Turn eBay Data Into Dollars by Ina Steiner (2005, Paperback)

Hmmmm..... Bought my copy on Amazon after doing some "research". This is not exactly the Type of book I would expect Ina to write. Ina Steiner, M.B.A., is cofounder and editor of AuctionBytes.com, the most trusted source of information for the eBay community. She has been quoted widely as an eBay authority in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Smart Money, and on Public Radio's "Marketplace."

One of the most interesting and best data collection tools availailable is AI, Ina only mentions the name of Auction intelligence "AI". AI will give you data that none of the other tools will.

If you are not already researching your own and others sales data in the marketplace this book would be a great place to start learning which tools are available to do so. Great book, but it won't fix a troubled marketplace.


From the Back Cover

You already have the answer to boosting your eBay sales and profits...

You just have to know where to look. Turn eBay Data into Dollars shows you how to use the powerful tools available on eBay to sell smarter and make more money on every sale. Learn to mine sales data from tools such as Andale Research Tools, Terapeak, and DeepAnalysis. Generate sales and traffic reports using eBay and Sellathon ViewTracker so you can easily analyze your data and make informed business decisions.

You’ll learn to apply the results of your research to your eBay listing and marketing strategies. Then, you can better determine what to sell, how much to charge, how to improve traffic, and how to stay ahead of the competition.

Measure and analyze your sales performance to increase profit margins
Discover what eBay data can--and can’t--tell you
Apply data to fundamental listing strategies
Learn the basics of data mining and analysis
Find the most effective keywords for your listing titles
Make better inventory acquisition decisions
Market your business like a PowerSeller
Improve traffic and conversion rates
Use competitive intelligence techniques to get a leg up on the competition
Learn how PowerSellers are increasing revenue through data analysis

Very informative book, with lots of great ideas on how to mine eBay for data to help make your auctions more successful. The book takes on DeepAnalysis (HammerTap), Sellathon, Terapeak, Anandale, and eBay Marketplace Research. Each service is explained in detail - strengths, weaknesses, how to use, what to be cautious of, and more.
The book also covers simple eBay research using Advanced Search, Store Reports, and Trafic Reports.
What really sets it apart though are the final three chapters that put everything together - showing you, not only how to determine what to sell, but the best ways to sell it, where to set starting prices, when to use eBay special features (bold, highlight, featured, etc).

Overall, I give the book an excellent rating. I would have liked to have seen a little more focus on how to use eBay's Market Research program, and that is the only draw back I see.

I would also reccomend going at it a chapter at a time with your pen and highlighter. There is a lot of info to digest, and if you go to fast, some useful info may pass you by.

This book is not written for the seller who does eBay for a hobby, this is a great book for the advanced eBayer who has been doing this as a full time profession. Only these people would find it ecomonical to follow the authors advice. But if they do they will find themselves listing better auctions and selling more at higher prices. This book is written at the professional level for someone with more than a high school education. If you've completed several courses in marketing, more of this book will make sense.