Wayne Larimore
http://ebaytools.waynester.net/eFeedBackSpy.aspx

I couldn't help but notice how many top sellers were in the same categories. What came to me was to use this information to set up ebay affiliate sites for those categories and drive traffic to the sites.

Ray

As always your book and newsletter are the best, and I learn and stay encourgaged by them.

I was disappointed, though that there never seems to be any stats on Ebay Motors. Since that site generates a majority of Ebay's business, according to them, I am surprised that no one seems to study it. I sell 99.99% in that cateogriy and would find it very helpful. I know the TopSeller website is new and still working the bugs out,as they left out Jay and Marie! lol! Maybe they will include stats for vehicles and the parts and accessories categories in EBM, which is huge, and would be very helpful. Thanks for all of your continuing good references and suggestions!

Linda

Keep up the good work in motivating us to excel in our online ventures. I am the person who emailed you a couple of months ago about having 5 kids and nearly debt-free (this coming March 2007). I took your advice and am in the process of writing an ebook about how we are doing it – due out around Tax Season )

Wayne Larimore
http://HomeBiz.Waynester.Net http://ResellForProfit.Waynester.Net

After a deeper review of the top 25 sites, I see that the high volume guys are using templates, banners, good photos, in most cases good sales information, and you can certainly see the difference in their auction layout over the average eBayer or newbie.

Having said that, I also believe that a guy like Marlon Sanders or you would be able to find a lot of little things they're doing wrong, or could improve upon. That could lead into a guru specializing with a service to eBayers of designing auction pages for them or editing their descriptions (for a fee of course).

I'm sure that all of the high volume sellers have put systems in place to move out auctions that are dozens or hundreds per day.

But the biggest weakness I see is that their follow up customer service is not as good as it should be. Looking at a lot of negative feedbacks, a theme that runs through them is that when a problem occurs (late shipment, faulty merchandise, item received not as described, etc.) they stumble in this area.

Buyers saying the seller didn't answer their question, didn't give a prompt replacement or refund, etc. They're too busy selling stuff.

If a volume seller has made 10,000 transactions and gets 200 negatives for a 98% rating, he or she now has 200 people who would never buy from them again. And there are more dissatisfied customers who were kind and just left a neutral rating. Some of the big guys don't even respond to a negative rating – again they're too busy selling.

I would guess that your featured guy Rob in North Carolina is not part of that "keep slinging it out to them" crowd.

Lee

And many of them just ignore the negative feedback and keep pumping out their products.

Life is busy and there are many task to be done. So I only can pay attention to certain newsletter and info. and your newletter is one of the few I make sure I don't miss. Your my expert for ebay.

Thanks for the list. It was a interesting and eye opening.

Have a great day

Kenneth Edwards

As already mentioned, all of the top sellers use their about me page (in different ways) to promote their business. I particularly liked the seller who gave a freebie lesson on how to set up your about me page. This in turn got me thinking – why not have in your auction a special surprise gift for visiting the about me psge? Then when the visitor clicks on about me, he or she can choose one category (only one) of their choice. Example:

1-Best Fitness & Exercise Program In The World, Great For All Ages.

2-How To Generate Your Own Electrical Power.

3-What Is The Real Fountain Of Youth?

4-Natural Cures For All Types Of Cancer.

5-How To Achieve Better Vision Naturally.

6-How To Lower Your Property Taxes.

7-How To Avoid Identity Theft

etc.

By allowing only a choice of one report, the visitor may return to your about me page for a crack at another report. If given good information, that should greatly increase your chances of a repeat customer for the items you sell.

Lee

I found it interesting that 5 out of the top 10 sell cameras and it appears that most of the top sellers are importing from China cheaply in order to be able to sell and profit at that level. Although other categories of items are integrated, it looks to me like electronics is the name of the game and most in demand. Three of the top ten had the word "deal" in their IDs and one had "bargain". These ID's were strategically chosen based on the marketing psychology of having the bidders perceive themselves as buying for the best price, thus empowering the buyers.

I have not observed the auction listings yet, but certainly will at my first opportunity.

Rachel