AuctionBytes-Update Number 43 - August 5, 2001 - ISSN 1528-6703

AuctionBytes-Update is a free newsletter for online auction buyers and sellers. Read reviews of online-auction products and services, tips on being more efficient, and information about antiques and collectibles. AuctionBytes-Update is published by email twice a month. (Print it out for easier reading.)

***************************************
IN THIS ISSUE:
1) From the Editor
2) How To Make Money Selling Books Online, Part IV
3) AuctionBytes' Discussion Forums Get a Facelift
4) Storefronts Follow-up: AuctionWorks
5) Endicia.com Can Save You Time and Money!
6) ePier: Growing Too Fast for It's Own Good?
7) This & That
8) COLLECTOR'S CORNER
9) Newsflash
10) Letter from Reader
***************************************

1) FROM THE EDITOR

Aaahh, life has meaning again - David, Maggie the Auction Hound and I returned refreshed from our week in Maine. I love the ocean, and Maine in the summer is heaven on earth.

It is with a renewed sense of purpose that we return. Two years ago we created AuctionBytes. We did it in our "spare time" with lots of help from readers and writers. Buying and selling online hasn't changed too much - common sense still prevails - but the environment has. There are lots of products and services that have sprung up, and many that have fallen by the wayside. It takes time to keep up with these changes.

Beginning in September, we will publish AuctionBytes-Update four times a month instead of two. Our format will be shorter but timelier and we'll be able to cover stories that we couldn't cover before. We will spend more time cultivating the AuctionBytes chat forums and making our Web site more useful.

In this issue, David introduces the moderators of our "New and Improved" chat forums. Please feel free to use the forums as a place to ask questions, comment on the news, or simply chat with friends and colleagues. We hope you will have ideas for other forums as well - please email David at dsteiner@auctionbytes.com  if you have ideas or would like to volunteer to be a moderator.

Our goal has always been to save you time and help you make money. We also aim to have fun along the way. Thank you to everyone who has told their friends about AuctionBytes - word of mouth is our most effective form of advertising!

Thanks for reading,

Ina Steiner, Editor
email: ina@auctionbytes.com

=======================================
THE SOFTWARE YOU'VE ALWAYS WANTED.
Build an online store. Upload your products.
List them on eBay, Yahoo, and Amazon auctions.
Improve customer relations through automation.
Cut your auction processing time in half.
INCREASE SALES with Zoovy - GUARANTEED.
FREE trial: http://www.zoovy.com/track.cgi?P=auctionbyt
================================Advertisement=======

***************************************
***************************************
2) How To Make Money Selling Books Online Part IV
by Craig Stark

[INTRODUCTION: This is the fourth in a series of articles on selling books online profitably. Craig Stark makes over $1,000 a week selling books exclusively on eBay. The first article may be found at  http://www.auctionbytes.com/Email_Newsletter/39/39.html#books . The second article may be found at http://www.auctionbytes.com/Email_Newsletter/41/41.html#books . The third article may be found at http://www.auctionbytes.com/Email_Newsletter/41/42/42.html#books .]

Merely acquiring quality books for resale is only half the battle, if that. Untold thousands of good, saleable books are "stolen" for ridiculously low prices every day on eBay, and many others close without a single bid, often because the auction presentation isn't what it could be.

This is one area where opinions differ greatly on what works and what doesn't. The truth is that many different types of presentations work, but ultimately, all successful approaches share some fundamental principles. If you'd like to maximize the price you realize for the books you've worked so hard to find, you'll need to pay close attention to six areas.

1. AUCTION TITLE
This is key. If you can't hook a buyer with your auction title, it won't matter what the rest of your presentation looks like, because nobody will bother looking at it. The best piece of advice I can give you here is: do NOT assume that the title of your book needs to be in the auction title. In fact, in most cases it shouldn't be anywhere near it, simply because it misleads or worse, ho-hums your buyer. Obviously if you're selling a first edition of GONE WITH THE WIND, you've got to include it, but for every one of these items, there are ten others where the title would be a significant liability.

For example, I sold a book several months ago titled "Pacemakers of Progress." I can't think of a single reason why anyone would look at an auction with this title, and certainly - unless by some remote chance a buyer happened to be intimately familiar with the book - no one would have guessed it was book about shoes. Instead I titled it "Scarce SHOE Publication HISTORY Shoepedia!" Instead of no hooks, there were now four reasons to look at this auction. The title was an appeal to those who seek hard to find books ("Scarce"), those interested generally in the topic of shoes ("SHOE"), those interested specifically in vintage shoes ("HISTORY"), and finally those who were curious about what the hell a shoepedia was. Moreover, I used an exclamation point after "Shoepedia" and put both "SHOE" and "HISTORY" in all caps. Anything you can do to draw attention to your auction without becoming annoying or otherwise off-putting is all for the good (using 'L@@K' or all caps are almost universally despised). In retrospect, the word "Publication" seems sort of limp, and I'm sure I could have improved on it, but in any case, the book sold for $50.

In general, then, the seller needs to capture the essence of what's being sold in a few words and, if there's room, offer as many reasons as possible why a buyer should look at the auction.

2. PICTURES
CARDINAL RULE OF SELLING BOOKS ON EBAY: Auctions with multiple, clear pictures consistently outperform auctions with one or no pictures. Yes, there are exceptions to this, and yes, sometimes you can overcome an absence or near absence of pictures with an especially well-done description, but why on earth would you want to build this much labor into a listing? If you can take four or six pictures in a matter of seconds and just as quickly insert them into an auction, it makes no sense to do it any other way.

Also, pictures speak volumes. Click, and you've captured the dust jacket blurb. Click, and you've captured the table of contents. Click, and you've captured a list of illustrations-or better yet, a stunning color plate. And on and on. There's no more efficient or trust-building way of communicating information.

Another important point about pictures: if at all possible, use a digital camera. Scanners are not only much slower but frequently produce images that distort the true condition of a book. If the corners of a book aren't clipped off because the book is bigger than the scanner bed, they're just as often obscured because the image is one-dimensional. A camera can take a picture from any angle, show the all-important corners and edges of a book, and do it with much more clarity.

A final point to ponder: eBay is one of the few online venues where one has the opportunity to include pictures of the actual item being sold. Don't cast this opportunity aside. It's a huge advantage over Amazon Marketplace, half.com and ABE. Time and time again, I sell books for prices at or higher than any listed on other sites because the buyer is actually getting to see what's being purchased. In some cases, the buyer wasn't even aware the book existed before he saw the pictures in my auction.

3. PUBLICATION DATA
I routinely include publication data for every book I sell, whether or not it affects its value. This heads off a ton of questions and prevents almost all complaints from buyers claiming they didn't get what they thought they were buying. Obviously, this is more important for collectible books than content-value books. In any case, this information includes: title, author (or editor, illustrator if pertinent), publisher, copyright date, edition state (first, second, etc.), dimensions, number of pages, illustrations (color and/or b/w, if present), binding (hardback or paperback), and whether or not a dust jacket is present.

Next time I'll cover the remaining three principles of auction presentation: Textual Description, Condition, and Terms. After that, stay tuned for HOW TO PRICE BOOKS FOR AUCTION.
---
Craig Stark is a full-time online bookseller working at home, and currently makes in excess of $1,000 weekly selling exclusively on eBay. He lists anything that will realize a worthwhile profit, including both antiquarian and contemporary titles. In several months he will launch a Web site at http://www.braintreebooks.com  and offer a large selection of hard-to-find, quality books. At that time he will begin listing some of his auctions using the ID braintreebooks. Email Craig at braintreebooks@yahoo.com .

=======================================
"All my Ming Dynasty vases, Hokusai paintings, and porcelain
statues  have been packed, shipped, and insured by
CRATERS & FREIGHTERS. I've been collecting family artifacts
for years and using CRATERS & FREIGHTERS to ensure that our
heirlooms from around the world are delivered safe and sound
to our doorstep."
Jerry Wu, Yuma AZ

With CRATERS & FREIGHTERS you can buy and sell large and awkward
antique items with confidence!

Click http://www.cratersandfreighters.com/satisfied_aa.htm  for
testimonials from satisfied customers, or for a free e-Quote call
1-800-736-3335 or go to
http://www.cratersandfreighters.com/cgi-bin/gocf.cgi?ref=4MGSJ
================================Advertisement=======

***************************************
***************************************
3) AuctionBytes' Discussion Forums Get a Facelift
by David Steiner

AuctionBytes is introducing new and improved Discussion Forums! The new forums are easier to use, and we can now host many forums in one area of the site. In addition to having a general online auction discussion forum, and a forum devoted to Co-ops, we have recruited experts to moderate forums in some very interesting areas, including online payment services, books and vintage toys!

I feel that forums should be a place where users feel comfortable expressing their views and getting information without the threat of censorship. There will be basic rules of etiquette in place, but I want to keep this an area where ideas are exchanged freely. Let me know if there is a forum you would like to see added. I plan on expanding the areas based on user feedback. Also let me know if you are interested in moderating a forum.

Here is a little background on the forums and on our charter group of moderators:

Izzy Goodman will be hosting our Online Payment Services Forum. Izzy has written on this topic in AuctionBytes. His knowledge is based on his own experience and from reading about others' experiences with payment services as well as discussions with users, representatives of the services and other experts in the field. Have questions about PayPal, c2it, Billpoint, BidPay, ProPay? Have comments you'd like to share with others? This is the forum to vent your frustrations or learn more about the complexities of online payment services.  Izzy owns Complete Computer Services Inc. and sells electronics online at http://www.ygoodman.com . He is not affiliated in any way, directly or indirectly, with any payment service.

Gary Sohmers is moderator of the Toys & Collectibles forum. We expect this to be a lively area (Gary is the only RoadShow appraiser we know that wears Hawaiian shirts and orange Converse sneakers). This is a great forum to indulge in nostalgic childhood reminiscences; chat about toys, rock memorabilia, or anything else that moves you. Gary operates Wex Rex Collectibles and appears as an appraiser in collectibles, toys and memorabilia on the WGBH PBS-TV program "The Antiques Roadshow". Gary also hosts his own Radio show on WBIX 1060AM - 11:00 AM to 12:00 NOON ET on Sundays. Call In Line: 877-711-1060. Gary also has his own Web site at http://www.allcollectors.com 

Craig Stark moderates the Book Discussion Forum. Craig is a full-time online bookseller, and he is a regular contributor to AuctionBytes on the topic of buying and selling books online. (Another great install ment is in this issue!) Craig will be sharing more of his selling SECRETS in this forum! Craig sells all kinds of books, including rare and antique titles, signed first editions, and 20th century books. His own Web Site, http://www.braintreebooks.com , is coming soon.
 
Christine Hirschfeld has been collecting and selling Religious items online for many years and is an expert in older Catholic items such as books, statues, and sick call boxes. Christine is a member of the Catholic Auction Apostolate at http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/catholicauctions . If you have questions in this area, Christine would be the person to ask!

Ina and I will moderate the Online Auction and Co-op Forums. We're especially happy to be able to offer an area where co-operatives can be discussed, and we invite everyone to participate in this very worthwhile topic. This is a great place to talk about Auction News, too!
 
I'll be leaving the old chat forum in place for a short time, to let people wrap up threads there, but I encourage you to move the discussions to the new area. I'll be also adding new forums as I get requests for them.

The rules for posting are very basic. Please be courteous and stick to the topic at hand. Profane or abusive posts will be deleted. However, we welcome people's opinions on products and services. Because AuctionBytes does not have paid services in place, we do not feel it necessary to restrict the use of links to other sites that offer them. It's also important to remember that the moderators will be using their own discretion when it comes to inappropriate postings.

All that being said, online auction users are a passionate and vocal group. We welcome lively discussion. As topics are raised, Ina and I will be exploring the issues that you raise in future issues of this newsletter. In essence, you'll be guiding the direction of AuctionBytes with your participation.

You can find the new Discussion Area at http://www.auctionbytes.com/forum/phpBB/index.php

Hints: There is a registration link in the top right corner. You'll have to register to post. To post a message on a new subject, look for the large black and white box that says NEW TOPIC in the upper right quadrant of the page and simply click on it!

Welcome to the forums!

***************************************
***************************************
4) Storefronts Follow-Up: AuctionWorks
by Ina Steiner

Last week I reviewed major storefront offerings. These are services that sellers can use to sell fixed price items online. http://www.auctionbytes.com/Email_Newsletter/41/42/42.html#stores . This week, I am following up with information about another service - AuctionWorks.

AuctionWorks established Storefronts in September 2000, and was the first auction management service to offer fixed-price stores for members. AuctionWorks offers a full suite of services to online auction sellers: Inventory Management, Auction Launching, Transaction Management, Automated Checkout, Customer Data Management and Report Generation services, as well as Storefronts.

AuctionWorks charges a minimum fee of $14.95/month that covers all features on the site. There is no additional charge to open and maintain an AuctionWorks Storefront. There are no listing fees for the storefront, and sellers pay a transaction fee of 2% of the selling price.

AuctionWorks says its members are serious eBay sellers, from those who list a few items a week as a sideline, to larger professional sellers who launch thousands weekly.

"Individuals and small businesses operate most StoreFronts," according to David Levy of AuctionWorks. "Our larger corporate members usually have their own websites that are tied in to Auctionworks' back end systems. Members do not have to launch auctions or use other Auctionworks services to successfully use an Auctionworks StoreFront."

You can take a tour of the AuctionWorks Storefront at: http://www.auctionworks.com/tour.asp .

Go to http://www.auctionbytes.com/stores/stores.html for a comparison chart of some major Storefront offerings. Please note that I tried to present the most basic option in the pricing column. Most vendors have many other pricing options and additional features.

I will be covering the topic of Storefronts in future issues as warranted. If you have experience using storefronts, email me or post a message in the forums at http://www.auctionbytes.com/forum/phpBB/index.php .

***************************************
***************************************
5) Endicia.com Can Save You Time and Money!
by Yisroel Goodman

One of the biggest hassles about running an Internet business is shipping. Over the past two years, I have sent out hundreds, perhaps over a thousand packages, via USPS. Only one package was lost in all that time, and it was going overseas. None were damaged. That's an incredible record. But I paid a price for this reliability - the need to run to the Post Office at least twice a week.

But now all that has changed.

I recently came across a posting where users were raving about Endicia.com and decided to give them a try. Since I've started using the service, I have turned my home office into my own personal post office.

Endicia.com is a fee-based service that allows you to print postage directly from your PC. It reduces trips to the post office and it offers FREE delivery confirmation! "Electronic" delivery confirmation (as opposed to the stickers you buy at the Post Office) are free for Priority Mail and only 12 cents for Media Mail (Book Rate). Endicia also lets you create postage for foreign shipments and claim they are the only service to do so.

When you use Endicia, you use their connection to create your confirmation numbers and pass them electronically to the Post Office. The result is that you now have a DC (Delivery Confirmation) number that can be tracked online just as if you paid the 40 cents. Endicia creates a log that tracks every package sent. You can click on any one and see whether or not it has been delivered.

There is one risk in using any electronic postage system. According to statistics I have seen quoted, "only" 93% of delivery confirmation labels are scanned upon delivery. If you are unlucky enough that your package never gets scanned and your customer claims it didn't arrive, then you will have a problem, since you have no postal receipt showing shipment. So, when I ship something expensive, like a digital camera, I take it to the Post Office and pay for at least $100 of insurance coverage. That way, in the rare event that it doesn't get scanned on delivery, I still have proof of shipment. Thus far, 100% of my packages with DC had a status of delivered when I checked the USPS Web site.

Endicia has an excellent label-printing program called Dazzle. Dazzle lets you create custom labels with your own logo. To get addresses into the program, you can type them in, cut and paste them from the clipboard or read them in from different data files. Endicia reads the file, validates the addresses against the Post Office table, fills in the full 9-character zip code, adds the bar code, the postage, the delivery confirmation number and then it prints the labels in a customized format that you create. You then apply the labels to the packages and drop them in the mailbox. It's that simple.

New services such as Endicia are starting to be embraced by the Postal Service. According to a USPS spokesperson, "Because this is another avenue that allows users to put postage on their packages, it makes like lines go faster at the Post Office."

If you have a large package that won't fit in the mailbox, you can bring it to the Post Office and hand it right over the counter without waiting in line. (Do not let the clerk attempt to scan in the package - Endicia has already taken care of this electronically. Each night at ten P.M., Endicia downloads these numbers to the Postal Service.)

Endicia charges $9.95/month, or you can pay $99.95 for the year. But, if you factor in the savings of the free delivery confirmation, you might actually come out ahead if you are a high-volume shipper. You can try Endicia free for 30 days - you only pay for the postage.
http://www.endicia.com

Yisroel (Izzy) Goodman owns Complete Computer Services Inc. and sells electronics online. He publishes reports about online payment services on his Web site http://www.ygoodman.com . His informed opinions are based on his own experience and from reading about others' experiences with payment services as well as discussions with users, representatives of the services and experts in the field. (Note: He is not affiliated in any way, directly or indirectly, with any payment service.) Izzy can be reached by email at ccs@ygoodman.com .

***************************************
***************************************
6) ePier: Growing Too Fast for It's Own Good?
by Ina Steiner

On June 1st, a reader sent me a letter with a complaint about ePier. He was high bidder on an item, and the seller never responded to his emails. He felt dissatisfied with ePier's lack of response to his complaints. I wrote to ePier on June 1st, explaining that I was the publisher of a newsletter for online auction users and that one of my readers had complained about ePier. I asked for information about their policies concerning deadbeat sellers.

On July 10th, I still hadn't received a reply from ePier, so I emailed again, warning in my letter that I would feel it necessary to write about ePier's lack of response in a future issue. After getting no response to that letter either, I finally called ePier on August 3rd. James Kim, CEO and President of ePier, answered the phone.

"We look at virtually all the emails that come in," Kim stated. "We are not always able to reply to all of the emails. We are working on doing a better job. Customer service is one of the areas where we want to do a great job, obviously." Kim said that he had read my emails, felt it was important to get back to me, but that he was busy with the demands of a small growing company. He classified the problems I encountered as growing pains on the part of ePier.

After talking to James Kim, I got the sense that ePier is struggling to manage its growth. Like many start-up companies, ePier has limited resources and not enough time in the day. Kim said that membership is growing every day and the number of ePier registered users is in the "tens of thousands."

ePier has one full-time person to handle customer service, though he is called on to do other tasks as well. Kim said he felt that ePier's customer service is a "7" on a scale of 1 to 10 and said that ePier is very committed to users.

ePier is owned by a group of individuals that Kim says is committed to ePier. He expects ePier to break even by year-end and to generate half a million dollars in revenue within a year. "We are on the correct path to growth," Kim stated.

I took the opportunity to ask Kim why people should use ePier. He said that the problem with eBay is saturation. They have hundreds of thousands of storefronts, and that sellers tell him that they get lost on eBay. He also opined that eBay items are over-priced. He said that auction buyers are looking for values. About eBay, he said, "Buyers are going to look for good-priced items, and they are getting sniped at the last minute."

Kim said that because eBay is looking to generate $3 billion in revenue in the five years, eBay must go after the larger companies. Current eBay sellers will "be pushed out by the Walmarts and Sears and will become disenchanted - their items will be lost" on eBay.

Kim went on to say, "ePier has many advantages over eBay. Each ePier storefront receives individual attention...they don't feel they are lost. ePier users find great value in things that we do." He went on to mention some specific features that ePier members find useful, like calendaring.

So, was James Kim's lack of response to my emails a warning that customer service is awry at ePier? Or does it signify that ePier is a growing company that warrants a second look? I can only report on my experience. I'd love to know what YOU think. Take this opportunity to post a message on the AuctionBytes Online Auction Sites Forum, especially if you use ePier.
http://www.auctionbytes.com/forum/phpBB/index.php

***************************************
***************************************
7) THIS & THAT

PayPal Shopping Cart and Subscriptions Features
PayPal Premier and Business Account users can set up a PayPal Shopping Cart on their Web site so that you can accept a single payment for several items on your Web site. The service is free, normal PayPal transaction fees apply.
http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/xcl/rec/sc-outside
PayPal also has a feature that lets you accept recurring payments for your service. PayPal Subscriptions is a Premier and Business account feature that is available to U.S. and International members.
http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_help-ext&eloc=288&lo c=287

************
The Online Auction Users Association (OAUA) has 2,743 members! The OAUA is an excellent resource for auction buyers and sellers. It's free to join, and they have negotiated with vendors for OAUA-member discounts. http://www.auctionusers.org/discounts-am.shtml

The OAUA is turning two and is holding elections. Check the Web site for more information http://www.auctionusers.org .

************
"Open Up" to Auction News
I've changed my browser settings so when I open Explorer, the AuctionBytes Newflash page opens. What a great way to keep up to date on online-auction news! Newsflash is published daily, Monday through Friday.

To change your settings, open Explorer. Click on Tools, then Internet Options. Under the General tab, you will see "Home Page - You can change which page to use for your home page. Address: "

Enter the url http://www.auctionbytes.com/Email_Newsletter/newsflash/newsflash. html

Click OK and you are all set!

***************************************
***************************************
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>AUCTION FORECAST:

David's auction forecast calls for a mixed day for Sunday, August 5, 2001:
5-day auction: Fair
7-day auction: Good
10-day auction: Bad

Click here for an extended auction forecast:
http://www.auctionbytes.com/Email_Newsletter/calendar/calendar.ht ml
Bookmark it!
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@
Recommend AuctionBytes-Update to a friend! Forward this complete issue to
them, or go to
http://www.auctionbytes.com/Email_Newsletter/Recommend/recomm end.html
and fill out the short form. A sample issue will automatically be sent to
your friend with a note from us (and you can add a note too).
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@

***************************************
***************************************
8) COLLECTOR'S CORNER

Judith Katz-Schwartz has published what  promises to be a useful guide (I haven't seen it yet). The book is called "Protecting Your Collectible Treasures - Secrets Of A Collecting Diva." Judith shares secrets on fixing and cleaning antiques and collectibles without having to buy a lot of expensive products. (She usually uses what's in the refrigerator.) And each chapter of the book begins with an essay written in her classic style.

Judith is a professional appraiser and dealer and a nationally renowned collectibles expert. She has appeared on ABCs Good Morning America, Fox Television's Personal FX, and PAX TV's Treasures in Your Home.

The book will be available this month (August), and you can order it now on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1564773884/auctionbytes com 

=======================================

Serious sellers use ChannelFusion Pro

To be a serious eBay seller, you need to use serious auction management tools.
Customize your auctions and eBay Stores postings, ad templates, automatic
e-mails and checkout page. Your customers will know you're a serious seller
when you sign up to become a Pro seller. Get unlimited access to all of our
powerful tools and a reduced annual rate of $150 when you register
and use Promotion Code ABYTES150C.

http://channeladvisor.com/am/default.asp?gnjse=2
================================Advertisement=======

***************************************
***************************************
9) Newsflash Highlights
See Web Site for Full Details and Continuous Coverage
Go to http://www.auctionbytes.com   and click on Newsflash.

August 3, 2001
BargainAndHaggle Popular, According to Jupiter Media Metrix
Newsweek Previews Next Season's Antiques RoadShow
5 Online-Auction Fraud Indictments
eBay Changes Its Member Notification Policy, Reveals Tech Problems on Stores
Schwinn Cycling Division Up for Auction after Filing for Bankruptcy
JCPenney Celebrates Anniversary with Steiff Teddy Bear
 
August 2, 2001
AltaVista Shopping Guide to Include eBay Listings, Boon to eBay Sellers
eBay Shareholders Sue Morgan Stanley
Financial Journalist Gives eBay Stock Thumbs Down
Lessons of an eBay Virgin
Amazon Scaling Back Its Auction Services?
Katie Couric Auctions "Online Chat" for Charity
Rubba Ducks Waddle to Department 56
 
August 1, 2001
GoTo.com Sells ChannelAdvisor to Management
More on eBay's Lawsuit Against BidBay
eWanted Buys UK Rock-Music Auction House
eBay Sellers Satisfaction Survey
Amazon to Power Waterstone's Bookselling Site
Butterfields to Host Appraisals Clinic in Chicago August 7
 
July 31, 2001
eBay Sues BidBay
eBay Changes Bid Retraction Policy
Industry Standard Notes eBay Shift from Community to Commodity
B2B Goes In-House
FairMarket Signs UK's Top Online Retailer
Netherlands Auction Site May Close
Fine Wine Available on eBay Premier
"Unique Items for Sale" Department
Collector Donates "Independent Africa" Stamp Collection to APS
 
July 30, 2001
AuctionWatch Jumps on eBay's B2C Bandwagon, Ends Dispute
Bidville Announces New Image Hosting Policy
Code Red Alert for "Code Red" Virus
OAUA Offers Discounts on Auction Management Products
Collector Online Buys eBay's API Programming Tool
Zoovy Announces Landmark: 10,000 Users
ePier Bans Nazi Reproductions
eBay Adjusts Links Policies
eBay Changes User ID Policy
eBay French Workers End Strike
NYT On the Hardy Boys Series
 
July 20, 2001
Andale Says Services Back on Track
eBay Q2 Earnings Jumped 84% Over Q2-2000
eBay Officially Announces New Hub Page for Aviation
Theriault's Auctions Increase 30%
Everybody's a Collector,...
 
July 19, 2001
Sotheby's Auctions: Madonna & Modern First Editions
OAUA Servers Down - Just One of Those Internet Things
eBay Implements Promised Policy Changes
 
July 18, 2001
Pantellic acquires PhotoPoint Image Hosting Service
Europe's QXL ricardo Launches Live Auction Capability for Sellers
Egghead.com Puts Eggs in FairMarket's Basket
New Free Sniping Utility Available on HammerTap

July 17, 2001
Police Arrest Auction-Fraud Suspect
eBay to Host "Practicals" Reviews
Check Out These "Practicals"!
Grab a Bargain Launches Fixed Price Marketplace
BidBay Motors Revving Up
PhotoPoint Image Hosting Site Rides Again
PayPal Adjusts Seller Protection Policy
Couple Starts Online-Auction Advice Site
 
July 16, 2001
Gegy.com: Update
PhotoPoint Out For the Count?
Invenna to Cease Operations September 1st
Another Dot Com Casualty: BidSniper
AuctionWatch Schedules "Seller Appreciation Day" for July 19th

AND NOW YOU CAN SIGN UP TO RECEIVE NEWSFLASH VIA EMAIL!
Send a blank email to: auctionflash-subscribe@topica.com 

***************************************
***************************************
10) Letter from Reader

Dear Mrs. Steiner:
I was wondering if you plan on reviewing any of the other second tier
auctions sites like tbay, auctionweiser, 321gone, etc. I think it would be
very helpful to all of us if these sites received a little bit more attention.

I know that each of the second tier auction sites are not perfect, but members can deal with their support staff, they listen to their members (some of the sites at least), and they stand by their services.

If possible, please try to review some of these sites. It would help auction sellers like myself get an unbiased view of each of them.

Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
William O.

Dear William,
Thanks for writing. This is an excellent suggestion! In the meantime, I hope you will feel free to post on our new Online Auction Site forum at http://www.auctionbytes.com/forum/phpBB/index.php .
Ina

***************************************
***************************************
AUCTIONBYTES.COM SPONSORS

Craters & Freighters
http://www.cratersandfreighters.com/cgi-bin/gocf.cgi?ref=4MGSJ

BidBay.com
http://www2.bidbay.com/registration/index.cfm?reg=985479528

Zoovy.com
http://www.zoovy.com/track.cgi?P=auctionbyt

ChannelFusion
http://auctions.goto.com/AM/Default.asp?gnjse=2

Vision-0ne
http://www.123wholesaleresources.com

****************************************************** ************************
Please use the AuctionBytes Yellow Pages when you are shopping for supplies and services for online auctions and collectibles!
http://www.online-auction-directory.com
****************************************************** ************************

AuctionBytes-Update ISSN 1528-6703
AUCTIONBYTES.COM CONTACT INFORMATION
Editorial: ina@auctionbytes.com 
Advertising: advert@auctionbytes.com or 508-655-5697
Letters, Comments, Suggestions: feedback@auctionbytes.com
Want to Write for AuctionBytes-Update? Go to http://www.auctionbytes.com  and click on "write for us" to view author guidelines. If you are interested, send email to ina@auctionbytes.com .

Ina Steiner, Editor, Publisher and Co-founder: ina@auctionbytes.com
David Steiner, Webmaster, Technical Editor, President and Co-founder:
dsteiner@auctionbytes.com 
Michele Alice, Contributing Editor
AuctionBytes.com
c/o Steiner Associates
PO Box 668
Natick, MA 01760
508-655-5697
-----------------
Thank you for subscribing to AuctionBytes-Update. AuctionBytes-Update email newsletter may be freely distributed in its entirety, so please pass it on. (Individual sections MAY NOT be copied and/or distributed without written permission of the publisher.)

The Fine Print:
No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Steiner Associates makes diligent efforts to obtain accurate and timely information. However, Steiner Associates disclaims any liability to any party for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions in AuctionBytes-Update, whether or not such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause. Scratch scratch.