Don't Get Burned on EBay: How to Avoid Scams and Escape Bad Deals

  Author:    Shauna Wright
  ISBN:    0596101783
  Sales Rank:    708004
  Published:    2006-03-10
  Publisher:    O'Reilly Media, Inc.
  # Pages:    174
  Binding:    Paperback
  Avg. Rating:    5.0 based on 14 reviews
  Used Offers:    11 from $4.93
  Amazon Price:    $11.55
  (Data above last updated:  2008-12-01 03:52:52 EST)
  
  
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Don't Get Burned on EBay: How to Avoid Scams and Escape Bad Deals
  
Lots of books tell you how to buy and sell on eBay. But what if something goes horribly awry? Do you have to chalk it up to a "lesson learned," lick your wounds and move on? Not a chance. Don't Get Burned on eBay offers relevant lessons based on real-life stories posted on eBay's Answer Center. With sharp, witty rhetoric, veteran eBay user Shauna Wright (co-founder of the popular web site WhoWouldBuyThat.com), shows eBay veterans and newcomers alike how to avoid those nasty scenarios, and how to pull themselves out of the muck if they've already fallen in.

Six entertaining (and hair-raising) chapters cover real problems that people have encountered with bidding, payment, shipping, packaging, dealing with other eBayers, and coping with the eBay system. This book is for anyone who's ever used eBay, because even veteran buyers and sellers often don't know the intricacies of eBay's and PayPal's rules. Don't Get Burned on eBay will leave you well-informed and better protected from potential pitfalls. The book's extensive glossary and numerous in-depth sidebars also make the book useful to people who haven't yet taken the plunge into eBay.

                  Reader Reviews 1 - 10 of 10                 
  
  
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10-06-07 2 1\3
(Hide Review...)  Stay away from this book!! Its a waste of paper...
Reviewer Permalink
This book is not for beginners, and contrary to the reputation of O'Reilly press, this is not for experts.

The book uses a simple way to discribe many cases of things going bad. But it stays on the superficial layer of the problems.

The paradigm it uses is describe the problem, ways to prevent it, and how to get off the hook. This may seem very tempting to read because of the easy way to analyse the content of the cases. I like the 3 step aproach, but I didn't see and substance of the way she explained and the conjectures of details each process entails.

The book in general is a simpleton... and its boring.

(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-11-29 06:20:30 EST)
09-08-06 5 2\3
(Hide Review...)  Doing eBay Right
Reviewer Permalink
I was unable to find something I really needed from my usual sources, and turned to eBay for help. Sure enough, there it was! I was an eBay virgin, unsure and feeling very vulnerable. Should I try it?

This is exactly the point where "Don't Get Burned on eBay" comes in handy. Reading this book was like finding a good friend and a compass while wandering lost in the wilderness. I started out marking the impor-

tant points I came across but soon gave that up since there wasn't a lot that I didn't feel like underlining. It's crammed full of useful information.

One aspect that doesn't get enough play for the prospective reader in

my opinion is that the book not only tells you how to avoid the scams

and frauds, it also tells a newcomer how to buy and sell with the legiti-

mate people and do it right the first time. To me as a newbie, that was

just as important. And even if you read this and never do an eBay trans-

action, you will have likely learned something about mail-ordering from

anyone. This is a good reference that I will keep in my library.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-09-07 06:40:53 EST)
09-08-06 5 2\3
(Hide Review...)  Doing eBay Right
Reviewer Permalink
I was unable to find something I really needed from my usual sources, and turned to eBay for help. Sure enough, there it was! I was an eBay virgin, unsure and feeling very vulnerable. Should I try it?
This is exactly the point where "Don't Get Burned on eBay" comes in handy. Reading this book was like finding a good friend and a compass while wandering lost in the wilderness. I started out marking the impor-
tant points I came across but soon gave that up since there wasn't a lot that I didn't feel like underlining. It's crammed full of useful information.
One aspect that doesn't get enough play for the prospective reader in
my opinion is that the book not only tells you how to avoid the scams
and frauds, it also tells a newcomer how to buy and sell with the legiti-
mate people and do it right the first time. To me as a newbie, that was
just as important. And even if you read this and never do an eBay trans-
action, you will have likely learned something about mail-ordering from
anyone. This is a good reference that I will keep in my library.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-10-07 07:45:01 EST)
09-07-06 5 1\2
(Hide Review...)  Doing eBay Right
Reviewer Permalink
I was unable to find something I really needed from my usual sources, and turned to eBay for help. Sure enough, there it was! I was an eBay virgin, unsure and feeling very vulnerable. Should I try it?
This is exactly the point where "Don't Get Burned on eBay" comes in handy. Reading this book was like finding a good friend and a compass while wandering lost in the wilderness. I started out marking the impor-
tant points I came across but soon gave that up since there wasn't a lot that I didn't feel like underlining. It's crammed full of useful information.
One aspect that doesn't get enough play for the prospective reader in
my opinion is that the book not only tells you how to avoid the scams
and frauds, it also tells a newcomer how to buy and sell with the legiti-
mate people and do it right the first time. To me as a newbie, that was
just as important. And even if you read this and never do an eBay trans-
action, you will have likely learned something about mail-ordering from
anyone. This is a good reference that I will keep in my library.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-04-11 07:31:08 EST)
04-08-06 5 7\8
(Hide Review...)  Takes the fear out of eBay
Reviewer Permalink
Whether you've been using eBay for years or have been afraid to try it, lest you be ripped off, this book is an invaluable tool. Unlike other books that deal with online subjects, it's actually fun to read. The wit makes these tips and tales very easy to absorb and remember while bolstering your eBay confidence and savvy.

I've been using eBay since 1998 and I still picked up dozens of new things and now understand some of the more esoteric features of the site. When I lent the book to my mom, who has shyed from the site because she felt it was too risky, she proudly made two purchases using only the book as a guide. I wish all DIY and instruction style books were this much fun to read, I'd know how to do a lot more things if they were.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-07-05 06:29:05 EST)
04-04-06 5 7\7
(Hide Review...)  A great resource for new and experienced eBayers alike.
Reviewer Permalink
I've been using eBay since 1999 as both a buyer and a seller. I was amazed at the amount of things I learned from this book. The policies at both eBay and PayPal have been updated significantly over time, and I'm sure like many other people, I was not aware of many of the changes. From tips on insurance and shipping to information on how to block and cancel bids, this book is valuable to any eBay seller. It also provides tons of information for buyers and sellers on how to avoid common scams associated with eBay. For example, I didn't realize that some people would actually switch a new item for an old and try to claim a return. I also didn't realize that eBay flat-out warns against using Western Union - and that even money orders are not secure in an age of easy counterfeiting.

The book is also filled with real stories of eBay snafus which clearly illustrate the author's points. In addition, the author's sense of humor makes the book a pleasure to read. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that is active in eBay - even if you don't read it cover-to-cover, it would act as a great reference guide.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-07-05 06:29:05 EST)
04-02-06 5 7\8
(Hide Review...)  Worth Ten Times the Price
Reviewer Permalink
This book should be mandatory reading for every person who buys OR sells on eBay. Both sides need to understand their rights and responsibilities clearly, and understand what exactly to do when things go wrong. In addition, both sides need to know common scams, common problems, the ins and outs of insurance and shipping, and common payment issues. This book covers every important issue clearly and concisely. EBay should give a copy to every new user, and give them a quiz before letting them bid or sell.

In addition to being clear, the author has a sense of humor, which makes this not only informative, but entertaining as well. The chapter layout makes it useful as a reference tool, to which the reader can turn when she has a question. The reader should read the whole book once, but afterwards, it is easily used to refer back to for specific questions or occurrences.

I'm a librarian in a university library, and I evaluate books all the time. For its purpose, this is one of the clearest and best I've seen.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-07-05 06:29:05 EST)
04-01-06 5 1\1
(Hide Review...)  Great reference for all eBay users
Reviewer Permalink
With some really good narratives, and not a few sarcastic comments (my favorite kind), Shauna has show there's a way around almost any scam. With her book, the prospective bidder can have an enjoyable experience and pick up some neato stuff.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-07-05 06:29:05 EST)
04-01-06 5 7\8
(Hide Review...)  You won't get burned if you buy this book!
Reviewer Permalink
Using plain language that's neither too techy nor too dumbed-down, Shauna Wright's new book, "Don't Get Burned on eBay: How to Avoid Scams and Escape Bad Deals" is punchy, concise, and full of great tips for both buyers and sellers. Wright's wry, sarcastic asides keep the tone of the book humorous yet still authoritative. It's clear Wright knows how to wade through the steamy, muck-laden trenches of online auctions and come out victorious. I thought I was a knowledgeable eBayer, but after reading this book, it's clear I need to be more careful in the future. I will definitely put this book's tips to good use in future eBay transactions!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-07-05 06:29:05 EST)
03-31-06 5 3\3
(Hide Review...)  Good Book for Newbies & experienced people - who *think* they know it all
Reviewer Permalink
I've been on Ebay since 1998 and although I don't think I know it all - I found out how little I did know. Shawna's real life stories and experiences show you how to avoid situations you had never even thought about. I used to only think UPS was the only way to go - now I appreciate how it isn't necessarily as good as I thought - and can actually be an inconvience... If you are new to Ebay - this is an excellent resource! Highly recommended!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-07-05 06:29:05 EST)
  
                  Reader Reviews 1 - 10 of 10                 
  
  
  
  
  
  

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