AuctionBytes is launching a new blog for readers called "Letters to the Editor." The letters I receive from readers are always informative, whether they are explaining the ramifications of a new marketplace policy, revealing the latest vendor news, or sharing their experiences and challenges of selling online. I want to be able to quickly share some of these letters with readers who may be able to confirm a report or help another seller out with a problem.

The new AuctionBytes "Letters to the Editor" blog is found on this page. You can send a letter by emailing ina@auctionbytes.com with "Letters to the Editor Blog" in the subject line. (Remember to include your name as you would like it to appear in the blog.) I will be selective in the letters I publish on the blog, and I will continue to publish letters in this newsletter as well.

Among the changes eBay rolled out with its Spring announcements was a "destroy policy" in its new Purchase Protection policy. I worked all last week to get answers to questions about under what circumstances eBay would have buyers destroy items they believed were "non-authentic," and on Thursday, eBay announced it was revising the policy. The fact the company had created such a policy in the first place is troubling, and we will be running a follow up piece with additional information in AuctionBytes Newsflash this week.

eBay also announced it would begin offering sellers up to five auction listings per month with zero listing fees, but with the same or higher FVFs, depending on the selling price. The only way to opt out is to refrain from using eBay's Sell Your Item form. Readers who sell in the auction format should read the details about this new offering.

If you are looking for ways to drive traffic to your listings and new ways to list your items, we've got some tips in today's issue. Greg Holden reviews a site that helps you hold virtual garage sales (don't forget they provide the potential for product sourcing, as well!), and Julia Wilkinson looks at a portable widget from netSpray that lets you conduct sales all over the Internet. Today's This & That column has a roundup of news about eBay alternatives sites, news of a $1000 shopping spree contest, and an announcement of a new blog for auction snipers.

We round out today's issue with a column about collectible Schleich toys from Michele Alice, two stories from readers about their first items sold online, and letters from readers.

We recently announced that we were looking for your stories on how you use social marketing sites like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and blogs to drive traffic and boost your online sales. We've published some submissions in the AuctionBytes Blog, where you can find out who will receive an autographed copy of Guy Kawasaki's book, "Reality Check: The Irreverent Guide to Outsmarting, Outmanaging, and Outmarketing Your Competition."

Thanks for reading.