How Ebay Really Works by Brad Schepp, Debra Schepp (2006)

How eBay Really Works is a latecomer to the How to sell on ebay book category and that’s a good thing because it’s fresh, not dry and outdated. Back when I was starting there were fewer books about ebay, Most of them were a dry read and had lots of screenshots of ebay web pages. Some of those old books are here on Amazon and sell quite well due to their ratings and longevity on Amazon itself. I’ve read quite a few of them and I can tell you they are getting stale quickly.

Brad and Deb told me they were writing a new book geared towards the ebay novice, the ebay buyer who wishes to become a seller. I thought, “Boy have they got a job”. I thought how could they make it different and better, than the other 100 how to sell on ebay books already pounded out by everyone and his brother/sister who thinks they know how to “eBay”. Writers, who have never sold or bought a thing on ebay, yet profess to others in print as if they were experts.

First you get two writers for the price of one! Second you get 352 packed pages of eBay info for only $14.95! Brad & Deb are true hardcore ebay aficionados buying and selling on ebay. If they haven’t bought or sold it on ebay they know someone who has! And that is where their strength and expertise lies, when they write an eBay book they harness the power of the eBay community and bring it to life on printed pages, you’ll never be bored reading How eBay Really Works, It features quite a few of the best sellers on eBay contributing the best secrets and tips they have, found in no other book. The My Best eBay Sale and My Best eBay Buy stories that end each chapter really pull this book together. There are lots of sidebars, interesting facts and quick start lists sprinkled throughout.

I think every buyer and seller on eBay should have this book! It really does explain how to be the best buyer you can be, how to get the best deals, how to handle a transaction gone bad and how to avoid a bad transaction in the first place. It really is about how eBay really works and in a few places the underbelly of ebay is exposed, something ebay doesn’t want you to see. ( eBay is not always a rosy picture, despite how ebay and the media paint it.) This book will help you navigate those pitfalls with hints and advice from top sellers who have been in the reader’s shoes.

One of the sections I enjoyed most in the book was setting up a website and moving beyond eBay. I think this section was very applicable for an eBay book and should be one of the first considerations for anyone who wishes to make a living selling online. Ebay is now like the Army, (It’s a great place to start). The truth about eBay’s Prostores, not to be confused with eBay Stores, is an eye-opener, another must consider section of the book. Ultimately, the message in the book is that you can do it, you can sell on eBay, it’s easier than you think, the authors point out all the things you need to know in order navigate ebay SKILLFULLY.

Brad and Deb have written three eBay books

eBay Powerseller Secrets:Insider Tips from eBay's Most Successful Sellers
eBay PowerSeller Million Dollar Ideas
How eBay Really Works

I have bought and read all three, each is different, yet all are packed with information you can use. I recommend purchasing this one and ebay Powerseller Million Dollar ideas together, you get a discount and more bang for your buck!

This book really captures the fun of eBay!

Laid out in an easy-to-reference format, it has two main parts (like eBay), Buying and Selling. Each section goes into all the details you need to know about eBay with a focus on common sense.

There is no impossible nonsense and there are no unrealistic expectations. This book lays it out and makes eBay easy-to-understand.

If you are new to eBay, this book will help you avoid all the common mistakes and show you how to protect yourself from fraud (as a buyer and as a seller). If you know someone who is new to eBay, this is a great book to buy for them!

Have fun!