BKDGBOEB.RVW   20061108

"Don't Get Burned on eBay", Shauna Wright, 2006, 0-596-10178-3,
U$16.99/C$23.99
%A   Shauna Wright www.whowouldbuythat.com media@whowouldbuythat.com
%C   103 Morris Street, Suite A, Sebastopol, CA   95472
%D   2006
%G   0-596-10178-3
%I   O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
%O   U$16.99/C$23.99 800-998-9938 fax: 707-829-0104 info@ora.com
%O  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0596101783/robsladesinterne
  http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0596101783/robsladesinte-21
%O   http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/0596101783/robsladesin03-20
%O   Audience i+ Tech 1 Writing 2 (see revfaq.htm for explanation)
%P   160 p.
%T   "Don't Get Burned on eBay"

The preface states that this book was conceived as a series of
personal stories about (and experiences on) eBay, plus lessons about
what *not* to do.  It isn't intended as a primer for using eBay, and,
in fact, assumes that the reader has a working knowledge of eBay.

Chapter one outlines some of the complexities and rules about bidding. 
It also includes information about "shilling" (activities to
artificially drive up the price of an auction) and a story about poor
communications.  The dangers involved in various types of payment
(including PayPal) are outlined in chapter two.  Packing items for
shipment, in chapter three, is predominately aimed at sellers, but
buyers are advised of steps to take in case of a problem.  Again,
vendors might be seen as those primarily interested in the advice on
different issues related to shipping, in chapter four, but purchasers
should note a number of them as well.  (I was interested in, and can
personally and fully attest to, the tales of United Parcel Service's
inability to properly handle shipments to Canada, and the random and
unreasonable nature of charges that can be involved in the process.) 
Chapter five's stories about other people on eBay generally refer to
non-malicious errors or misunderstandings, whereas chapter six closes
off with intentionally fraudulent scams such as phishing.

The book does use a number of eBay specific acronyms.  These are
listed in the glossary, but under the full expansion, so they are not
easy to find.

If you use eBay, this work will likely help you to use it much more
effectively, and to prevent any number of disasters.  (If you don't
use eBay, this text will probably keep you from ever getting started.)

copyright Robert M. Slade, 2006   BKDGBOEB.RVW   20061108