geeksugar -- Geek is chic.

Geek Tip: Use PicClick For Easy Ebay and Amazon Browsing

geeksugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:00:06 -0800

My number one rule for reselling an item on Amazon or Ebay is to make sure you take great photos of your item to post in your ad. Seriously, how many times have you passed up a classified because it doesn't have a photo? I do it all the time. So to make things a little easier for us visual types, there's PicClick.

PicClick pulls only those ads from Amazon and Ebay that have a picture in them, but unlike the standard CL search function, PicClick shows you all of the images at once!

Website of the Day: Live

geeksugar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:35:34 -0800

Remember when I asked if you would switch from Google to Microsoft for your searching needs if you were paid? About three-quarters of you swatted away the idea like it was last year's Blackberry, but after using it myself, I urge you to reconsider. Not for keepers mind you, but handy if you want to save yourself some cash.

Microsoft has partnered up with Ebay to bring you Live — the search engine that fetches you some pretty sweet deals, among thousands of search results. Just enter your search at the top of the page, and Live will tell you how much you can save if you buy from participating Ebay stores. I just bought my boyfriend's Christmas gift and will be getting back 30 percent from my buddy Microsoft. I can't tell you what the gift is (never know when he's reading), but I can tell you it's something of the gadget persuasion. Who woulda thought, right?

To learn how to post your favorite websites to our Website of the Day group,

How To Take Great Resale Photos

geeksugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:00:44 -0700

Fellow techie Cat Schwartz has already given us the inside scoop on how to properly clean your gadgets inside and out before putting them up on Ebay or Craigslist, but in order to get some serious inquiries, you gotta post a photo of your item as well. If you're like me, a photo can make or break a decision on buying something, cause if the photo is bad, what does that say about the seller (and their standards)?

The first thing you'll want to do is make sure the item is clean — duh! No one wants to see a dirty item. Second, properly light the room you're taking the photos in to ensure people can see what you're selling. If you're shooting outside, don't shoot in direct sunlight — it's too harsh. Multiple light sources that are indirect are best. To see the rest of my tips, just

How-To: Prep Your Old Gadgets For Resale

geeksugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:01:09 -0700

About a month ago, I finally brushed the dust off my old gadgets and decided to get them in tip-top sellable condition for sites like Craigslist and eBay. Although the process may look easy, there is actually a lot of steps you need to follow to make those used cameras and MP3 players look as good as new. And who better to show us exactly how it's done than eBay's gadget and toy director, the fabulous and funny Cat Schwartz! Check out her video below for tips, tricks, and products that will get your gadgets gleaming again!

How Bad Do You Want to Be at the Head of the iPhone Line?

geeksugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 04:01:07 -0700

Although people are starting to line up In New York City to ensure that they get their hands on the hotly-anticipated new iPhone 3G, the majority of you said you wouldn't stand in line for a gadget. Therefore, I doubt any of you will be signing into eBay to bid on a place in line in San Francisco!

An eager seller is starting the bidding at $5,000, and if you win, he or she will stand in line for you, holding your spot until right before the doors open and you pull cutsies to claim your spot and your new phone. The seller/line-stander will also arrange for a limo to whisk you away after you depart the Apple store.

That five grand is obviously steep, but 90 percent of it will go to the nonprofit organization Farm Sanctuary. Opportunities like this don't come around every day: Save farm animals, lose over 5,000 bucks AND get your iPhone in one fell swoop!

Cool Download: eBay Companion For Firefox

geeksugar — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:00:53 -0700

Although you might lose some of your Firefox extensions when you cross over to Firefox 3 – and trust me, you're gonna want the newest version since it's faster and more secure – you can still download the same sweet extensions that Firefox is known for.

I happen to have a few eBay bids out on some precious Polaroid film, and am watching others before I jump in. With the Firefox eBay companion, I can see the stats on my bids right on my browser — without having to stop what I'm doing to log in. What's cooler is when an item's auction is about to end and I get outbid, a pop-up box will tell me I better pump up my dollar amount before it's over!

Would You Buy a Worn Wedding Dress on eBay?

geeksugar — Sat, 17 May 2008 13:11:07 -0700

What if I told you that you could get that $2,000 wedding dress of your dreams for a fraction of the price? Naturally, its been worn once on someone else's most special day and it's coming to you via eBay? Before you cringe, it should be noted that there is a plethora of gently worn wedding dresses on eBay, including ones designed by Vera Wang and Monique Lhuillier, and think about this: When you buy vintage, those pieces have usually been worn over and over and over again, and you still jump at them, whereas a wedding dress has been worn (hopefully) just once. When you consider how overpriced gowns are - because brides will pay the prices - isn't it kind of a blow to the heart of the wedding industry? Truthfully, I don't know what I'd do, but I have to say: I'd be awfully tempted if I found the perfect dress for half the price on eBay. How do you feel about it? Leave your answer below and be sure to see more wedding coverage on I Do Sugar!

Would You Buy a Worn Wedding Dress on eBay?

Yes! It's a great way to save money and those dresses are so overpriced anyway.

No way! I don't generally like used clothes anyway, but on my wedding day, I want something that's mine.

Maybe, if I found an unbeatable deal on my dream dress.

Which Do You Like Better: Craigslist or eBay?

geeksugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:00:35 -0700

Online classified website disputes, oh my! eBay is suing Craigslist because two Craigslist directors took unspecified actions that "unfairly diluted eBay’s economic interest in the company," as eBay owns a minority interest in Craigslist. Yes, lots of big lawyer fightin' words! Whatever the problem is, I'm feeling very Mean Girls today (blame the return of Gossip Girl), and since the two companies have pitted themselves against each other, I will too: Which do you prefer, Craigslist or eBay? Sure, one is better for local purchases, one better for collectibles . . . blah blah blah. I want to know your gut reaction, on who you just plain like better when you think of them?!

Which Do You Like Better: Craigslist or eBay?

Craigslist!

eBay!

I like them the same.

I don't like either of them.

Something else. See my comment below.

Bust Out Your Inner Annie Leibovitz With the Tabletop Photo Studio

geeksugar — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 10:00:59 -0800

Tired of smoothing out your white sheet to take a good picture of something you want to put up on Craigslist or eBay? I myself have found the perfect lighting and surface on my white table at home, but I'm pretty over it, so I love this mini Tabletop Photo Studio!

You don't have to fuss with a sheet, the light, anything — for just $30, you get pretty professional-looking results. I'm not even as taken with the convenience of this, as I am the adorableness of it too. It's so little! It's so cute! So put those cute shoes you never wore up in the mix, turn up "Vogue", and get snapping. Also totally works for Barbie and puppy photo shoots (they are so vain).

Have You Ever Mistrusted the Internet? Part One

geeksugar — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 13:14:00 -0800

CNET's Matt Asay wrote a great article about what he calls the "web's crisis of trust." Basically he says that Internet commerce is not where it could be, because people are scared to make online transactions due to concerns about security. Can you trust a faceless user or retailer with not only your credit card info, but that the product will be what you expected?Asay cites eBay, which uses their feedback system to regulate "trust" instead of high-level rules and regulations. I use eBay all the time, but I would bet that every one of us was hesitant to use eBay at first, because you think you're going to get screwed. It's not just retailers we fear — what about Craigslist? When I moved to San Francisco, I used it to find roommates, a job, and furniture online. My family was scandalized that I used this impersonal web board to meet up with people — claiming that I didn't know what kind of weirdos were on there. Well I do know those weirdos, because now they're my friends, former roommates, coworkers, etc.I often muse that if I had suffered from this "crisis of trust" with Craigslist, I wouldn't have what I do now. So, tell me, has a crisis of trust with the Internet ever kept you from buying or doing anything you found there?Source

Have You Ever Mistrusted the Internet? Part One

Yes, I have been scared off by the Internet.

No, I tend to trust the Internet.

Something else. See my comment below!

Geek Tip: Use TypoBuddy to Find Misspelled Treasures!

geeksugar — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 14:10:15 -0800

When you're on the hunt on eBay and Craigslist for a specific item, but you're either waiting for that great deal or the perfect match, you've got to use TypoBuddy. Enter your search into TypoBuddy's page, and the site comes up with the ads on eBay and Craigslist that have been misspelled in some way, and voila! There's a whole host of items you never would have seen due to your (ahem) perfect spelling. I've heard the advice before to try typos in an item search, but TypoBuddy utilizes so many more possible combos, like twice-typed, transposed, and missing letters.

The great thing is, other people are unlikely to see these items, bumping up your odds of finding and owning the perfect "Daneish Credenxa."

Are You Now Going to Use eBay More?

geeksugar — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 04:21:19 -0800

SF Gate reported yesterday that eBay will reduce its listing fees for sellers in an effort to keep its current users from going to rival sites and be more appealing to new users. I've always viewed eBay's fees as a necessary evil to a great service, but I'll admit it has deterred me a little in the past, especially when I can use Craigslist to sell something local. But for collector's and in-demand items, nothing beats the reach of eBay. Of course, I wonder how you guys feel — were you already defecting to other sites with cheaper fees, and will eBay's reduced listing costs get you to use it more? Or, did the fees never discourage you?

Are You Now Going to Use eBay More?

Yes, eBay's reduced fees are bringin' me back.

No, eBay has had me always, high fees and all.

No, I don't use eBay to sell and will continue to not use it.

Something else. See my comment below.

Have You Ever Bought a Gadget on Craigslist or eBay?

geeksugar — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 13:20:44 -0800

I'm what's considered a Craigslist junkie. I am constantly trolling the site, checking out the furniture section for hot vintage finds, reading Missed Connections for entertainment value, and cruising the housing listings for fantasy home relocation day-dreaming. My love for Craigslist almost rivals my love for eBay, on which I've been an active member and shopper for years now. I am always encouraging people to use either when they are on the hunt for an item they just can't find in stores, but something many people shy away from on Craigslist or eBay is electronics. But for as many fraud experiences, it seems like there are twice as many happy success stories. Have you ever bought a gadget on Craigslist or eBay, and if so, what?

Have You Ever Bought a Gadget on Craigslist or eBay?

Yes, I have bought electronics/gadgets on Craigslist or eBay.

No, I have never bought gadgets on Craigslist or eBay.

Something else. See my comment below.

Largest Star Wars Collection Ever For Sale

geeksugar — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 09:00:01 -0800

2007 is the 30th anniversary of the Star Wars Saga, which means you better get ready to hear all about the series, all the time from the media. It's not that I think you have to love Star Wars if you're a geek; it's just that if you're honest, there is probably a soft spot in your heart for the classic. So, what better way to feed your secret, or not so secret, obsession than to purchase the largest collection of Star Wars items ever? The collection, which consists of items from 1977-2007 and has more than 7,500 items, is going to be for sale on eBay soon.

It includes Life Size Figures, Variants, Exclusives, Displays, Figures, Play-sets, Accessories, Books, Cards, Games, rare and hard to come by items from all over the world, as well as everything in between. "You will be blown away at the sheer size and completeness of my collection," says the seller. "I have been collecting since I was a kid. I'm not sure that the collection will sell (Since its priced at what most people make in a year)." I don't know Mr. Seller man, you might get lucky. Some people really love Princess Leia. For a gallery of the largest Star Wars geekdome in history, just

Part One: Learning the Ins and Outs Of Ebay

geeksugar — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 15:22:32 -0800

Learning How To Use eBay

I love to shop, especially on the Internet using eBay - the gigantic online marketplace of everything new and old. It was probably after my third sale and fifth purchase that I finally caught onto the buying and selling process. If you are a first time user of eBay, getting a user name, making your first bid and completing transactions can be challenging tasks.

I suggest visiting New To eBay where everything from how to buy an item to learning about PayPal is discussed for eBay beginners.

I also recommend ordering a copy of Ebay for Dummies, Fourth Edition. This book is a great hands on guide for those of you who want to familiarize yourself with eBay and have step by step manuals to follow. Click Amazon.com to purchase this book for $22.

Once you get started, you'll see how easy it is to find certain items you have been spending months searching for!