• ChannelAdvisor webinar discussing the recent changes to eBay.

• eBay Spain announces compulsory Gallery.

• Join Skip McGrath & The Professional eBay Sellers Alliance in a teleconference (tomorrow) discussing DSR, Feedback and Fees.

• Christian Braun, co-founder of Auctioning4U on the sad developments within the consignment selling sector.

Back soon…

- either leaving it as it is now with both parties deciding when & how to leave it
- once they have paid for their item then sellers can only leave them positive feedback or
- finally the option that ebay itself automatically leaves feedback when the buyer pays quickly.

It goes without saying that this has once again sparked off the old argument, who should leave feedback first -buyers or sellers? with no signs of movement in either side.

Skip McGrath, over at Auction Seller’s Resource reflects on some of the some of the more bizarre emails he gets from his eBay buyers, customers and readers to his blog. Seems like you can’t please all the people all the time. One of the best messages being with reference to a product called Ten Profitable Ebay Niches:

Product: Ten Profitable eBay Niche
message: I need to get a refund for this item. It looks like a lot of work. I look for free money from eBay.

If anyone can get me free money from eBay BTW, please drop me an email

More importantly what are these creatures called? is the topic of conversation at Ebay Strategies with Scott Wingo. Ebay’s latest feature, http://bestof.ebay.com/ which showcases the more interesting and bizarre items being auctioned has introduced these strange creatures to us. BestOf eBay is a digg like experience with users able to vote for each listing. Meanwhile I’m sure Scott will be relieved when he finds out exactly what they are called. Any ideas?

Containing reviews of popular eBay websites such as my own AuctionCUT, Power Sellers Forum and JennyHow, this is generating a massive buzz for this publication. All reviews are to the point and fair, not to mention a massive ego boost to the people involved (me especially!).

However, there’s so much more than reviews in the book. I was pleasantly surprised at the excellent content, guides and case studies it features which add tremendous value to the book.

The 10 eBay Con Tricks to watch out for, is one such guide educating users on how to stay away from bidding on illegal imports, counterfeit goods and items simply too good to be true, as well as showing us how to watch out for more advanced frauds such as sellers who inflate their own feedback ratings by operating multiple accounts.

Auctioning4U is involved in a detailed case study about Trading Assistants, showing why using Trading Assistants can be easier and hassle free despite their additional fees.

Then there are simple How To Guides, such as How to Open an eBay Shop, How to add Custom Pages, How to setup a Paypal Account among others, which are aimed at those new to eBay or those looking to take their eBay selling activity to the next level.

Additionally, more detailed topics are included such as Payment Processors, eBay alternatives and ebay Express. All the chapters are easy to read and follow, regardless of your experience. It’s not merely aimed at the beginners since the advanced sellers will certainly be able to pick up a point or two. Available on Amazon (non affiliate link – click here) at £7.99, this is one publication worth keeping by my side, 24×7.

Trevor Ginn, of Auctioning4U fame has launched his own eBay & commerce forum. Launched on the 4th October at trevorginn.com, I’m sure it will become a valuable resource although its still in its early days now, with Trevor’s expertise.

Our friends over at Tamebay report on the Royal Mail Strikes and how it will effect eBay sellers. I’ve already heard from a seller this week when I had to apologise for a delay in sending off a payment. It genuinely slipped my mind – Her response was a reassuring “No worries, the post is really bad at the moment“. Lets hope all other eBay members are as tolerant until the backlog is sorted.

Having more than one eBay account is always an advantage as Jenny How has been explaining. One of Jenny’s commentator’s has thankfully clarified how it’s essential to have all the accounts in your own name, otherwise you risk breaking the law.

Over at my own AuctionCUT forum, member “SmallWonders” would like to know, “What is the most outrageous or crazy thing a ebay buyer has done to bid for a particular item(s)???”. I welcome your contributions as always.

Finally, Robert Frechette, over at eFrech, guides us though eBay’s Blackthorn. Blackthorn is the updated version of Seller’s Assistant Basic and Pro products. Its as easy to use as eBay’s Turbo Lister, but twice as powerful, allowing you to create professional looking listings, the very first time you use it.