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May 13, 2004

In This Issue
Announcements:
1. Next AUCTION GENIUS Course Begins May 22
2. The Most Famous eBay Auction In History?
Fraudulent eBay and PayPal Emails
Feature Article: How To Know What To Sell
News From eBay
1. Dealing With Non Paying Buyers
2. Helping Your Item Be “Found”
From Our Humor Department

Announcements: Next AUCTION GENIUS Course Begins May 22

New Auction Genius Course to begin on May 22, 2004. We're super pleased to offer two new bonuses.

The first is the supercalifragilistic “Market Research Wizard”. This new software saves me hours of time – and can save anyone the heartache and expense of trying to promote a product – and failing. Yick, indeed! More about this in our Feature article.

The second bonus is the child of a new and wonderful friend. Andy Jenkins is the author of Yahoo Store profits. We had the privilege of spending several days with this zany and funny guy who profitably sells swords, tapestries and more in his Yahoo stores. He's so persuasive that I'm starting my first store - once I decide what I want to sell. To get Andy's 7 part free auto course, go here:

http://auctionknowhow.com/ebooks/yahoo-store-profits.shtml

“I just wanted to say thank you for such an amazing class! I had a feeling before I signed up for your class that it would be a life-changing event and it definitely was!

I went into the class with the goal of increasing my sales for my eBay business. By the time the class was finished, not only were my sales up 40% ! using the techniques that you taught us, but I also came away with an entire new business plan that is going to create multiple streams of income.

Lisa Suttora
http://auction-genius-course.com/reviews.shtml

The Most Famous eBay Auction In History?

Have you seen ... IT? The most popular eBay auction in history, as far as I know. To date it's had 16+ MILLION views! It shows a hairy guy dressed in his ex-wife's wedding dress. The seller, Larry, has appeared on CNBC, The Today Show and MSNBC.

I'm teach my Auction Genius students to make their listings personable instead of sounding like a corporate ad. Larry has learned that lesson well.

The saddest part to me, though, is that he could have taken all that humongous publicity and made an ongoing income stream rather than a one-shot sale of a wedding dress, if he had only known how.

It's definitely a hoot!

http://auction-genius-course.com/listings/weddingdress.shtml

Fraudulent eBay and PayPal Emails

Many times in this publication, I have mentioned how crooks use fake emails to defraud honest folks on the net. Their usual sleazeball tactic is to inform you that there is some problem with your eBay or PayPal account – then directing you to a particular page to “fix” the problem. Occasionally, you will be asked to supply information through an email, although this is much less likely. This email or page will ask for all kinds of information about your accounts and approximately 5% of these messages are successful! No wonder they keep doing it. Send your junk to enough numbers, and you're bound to hit paydirt sometime or other.

Ebay has information on “spoof” emails, although I really object to the term 'spoof' According to the dictionary, it means, “Nonsense; tomfoolery; a gentle satirical imitation; a light parody.” I don't think thieves attempting to steal people's money is pleasant or gentle. Anyway, here is the eBay info:

http://www.pages.ebay.com/education/spooftutorial/

For the low down on the low down people, the best source I know is a no-cost book entitled "Starting Your Internet Business RIGHT!" There is a chapter in the EBook that talks about and identifies Internet business scams and schemes that cheat new Netrepreneurs out of millions of dollars every year. This section explains how the scams work, and what to watch for to safely tiptoe through those stinky tulips.

http://netbiz.auctionknowhow.com

Feature Article: How To Know What To Sell

I recently received this s email from a puzzled reader. It is probably THE most asked question about eBay and auctions – maybe it's yours, too?

- - -

I am really interested in your course on making money on eBay and the other auction sites, however I have a question?  Could someone please explain to me how you can really make money?  
 
This is what I mean,  I have noticed that on ebay there are literally thousands of people selling almost the same products,  and I have noticed so many auctions of ebay sellers whose auctions have ended, and they have zero bids not even ONE bidder.  Lots and lots of sellers are not selling their products.
 
So this is my question, and I am asking for an honest answer.  How can your course help me to be a seller that gets my products actually sold on these auction site with so many people selling the same things?
 
- - -

The keywords here are “so many people selling the same things”. That's what you DON”T want to do. Successful selling anywhere is a delicate balance of supply and demand.

DEMAND: it doesn't matter what you're selling if there's no demand. Period. $20 gold pieces for a nickel? No demand = no sales

SUPPLY: too much competition means you have to be either The Best or have pretty deep pockets with your advertising budget. Most of us aren't either.

But how do you figure supply and demand BEFORE you get involved with a product. Here is a new and powerful piece of software that will do it for you. And it's simple to use. And it will save you hours and hours of research and who knows how many dollars in failed efforts.

I can't describe it in an email. You have to see for yourself here:

http://auction-genius-course.com/market-research-wizard.shtml

It's very cool stuff!

News From eBay
1. Dealing With Non Paying Buyers

It truly is a mystery to me ... why do people bid on an item – and then not pay for it? Are they malicious? Have they changed their minds? Do they just forget? Maybe it's a combination of all of those – or something else entirely. Regardless of the reasons, it's a hassle for eBay sellers – not just the loss of money but all the extra trouble it involves. To its credit, eBay is trying to smooth the process, although its power is limited. After all, we can't FORCE a seller to pay. Here is what eBay is going to do for sellers:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/announcement/upi.html#question2

2. Helping Your Item Be “Found”

“Item Specifics” allow you, the seller, to provide additional details about your item that can then be used by buyers to search more precisely for items of interest. The Item Specifics available during the selling process are determined by the category in which you sell your item. For example, the Item Specifics available in the Tickets category may be related to Date and Location of event, while the Item Specifics in the Laptops category could refer to Brand and Speed of computer.

*Note: In a few categories, some Item Specifics may be <required> in order to sell your item in these categories.

http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/item_specifics_faqs.html?ssPageName=CMDV:AB
http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/item_specifics.html?ssPageName=CMDV:AB

From Our Humor Department

I LOVE baseball! Or, at least, I love Atlanta Braves baseball (sorry, everyone else, but I hope the Braves beat your team :-)

I'm always glad when spring comes and baseball season is underway. But I have to admit that sometimes the astronomical salaries and constant bickering between owners and players gets tedious. This hilarity appeared came my way too late for last season, so, I have saved it for months until an appropriate time – and that time is now.

- - -

HELP A BASEBALL PLAYER

In the last few years, Americans have come together as never before in our generation. We have banded together to overcome tremendous adversity. We have weathered direct attacks on our own soil, wars overseas, corporate scandal, layoffs, unemployment, stock price plunges, droughts, fires, and a myriad of economic and physical disasters both great and small. But now, we must come together once again to overcome our greatest challenge yet. Hundreds of Major League Baseball players in our very own nation are living at, just below, or in most cases far above the seven-figure salary level. And as if that weren't bad enough they could be deprived of their life giving pay for several months, possibly longer, as a result of the upcoming strike situation.

But you can help! For only $20,835 a month, about $694.50 a day (that's less than the cost of a large screen projection TV) you can help a MLB player remain economically viable during his time of need. This contribution by no means solves the problem as it barely covers the annual minimum salary, but it's a start, and every little bit will help! Although $700 may not seem like a lot of money to you, to a baseball player it could mean the difference between spending the strike golfing in Florida or on a Mediterranean cruise. For you, $700 is nothing more than a month's rent, half a mortgage payment, or a month of medical insurance, but to a baseball player, $700 will partially replace his daily salary. Your commitment of less than $700 a day will enable a player to buy that home entertainment center, trade in the year-old Lexus for a new Ferrari, or enjoy a weekend in Rio.

HOW WILL I KNOW I'M HELPING?
Each month, you will receive a complete financial report on the player you sponsor. Detailed information about his stocks, bonds, 401(k), real estate, and other investment holdings will be mailed to your home. Plus, upon signing up for this program, you will receive an unsigned photo of the player lounging during the strike on a beach somewhere in the Caribbean (for a signed photo, please include an additional $150). Put the photo on your refrigerator to remind you of other peoples' suffering.

HOW WILL HE KNOW I'M HELPING?
Your MLB player will be told that he has a SPECIAL FRIEND who just wants to help in a time of need. Although the player won't know your name, he will be able to make collect calls to your home via a special operator in case additional funds are needed for unforeseen expenses.

YES, I WANT TO HELP!
I would like to sponsor a striking MLB player. My preference is checked below:
[ ] Infielder
[ ] Outfielder
[ ] Starting Pitcher
[ ] Ace Pitcher
[ ] Middle Reliever
[ ] Entire team (Please call our 900 number to ask for the cost of a specific team - $10 per minute)
[ ] Alex Rodriguez (Higher cost: $60,000 per day)
Please charge the account listed below $694.50 per day for the player for the duration of the strike.
[ ] Please send me a picture of the player I have sponsored, along with an Alex Rodriguez 2001 Income Statement and my very own Donald Fehr MLB Bobblehead.
Your Name: _______________________
Telephone Number:___________________
Account Number: ___________________
Exp.Date:_______
[ ] MasterCard
[ ] Visa
[ ] American Express
Alternate card (when the primary card exceeds its credit limit):
Account Number: ___________________
Exp.Date:_______
[ ] MasterCard
[ ] Visa
[ ] American Express
[ ] Discover
Signature: _________________________________________________________
Notary Public: _____________________________________________________
Mail completed form to MLB Players Union or call 1-900-F%*&-THE-FANS now to
enroll by phone ($10 per minute).
Disclaimer: Sponsors are not permitted to contact the player they have sponsored, either in person or by other means including, but not limited to, telephone calls, letters, e-mail, or third parties. (Contributions are not tax-deductible.)