Computer & Technology Radio Show

I will be starting a new Computer & Technology Internet radio show this Sunday, February 17 at 5 pm, (Pacific time) streaming at online with co-host Marc Cohen (former host of the KABC Computer Show). After 2 weeks in this time slot, We will be moving the show to our regular time Saturday mornings at 9 am PST. If you have any tech questions - please call in toll free at 877-474-3302.

You've known me as the eBay guru, now you'll get to know my other, "techie" side. If you find yourself frustrated and occasionally confused when dealing with your computer, tune in to the webcast with Marc and Marsha. We'll answer your computer questions and explain the latest tech gizmos and gadgets. We'll also feature weekly DVD movie releases and up-and-coming consumer websites.

If you're already computer-savvy, we'll give you the low-down on all types of software; office, educational, anti-virus software, even fun stuff like games. (Even help with selling on eBay). We will recommend techniques to make your PC, Mac, laptop, digital cameras, and smart phone run smoother.

Every week we'll feature an electronic or computer buy of the week, tips to help understand the mechanics of operating computer-related equipment.

Unlike the handbooks and directions that come with computers and hardware, we speak "human" language to their listeners and prevent them from getting their "wires crossed"

Here's a little about my friend, Marc. Marc Cohen hosted the KABC Computer & Technology show for over 10 years. It was the longest-running radio technology show on a single station in Los Angeles,

Please tune in. If you can't listen to the show at broadcast time, it will be on the wsRadio.com site - and iTunes, for time shifters!

March 8 - New Flat Rate Priority Mail LARGE box

There will be a new Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box in addition to the two that are currently in use. It measures (12" x 12" x 5½") and holds 50 percent more than the current box. The new box can be used for both domestic and international shipments, and online mailers can take advantage of the 5 percent discount for international shipments when postage is purchased online.

A special version of the box for the military will also be supplied, and a $2 discount, for shipments to an Army Post Office or Fleet Post Office (APO/FPO) address. The military box features the logo of "America Supports You," a Department of Defense-sponsored organization of nearly 300 home front groups that send packages to troops overseas.

Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box Prices
Domestic Shipping	$12.95
APO/FPO Addresses	$10.95
Canada and Mexico	$29.95
Other Countries	$49.95

New eBay Seller Standards

In addition to pricing changes, eBay's making the minimum standards for selling on eBay more stringent, primarily to discourage bad seller behavior on the site. This will be accomplished in two ways: through decreased listings exposure in search and safe payment requirements.

Starting in February, they will decrease listings exposure in search for the sellers who have a high buyer dissatisfaction rate and low DSRs over the last 30 days, especially for charging excessive shipping and handling. Second, they will be requiring sellers with high buyer dissatisfaction rates to offer a safe payment option.

Seller Standards – For PowerSellers
They're also going to raise the bar on what it means to be a PowerSeller. Given that this program has historically only required a certain level of sales and a 98 percent positive feedback rating, a number of buyers have complained that there's not a consistently great experience when they're buying from PowerSellers.

PowerSeller status will become a competitive advantage by setting a higher bar for sellers using their DSRs. Starting in July, you will need to have a minimum 4.5 score in all four DSR criteria over a 12-month period to be designated as a PowerSeller (or remain in the program).

Discounts for PowerSellers
Better payment protection for PowerSellers, and for all qualified sellers, greater exposure for listings in search

Great sellers who provide buyers with an experience that consistently means:

• Describing items well
• Communicating with buyers effectively
• Shipping items quickly
• Charging fair and accurate shipping costs.

These criteria, are the ones used in Detailed Seller Ratings (DSRs). Great sellers will receive new rewards and economic incentives in the form of increased exposure in Best Match search, plus discounted pricing and other benefits for PowerSellers who qualify.

While the vast majority of eBay sellers do the right thing, a relatively few sellers create a high percentage of dissatisfied customers. At eBay, they will consider a buyer dissatisfied if:

• The buyer leaves a 1 or 2 DSR rating on any of the attributes
• A seller get complaints from buyers about items being "significantly not as described" or "item not received"
• A seller receives negative or neutral feedback from the buyer.
• If a seller has any of these activities in the last 30 days, these will cumulatively count as dissatisfied customers for that seller. We then calculate what percentage dissatisfied customers represent of a seller's total customers.

Sellers with a high percentage of buyer dissatisfaction will receive reduced visibility in Best Match search. Also, because excessive shipping and handling continues to be one of the biggest pain points for buyers, sellers with the worst DSRs for shipping and handling charges will see a decrease in their listings exposure, as well.

For more details, please read the Seller Standards information page and FAQ.

http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200801290559182.html

I've started my holiday regifting

It’s getting crazy out there! Yesterday I was nearly killed (OK, perhaps almost maimed) by a couple of guys fighting over the last Wii. Duh, you’d think they’d know where to find one … eBay of course. Come to think of it, perhaps they were a couple of eBay sellers trying to stock their eBay store!

I’ve yet to see such a year where everyone’s going mad trying to find just the right gift. We’re all so tired of the many gifts we get that, frankly, just aren’t right. So we are faced with the traditional holiday “Seinfeld” dilemma. Do we become re-gifters?

If you decide to re-gift (or better yet, resell on eBay), here are a few suggestions.
1. Thank the gift-giver. No matter how horrified you are when you open the box that houses the chartreuse-and-lime-green wool scarf, work up a smile. The gift-giver is looking at you with expectant eyes, just waiting for you to squeal with delight. On the chance that you can’t work up a squeal, give them a warm-hearted “thank you” and a big smile. A hug can also punctuate your sincerity.

2. When you get home, thoroughly open the gift. Rip through all the tissue, and be sure there’s nothing else in the box. This is a very basic but sometimes ignored rule of re-gifting. Gifts that are going to be re-gifted or resold must be checked thoroughly for anything that is personalized, including checks or gift cards that may have been placed inside the misfit present.

3. Don’t be in a rush to get rid of the gift. Getting the stuff out of the house may be your first instinct, but patience is key. Items that you may not need can be perfect presents for someone else in your life. If you’re planning to resell the gift on eBay, be sure to do a Completed Items search to see if a thousand other people got the same thing and put it up on eBay at the same time. (After all, how many people really want that bizarre scarf?)

4. Remember who the gift was from. Keep the original gift in its box, and mark the gift with a Post-it note so you remember who gave it to you. Store it in a clean, dust-free place, so when you are ready to re-gift or resell, the item is as good as it was on the day you received it.

These tips should be enough to get you going for now. I’ll have more in next week’s blog. Feel free to comment with any other ideas you have. Enjoy the season!

It's the Holiday Re-Gifting Season 2007

During this holiday season I’m eBay’s shopping and re-gifting expert. And though I pride myself on being a great gift-giver, honestly there are times that I’ve been stymied. If the recipient doesn’t look up at you with a big smile after tearing away the scads of carefully taped and beribboned paper, then you know there’s a chance your misfit gift will end up in that nether land of unwanted gifts stuffed in a closet, never to see the light of day.

There’s always a chance that the recipient will re-gift your present or — if she's a smart eBay seller — sell the item on the site quickly. As the old saying goes, there’s a hand for every glove (or something to that effect).

Since I’ll be blogging and answering your comments every week, I’d love to begin this season with gift suggestions from all you shopping gurus in the eBay community. What gifts do you think will be most appreciated this season?

For my first pick, I’ll go with the Nintendo Wii — I think everyone should have one in their home. It’s the first gaming console that appeals to all ages, you don’t have to be a hardcore gamer to enjoy playing it, and it has a wide variety of games. The Wii is still in short supply at retailers (an opportunity for savvy sellers out there?). So if you want to give one, snatch it up as soon as you find it. eBay has a number of these listed too!

Please post your comments here, including some of your own picks for the hottest holiday gifts for 2007. I’ll be posting every week through the holidays, and I’ll offer some of my own dos and don’ts when it comes to gift-giving, re-gifting, and reselling gifts on eBay!