Selling on eBay

eBay used to be simple. You listed something, someone bid on it, you shipped it out. The whole thing took about twenty minutes and felt like a garage sale that never closed. That eBay is gone.

What replaced it is a corporate marketplace with managed payments, algorithm-driven search, seller performance metrics, and policies that change whether you’re watching or not. This book is for people who want to sell on eBay the way it actually works now, not the way it worked in 2005.

Richard Lowe has been selling on eBay since 2003. He has watched the platform transform from a scrappy auction site built on community trust into a sophisticated marketplace that answers to shareholders, not sellers. He has adapted to every major change along the way, and he knows what still works, what stopped working, and what was never worth doing in the first place.

Selling on eBay covers everything from setting up your account and writing listings that convert, to managing returns, handling difficult buyers, navigating Seller Hub, and building a real business on the platform. The book includes coverage of dropshipping compliance, automation tools, promoted listings, and the performance standards eBay uses to determine whether your listings get seen or buried.

This is not a get-rich-quick guide. eBay requires work, patience, and a willingness to keep learning as the rules shift. What it offers in return is a real sales channel with hundreds of millions of active buyers and the infrastructure to reach them.

If you want cheerleading, this is the wrong book. If you want to know what you are actually dealing with and how to build something that lasts, read on.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Elsha osi
written clearly
Great detailed book

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mishaah
GREAT EBAY RESOURCE
I had a small business on ebay 10 years ago. Although it was profitable it took quite a bit of work and a lot of my personal time. I ended up letting that business go. In the last ten years I have gathered up quite a few things that I no longer want or need. I kept thinking I should post on ebay but I would dread the thought because of my experience and I ended up just giving it away or selling stuff for way less than it was worth in garage sales. I ran across this book after reading a couple other books by Richard Lowe and I am kicking myself. I was doing ebay the hard way and it is so much easier to sell on ebay than the way I had been doing. There are a lot of great tools in this book. One of the most important pieces of advice that he gave is to become a buyer first. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that. This way you can see what it is like on the other end and cater to that. I’ve already collected several items to sell and am actually excited to try this again.

⭐⭐⭐☆☆ Amazon Customer
I didn’t understand a lot of it, not real computer savvy
I didn’t understand a lot of it, not real computer savvy, Nephew who has used eBay helped me set up.

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Ariel
Good book
Good book, lots of information about how to sell stuff on ebay.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Elvis Niba
A well written and straight to the point summary of what every EBayer needs to get started.
This is a well written and straight to the point summary of what every EBay buyer or seller needs to get started. The author does a great job simplifying the readers understanding of a process that usually seems daunting to a new EBay user. He clearly explains the different categories users have to understand to list or locate products, and also does a great job helping the users identify some of the items that most people already have at home and think its junk, but can be sold for a profit. Full of tips and tricks on how to enhance the process, to maximize returns. A must read for anyone who needs a to-the-point account of how to get started buying and selling on EBay.

⭐⭐☆☆☆ Audrey McClelland
I wanted to get a better idea of how to get started but this author referred you back to eBay tutorials
Find stuff and sell it. I wanted to get a better idea of how to get started but this author referred you back to eBay tutorials. For me, this book was a waste of time. Very simplistic.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stephen V Wooten II
This author TOTALLY nailed the process it takes to get started with this and what to do to be a better seller.
I am so excited to start eBaying for profit. This author TOTALLY nailed the process it takes to get started with this and what to do to be a better seller. I had no idea it would be so easy, but didn’t know all the little tips he lays out so well. A very easy AND amazingly helpful read!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Kindle Customer
Great beginners book
I have NO experience trading on ebay..I highly recommend this book for the beginner. It is written in a very straight forward understandable style it covers the important basics to get you started..

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ John Walsh
Four Stars
A very well written informative book.

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Patricia
Four Stars
Good book

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fliptroniks
Five Stars
Great Book

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Lynda Dickson – Books Direct
An indispensable tool for anyone looking to sell on eBay
In this handy volume, the author gives us advice on how to make money out of selling our unwanted belongings on eBay. And, once you sell off your own clutter, you can buy items wisely and resell them for profit. Topics covered include: finding stuff to sell, buying, selling, equipment, supplies, packaging, item title, item description, documenting imperfections, pricing your item, fixed price sales, auctions, the best time to set your auction to end, postage charges, shipping, refunds and returns, feedback, fees, setting up an eBay store, and getting paid. Quite a comprehensive list! The content is a bit repetitive, but this does allow the reader to go back to particular sections without having to re-read the whole book. There are also a number of editing errors, the most glaring of these being the use of “EBay” instead of “eBay”. Nevertheless, this book is full of helpful advice. One of the main pieces of advice is to start off by buying a few items to become familiar with the platform and to build up a feedback score. Some of the best advice given is on what NOT to do, for example, not declaring all of the imperfections present. The author also includes a number of handy links for further information. An indispensable tool for anyone looking to sell on eBay. I received this book in return for an honest review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ AnnT
A Great Insight into Becoming a Successful Seller on EBay
What a great introduction to EBay! I picked up this book because I use EBay quite often and they are regularly try to tempt me to become a seller. Obviously people make money from it. Richard Lowe’s book was a really well written, easy book to read. And at the same time, I came away knowing a whole lot more about the process of becoming a successful seller on EBay. Richard begins by advising you to learn about EBay by becoming a regular buyer and points out that you can begin building your feedback score as a buyer before you even think of selling. He explains about EBay’s categories and how they work. He then discusses all of the options you have as you learn to sell, beginning with unused items from around your home. He discusses various ways of sourcing both new and used items to sell and the pitfalls you need to be aware of. Richard goes into good details about the types of products that are more likely to sell on EBay – and those that will be easier for you as a seller. He discusses the pros and cons of selling for a fixed price or going to auction, including which course to use when. There is a lot of detailed information on the extra factors that you need to take into account – particularly the pitfalls when it comes to shipping – even drop-shipping. There’s a discussion on the fees involved and methods of marketing. Richard is very obviously an experienced and successful seller. He offers a brief discussion on the setting up of an EBay store and marketing factors such as setting up a Storefront Website. All up, this gave me a really valuable insight into what is involved to make an income from EBay – even a living, if you so choose. A highly recommended read.

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Christine R
The steps are easy and anyone with a little determination can succeed using this book.
An interesting take on a new way to make money at home. The steps are easy and anyone with a little determination can succeed using this book.

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Kat_Star
Worth it!
Very informative! Great buy and a straight forward author.

⭐⭐☆☆☆ RubyBeets
The information is also dated as Ebay selling has changed a good bit over the last few years
Not worth the minor bits of information from this author. The information is also dated as Ebay selling has changed a good bit over the last few years.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Robin Bremer
Details, details and more details
OH MY DETAILS and more details. This book is fresh packed full of every detail you need to sell on ebay AND make a profit! Richard has done his research and has loads of experience. If you want to avoid the pitfalls of selling on eBay just put a copy of this book into your library! He includes tons of information of each step along the way to selling. He also has tons of links on more information. This is a must read for everyone who wants to make money but doesn’t know where to start.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Nazeem
This is a great book for those who are sitting on the fence
This is a great book for those who are sitting on the fence and wondering if getting started on selling through eBay is for them. His idea to declutter your house and profiting via eBay is simply brilliant. In this book, you would learn how to get started out on eBay, and what you need to take note of to profit and do things the right way. If you are confused and unsure about trying to sell on eBay, then this is the definitely the book to get as it would clear all your doubts and help you get started. I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ George R. Squires
Definitely a must Read
Richard has put before us a fantastic and informative book on getting started with Ebay. He gets to the point and guides us in the dos and the donts. The instructions are easy to follow and at every step of the way you know what you are doing.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Susan Mueller
Selling on eBay Tips and Strategies
I reviewed a copy of Richard Lowe’s “How To Sell On eBay,” and thoroughly enjoyed it. This book will help you get started selling on eBay so you can make some extra money to help with expenses and maybe even grow it into a small business. He shares so many helpful details from determining what to sell, how to list it, what to do when it sells, options for shipping, when to set up an eBay store and how to promote it, etc. This book is absolutely worth the read.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon Customer
Why Review Books!
The book is just what I wanted. I would not have ordered it if it was not what I wanted.

⭐⭐⭐☆☆ Kindle Customer
A plain Jane book!
Just didn’t have enough information for the price!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Kim A.
Easy to understand and great tips for those just starting out
I appreciate the honesty in this book. Easy to understand and great tips for those just starting out.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mimi
Helpful even to those who have sold on Ebay before
Knew part of this already, but there is info that is helpful even to those who have sold on Ebay before.

⭐⭐☆☆☆ MARK RICHARDSON
Two Stars
was not as in depth as I had hoped.

⭐⭐☆☆☆ Frank
Two Stars
not what i expected

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rosa Lee Back
Five Stars
Not for me but it is like

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sunshine
Five Stars
Good reading!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Bob D.
Five Stars
very good product & service

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Susan Lavery
Enjoyed the info.
Great quick read!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Kim C
but I always felt like I needed to develop more of a strategy to make some real money
Wow! This book is exactly what I needed. I’ve bought and sold on ebay quite a bit, but I always felt like I needed to develop more of a strategy to make some real money. This book is excellent for the person who plans to sell several items…or even for the person who wants to just clean out their closet. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review… I hope that it’s available on hard copy soon!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Jilly Prather
Richard did it again!
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I’ve always wanted to learn how to sell stuff on eBay. Now Richard has written a very informative book about how to do it successfully. As usual, his writing style is easy to follow and his advice works!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Nicole Richards
Very clear and easy how to understand
Very clear and easy how to understand! Ebay can be completely confusing and frustrating, to say the least. This book is informative and gives you the tools and knowledge to confidently sell….and make good money on Ebay.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ninastar
Great book!!
I really like this book, it’s very helpful, it gives you the tools to make extra $$$ ..( selling on eBay, etc.. ) makes it easy ..I would totally recommend it.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ narayani
Easy, Great Read; Valuable Resource for EBay
Simple, concise, with in-depth, creative insights…..Thank you Richard.

⭐⭐☆☆☆ David Van Scoyk
OK, not much insight.
OK, not much insight.

Questions

Read a Chapter

Chapter 20

Common Scams and How to Avoid Them

eBay scams have evolved from amateur con jobs into sophisticated operations that would make Wall Street fraudsters envious. Modern scammers use psychological manipulation, technical expertise, and detailed knowledge of eBay’s policies to separate naive sellers from their money, inventory, and account standing. Understanding these scams helps protect your business from predators who view eBay sellers as walking ATMs waiting to be exploited.

The platform’s size and complexity create numerous opportunities for criminals who exploit seller desperation, greed, and ignorance to execute elaborate frauds that can destroy businesses and drain bank accounts faster than bad investment decisions during a market crash.

Payment confirmation scams target sellers with sophisticated fake emails, doctored screenshots, and convincing stories about payment processing delays that trick sellers into shipping expensive items before payments clear through legitimate channels.

Scammers create fake PayPal emails that appear authentic but contain subtle differences in sender addresses, formatting, or language that reveal their fraudulent nature when examined carefully. These emails often claim payments are pending, held for review, or require additional verification before funds become available.

Screenshot manipulation involves altered images of payment confirmations, bank deposits, or money transfer receipts that look convincing but represent completely fabricated transactions. Modern photo editing software makes these fakes increasingly difficult to distinguish from legitimate payment documentation.

Pressure tactics create artificial urgency through stories about sick relatives, time-sensitive shipping requirements, or limited availability that pressure sellers into shipping items before payment verification can be completed through proper channels.

Email spoofing techniques make fraudulent messages appear to originate from legitimate financial institutions, eBay, or PayPal while actually coming from criminal operations designed to steal money and merchandise from unsuspecting sellers.

Pro Tip: Always verify payments through direct login to your payment processor’s website, never through email links or screenshots provided by buyers.

Overpayment scams involve buyers who send payments exceeding the purchase amount and request refunds for the difference, using stolen payment methods that will be reversed after sellers have already sent refund money and shipped merchandise.

Check overpayment represents a classic version where scammers send counterfeit cashier’s checks for amounts exceeding purchase prices, requesting wire transfers or money orders for the difference before banks discover the fraudulent nature of the original payment.

Credit card overpayment occurs when scammers use stolen credit cards to make purchases exceeding item prices, then request refunds to different accounts before credit card companies discover the unauthorized transactions and reverse all payments.

International money transfer scams involve complex payment arrangements where scammers claim to send extra money to cover shipping, customs, or handling fees, then request refunds through untraceable transfer methods that disappear when original payments are reversed.

Caution: Never accept payments exceeding your item prices, and never send refunds until payments have completely cleared through your financial institutions.

Phishing scams use sophisticated fake websites and emails that mimic eBay, PayPal, and other legitimate services to steal login credentials that enable account takeovers and financial theft from unsuspecting sellers.

Fake eBay websites replicate the platform’s appearance with subtle URL differences that trick sellers into entering usernames and passwords on criminal-controlled servers that capture login information for later misuse.

Two-factor authentication bypass attempts involve sophisticated social engineering designed to obtain authentication codes that enable account access despite security measures intended to prevent unauthorized login attempts.

Return scams exploit eBay’s buyer-friendly return policies to obtain free merchandise, partial refunds, or replacement items through fraudulent claims about product condition, delivery issues, or seller misrepresentation.

Bait and switch returns involve buyers who return different items than they purchased, counting on sellers not to notice substitutions of similar but less valuable products or damaged merchandise.

Empty box returns occur when scammers return packages containing worthless items while claiming to return original merchandise, often using weighted boxes that feel correct during initial inspection.

Serial return abuse involves buyers who systematically purchase items, use them temporarily, then return them with fabricated complaints designed to obtain free temporary product usage.

Shipping fraud involves elaborate schemes designed to steal merchandise while creating apparent proof of delivery that protects scammers from dispute resolution and chargeback procedures. Address forwarding scams begin with legitimate shipping addresses that get changed after sellers create shipping labels, redirecting packages to criminal addresses while maintaining tracking information that suggests proper delivery.

Danger Zone: Always require signature confirmation for higher-value items and verify recipient identity matches buyer information before considering deliveries complete.

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