What This Book Is . . . and Isn't
"Hacks" are generally considered to
be "quick-and-dirty" solutions to
programming problems or interesting techniques for getting a task
done. As any experienced eBayer will tell you, there are plenty of
tasks involved in buying and selling on eBay, and anything that can
be done to make those tasks easier, faster, or more effective will
improve your eBay experience significantly.This book is not a "hand holding"
guide. It will not walk you through the process of bidding on your
first auction or creating your first auction listing. The fact is
that just about anybody can figure those things out for themselves in
a few minutes. (If that weren't true, eBay
wouldn't have tens of millions of active buyers and
sellers.)But despite the title, this book is also not about
"hacking into a system" or anything
so nefarious. Quite the contrary: in fact, you'll
find in this book a very real emphasis on trading responsibly and
ethically, as well as extensive tools and tips for protecting
yourself as both a buyer and a seller.The hacks in this book address the technological and diplomatic
challenges faced by all eBay members, written from the perspective of
an experienced eBayer who loves challenges as much as solutions.Essentially, you'll find in this book the tools to
help you trade smarter and safer, make more money, and have fun doing
it.