Review: "The Silent Sales Machine Hiding On eBay" by Jim Cockrum

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This book is great. I would recommend it. I have used ebay for years as a buyer, but wanted to know more about Ebay as a whole. Rules, selling, tips etc. This book was very helpful and full of useful information.


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I skimmed through this book and found that it covers the basics for beginners. Not sure why the lengthy discussion regarding Facebook and other Social media sites are relevant though? There is good money to be made on Ebay and this book is a grea... (show more)

I skimmed through this book and found that it covers the basics for beginners. Not sure why the lengthy discussion regarding Facebook and other Social media sites are relevant though? There is good money to be made on Ebay and this book is a great start. I am in the same business and discuss many of my Ebay flips so I could really relate to the author's experience...[...]

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I found the creation and obstacles faced by Pay... (show more)

I thought this book was great. I have bought and sold many items utilizing Ebay and PayPal. I read the book A Perfect Store about Ebay years ago and PayPal Wars really rounds out the whole package.

I found the creation and obstacles faced by Paypal very interesting. It was interesting seeing the comparisons between when Ebay started and when Paypal started and how by the time Paypal was on the seen Ebay was an established company with the corporate redtape, org charts, etc that Paypal did not have yet.

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A decent reference. Steve Weber wrote a couple of books on online selling - with emphasis on Amazon. This one is focused on the bookselling elements. His approach is to use lots of examples, screen shots, and useful URL's, templates and suggestions on all elements of the business - from start through inventory acquisition, customer service and completing the feedback loop. I liked Mike Mould's book quite a bit better, as it had more detail and seemed more specific and up to date, however this is a very useful guide for the beginner.

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So far the information in this book has been of great value. No need to read through all the type on ebay's site when you have this book to highlight, mark pages and keep as a great reference to go to at any time you need it.
I look forward to sta... (show more)

So far the information in this book has been of great value. No need to read through all the type on ebay's site when you have this book to highlight, mark pages and keep as a great reference to go to at any time you need it.
I look forward to starting my ebay business this spring and I am sure I will refer back to this book many times in the the days ahead. Happy Bidding.

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The Bottom Line

Must Have

• I haven't found any. I recommend this eBook without reservation.

• Provides lots of information on many aspects of making money on eBay.
• It's not all about eBay, but about how to use eBay as part of a larger strategy.
• Helps you steer clear of potential pitfalls that could get you in trouble with eBay and other eBay users.
• Low price.
• If you're not happy with the book, you have 45 days to get a full refund.

Chapter by Chapter Comments

1. A "MUST READ" note from the author
   Introduces the concept of making money from the people who don't win your auction, including those who don't bid.
2. "The Silent Sales Machine Hiding On eBay"
   1. How to earn money
      Suggests that you do work now that will continue to make money with minimal maintenance.
   2. New to eBay? YOU HAVE TO READ THIS
      Links to a resources page and tells you to sign up on eBay if you haven't already.
   3. Collecting payments online -- PayPal and more
      Lists a bunch of services you can use to accpet online payments without needing a merchant credit card account.
   4. One of my Silent Sales Machines
      1. A key to the "Silent Sales" system
         Names the question to ask (fill in two blanks with various combinations of answers) to find ways to make customers of anyone who comes to your auction page. Introduces what to do once you've filled in the blanks. Sorry, I can't go into detail!
      2. Dissecting my Silent Sales Machine
         Tells the story of how the author got started with this technique.
      3. Ebay "about me" page
         Discusses how to use your "about me" page to get customers, and eBay's rules regarding the page. Lists a number of tips for maximizing traffic to your auctions.
   5. Details that make my Silent Sales Machine work
      1. What should I sell
         Offers some general guidelines, plus more detail on information products, drop shipping, and buying wholesale.
      2. Getting traffic to your "about me" page
         What the title says, and how to stay on eBay's good side.
      3. Having more than one eBay account
         You can have more than one account--this chapters tells you why you'd want to.
   6. Creating your own information product (without writing!)
      What the title says--and it could include writing, but doesn't necessarily.
   7. Improving your machine
      Techniques for finding out what is selling online, and non-eBay ways to get traffic to your website.
   8. Resources for your Silent Sales Machine
      Domain registration, hosting, on demand book printing, etc.
   9. How to start a Silent Sales Machine without writing anything
      Ways to partner with others or leverage their products to make money.
   10. The Power of Mailing Lists and Newsletters
       Making money selling advertising, through affiliate sales, etc. in eZines and with mailing lists.
   11. How to make money with this book
       Partly a rehash of earlier chapters. Mentions promoting this eBook.
3. What should I sell on eBay?
   1. Creating money from thin air on eBay
      Selling information (primarly eBooks). Places other than eBay to sell them. Covers some tips from Jim Edwards for writing a successful eBook. Also covers some other ideas like selling screen savers, videos, services, and developing websites to sell.
   2. Creating money with other people's stuff
      Drop shipping, yard sales, auctions, etc.--places to get cheap stuff.
   3. Finding free or really cheap stuff to sell on eBay
      Ideas submitted by readers for places to get cheap stuff to sell.
4. Power tips for eBay sellers
   1. Tips for sellers that you won't find on eBay
      A few ways to get more traffic to your auctions. How to keep your feedback positive, why that's important, and how to use it to your advantage.
   2. Promoting affiliate links using full domain names
      ...rather than long affiliate links.
   3. Tapping into the power of Joint Ventures
      Selling other people's stuff--feels like a rehash of earlier material.
   4. Profiting from eBay in creative ways
      Sell on behalf of others, etc.
   5. The two simple steps to MASSIVE success
      In short, be successful yourself, then teach others how you did it.