2.13.5.6. Automatically watch new listings
2.14.1. Prevent Bidders from Shadowing You
2.15.1.2.15.1.1. Search.2.15.1.2. Bid Alerts.2.15.1.3. Watch Alerts.2.15.1.4. Outbid Alerts.2.15.1.5. Account Guard.2.15.1.6. Maybe you just like toolbars.
2.16.1.2.16.1.1. Sell something.2.16.1.2. Use your About Me page.2.16.1.3. Advertise off-eBay.
3.1.1. Proxy Bidding
3.2.1. If It Sounds Too Good to Be True…3.2.2. The Inflated Shipping Scam3.2.3. Quick to Unload?3.2.4. There’s Less Than Meets the Eye3.2.5. Hostile Takeover3.2.5.1. Private Auction.3.2.5.2. Restrictive payment methods.3.2.5.3. Unspecified or mismatched item location.3.2.5.4. Eager to sell.3.2.6. Taking Matters into Your Own Hands
3.3.1. With Seconds to Spare…3.3.2. Contingency Plans3.3.3. See Also
3.4.1. The Catch3.4.2. Put eSnipe on Your Toolbar3.4.3. Alternatives to eSnipe3.4.3.1. Bidnapper.com.3.4.3.2. JustSnipe.com.3.4.3.3. StealthBid.com.3.4.4.
3.5.1. Contingency Sniping
3.6.1. Using eBay’s Tracking Tools3.6.2. If You Want It Done Right…3.6.2.1. Limited number.3.6.2.2. No long-term history.3.6.2.3. Can’t watch closed items.3.6.2.4. No prioritization.3.6.2.5. No customization.3.6.3. The Link3.6.4. The Code3.6.5. Running the Hack3.6.6. Hacking the Hack3.6.6.1. Add some spice.3.6.6.2. Add more levels.3.6.6.3. Add more links.3.6.6.4. Add more users.3.6.6.5. Add more information.3.6.6.6. Speed things up.3.6.6.7. Customize the pop up.
3.7.1. Outbidding the High Bidder3.7.2. Taking It One Step Further
3.8.1. Start with the Obvious3.8.2. Undercut the Buy It Now Feature3.8.3. Let’s Make a Deal3.8.3.1. “Do you have a Buy It Now price for this item?”3.8.3.2. “Would you consider adding a Buy It Now price to this auction?”3.8.3.3. “Would you be willing to end the auction early for $250?”3.8.3.4. “Would you sell me the item for the current bid price?”3.8.3.5. “I’ll give you 50 bucks for it.”3.8.3.6. “What would it take to end the auction early?”3.8.3.7. By the book.3.8.3.8. Become the high bidder.3.8.3.9. Under the table.3.8.4.
3.9.1. By the Book3.9.2. Getting Help from the Seller3.9.3. Getting Out of Your Obligation
3.10.1. PayPal3.10.2. Credit Cards3.10.3. BidPay3.10.4.
3.11.1. A Little Light Math3.11.2. Let PayPal Do It
3.12.1.3.12.1.1. PayPal Balance.3.12.1.2. Instant Transfer.3.12.1.3. Credit Card.3.12.1.4. eCheck.3.12.2. Paying Without Using Your Balance
3.13.1. Let eBay Know You’re on the Road3.13.2. Send a PayPal Payment from the Road
3.14.1. View Auctions on Your Native eBay3.14.2. Enter the Babel Fish3.14.3. Paying and Shipping over Great Distances
3.15.1. A Little Knowledge Can Be Dangerous3.15.2. Excuse Me While I Take Over
3.16.1.3.16.1.1. Payment instructions.3.16.1.2. Sales tax.3.16.1.3. eBay Shipping Calculator.3.16.1.4. Ask.3.16.2. Get Transit Times3.16.3. Search for Local Listings
3.17.1. Diplomacy Tactics3.17.2. Sending Things Back3.17.2.1. Send it to the right place.3.17.2.2. Don’t dawdle.3.17.2.3. Use a tracking number.3.17.2.4. Communicate clearly.3.17.3. If All Else Fails…
3.18.1.3.18.1.1. PayPal buyer complaint.3.18.1.2. eBay Dispute Console.3.18.1.3. eBay fraud claim.3.18.1.4. Dispute the credit card charge.3.18.1.5. Squaretrade.3.18.2. Sleuthing Tools at Your Disposal3.18.2.1. Start with the obvious.3.18.2.2. Find contact information.3.18.2.3. Whois search.3.18.2.4. IP address.3.18.2.5. Google.3.18.2.6. eBay forums.
4.2.1. Investigate the Market4.2.2. The Empty Restaurant4.2.2.1. Limited appeal?4.2.2.2. Use Buy It Now.4.2.2.3. Listing fee considerations.4.2.2.4. Be a little devious.
4.3.1.4.3.1.1. Online Auction.4.3.1.2. Fixed Price.4.3.1.3. Store Inventory.4.3.1.4. Real Estate.4.3.1.5. Category.4.3.1.6. Title & Description.4.3.1.7. Pictures & Details.4.3.1.8. Payment & Shipping.4.3.1.9. Review & Submit.
4.4.1. Leveraging Dutch Auctions4.4.2. Multiple Listings of Identical Items4.4.2.1. Spread it around.4.4.2.2. Use shorter durations.4.4.2.3. Add some variety.4.4.2.4. Make it someone else’s problem.4.4.3. See Also
4.5.1.4.5.1.1. No guesswork.4.5.1.2. Limited appeal.4.5.1.3. Artificial ranking.4.5.1.4. Buy It Now preservation.
4.6.1. Statistics and Research4.6.2. Off-Site Research4.6.3. Upgrade Analysis4.6.3.1. Buy It Now.4.6.3.2. Gallery.4.6.3.3. 10-Day Listing.4.6.3.4. Subtitle4.6.3.5. Additional Pictures.4.6.3.6. List in Two Categories.4.6.3.7. Scheduled Listings.4.6.3.8. Bold.4.6.3.9. Picture Show.4.6.3.10. Supersize Picture.4.6.3.11. Gift Services.4.6.3.12. Reserve Price.4.6.3.13. Picture Pack4.6.3.14. Listing Designer.4.6.3.15. Border.4.6.3.16. Highlight.4.6.3.17. Featured Plus!4.6.3.18. Gallery Featured.4.6.3.19. Home Page Featured.4.6.4.
4.7.1. Title Don’ts4.7.2. Make Space with a Subtitle4.7.3. The Description4.7.4. Item Specifics
4.8.1. Choosing a Duration4.8.2. The Best Day to End Your Listing4.8.2.1. Sunday.4.8.2.2. Monday.4.8.2.3. Wednesday.4.8.3. Choosing a Start Time4.8.4. A Little Research Goes a Long Way4.8.4.1. Successful Listing Duration Lengths4.8.4.2. Hourly Analysis4.8.4.3. Search Trends tab.
4.9.1. Where Is an Item?4.9.2. Count Traffic4.9.3. Analyze Your Own Traffic4.9.4. Watch the Watchers
4.10.1.4.10.1.1. How new is it?4.10.1.2. Is it used?4.10.1.3. How used is it?4.10.1.4. Where has it been?4.10.1.5. Is it broken?4.10.1.6. If it’s dirty, clean it4.10.1.7. Smoker?4.10.1.8. Measuring tapes are cheap and plentiful4.10.1.9. NWT, MIB4.10.1.10. Focus, please?4.10.1.11. Don’t say “the photo says it all.”4.10.1.12. Be clear4.10.1.13. Be nice
4.11.1. A Case in Point4.11.2. Why Bother?
4.12.1. Rapid HTML Primer4.12.2. HTML Quick Reference4.12.3. Images4.12.4. Links4.12.5. Tables
4.13.1. Fixing Broken Images4.13.2. Unclogging Microsoft Pages
4.14.1. Getting into the Heads of Your Customers4.14.2. The Solution4.14.3. Jump to the Description
4.16.1. The Table4.16.2. The Images4.16.3. Putting It Together
4.17.1. Override Other Sellers’ Hacks4.17.2.
4.18.1. Video Killed the Radio Star4.18.2. Some Call It Elevator Music
4.19.1. eBay’s Calculated Shipping4.19.2. Third-Party Shipping Calculators4.19.2.1. Zonalyzer.4.19.2.2. Paid ShipCalc.4.19.2.3. ShipScript.4.19.2.4. FreightQuote.4.19.2.5. .netShip.4.19.3. Pre-Filling Calculator Forms
4.20.1. Specific Product Links4.20.2. Cross-Promotion4.20.2.1. eBay Stores.4.20.2.2. Checkout.4.20.3. Java-Based Galleries4.20.4. Advertise Your Listings Elsewhere
4.21.1. The Code4.21.2. Hacking the Hack4.21.2.1. Custom table.4.21.2.2. Right-justify4.21.2.3. Open in a new window.4.21.2.4. Enable descriptions by default.4.21.2.5. Default search
4.22.1.4.22.2.
4.23.1. Just Say No to Templates4.23.2. Referencing the About Me Page
4.24.1. Checkout Options4.24.1.1. Use Checkout.4.24.1.2. Offer PayPal as a payment method in all my listings.4.24.1.3. Tell buyers that I prefer PayPal payments4.24.1.4. Show my buyers low monthly payments.4.24.1.5. Include my items when buyers pay all their sellers at once.4.24.1.6. Allow buyer to edit total.4.24.1.7. Payment Address.4.24.1.8. UPS Shipping Rates.4.24.2. Disabling PayPal4.24.3. Other Settings That Affect Checkout4.24.3.1. Buyers in countries to which I don’t ship.4.24.3.2. Buyers with a negative feedback score.4.24.3.3. Buyers with Unpaid Item strikes.4.24.3.4. Buyers without a PayPal account.4.24.4. Payment Instructions
4.25.1. Sneaking in Changes4.25.1.1. Photos4.25.1.2. Text.4.25.1.3. About Me.4.25.1.4. Answer questions.4.25.2. Ending Your Listing in the Last 12 Hours
4.26.1.4.26.1.1. Forget it.4.26.1.2. Cancel bids.4.26.1.3. Wink, wink.4.26.1.4. Second Listing.4.26.1.5. Best Offer.
4.27.1.4.27.1.1. Revise the description.4.27.1.2. Respond publicly.4.27.1.3. Respond privately.
4.28.1. An Ounce of Prevention4.28.2. Being Proactive Behind the Scenes4.28.3. Canceling Bids and Blocking Bidders
4.29.1.4.29.1.1. Beware bidders offering to overpay.4.29.1.2. Hello seller.4.29.1.3. It arrived damaged, did it?4.29.2. Check Out Your Customers
5.2.1. Background5.2.2. Composition5.2.3. Photographing Collections5.2.4. Lighting
5.3.1.5.3.1.1. Distance from the object.5.3.1.2. Focal length.5.3.1.3. Aperture.5.3.1.4. Extension tube.
5.4.1. Backdrop5.4.1.1. Jewelry.5.4.1.2. Dolls.5.4.1.3. Electronics.5.4.1.4. Toys.5.4.1.5. Clothing.5.4.2.5.4.3. The Whole Megillah
5.5.1.5.5.1.1. Digital camera.5.5.1.2. Video-conferencing camera.5.5.1.3. Film camera.5.5.2. Downloading Images into Your PC5.5.3. Preparing Images for eBay5.5.4. Image File Formats5.5.4.1. GIF.5.5.4.2. BMP.5.5.4.3. TIF (or TIFF).5.5.4.4. PNG.
5.6.1. Image Editors5.6.1.1. Adobe Photoshop (www.adobe.com).5.6.1.2. Adobe Photoshop Elements (www.adobe.com).5.6.1.3. Jasc Paint Shop Pro (www.jasc.com).5.6.1.4. The Gimp (mmmaybe.gimp.org).5.6.1.5. VicMan’s Photo Editor (vicman.net/vcwphoto).5.6.1.6. IrfanView (www.irfanview.com).5.6.1.7. iPhoto and MS Paint.5.6.2. Tools5.6.2.1. Crop.5.6.2.2. Clone tool.5.6.2.3. Skew, Distort, and Perspective tools.5.6.2.4. Drop shadows.5.6.2.5. Auto levels.
5.7.1. Protecting Your Image5.7.2. Disabling Right-Click5.7.3. Other Ways to Protect Your Copyright5.7.3.1. Take ‘em down.5.7.3.2. CopySafe Pro.5.7.3.3. Watermark.5.7.4. Reporting Image Thieves
5.8.1.5.8.1.1. More photos.5.8.1.2. Larger photos.5.8.1.3. More photos at once.5.8.1.4. Better quality photos.5.8.1.5. Different shape photos.5.8.1.6. More flexible photos.5.8.1.7. Photos that can be changed.5.8.1.8. Photos that can be recycled.5.8.1.9. Photos that aren’t necessarily photos.5.8.2. Sending Photos to the Server5.8.3. Filename Requirements5.8.4. Placing Photos in Your Listings5.8.5. The Preview Photo
5.9.1. Preparing the Images5.9.2. Putting Thumbnails in Your Listings5.9.3. Hacking the Hack5.9.3.1. Pop-up windows.5.9.3.2. No windows.5.9.3.3. Custom borders.5.9.3.4. Whitespace.5.9.3.5. Window dressing.
5.10.1. The Code5.10.2. Running the Hack5.10.3. How It Works5.10.4.5.10.4.1. Make it fool-proof.5.10.4.2. Title the window.
5.11.1.5.11.2.
5.12.1. Taking the Photos5.12.1.1. Stationary camera.5.12.1.2. Stationary object.5.12.2.5.12.3.5.12.4.5.12.5.
5.13.1. Photoshop Shortcuts
6.2.1. My eBay6.2.1.1. Dollar sign.6.2.1.2. Box.6.2.1.3. Star.6.2.1.4. Bubble.6.2.2. Building the Tracking System6.2.3. How to Use It6.2.4. Automation
6.3.1.6.3.1.1. Thanks.6.3.1.2. Shipping cost.6.3.1.3. Total to pay.6.3.1.4. Payment methods.6.3.1.5. Your contact information.6.3.2. Customize eBay Notifications6.3.3. Customizing the Notification Email
6.4.1. PayPal6.4.1.1. Get a Business account.6.4.1.2. Verify your account.6.4.1.3. Send only tangible products.6.4.1.4. Use tracking numbers.6.4.1.5. Ship to the right address.6.4.1.6. Ship only to confirmed addresses.6.4.1.7. Accept only eligible payments.
6.5.1. Money Orders and Cashier’s Checks6.5.2. Western Union Money Order6.5.2.1. The old-fashioned kind.6.5.2.2. BidPay.6.5.3. Credit Cards6.5.3.1. Ship only to the cardholder’s billing address.6.5.3.2. Always ship with a tracking number.6.5.3.3. Ask for the CVV code.6.5.3.4. Be wary of international customers.6.5.3.5. Don’t accept credit cards from newbies.6.5.4. See Also
6.6.1. Courier Notes6.6.1.1. United States Postal Service (USPS).6.6.1.2. Federal Express (FedEx).6.6.1.3. United Parcel Service (UPS).6.6.2. Shipping on the Cheap6.6.2.1. Save the planet.6.6.2.2. Hot air.6.6.2.3. Free boxes.6.6.2.4. Lots of tape.6.6.2.5. To label or not to label.
6.7.1. Accepting International Payments6.7.1.1. PayPal.6.7.1.2. Credit cards.6.7.1.3. Electronic transfers.6.7.1.4. Payments by mail.6.7.2. Shipping to Other Countries6.7.2.1. United States Postal Service (USPS).6.7.2.2. FedEx and UPS.6.7.3. Denied Parties6.7.4. Expectation Management
6.8.1.6.8.1.1. The proactive approach.6.8.1.2. The compulsive approach.6.8.1.3. The “I’ll make it up to you” approach.6.8.1.4. The “nevermind” approach.6.8.2. After the Fact6.8.3. Fine Print
6.9.1. Report an Unpaid Item6.9.2. Concerning Feedback6.9.3. Final Value Fee Credits6.9.3.1. We’ve completed the transaction and we’re both satisfied.6.9.3.2. We’ve agreed not to complete the transaction.6.9.3.3. I no longer wish to communicate with or wait for the buyer.
6.10.1.6.10.1.1.6.10.1.2. Credit cards.6.10.1.3. Payments by postal mail.6.10.1.4.6.10.2. Relisting and Other Options6.10.2.1. It’s already done.6.10.2.2. It’s advertised.6.10.2.3. It’s free.6.10.3. Silver Lining Clause
7.1.1. PowerSellers and the Role of Numbers on eBay7.1.1.1. Better customer support.7.1.1.2. More education.7.1.1.3. Free stuff.7.1.1.4. Finally, the recognition you deserve.7.1.2. Staying Connected to the eBay Community.7.1.2.1. General Announcements board.7.1.2.2. System Announcements board.7.1.2.3. My eBay My Messages.7.1.2.4. eBay Community Newsletter.7.1.2.5. PowerUp Seller Newsletter.7.1.2.6. Calendar.7.1.2.7. Discussion Forums.7.1.2.8. API forums.7.1.2.9. eBay Live!
7.2.1.7.2.1.1. Longer-lasting listings.7.2.1.2. Lower insertion fees.7.2.1.3. Private search for your store.7.2.1.4. Create your own categories.7.2.1.5. Cross-promotion.7.2.1.6. Advertising credits.7.2.1.7. Vacation hold.7.2.1.8. Build a stable presence on eBay.7.2.2. How Customers Will Find You7.2.3. Alternatives
7.3.1. Find Out What’s Hot7.3.2. Now What?7.3.2.1. Arbitrage.7.3.2.2. Wholesale lots.7.3.3. Become a Trading Assistant
7.4.1. Setting Up Turbo Lister7.4.2. Creating Listings7.4.2.1. Categories.7.4.2.2. HTML preview.7.4.2.3. Photos.7.4.2.4. Quick duplicate.7.4.3. Uploading Listings7.4.4. Using Folders7.4.5. Seller’s Assistant Pro
7.5.1. Offer Anything Points7.5.2. Offer Shipping Discounts7.5.3. PayPal Buyer Credit
7.6.1. The Simple Approach7.6.1.1. Eudora (eudora.com).7.6.1.2. Outlook or Outlook Express (microsoft.com).7.6.1.3. eBay/PayPal automatic notifications.7.6.2. The Hacker’s Approach7.6.3. The Business Approach
7.7.1. Accepting Credit Card Payments7.7.2. How to Use It7.7.3. Checkout Providers7.7.3.1. Andale Checkout.7.7.3.2. Vendio Checkout.7.7.3.3. Marketworks.7.7.3.4. Selling Manager.
7.8.1. Quick and Dirty Spreadsheet Import7.8.2. Sales Reports & Sales Reports Plus7.8.2.1. Sales Reports.7.8.2.2. Sales Reports Plus.7.8.3. Step Up to Selling Manager7.8.4.
7.9.1. Creating Links with Commission Junction7.9.2. Hacking the Links7.9.3. A Simplified Search Box7.9.4. See Also
7.10.1. The Editor Kit7.10.2. Hacking the Editor Kit7.10.3. The Merchant Kit7.10.4. Advertise Your eBay Store
7.11.1. Just a Link7.11.2. The Form7.11.3. Shopping Cart7.11.4.
7.12.1. Setting Up IPN7.12.2. The Code7.12.3. Hacking the Hack7.12.4.
8.1.1. How the eBay API Works8.1.2. Getting Started8.1.2.1. Individual.8.1.2.2. Basic.8.1.2.3. Professional.8.1.2.4. Enterprise.8.1.3. Using the Scripts in This Chapter8.1.4. ebay.pl8.1.5. config.pl8.1.6. Why Perl?
8.2.1. Certification8.2.2. Certification Requirements8.2.2.1. Error handling.8.2.2.2. Efficiency.8.2.2.3. Compatibility levels.8.2.2.4. Specific call requirements.8.2.2.5. License requirements.8.2.3. Validating Users
8.4.1. A Simple Search8.4.2. Performing a Search8.4.3. Revising the Robot
8.5.1. The Code8.5.2. Running the Hack
8.6.1.8.6.2.
8.8.1. Installation and Configuration8.8.2. Searching
8.9.1.8.9.2.8.9.3. Hacking the Hack
8.11.1. See Also
8.13.1.8.13.2.8.13.3.8.13.4.
8.14.1.8.14.2.8.14.3.
8.15.1. ReviseItem8.15.2. AddToItemDescription8.15.3. Let’s Automate
8.16.1.8.16.2.
8.17.1.
8.18.1. AuctionEndOfAuction Notifications
8.19.1.8.19.2.8.19.3.
8.20.1.8.20.2.8.20.3.
8.21.1.8.21.2.8.21.3.
8.23.1.8.23.2.