The News of The Screws is now behind a paywall, so please excuse the slightly crap snap. It proves something we’ve know for a while, that eBay is a better way of liquidating your belongings than Cash Converters or the like. The results are stark.
In December I was invited to write a blog post for a site called “24 Ways to Start“. A sort of advent calendar for entrepreneurs. Here’s what I wrote: My first start-up was eBay.co.uk way back in 1999. eBay was already a public company and also profitable. International expansion was eBay’s focus with Germany and …
You know what it’s like. There’s usually a gift under the tree for you that you don’t really want. The thought was a good one but it didn’t hit the spot. Now it’s gathering dust somewhere. Here’s an idea. Why not just flog that little something on eBay? Transform that present into cash and everyone’s …
eBay established something called the Online Business Forum last year. I’m the Editor. I take a fee from eBay but I’m a totally independent curator and moderator of a really exciting new space. I’m not sure I ever thought I’d ever work for eBay again but this was a fun way to get involved and, …
Have you checked out eBay’s Online Business Forum? Read More »
The latest from eBay’s Online Business Index. A survey of more than 600 VAT-registered business selling online, shows that nearly a quarter (24%) of online businesses will absorb the whole cost of the VAT hike to avoid stunting consumer demand, a further 39% will avoid passing on the whole cost. Only a quarter (23%) intend …
Here are some tools and services that have caught my eye recently that should be of use to online retailers and eBay sellers. Parcel Checker eBay sellers have to take a keen, even obsessive, interest in postage services and couriers. It’s one way that sellers can stay competitive and provide that vital 5 star service …
eBay celebrated its 15th birthday a few weeks back. Here are 15 memories of my time at eBay. Happy 15th Birthday! The first pay cheque I ever got from eBay was from the head of eBay Europe’s joint account with his wife. eBay itself didn’t even have it’s own bank account. In the first month …
Here’s a little video I’ve made with a bit of help from courier company MyHermes. There are plenty more on Youtube. So click through if you fancy.
There are a surprising number of things on eBay where the only delivery option is “Buyer collects”. I wonder if this is necessary. How many things, excluding furniture and the like, can’t be sent via a courier? Royal Mail (as long as there isn’t a strike on) is good for the small stuff. But when …
eBay has been part of my life since I first worked for the company in July 1999. In all those years, I’ve usually been selling something and certainly buying something each month. My selling goes in fits and starts. And for the first time in ages, over the past few weeks, I’ve been having a …
You’ve doubtless been moved by the heartbreaking tragedy in Haiti over the past few days in the aftermath of the earthquake there. I’ve found the urge to help overwhelming and yet, combined with a sense of powerlessness, also very frustrating. This article from DFID caught my eye today: Killing relief with kindness. Lots of people …
As the snow and ice thaws at last, we’re getting keyed up for Small Business 2.0 in London on the 23rd. We’ve got some great speakers, sessions and exhibitors and I’m looking forward to a great day at the Novotel in Hammersmith If you haven’t heard about Small Business 2.0, it’s a day dedicated to …
An occasional digest of stuff I’ve written, or said and that’s been published elsewhere: Labour List: on why I think Gordon Brown should go to Wooton Bassett. The rest is all eBay related and predominantly related to the launch of the new edition of my book, Make Serious Money on eBay UK. I was happy …
I’m pleased to see that Brighton and Hove City Council are flogging some old street signs on eBay. It’s not a first (several other councils are already accomplished eBayers) but it is a good way to raise some cash for the coffers and also recycle and reuse things that they don’t need any more. But …