Category Archive for eBay News

A few months ago, I told you about Microsoft’s $200 in free advertising and many of you took Brother Billy up on his offer, as did I. Apparently the spirit of giving has spread over to Yahoo, this time to the tune of $100 in free advertising on the Yahoo network. Check the link on this week’s show notes(below)…you can’t get the offer by going to the main Yahoo landing page.

eBay has launched “eBay To Go” in beta. Its the first of many new widgets they’ll be debuting. This one let’s you plug auctions into your blog, web site, etc.. Its easy but it isn’t configured to display your listings precisely and therefore no real incentive. However, another site has launched that is just as easy AND you are paid 100% of the resulting commission from any eBay sale…listen in as I tell you where to find it.

Welcome to Endicia as a new sponsor on the show.

A new site where you can type in whatever it is your interested in and see quickly all manner of product pricing data from eBay.

A very interesting article on automatic pricing and re-pricing programs that big retailers use to tailor pricing to your shopping patterns. But there is much more there, including some good advice on how to properly leverage the optimum price from your buyers. Listen in as walk you through the process. Could be that you are leaving money on the table.

A blogger posted a buyer scam whereby the buyer uses legitimate techniques on eBay to freeze the price on your item for much less that you’d like.

A site that sells wall murals from stock images or can create one from your art.

Another site that will take your photo or art work and produce retail quality prints for you to sell over and over.

Do you have a Tuesday Morning outlet nearby? If so, check them out for items to resell on eBay.

While we’re on the subject of retail arbitrage, a company has produced a licensed item using the red hot Soprano’s…but the distribution is limited and that’s where you and eBay come in.

And for all of those who comment on the boards that nothing sells, that everyone ought to pack there bags and go home…I’ve got a tumblin’ little site that offers proof how very wrong the nay-sayers are.

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Links from this week’s show:

Power Press Web Site Marketing Strategy - Write press releases that will drive traffic and buyers to your website or auction. Normally $37.97, you can receive $10 Off ($27.97) by entering “lonelyboy” (omit the ” “) in the Promo Code box.

$100 in Free Advertising on the Yahoo Network - A good opportunity to practice what I preach re learning the ropes of web advertising.

AuctionAds - Auction Ads allows you to monetize your website by displaying live eBay auctions next to your related copy…and get 100% of the eBay affiliate commission from ever sale.

eBay To Go - Same as auction ads except no money in your pocket.

Article on Pricing Software - Ever wonder what they could do with your “cookies”?

Endicia Internet Postage - Endicia Internet Postage lets you print postage for all your mail.
All you need is a PC, an Internet connection, and a laser or inkjet printer. Free 30 day Trial.
Bidding Scam on eBay - A simple little technique that skirts the rules but allows a buyer to freeze your price at a low level.

Wall Mural Manufacturer - Big pictures.

Giclee By The Bay - Using your own photo or artwork, you can have printed fine art giclees and thus be able to sell the same image over and over.

Tuesday Morning - Good source for resalable merchandise.

Soprano’s Soda - Limited distribution means that there will be a good market.

Tumbleweed Farm - You can sell anything if you only have the imagination to do it.

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Google reaches in the spare change drawer and plunks down $3.1 billion for Doubleclick, the Sith Lord of Behavioral Marketing (odds are the first pop-up your pop-up blocker ever blocked was from Doubleclick)…and as Larry & Sergei’s reach grows even broader, it is important to consider what this portends for your business. Ultimately, “Do No Evil” depends on whose is definition of “evil” is returned in a search.

Could it be that the only hope for true competition might be coming from the likes of Jimmy Wales’ Search Wikia? Listen in as I connect a few micro-dots.
Meanwhile, Billy Gates is throwing $50 your way to try Microsoft adCenter; and if you’re smart, you’ll not only use it but you’ll understand why its all about ads from here on out and your little old auction listing is no exception.

Rumor is that eBay is set to acquire Stumbleupon, the popular internet surfing club…so, is it a good thing or not? Maybe yes, maybe no…it all comes down to integration.

Social Media, the warm and fuzzy term de jour, is nevertheless an important means of drawing in some traffic…and it helps to have a concise list of the major players.

Gumiyo is a very cool classified site but that’s not its real importance…where it points to is the next big step in internet search. Question is; is your business ready?

Antiques and collectibles is not as staid a category as you might think. As a matter of fact it is a moving target defined by each generation for some very practical reasons. Listen in as I explain.

And lots more..an internet site to search over 13,000 upcoming auctions....a great site for finding that perfect packaging item…Google hints that paid links could be your one-way ticket to oblivion…and a simply elegant site that gets after selling in a most engaging an imaginative way.

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Links from this week’s show:

Social Media List - Relax, its only 2.0…just imagine what web 10.7 will be like!

Global Auction Guide - 13,000+ “real” auctions at your fingertips.

Kovels Antiques & Price Guide - The grandmother of all price guides.

SKS Bottle - God but I do love a well turned bottle!

SMOBlog on Google’s Paid Link Hit List - When Matt Cutts speaks ( and apart from the blatant link baiting0 you’d damn well better listen.

Wood-Rings Retail Site - Simple, elegant & effective retail design.

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Ever grow weary of the endless days of the same-old on eBay…the dull humdrum of questions from buyers, missing packages, fee increases? Well, it doesn’t have to be so bad. In fact, you can have a positively “out of body” experience by simply frequenting a host of auctions featuring items such as ” Somniferum Poppy Seeds” and “Salvia Divinorum“. So, why not trip the light fantastic and do a little business with your friendly eBay dealer?

Once again this week, I continue with my password harangue by pointing you to a blog entry where step-by-step you will see how easily passwords are hacked and why odds are that yours is one of them. After you are sufficiently alarmed, why not pay a visit to Microsoft to test your new password’s strength?

Using Google Base Connector is an easy way to get your eBay Store, Yahoo and Amazon Marketplace items listed in Google Base..this you’ve heard before on the show. But did you know that you can also get a premium top of the page search result as well? Listen in as I explain.

Now that eBay is allowing you to earn affiliate commissions on your own items, the next step is a handy little service that will create your ads easily…but you need to know how to title your listings so that you get the maximum benefit.

There’s a site that will happily take your money and guarantee “leads” for your eBay Trading Assistant business...listen in as I explain where these leads are coming from and why you should save your change.

A very good site for zeroing in on local auctions by zip code and category.

Like I say, videos work well for auctions but paying a site to create and host those vids doesn’t. Listen in as I tell you about a site that doesn’t offer a thing, video-wise, that you can do yourself for free.

Amazon debuts ClickRiver. Why not advertise within a relatively secure marketplace and benefit ( at least in your customer’s mind) from the association?

Top 50 Free Web Directories…

An automatic, threadbare auction management service for those of you pinching pennies.

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Links from this weeks show:

Google Base Store Connector - Apart from easily uploading your Amazon, eBay & Yahoo inventory..your listings also can appear at the top of natural search results.

How I’d Hack Your Weak Passwords - Step-by-step how easily its done…with your help.

Microsoft’s Password Strength Checker - Use it.

eBay Affiliate Ad Generation Tool - Quick way to earn decent money on your listings as well as others.

Leads for Sellers - A so-called service that pulls Craigslist listings and then charges you for the “lead”. DIY.

Auction Zip - Spiffy site where you can zero in on live auctions by zip code and category.

Amazon’s ClickRiver - Advertise within Amazon.

Top 50 Free Web Directories -

Auctomatic - Free, nuts and bolts auction management.

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Yet another example of a hijacker, this time in Britain, stealing eBay accounts by simply cracking stupid, easily guessed passwords. While eBay ignores such simple steps as qualifying passwords as to difficulty before allowing their use, isn’t it about time you took the time to make the hijacker’s job just a little more difficult?

Common wisdom is that once your business reaches a certain size on eBay, you open your e-commerce store and then only use eBay for slow-moving items or for loss leaders to drive traffic to your stand alone store. Trouble is, as with most commonly wise notions, there is a very big exception to this rule. Listen in as I explain how eBay can actually be used to market your store if you know how.

Clipfire is a site where you can use an RSS feed to drive a little traffic…and Rapidfeeds is an easy tool to create specific RSS feeds. But how you use these feeds requires some careful thought; such as including eBay’s affiliate program and Store Referral Credit in conjunction with a Press Release. Sell your item, get 75% off your FVF and make a commission on the sale!

I review two very friendly Shopping Carts, one of whom doesn’t charge a thing until something sells!!

Handmade soap is a tried and true item on eBay…and it sells with varying degrees of success. But, one thing missing in some many seller’s approach is how they market what they’re selling. I found one site that uses a very sharp marketing pitch that positions handmade soap so that it not only engages the customer but also entertains them…a good lesson for everyone.

A wholesale site for Wii, PS, Xbox, etc. accessories.

An independent auction site that shows us how by focusing on a particular niche can breathe life into something as humdrum as, well, another independent auction site.

Magnetic paper supplier for inkjet printers…that’s right, magnetic paper!

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Links from this week’s show:

Power Press Web Site Marketing Strategy - Write press releases that will drive traffic and buyers to your website or auction. Normally $37.97, you can receive $10 Off ($27.97) by entering “lonelyboy” (omit the ” “) in the Promo Code box.

Man Hijacks 90 eBay Accounts - Its your password, stupid!

The Power Seller Report - A wealth of great information and research.

Wordtracker Free Trial - Use it as many times as you want…but USE IT!

RapidFeeds - Create RSS feeds and publish, or, import & manage existing ones. Use in conjunction with a Press Release.

eBay Store Referral Credit - Get back 75% of your Final Value Fees!

Flying Cart - Easy shopping cart that doesn’t charge until an item sells.

Web2.0 Stores - Another easy shopping cart with a more traditional pricing scheme.

Villainess - Sassy soap seller.

Game Asylum - Wholesale video game accessories.

I Do..Now I Don’t Auction Site - Auction site that proves with the right idea, even an auction site can make sense.

Magnetic Paper - If you don’t do something with this, I will!

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This week I continue my cook’s tour of eBay and all things scam related. I visited a site that I’ve actually followed for quite awhile, one that is driven by a crusty old bird named “Doc”…one of those eBay stories of a once contented seller, done wrong, who now makes it his sworn duty to expose the width and breadth of scams on the site. And to that end, ol’ Doc has done quite a job. While he concentrates on the eBay Motors side of the business, he nevertheless manages to document an incredibly wide range of bad goings-on with extensive screen captures and data.

On my last show, I pointed out that Paypal’s new security device worked well. What it underscores is that in all of the concern for phishing on eBay, it still remains the responsibility of every user to protect themselves as best they can…and one of the easiest, yet most overlooked means of defense is a good, secure password. Listen in as I describe how to make your password virtually unhackable.

HitTail’s blog points out what I’ve been saying about the cost of traffic on-line. You are paying for it, you will pay for it…even if you’re not readily aware of doing so.

A good post on TheStreet.com regarding eBay and Skype.

Haven’t heard much about drop-off stores lately, have we? There’s as site that is run by drop-off store survivors that does a very good job of educating anyone who will listen as to the economic pitfalls of drop store franchising.

Michael Rappa details the basics of doing business on-line with his post on Business Models on the Web.

A good site to begin any business on-line is one where you can search for expiring domains that may just fit perfectly for what you have in mind…the right domain with some history under its belt might just give your business a jump start.

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Links from this week’s show:

Power Press Web Site Marketing Strategy - Write press releases that will drive traffic and buyers to your website or auction. Normally $37.97, you can receive $10 Off ($27.97) by entering “lonelyboy” (omit the ” “) in the Promo Code box.

e-Junkie - The best digital download manager available. Enter code: “SELL101″ for a one month’s free service.

GoDaddy Discount - Get $96 in Free Extras with your domain name from GoDaddy.com. Each domain includes free hosting with a Web site builder, a free Blog, Complete Email and much more. Enter code “pod54″ and get 10% off your order.

eBay Motors Sucks - Don’t let the name put you off…Doc has assembled quite a bit of information and documented it well with screen captures, many of which eBay has deleted.

Auction Count Mayhem - Doc’s page on the wild swings in auction counts that he and others maintain are examples of a wide spread attack on the site.

Doc’s Example of an eBay Phishing Kit - Another example of exactly how attacks are conducted and how easily available the tools are to do so.

HashaPass - Hashapass automatically generates strong passwords from a master password and a parameter.

Google Gadget Password Generator - Similar to HashaPass.

HitTail Article on the Cost of Free Traffic on the Web - Well written article.

Am I The Only One eBay Drop-off Store Franchise Information - A great site to visit before to make the leap.

Business Models on the Web - The 9 business models for the web.

eXpiresoft - Another’s expiring domain may just be your head-start.

Crowd Clout - TrendWatching piece on the power of crowds when it comes to purchasing.

Open Source Code for eBay Listings - By creating eBay listings related to the content using a simple ASP function call you can set up variables and call eBayDisplayItems function to create unique eBay listing choosing the correct keywords and searching category.

Free Directory List - In bound links.

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Earlier in the year, a hacker who goes by the name of Vladuz ( supposedly a Romanian), posted screen shots of what was purported to be an internal screen shot of eBay’s internal computer systems. More recently, he has managed to hack his way into eBay’s boards posing as a customer service manager, a “pink”, proceeding to taunt eBay management.
Additionally, he has listed an extension available for Firefox that automatically fills-in Captcha information.

Has there indeed been a profound breach of eBay’s system and could this explain why hijacked accounts appear to have more in common than simply the results of identity theft. Listen in as I explore a problem that eBay can’t seem to shake.
What if anything can you do to prevent your account being stolen on eBay or PayPal? Two weeks ago, I mentioned that PayPal had released a key chain fob that offers what may be, the best bet for keeping ahead of Vladuz and his ilk. Listen in as I explain why I applied for mine and why you should too.
eBay has finally relented and is now allowing you to market your own listing and store items through their affiliate program…easily the best news out of San Jose in quite awhile. Listen in as I explain why and how you can start taking advantage of this immediately.

Do you know what to do if you suspect your account has been hijacked? There are steps and contact information you need to know and fortunately, an eBay member from Australia has detailed it all in an easy step-by-step format.

One of my listeners who happens to be a buyer with a major bricks and mortar retail chain, wrote me this past week chiming in on my discussion of using shipping and handling as a profit center.

Stuck in neutral when it comes to brainstorming a new product or idea to sell on-line? There’s a great article that details 10 unusual ideas that hit it big without spending a lot of cash.

Despite the blizzards, spring is indeed a-comin’..and I’ve found a great direct source for all manner of cedar outdoor furniture that will drop-ship for you.

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Links from this week’s show:

Power Press Web Site Marketing Strategy - Write press releases that will drive traffic and buyers to your website or auction. Normally $37.97, you can receive $10 Off ($27.97) by entering “lonelyboy” (omit the ” “) in the Promo Code box.

e-Junkie - The best digital download manager available. Enter code: “SELL101″ for a one month’s free service.

GoDaddy Discount - Get $96 in Free Extras with your domain name from GoDaddy.com. Each domain includes free hosting with a Web site builder, a free Blog, Complete Email and much more. Enter code “pod54″ and get 10% off your order.

The Red Tape Chronicle’s Report on the eBay Hacker, Vladuz - The good news is, eBay’s vaunted Trust and Safety Department has teamed with the equally respected internet sleuths of the Romanian establishment to track this culprit.

Vladuz’s Firefox Captcha Extension - Do Not Use…after all, like the man says, its merely “a proof of concept”.

PayPal’s Portable Security Key - Get it. Use It.

Information on eBay’s Affiliate Program - Make a little cash sending buyers your way.

How To Report Hijacked Accounts - Thanks to a user in Australia, the right information when you need it. Bookmark this page.

10 Unconventional But Successful On-Line Business Ideas - A Podcast isn’t one of them.

The Best Adirondack Chair - Manufacturer and drop-shipper of cedar outdoor furniture.

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In a New York Times article, eBay’s President of Marketplaces John Donahoe reveals that after two years at the helm, its about time the staff begins to communicate with one another via Skype and by getting the engineers and the businesspeople to make nice. He also allows that:

“Selling newer products on eBay ‘didn’t make any sense,’ he said. ‘It watered the experience down’.”

Which taken at face value, would appear to be a repudiation of Express:

“Last year, he rolled out eBay Express, a site for buying new products more efficiently..”

There’s more, much more to the article;reading it is a bit like riding a roller coaster, facing backwards.

Endlessly debated on auction boards is whether or not shipping should or should not be a profit center….listen in as I fuel the fire.

Hittail is an absolutely essential site and service for anyone who has their own website or store; one that allows you to easily see just exactly which terms buyers use to find you.

Brainchild of Seth Godin, Squidoo is a blog wherein blogs publicize themselves…and it can also work as a blog that is simply a blog unto itself. Listen in as I explain the blog equivalent of St. Augustine’s chat with the angel.

Mailum, a simple yet powerful way to create and manage newsletters for your customers.

BlueRectangle will buy your left-over books and pick-up the postage as well. Whether throwing in the towel on book selling on-line or simply off loading a forgettable read; you couldn’t ask for an easier solution.

Refund Please will track those thirty day lower price/money back claims on Amazon and notify you via e-mail when the price has dropped and you are due a refund.

Darmik describes itself as:

…a flexible and powerful content creation and ecommerce enablement platform.

And from then on it really gets hazy. Listen in as I describe how any site, including yours, should state its case clearly and make what it offers easily and quickly accessible.

Think you’ve got what it takes to be a real Powerseller?
I’ve got two words for you: plastic containers.

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Links from this week’s show:

NYT’s Article on eBay’s John Donahoe - Read this interview as eBay’s Jolly Giant explains why new is bad, why Skype is fit for internal consumption and why some day, the engineers and the businesspeople will lie down together.

Hittail - Easy, free, essential tool for any web site.

Power Press Web Site Marketing Strategy - Write press releases that will drive traffic and buyers to your website or auction. Normally $37.97, you can receive $10 Off ($27.97) by entering “lonelyboy” (omit the ” “) in the Promo Code box.

e-Junkie - The best digital download manager available. Enter code: “SELL101″ for a one month’s free service.

GoDaddy Discount - Get $96 in Free Extras with your domain name from GoDaddy.com. Each domain includes free hosting with a Web site builder, a free Blog, Complete Email and much more. Enter code “pod54″ and get 10% off your order.

Squidoo - Seth Godin brainchild for “making sense” of blogs & search and blogging and searching.

Mailum - Easy e-mail newsletters for the rest of us.

BlueRectangle - Sell your books, get cash, free shipping.

Refund Please - The Original on-line price drop tool.

Darmik - A lesson in how not to describe what it is that you are selling.

CPS | Container and Packaging Supply - Sexy little bottles, nifty little tubs…and maybe an idea or two.

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The Wall Street Journal reports that eBay and MySpace are in discussions regarding a possible partnership. The idea is to let MySpace users buy and sell items from each other using eBay’s online-commerce technology and its PayPal payment system.

Meanwhile, CitiGroup meets with eBay officials and comes away with a targeted list of goals that eBay will focus on in ‘07…is it any surprise that “enhancing revenues per listing” will be a key goal?

An Australian economist suggests that selling water on eBay might be a way to bring market forces into play to help control water supply during Australia’s record drought….Marx,Keynes,Samuelson and now Megisian Economics.

According to HitWise, Google Base’s market share of visits has declined by some 18% from last July. Google Checkout’s market share was up over 350%, due to heavy promotion but still has not made any significant inroads into PayPal.

A free web based tool where you can check your web page (or eBay store) for keyword competitiveness vs. the top 10 sites for that keyword or phrase on the internet.

A French site,Zlio, launches its US counterpart where you can choose from a catalogue of thousands of products and arrange your own shop, collecting affiliate fees from the service.

A well designed site that lets you create your own online magazines, fanzines, brochures, catalogs, portfolios and more. Using the formatpixel online editor you can design page based projects, layout text, upload your own images, add interactivity and customize their appearance.

PayPal actually has an on-line forum…shiver me chargebacks!…I never knew! Perhaps a better way to deal with those convoluted PayPal problems.

One of my favorite tools is CCleaner (Crap Cleaner) a freeware system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused and temporary files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster, more efficiently and giving you more hard disk space. The best part is that it’s fast! (normally taking less that a second to run) and Free.

I examine a missed opportunity for a lovable chocolate Lab (Maggie, pictured above) whose owners touted her lottery picking skills via an eBay auction. Too bad they didn’t take a page from my Power Press Press Release Book and really take advantage of the publicity Maggie so richly deserves.

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Links From this week’s show:

Power Press Web Site Marketing Strategy - Write press releases that will drive traffic and buyers to your website or auction. Normally $37.97, you can receive $10 Off ($27.97) by entering “lonelyboy” (omit the ” “) in the Promo Code box.

e-Junkie - The best digital download manager available. Enter code: “SELL101″ for a one month’s free service.

GoDaddy Discount - Get $96 in Free Extras with your domain name from GoDaddy.com. Each domain includes free hosting with a Web site builder, a free Blog, Complete Email and much more. Enter code “pod54″ and get 10% off your order.

eBay/MySpace Talk Partnership - A million here, a million there…pretty soon we’re talking a real crowd.

CitiGroup Report on eBay’s ‘07 Goals - Revenue Enhancement.

Australian Economist Says Sell Water on eBay - The Perfect Storm?

Google Base and Google Checkout Traffic Analysis - Don’t you just hate it when a monopolist can’t get its act together?

WeBuildPages Keyword Analysis Tool - A free web based tool where you can check your web page (or eBay store) for keyword competitiveness vs. the top 10 sites for that keyword or phrase on the internet.

ZLio - Site where you can easily and quickly set-up an internet store and share in the resulting affiliate commissions from hundreds of internet sites (e.g. Amazon).

formatpixel - Create your own online brochure or featuring your products/descriptions to augment your auction listings.

Official PayPal Forum - Ask questions and share advice with other PayPal Merchants, experts and developers.

CCleaner - Excellent free download for keeping your computer nice and clean.

Maggie’s Personal Lottery Service - A very cute idea that could have used a lot more imagination.

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Whenever I hear the term “disruptive innovation” I cringe. Notwithstanding the fact that many would say I cringe too easily, it nevertheless strikes me as term that arose ex post facto to describe a significant change rather than as a creative mandate.
Examples of generally accepted disrupters runs the gamut from the musket ( particularly disruptive if you are on the receiving end) to automobiles, PCs, the web, etc.. eBay can certainly be seen in this disruptive light in that it has profoundly changed the marketplace.

All well and good. But in almost every case I can think of, the disruption or the impact of any particular innovation wasn’t predictable, certainly by the standards of the time in which happened; it is rather only in retrospect that any innovation can be seen as truly revolutionary.

In other words, you just don’t memo all desks and proclaim that by week’s end, we’ll have a genuine, thigh-slapping disruptive innovation to announce….that is, of course, unless you trod among the khaki-klad of eBay’s recently proclaimed “Disruptive Innovation Team”

The Disruptive Innovation team was created with a specific purpose in mind: explore new concepts and create new tools to allow our 222 million buyers, sellers and developers to make better use of the eBay platform.

“…to boldly go where no man has gone before” just cries out to be inserted in right after “explore new concepts and create new tools” doesn’t it?

All in all a very butch attitude that will, I am sure, result in disruptive, tectonic-shifts in the march of civilization.

I feel much the same as you, I’m sure, huddled as we are in our primordial darkness waiting…hoping….praying that the resulting musket from our “team” doesn’t backfire.

There’s a little company in Redmond Washington that launched a very ambitious site, namely: Windows Live. Strangely enough, there hasn’t been much written about the scope of the effort (some 17 Beta releases) and one particularly that should be of interest for e-commerce sellers, Live Expo. Two weeks ago, I launched an item in Live Expo to test the waters…listen in as I detail my experience so far and why you should consider going “Live” yourself.

Forget PayPal, is Microsoft setting itself up to challenge Mastercard/Visa’s credit card monopoly? Maybe so and Bill Gates is proposing micro-steps to do just that.

An fatally attractive conversation on the Vendio board re the sale of a collectible poison bottle, complete with poison, and whether it is permissible and/or ethical to do so.

Overstock.com launches Omuse in Beta…and I for one, am not amused. Does Overstock really need a wiki or social aspect to the site that is not directly tied into selling?

PayPal’s going to give you $15 for purchases over $30 just out of the kindness of their heart…we knew they had the money; a heart however, is news.

WipBox aids creating listings by pulling product specific information automatically from Amazon, among other places…and this simply too easy to do you or your listing any good. Listen as I explain why.

A Craigslist clone that does a fine job of doing nothing new in a remarkably inert sort of way.

“eBay cannot guarantee exact listing durations with respect to availability of keyword or category search.” or in other words: we’ll list your damn auction when we can get around to it.

A site for CD/DVD duplication that can help monetize that e-book idea.

The world’s leader in “Sin Removal Products” has loads of other hip products that would make for some unusual gift baskets…”for Cheaters, Losers and Wrong-Doers”, you know, folks like us.
A wholesale hat site…I can’t think of anything clever to say other than its cool.

Does a site that produces items:”created by carefully injecting and trapping multi-million volt regions of electrical charge deep inside acrylic using a particle accelerator…” sound like something you’d like to sell? Sure does to me! And just try finding this in one of those drop-shipping guides.

Computer and electronic wholesalers and an auction and information site for Legos that is quite an eye opener.

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Links from this week’s show:

Power Press Web Site Marketing Strategy - Write press releases that will drive traffic and buyers to your website or auction. Normally $37.97, you can receive $10 Off ($27.97) by entering “lonelyboy” (omit the ” “) in the Promo Code box.

e-Junkie - The best digital download manager available. Enter code: “SELL101″ for a one month’s free service.

GoDaddy Discount - Get $96 in Free Extras with your domain name from GoDaddy.com. Each domain includes free hosting with a Web site builder, a free Blog, Complete Email and much more. Enter code “pod54″ and get 10% off your order.

Windows Live - Microsoft’s Basket ‘o Betas for practically every internet chore.

Windows Live Expo - a dynamic social listing service where you can buy and sell merchandise, discover local events, find a new career, and meet local people - all for free. Nicely done.

Overstock.com’s Omuse - A social wiki beta service desperately in search of a reason for its existence.

ProActionMedia - CD/DVD duplication service.

PayPal $15 Offer - Make a PayPal payment over $30 and Meg will credit you $15 cash. Limited time.

BlueQ - Manufacturers of life improving, joy bringing, mind altering, universally praised products since 1988.

Stoneridge Engineering - A million volts worth of interesting acryllic product.

Village Hat Shop - Whole lotta wholesale hats.

RS-Kit - The Internet’s largest online database of computer wholesale distributors.

BrickLink - A premium venue for individuals and businesses from all around the world to buy and sell new, used and vintage LEGO® through fixed price and auction services.

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eBay has finally caught up with such radical web 2.0 forces such as J.C.Penney,Woolworth’s and Sears by instituting markdowns in fixed price and store listings. Its a good move to consider using them..that is if you know how and why…listen in as I explain a tactic that is as old as retailing itself.

Meanwhile, eBay has clamped down on auction extensions and automatic auction extenders, banning them from the site. However, extensions are still permitted for fixed price and store listings..if you’re not already using extensions to increase your listings visibility, you should be.

Craigslist has been a very popular topic in the past on the show. However, its a different kettle of fish than eBay and researching the Craigslist marketplace is an important first-step to selling there. Listen in as I go over several tools that will make that task easier, including one that you can use to generate an anonymous phone number for customer contact that is useful on eBay as well.

An new blog that will review your eBay store and perhaps be a source of future traffic for you.

A great site for doing all of your keyword searching in one place. Use it to find how and where (and how much the word or phrase will cost in Adwords or on Yahoo) on practically every significant site on the web.

Transactional e-mails are more than just the humdrum after the sale. They represent an excellent marketing opportunity…that is, if you know what to offer.

Could you and several of your friends use some of the hottest on-line bargain shopping communities to drive traffic to your sites? Its doable if you’re smart.

Jewelry photography is one of the trickiest pics you are liable to take when selling. I’ve found a very good site that spells it out for you. Also, these tips are applicable for anyone trying to photograph any reflective surface.

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Links from this week’s show:

Power Press Web Site Marketing Strategy - Write press releases that will bring traffic and buyers to your site or auction. Normally $37.97, you can receive $10 Off ($27.97) by entering “lonelyboy” (omit the ” “) in the Promo Code box.

e-Junkie - The best digital download manager available. Enter code: “SELL101″ for a one month’s free service.

GoDaddy Discount - Get $96 in Free Extras with your domain name from GoDaddy.com. Each domain includes free hosting with a Web site builder, a free Blog, Complete Email and much more. Enter code “pod54″ and get 10% off your order.

Craig’s Helper - a simple tool that allows you to search multiple Craigslist sites at once, quickly and easily.

CraigsNumber - Craigsnumber is an auto-expiring, FREE anonymous phone number for use not only on Craigslist but wherever you might need it.

MyBidlist.com - Turn ads into auctions on Craigslist, kijiji, Google base, Edgeio, Yahoo! Local Listing, LiveDeal, Oodle, Backpage, Vast for FREE.

Crazedlist- Search Craigslist like a madman.

Best eBay Auction Stores - Request a review of your Store and let them help bring business to it.

SEO Book Keyword Suggestion Tool - The best keyword research tool/service I know of.

BidThumbs - A gallery of eBay items of interest for reserve-met / no-reserve auctions ending within 24 hours.

Jewelry Photography Tips - Excellent one-stop site for tips to taking pics of all things shiny.

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One of the most effective means for sellers to manipulate auction display on eBay, namely auction extensions, is apparently no longer going to be allowed. I say apparently since there has been no formal announcement from eBay. However, according to Scott Wingo’s eBay Strategies Blog, both manual and automatic extensions are now considered a form of fee avoidance. Listen in as I explain what you missed, why you missed it and how you’re going to miss it.

The London Sunday Times is trumpeting a startling headline:

“CUSTOMERS of the internet auction site eBay are being defrauded by unscrupulous dealers who secretly bid up the price of items on sale to boost profits.”

The dogged reporter who revealed this amazing bit of news is rumored to be working on an equally amazing story regarding heliocentrism and the sound of one hand clapping.

According to Slashdot, the growing popularity of Massively Multiplayer games has brought the issue of ownership rights in virtual worlds, and the appropriateness of what is called ‘real money transfer’ (RMT) into an increasingly public light. So much so that eBay is in the process of ending all auctions dealing with such “virtual property”. Confused? It is actually a quite fascinating glimpse into not only virtual worlds but also the very real idea of virtual economies. Meanwhile, rumors are surfacing that in the near future, Google’s Earth might just offer an alternative reality.
A listener writes in asking whether or not to go with eBay’s keyword suggestions for his eBay Store…its a great question and one whose answer has implications for wherever you are selling on-line.

Ever wonder what the thinking is behind those notorious Penney auctions on eBay? Listen in as I walk you through my purchase of one such auction and the “secret” information revealed.

A wholesale site for purchasing reasonable quantities from China…and one at least that appears legit….Color schemes for your auction templates might just be what you need…Revisiting Jane’s Wholesale, still alive and kicking…a one-stop site for everything related to cameras and photography, including how to take the best pics of the trickiest surfaces.

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Links from this week’s show:

Power Press Web Site Marketing Strategy - Normally $37.97, you can receive $10 Off ($27.97) by entering “lonelyboy” (omit the ” “) in the Promo Code box.

eBay Nixes Auction Extensions - Scott Wingo’s explains the why a clever, effective and long established means of working eBay auction’s display is now “fee avoidance”.

London Time’s “Revelation” of eBay Shill Bidding - Traditional media scoops the on-line world.

eBay Delisting All Auctions of Virtual Property - There goes the virtual neighborhood.

Fleamarket Guide - Where to go to scratch the itch.

CK South - Everything for the art and business of cake decorating and candy making.

Lovli Community Art Market - Community of people who make art, crafts and handmade products. Well done site.

DHGate Chinese Wholesale Site - “all of your favorite brands, from every small sparkle thing”…sounds like the real thing.

Color Schemes Site/Tool - Trust me, many of your auction templates could use a little more color coordination.

Jane’s Wholesale - Wholesale listings, escrow service.

Camera Jim’s Guide to Auction Photography - Good all around site for tips and recommendations.

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Well, I’ve finally finished my edit of “The Power Press Web Site Marketing Strategy” and I’m happy to announce it’s finally ready.

And as a way of saying thanks, I’d like to extend a special offer to my listeners and readers.

Normally $37.97, you can receive $10 Off ($27.97) by entering “lonelyboy” (omit the ” “) in the Promo Code box. Just follow this Link and enter the code in the appropriate box. You can also click on the banner on the right side of this page.
I hope you enjoy and the book and that you find it an effective tool…Your Weapon of Choice.

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Last week Amazon launched Endless.com. This week eBay buys StubHub…one company demonstrating imagination, moxie and insight into its brand while the other goes the route of checkbook expansion.

UC Berkeley study confirms what eBay cannot admit; that feedback manipulation is active, blatant and threatens the system.

PayPal announces password key “fobs” to strengthen security.

Customers (like you) demand flexible return policies…are you listening?

An interview with e-Junkie.com’s chief designer, Robin Kohli, on the power and profitability of digital sales.

As I predicted, shopping comparison sites post reduced usage this past holiday season…it seems they aren’t very social.

Internet sales pro, Perry Marshal, has some very good advice for eBay sales copy.

New eBay auction watch gadget for Google Desktop sidebar, anonymous e-Mail service, how to be a curious photographer, hotel surplus and sites for selling vintage records and coins.

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Links from this week’s show:

UC Berkeley Finds Feedback Manipulation on eBay - Scholars discover the obvious.

PayPal to Offer Password Key Fobs to Users - Security, thy name is Fob.

Survey Reveals that Customers Want Flexible Return Policies - Many Happy Returns.

On-Line Sales up 26%; Shopping Comparison Sites Suffer - Good article on many aspects of consumer behavior.

e-Junkie - Inexpensive digital product delivery site…Google Base and eBay integration.

Perry Marshall - On-Line marketing advice and tools from a legitimate expert.

eBay Sellers Auction Watch for Google Desktop - Easy to use tool for keeping up with the action.

How to Be a Curious Photographer - Good site for tips and tools regarding digital photography.

2Prong - Anonymous e-mail site.

Hotel Surplus - 4 & 5 star hotel furnishings liquidator.

Teletrade - Currency and coin auction site. Free price histories.

Naucks Vintage Records - International auction site for rare 78 rpms.

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Amazon’s announcement of its new shoe and handbag site, Endless.com, is about much more than shoes. Listen in as I examine what I believe the real story is and what it means for on-line selling in general.

Launched by an award winning veteran of Electronic Arts, the new auction site zeeDive debuts with a very interesting and entertaining approach to auction selling. Listen in as I interview zeeDive CEO Eric Metens.

Speaking of Amazon, a simple affiliate site shows us that there is a very powerful way of driving traffic that is almost impossible to resist.

Have you considered placing an RSS feed of your eBay Store or Overstock auctions in the most obvious place of all? Probably not..

Free SEO Tools offers a great FireFox extension that gives you everything you need right where you need it most when searching your competition.

Google has liberated their KeyWord tool so that its now easier than ever for anyone to fine tune not only their web site but also their auction titles….and if you’re not using it, you’re missing out on a lot of free traffic for your auctions.

Collaborating your marketing efforts using a common web site is one way for you and like-minded sellers to compete more effectively on-line….and there’s a site that proves an excellent example of how it might work.

A site featuring eBay top sellers by feedback & category is, of course, tempting…but if you understand what you’re seeing and what it means, then there are tools to make that information pay.

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Links from this week’s show:

Amazon’s Clone: Endless.com - Bigger News than what you’ve read so far.

zeeDive - A new auction site that entertains buyers with some imaginative programming.

SEOBook / FireFox Extension - Import useful marketing data right into Google and Yahoo search results.

Brand-Name-Coupons.com - Average name but an excellent strategy for compelling searches to look..find deals searching Amazon.com for % off deals (90%, 80%,etc.).

Google’s External Keyword Tool - Keyword popularity, search volume, etc. that you should use before you title your listing.

1stDibs.com - Good example of how a gateway site could be used by several sellers to economize on marketing and traffic generation.