Ebay and other online auction powerselling tips and information

As part of "Guest Blogger Month" at Know More Media, I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to receive a guest post from Skip McGrath. Skip has been selling on eBay since 1999, has written seven books about eBay and internet marketing, and is a contributing editor to eBay radio.

Skips post takes a lighthearted look at some of the emails he has received from readers in the past 3 months. He claims they are all authentic (spelling and grammar errors included), as "You just can't make this stuff up."

What is the Real Secret to Making Money on eBay?

Guest author Skip McGrath

That headline is one of the most frequent reader emails I get followed by "What sell the best" and "What should I sell on eBay?" A few weeks ago, I shared a list of some of the awful terms that sellers use in their auctions. Today, I thought I would share some of the more interesting emails I get from readers.

These are just a sample from the past three months. Some of them are well intentioned, others frustrating, and others from people who I really wonder about. And yes, these are real emails from readers.

I have copy/pasted them exactly as they came in, so the grammar, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization are exactly as received with no corrections on my part: I have removed the names and email address to protect the guilty.

1) I think that people who sale on eBay should pay taxes becasue there are no better than people who pick up pop can for a living and please do not give my email address or name. thank you.

2) Product: Ten Profitable eBay Niche. Message: I need to get a refund for this item. It looks like a lot of work. I look for free money from eBay. (Editor's note: Good luck with that.)

3) If Skip McGrath is making so much money on ebay why is he SELLING his information? It looks to me, like he's making money SELLING information. Why should I BUY his information when like everything else....it doesn't deliver. WHY would he sell ore even TELL his secrets? Doesn't he make enough on eBay without selling his secrets on a website. I've sold on eBay for several years. (I looked up this seller and her feedback was 43, most if it as a buyer.)

4) Skip, your stuff is the best, but what should I sell on eBay to make the most money?

5) Your newsletter is just more ebay propaganda to get out money in more fees for eBay.

6) Skip, do you teach me the secrets that work and if you do are they still secrets if you teach them to so many people? I just want the real secrets not the ones yo sell to other people. I am happy to pay extra.

7) I live in Nigeria and work in orphanage and want to do ebay from here to make donation to our good cause. Can you send me a free book to help my orphans. God bless to you.

8) Mr. SKip, I would like to be your agent in Nigeria and can sell millions of your product. Please contact me immediately to discu uss this interesting and profitable business proposal. (Sent from same email address as #7 about the orphanage.)

9) eBay hoses people and takes them for a ride why are you helping them Skip McGrath...I bet you make money too.

The last one is interesting. I am not sure if he is confusing hoses with horses or where the ride will take me.

As you can see, several questions are from people who want to know what to sell on eBay, or what sells best on eBay. I get this question stated several ways and is probably the most asked single question. All of my books and my articles deal with this question in great detail. My answer:

Forget selling hot consumer products. There is too much competition and profit margins are very low. Find a specialized niche that is less competitive and especially find a niche that you know something about and are interested in.

As for secrets, if yo uread the sales letters for my products, you won't find any mention of secrets. Clever sellers are always looking for angles and often come up with new techniques, but once they use them, pretty much everyone else can use them. Secrets don't last very long on eBay. If you really want to be successful on eBay, there is no substitute for learning the basics, doing the work, and then staying on top of your business.

Visit Skip's website for more information on his books, learning roducts, newsletter, and affiliate program that can be added to your eBay About Me page.