eBay's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Download Policy

I wasn't able to make eBay's Digital Download Workshop they had last week, but I logged in the next day and read everything posted. What I found was that I was very happy that I didn't login "during" the workshop and expect to get any questions answered. The folks running the workshop were not really "there" for about the first half of the hour. In other words, nothing really worthwhile was said by eBay or questions answered until shortly before the hour workshop was over. There were plenty of questions asked, and people aggravated by the lack of response from eBay reps during the workshop.

Actually, 5 mins into the workshop they said "Griff and Brian are here and we are ready to start the Workshop. We'll address questions as we go but first, we have some information to post." Now, get this... 41 minutes (that's FORTY ONE MINUTES) later they posted the information they mentioned just after the workshop started. That post was titled "Using Classified Ads for Selling Digital Content."

They KNEW what the workshop was going to be about. They KNEW the information they wanted to present. Why didn't they have it typed up so they could just paste it in when the workshop started?

Then, 52 minutes into the 60 minute long workshop they posted more in a post titled "A Digital Content Selling Strategy Example." Then came a few short posts... "Just In Time Printing", "Perceived Value Matters!", "The Content Itself" and "Pricing."

Most of the questions asked by users were answered after the hour was over and the opportunity to interact was over. They did manage to answer some questions, but I wasn't crazy about most of their answers. Some of them were a bit ambiguous to say the least.

The one question I wanted to see them answer was, can you offer a 'complimentary' download after the sale while the customer waits for their digital media to arrive in the mail? Now, mind you, if offered a download in lieu of something mailed and offered it in lieu of paying shipping, many bidders would probably just skip having the digital media mailed to them. So, my question was, if you do this are you breaking the rules?

This is what was said:

You can not use the word "download" in your auction ads or your About me pages.

However, and I quote, "...with regards to sending the content via email attachment POST SALE where you also never mentioned that would (should be "word" not would), as either an option, or courtesy, delivery the content in digital format, then it would be allowed." (spelling, grammar, punctuation errors theirs, not mine)

So, to me that means, "Don't ask, don't tell."


Here is some more of what I learned:

• You can sell multiple items from one classified ad, but you can't link to them individually. You can put a phone number or email address in your classified ad though.
• Online Memberships CAN be sold via auction if you send a Membership card (or other physical item). If there is no physical item mailed, then it has to be listed via classified ad.
• Online graphics can be sold via auction if there has to be discussion over the design. If it's predesigned and they are buying it as it is designed, then it has to be listed as a classified ad.
  

You might gleam some more information out of the discussion if you read it yourself.

I have pulled out the information that they prepared ahead of time to share in the workshop and copied it in this blog post:

http://auctionriches.blogspot.com/2008/04/using-classified-ads-for-selling.html

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I've got the Best of the Best on my team!
http://www.auctionriches.com/go/myteam

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Auction Riches News Latest Issue is here...

IN TODAY'S ISSUE
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=> Greeting from Robbin
=> Thought for the Day
=> Featured Article: 3 Tools for Product Sourcing on eBay
=> Recommended Resource
=> Fre'e Downloads
=> Fre'e Online Tools
=> eBay eBooks

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As we enter the Christmas Season, here's a funny little greeting from my family to yours...
http://tinyurl.com/27qmws

Enjoy and then create your own!

Robbin
http://www.AuctionRiches.com

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
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A Story of Two Wolves

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all...

One is Evil...
It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good...
It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy , generosity, truth, compassion and faith.

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

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FEATURED ARTICLE
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3 Tools for Product Sourcing on EBay - Using Seller Central

You may have already discovered that selling on eBay can be fun and profitable. But after you’ve cleared out your garage and attic, and auctioned off everything your husband
owns, where can you go to get new product ideas?

Tapping into EBay’s Resources

Most people don’t realize that eBay itself is actually a terrific place to find product sourcing ideas. Besides being an easy selling venue with built-in traffic, it also contains a goldmine of useful data about what that traffic wants to buy. One of eBay’s best-kept secrets is their Seller Central page (www.EBay.com/SellerCentral). Very few people, even PowerSellers, are aware of this valuable resource. Consequently, very few people are taking advantage of the tools available there:

• The Merchandising Calendar — this is a great spot to get sourcing leads because it shows you specifically what products eBay will be promoting over the next few months. It gives you dates and tells you which item categories you need to list your product in for it to be displayed on eBay’s homepage. When a user clicks on that item, your auction will pop right up.

• The Hot Items by Category section - this is basically a monthly trend-watching report. It tells you what items are moving, producing more bids, and getting higher final prices. It lets you get a feel for where the demand is.

Whether you’re searching for products at a tradeshow or a rummage sale, Janelle Elms (JanelleElms.com), of eBay University, recommends, “Print this report and keep it with
[you] at all times,” She explains, “People don’t know what to look for… This will really help direct and keep your mind focused to what’s moving on eBay.”

• The eBay Pulse report - this report tracks trends, hot picks, and other cool stuff, including: top searches, most watched items, and little known eBay facts.

Catering to Your Customers

Advises Elms, “Don’t ever try to sell to the buyer what you think they need to own.” Users are already telling you what they want to buy—you just have to listen. These tools show you what consumers are saying they want and how they’re saying they want to find it. EBay users are ready to spend money with you—all you need to do is give them what they’re looking for.
---
BIOGRAPHY: Product Sourcing Radio is Created and Hosted by Chris Malta and Robin Cowie of http://www.worldwidebrands.com, Home of OneSource: The Internet's Largest Source of Genuine, Factory-Direct Wholesalers for online sellers. Visit them for more FREE E-Biz & Product Sourcing info!

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RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
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What if you had the opportunity to get up close personal attention and help from a gathering of the most successful collection of truly successful eBay and Internet entrepreneurs ever assembled?

I have the utmost respect professionally and personally for the founder Jim Cockrum. He has put in thousands of dollars, countless hours testing, building and prepping this site. There is a "BONUS POOL" area with products donated by the experts on the site. These bonus products are worth hundreds and hundreds of dollars and you won't find a "list" of them anywhere. They are for Member's eyes only. Prepare to be floored!

Content includes videos, articles, experts addressing topics like:

- EXACTLY what to sell on eBay. Literally hundreds of ideas
- Using eBay to grow multiple non-eBay income streams
- What creative ideas work NOW on and off eBay
- Using the power of Classified ads on eBay to get amazing overnight results
- Setting up an automated ebook biz on eBay
- Growing a massive mailing list using eBay etc.
- Plus a whole LOT more!

You have to check this out!

--> http://www.auction-guru.com

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FREE DOWNLOADS
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In case you missed this last month, take a moment and download and read this fre'e ebook from Scott Foster...

This eye-opening ebook has more value then most PAID ebooks you find on the market today. You could have hundreds of dollars just laying around in your garage or attic -- get your copy of this valuable report right now.

It's called,
"Overlooked Treasure -- Unbelieveable Profits from Everyday Items!"

--> http://tinyurl.com/2r83tw

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Still trying to figure out some last minute gifts?
Here are some great recipes for Gift Jars, plus other great Holiday recipes and leftover ideas:

http://auctionriches.com/BigHoliday.pdf

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FREE ONLINE TOOLS
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eBay Feedback Tools - http://toolhaus.org

Free eBook Cover Creator -
http://www.groundbreak.com/graphics2.html

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EBAY EBOOKS
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If you're an eBay eBook junkie like me, check out the following link:
http://infoebooks.com/search?q=ebay&x=40&y=14

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Published by:
Robbin K Tungett
http://www.AuctionRiches.com
http://www.AuctionHerald.com

Latest Auction Riches Newsletter is Online

Click Here to Read it...

New Issue of Auction Riches News

A new issue of the Auction Riches News is online at:

http://www.AuctionRiches.com/ezine

In it you'll find:

• The Top 5 Critical Mistakes People Make When Buying Bulk Products to Resell
• eBay Classified Ads Tip
• Letter from a Reader
• eBay News & Announcements
• and... Don't forget to Laugh a Little
  

All this and more in this issue of Auction Riches News.

http://www.AuctionRiches.com/ezine