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

by Shauna Wright

Book Overview

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...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0596101783
• ISBN13: 9780596101787
• Release Date: April 2006
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media
• Length: 174 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.3" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Takes the fear out of eBay

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.

A great resource for new and experienced eBayers alike.

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.

You won't get burned if you buy this book!

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!

Worth Ten Times the Price

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.

Great for experienced users and newbies alike

This is an excellent book for any eBay user, whether your feedback level is 1 or 1000. In a friendly, funny style, Shauna Wright tells readers how to avoid the many pitfalls of selling (and buying) on eBay, using true stories from tormented users to illustrate her points. Entertaining and informative; I highly recommend this book!