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Working for Yourself

Selling on eBay

How the Platform Works Now

Selling on eBay, by Richard Lowe

That eBay is gone

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278 pages · Paperback ISBN 978-1-946458-51-3 · ebook ISBN 978-1-946458-71-1

278Pages 42Chapters 2003Selling since 4Parts

That eBay is gone

I started selling on eBay in 2003, when it still felt like a digital garage sale. Ordinary people sold their extra things to other ordinary people who liked finding something odd at a fair price. You listed an item, somebody bid, you shipped it. Twenty minutes.

What replaced it is a corporate marketplace with managed payments, algorithm-driven search, seller performance metrics, and policies that change whether or not you were watching. Visibility costs money now. A policy violation can end years of work in an afternoon.

Most eBay guides are written by people who either never built anything substantial on the platform or stopped selling before the corporate turn made their advice useless. They are still teaching a version of eBay that cared about individual sellers.

I lived through the change and adapted rather than quitting. This is written from that side of it, including the enforcement actions and algorithm updates that finished off sellers who could not move fast enough.

What is inside

Getting started

  • What changed, stated plainly
  • Setting up a seller account correctly the first time
  • Finding your place in the machine
  • What success looks like now, as opposed to in 2005

Listing and pricing

  • Listings the algorithm will actually surface
  • Pricing against sellers with deeper pockets
  • Photography that does the work
  • Shipping, and where the margin quietly goes

Staying alive

  • Seller performance metrics and what trips them
  • Policy violations, appeals and restoration
  • Returns and the buyer protection asymmetry
  • Scams aimed at sellers rather than buyers

Scaling

  • Sourcing inventory that resells
  • Systems for volume without losing the thread
  • Taxes and record keeping
  • When eBay stops being the right platform

What readers said

Amazon reviews of the previous edition. 19 of them, averaging 5.00 out of 5.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ AnnT
A Great Insight into Becoming a Successful Seller on EBay

What a great introduction to EBay! I picked up this book because I use EBay quite often and they are regularly try to tempt me to become a seller. Obviously people make money from it. Richard Lowe’s book was a really well written, easy book to read. And at the same time, I came away knowing a whole lot more about the process of becoming a successful seller on EBay. Richard begins by advising you to learn about EBay by becoming a regular buyer and points out that you can begin building your feedback score as a buyer before you even think of selling. He explains about EBay’s categories and how they work. He then discusses all of the options you have as you learn to sell, beginning with unused items from around your home. He discusses various ways of sourcing both new and used items to sell and the pitfalls you need to be aware of. Richard goes into good details about the types of products that are more likely to sell on EBay – and those that will be easier for you as a seller. He discusses the pros and cons of selling for a fixed price or going to auction, including which course to use when. There is a lot of detailed information on the extra factors that you need to take into account – particularly the pitfalls when it comes to shipping – even drop-shipping. There’s a discussion on the fees involved and methods of marketing. Richard is very obviously an experienced and successful seller. He offers a brief discussion on the setting up of an EBay store and marketing factors such as setting up a Storefront Website. All up, this gave me a really valuable insight into what is involved to make an income from EBay – even a living, if you so choose. A highly recommended read.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mishaah
GREAT EBAY RESOURCE

I had a small business on ebay 10 years ago. Although it was profitable it took quite a bit of work and a lot of my personal time. I ended up letting that business go. In the last ten years I have gathered up quite a few things that I no longer want or need. I kept thinking I should post on ebay but I would dread the thought because of my experience and I ended up just giving it away or selling stuff for way less than it was worth in garage sales. I ran across this book after reading a couple other books by Richard Lowe and I am kicking myself. I was doing ebay the hard way and it is so much easier to sell on ebay than the way I had been doing. There are a lot of great tools in this book. One of the most important pieces of advice that he gave is to become a buyer first. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that. This way you can see what it is like on the other end and cater to that. I’ve already collected several items to sell and am actually excited to try this again.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Elvis Niba
A well written and straight to the point summary of what every EBayer needs to get started.

This is a well written and straight to the point summary of what every EBay buyer or seller needs to get started. The author does a great job simplifying the readers understanding of a process that usually seems daunting to a new EBay user. He clearly explains the different categories users have to understand to list or locate products, and also does a great job helping the users identify some of the items that most people already have at home and think its junk, but can be sold for a profit. Full of tips and tricks on how to enhance the process, to maximize returns. A must read for anyone who needs a to-the-point account of how to get started buying and selling on EBay.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Nazeem
This is a great book for those who are sitting on the fence

This is a great book for those who are sitting on the fence and wondering if getting started on selling through eBay is for them. His idea to declutter your house and profiting via eBay is simply brilliant. In this book, you would learn how to get started out on eBay, and what you need to take note of to profit and do things the right way. If you are confused and unsure about trying to sell on eBay, then this is the definitely the book to get as it would clear all your doubts and help you get started. I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Read all 19 reviews

Who this is for

Worth your time if

  • You sell on eBay and the results stopped making sense
  • You are starting now and want the current rules
  • You have been suspended or restricted and need to understand why
  • You want the platform described by someone still using it

Not for you if

  • You want a passive income promise
  • You are looking for the 2005 playbook
  • You want to be told eBay is on your side
  • You need a get-rich guide rather than an operations manual

Why me

Richard Lowe, the Writing King

I have been selling on eBay since 2003 and watched it turn from a community into a marketplace that answers to shareholders. I adapted through every policy change and enforcement wave that ended other sellers. Thirty-three years in enterprise IT before that, which is where I learned to read a system that is being changed underneath you.

Questions people ask

Is this book updated for modern eBay?
Yes. Unlike guides written before eBay’s corporate transformation, this one addresses current realities: algorithm-driven search placement, automated policy enforcement, managed payments, mobile-first optimization, and competition from well-funded professional operations. Strategies that work within current constraints, not nostalgia from simpler times.
What experience does the author have?
Richard Lowe has been selling on eBay since 2003. He sold $35,000 worth of his own items in a single year during a major declutter, then another $10,000 the following year. He has watched the platform transform and adapted to every major change along the way.
Does the book cover dropshipping?
Yes. With a realistic assessment of compliance requirements, supplier evaluation, and the operational problems most sellers underestimate. The focus is on legal approaches that survive policy enforcement, not gray-area techniques that end in account suspension.
Does this book address sellers with ADHD or disabilities?
Yes. Special circumstances chapters cover the unique challenges faced by sellers with ADHD, disabilities, and those running international operations, with practical accommodations that work with individual circumstances.
Is this a get-rich-quick guide?
No. eBay requires work, patience, and a willingness to keep learning as the rules shift. This is a professional guide for building businesses that can survive eBay’s continuing evolution. Honest about the challenges, practical about the solutions.

Also in Working for Yourself

Focus on LinkedIn

The Complete Professional Playbook

Networking Without the BS

Building Relationships That Actually Hold

Build a Profitable Consulting Practice

The Part of Consulting Nobody Teaches

The platform will not tell you when the rules move

It will only tell you afterward, in an email about your account.

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Paperback and ebook.

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A chapter

Selling on eBay

eBay scams have evolved from amateur con jobs into sophisticated operations that would make Wall Street fraudsters envious. Modern scammers use psychological manipulation, technical expertise, and detailed knowledge of eBay’s policies to separate naive sellers from their money, inventory, and account standing. Understanding these scams helps protect your business from predators who view eBay sellers as walking ATMs waiting to be exploited.

The platform’s size and complexity create numerous opportunities for criminals who exploit seller desperation, greed, and ignorance to execute elaborate frauds that can destroy businesses and drain bank accounts faster than bad investment decisions during a market crash.

Payment confirmation scams target sellers with sophisticated fake emails, doctored screenshots, and convincing stories about payment processing delays that trick sellers into shipping expensive items before payments clear through legitimate channels.

Scammers create fake PayPal emails that appear authentic but contain subtle differences in sender addresses, formatting, or language that reveal their fraudulent nature when examined carefully. These emails often claim payments are pending, held for review, or require additional verification before funds become available.

Screenshot manipulation involves altered images of payment confirmations, bank deposits, or money transfer receipts that look convincing but represent completely fabricated transactions. Modern photo editing software makes these fakes increasingly difficult to distinguish from legitimate payment documentation.

Pressure tactics create artificial urgency through stories about sick relatives, time-sensitive shipping requirements, or limited availability that pressure sellers into shipping items before payment verification can be completed through proper channels.

Email spoofing techniques make fraudulent messages appear to originate from legitimate financial institutions, eBay, or PayPal while coming from criminal operations designed to steal money and merchandise from unsuspecting sellers.

Pro Tip: Always verify payments through direct login to your payment processor’s website, never through email links or screenshots provided by buyers.

Table of contents

Selling on eBay

  • Preface
  • Introduction
  • The New eBay Reality
  • Finding Your Place in the Machine
  • What Success Looks Like Now
  • PART I: Getting Started
  • Chapter 1: eBay Fundamentals. What’s Changed
  • Chapter 2: Setting Up Your Seller Account
  • Chapter 3: Understanding eBay’s Fee Structure
  • Chapter 4: Basic Listing Creation
  • Chapter 5: Payment And Shipping Essentials
  • Chapter 6: Equipment and Supplies for eBay Operations
  • PART II: Building Your Business
  • Chapter 7: Product Research and Sourcing
  • Chapter 8: Photography and Listing Optimization
  • Chapter 9: Pricing Strategies That Work
  • Chapter 10: Managing Inventory and Orders
  • Chapter 11: Customer Service Excellence
  • PART III: Advanced Selling Techniques
  • Chapter 12: eBay Stores and Subscription Benefits
  • Chapter 13: Promoted Listings and Advertising
  • Chapter 14: International Selling
  • Chapter 15: Seasonal Selling and Market Timing
  • PART IV: Dropshipping on eBay
  • Chapter 16: Dropshipping Basics and Setup
  • Chapter 17: Finding Reliable Suppliers
  • Chapter 18: Managing Dropship Orders
  • Chapter 19: Avoiding Dropshipping Pitfalls
  • PART V: Protecting Your Business
  • Chapter 20: Common Scams and How to Avoid Them
  • Chapter 21: Dealing with Problem Buyers
  • Chapter 22: eBay Policy Violations to Avoid
  • Chapter 23: Account Suspension Prevention
  • Chapter 24: Legal and Tax Considerations
  • PART VI: Scaling and Optimization
  • Chapter 25: Automation Tools and Software
  • Chapter 26: Building Multiple Revenue Streams
  • Chapter 27: When to Expand Beyond eBay
  • Chapter 28: Long-term Business Strategy
  • PART VII: Special Circumstances
  • Chapter 29: eBay Selling with ADHD
  • Chapter 30: eBay Selling for People with Disabilities
  • Chapter 31: Using Virtual Assistants and Outsourced Resources
  • Conclusion

Amazon reviews of the previous edition

Selling on eBay

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ AnnT
A Great Insight into Becoming a Successful Seller on EBay

What a great introduction to EBay! I picked up this book because I use EBay quite often and they are regularly try to tempt me to become a seller. Obviously people make money from it. Richard Lowe’s book was a really well written, easy book to read. And at the same time, I came away knowing a whole lot more about the process of becoming a successful seller on EBay. Richard begins by advising you to learn about EBay by becoming a regular buyer and points out that you can begin building your feedback score as a buyer before you even think of selling. He explains about EBay’s categories and how they work. He then discusses all of the options you have as you learn to sell, beginning with unused items from around your home. He discusses various ways of sourcing both new and used items to sell and the pitfalls you need to be aware of. Richard goes into good details about the types of products that are more likely to sell on EBay – and those that will be easier for you as a seller. He discusses the pros and cons of selling for a fixed price or going to auction, including which course to use when. There is a lot of detailed information on the extra factors that you need to take into account – particularly the pitfalls when it comes to shipping – even drop-shipping. There’s a discussion on the fees involved and methods of marketing. Richard is very obviously an experienced and successful seller. He offers a brief discussion on the setting up of an EBay store and marketing factors such as setting up a Storefront Website. All up, this gave me a really valuable insight into what is involved to make an income from EBay – even a living, if you so choose. A highly recommended read.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mishaah
GREAT EBAY RESOURCE

I had a small business on ebay 10 years ago. Although it was profitable it took quite a bit of work and a lot of my personal time. I ended up letting that business go. In the last ten years I have gathered up quite a few things that I no longer want or need. I kept thinking I should post on ebay but I would dread the thought because of my experience and I ended up just giving it away or selling stuff for way less than it was worth in garage sales. I ran across this book after reading a couple other books by Richard Lowe and I am kicking myself. I was doing ebay the hard way and it is so much easier to sell on ebay than the way I had been doing. There are a lot of great tools in this book. One of the most important pieces of advice that he gave is to become a buyer first. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that. This way you can see what it is like on the other end and cater to that. I’ve already collected several items to sell and am actually excited to try this again.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Elvis Niba
A well written and straight to the point summary of what every EBayer needs to get started.

This is a well written and straight to the point summary of what every EBay buyer or seller needs to get started. The author does a great job simplifying the readers understanding of a process that usually seems daunting to a new EBay user. He clearly explains the different categories users have to understand to list or locate products, and also does a great job helping the users identify some of the items that most people already have at home and think its junk, but can be sold for a profit. Full of tips and tricks on how to enhance the process, to maximize returns. A must read for anyone who needs a to-the-point account of how to get started buying and selling on EBay.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Nazeem
This is a great book for those who are sitting on the fence

This is a great book for those who are sitting on the fence and wondering if getting started on selling through eBay is for them. His idea to declutter your house and profiting via eBay is simply brilliant. In this book, you would learn how to get started out on eBay, and what you need to take note of to profit and do things the right way. If you are confused and unsure about trying to sell on eBay, then this is the definitely the book to get as it would clear all your doubts and help you get started. I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Robin Bremer
Details, details and more details

OH MY DETAILS and more details. This book is fresh packed full of every detail you need to sell on ebay AND make a profit! Richard has done his research and has loads of experience. If you want to avoid the pitfalls of selling on eBay just put a copy of this book into your library! He includes tons of information of each step along the way to selling. He also has tons of links on more information. This is a must read for everyone who wants to make money but doesn’t know where to start.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Susan Mueller
Selling on eBay Tips and Strategies

I reviewed a copy of Richard Lowe’s “How To Sell On eBay,” and thoroughly enjoyed it. This book will help you get started selling on eBay so you can make some extra money to help with expenses and maybe even grow it into a small business. He shares so many helpful details from determining what to sell, how to list it, what to do when it sells, options for shipping, when to set up an eBay store and how to promote it, etc. This book is absolutely worth the read.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Kim C
but I always felt like I needed to develop more of a strategy to make some real money

Wow! This book is exactly what I needed. I’ve bought and sold on ebay quite a bit, but I always felt like I needed to develop more of a strategy to make some real money. This book is excellent for the person who plans to sell several items…or even for the person who wants to just clean out their closet. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review… I hope that it’s available on hard copy soon!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stephen V Wooten II
This author TOTALLY nailed the process it takes to get started with this and what to do to be a better seller.

I am so excited to start eBaying for profit. This author TOTALLY nailed the process it takes to get started with this and what to do to be a better seller. I had no idea it would be so easy, but didn’t know all the little tips he lays out so well. A very easy AND amazingly helpful read!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Jilly Prather
Richard did it again!

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I’ve always wanted to learn how to sell stuff on eBay. Now Richard has written a very informative book about how to do it successfully. As usual, his writing style is easy to follow and his advice works!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ George R. Squires
Definitely a must Read

Richard has put before us a fantastic and informative book on getting started with Ebay. He gets to the point and guides us in the dos and the donts. The instructions are easy to follow and at every step of the way you know what you are doing.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Nicole Richards
Very clear and easy how to understand

Very clear and easy how to understand! Ebay can be completely confusing and frustrating, to say the least. This book is informative and gives you the tools and knowledge to confidently sell….and make good money on Ebay.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Kindle Customer
Great beginners book

I have NO experience trading on ebay..I highly recommend this book for the beginner. It is written in a very straight forward understandable style it covers the important basics to get you started..

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ninastar
Great book!!

I really like this book, it’s very helpful, it gives you the tools to make extra $$$ ..( selling on eBay, etc.. ) makes it easy ..I would totally recommend it.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mimi
Helpful even to those who have sold on Ebay before

Knew part of this already, but there is info that is helpful even to those who have sold on Ebay before.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Kim A.
Easy to understand and great tips for those just starting out

I appreciate the honesty in this book. Easy to understand and great tips for those just starting out.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon Customer
Why Review Books!

The book is just what I wanted. I would not have ordered it if it was not what I wanted.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ narayani
Easy, Great Read; Valuable Resource for EBay

Simple, concise, with in-depth, creative insights…..Thank you Richard.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Bob D.
Five Stars

very good product & service

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rosa Lee Back
Five Stars

Not for me but it is like