BarCamp JB 6.12.08

I was recently invited by Daniel Cerventus (founder of Malaysian Entrepreneurs) to join BarCamp JB on 6.12.08

I had an amazing time sharing my eBay knowledge with a crowd closed to 50ppl in the conference room.


Before the sessions began, Daniel will give a prep talk to the participants about the rules of BarCamp JB. One of them I found unique is that, if participants think the session is not for them, they are welcome to leave the room so that an empty seat can be given to other participants. Very clever. BarCamp also encourages participants to vote for their favourite speakers.

The Speakers and Participants can stand a chance winning attractive prices sponsored by many established organisation. Well Done Daniel!



This is the crown I presented by talk to. Very very interesting crowd. I predicted closed to 50 of them in the room. Majority of them are amazed at other eBayers from Malaysia succeed in making a living in eBay. They also asked many of the common and intelligent questions. Very active group. I was full of energy every time I start my talks about eBay. It gives me great satisfaction when ppl are amazed and inspired by other ppl's success.


I loved the view from here. This was taken on the 19th Floor of the MSC Cyberport (JB) who sponsored the venue for BarCamp JB.


Q&A session is always my favourite to network and to answer to all questions posted by the audience. Loved all the challenging questions.



This is the prize I've won (yippie!!!!). Wanna thank the participants who voted me. Thanks to Daniel from the Malaysian Entrepreneurs, http://www.entrepreneurs.my/

I don't usually write blogs cos it's not my nature... eBay is my expertise.. ehhehehehee... enjoy!

MIRC KL SME ICT Conference 2008

MIRC (MCA ICT Resource Centre) is organising this amazing ICT event at the Legend Hotel this 9th Dec.

It starts at 8:30am (registration).

Those who are keen to participate must pre-register at registration@mirc.org.my

MIRC has invited a lot of speakers to talk about the various internet marketing that's available for users to use.

Go to this link for the event itinerary, http://www.mirc.org.my/events.php

Come and join this informative event and master the world of internet marketing!!

Wireless@KL e-Commerce Training Workshop

P1 (Greenpacket Sdn Bhd) & eBay.com.my is giving the public a chance to attend a FREE eBay Workshop this month. There are a total of 8 workshops planned. So please go to this link to register and find out more, Wireless@KL. You can also find out more abt the time and venue on each 8 classes and choose which date u can come.

Chiica Consultations (that's us), will be the ones giving this workshop.

We will show you the opportunity of doing business in eBay and how other Malaysian Sellers succeed in eBay.

So, see you all there!!

eBay USA Major Changes - Good or Bad?

August 20th Changes.... was it good or bad?

My thoughts? I have a mixed reaction about these changes. But it will take a few good weeks for me to 'adapt' to it and see how. I hardly list my items to eBay USA cos I find that site is a little too 'far' and I can't earn a higher profit margin due to weak USD currency. So I focus my sale mainly in the UK and Europe.

The listing price for once is fixed now for Fixed Price Listings. So no matter at what price I start and its quantity, my listing fee stays af 35cents. Furthermore, the Fixed Price Listing is extended to a 30-day typed listing instead of the conventional 1, 3, 5, 7 & 10 days listing.

So sellers who list at a slightly higher price will find this new listing fee benefits them. But all good things come with a bad karma... lol. The Final Value Fees was revised from 10% to 12%!!!

Another downside to the changes is that, if Sellers obtained a DSR (Detailed Seller Ratings) of less than 4.3 at all category, will not be able to list in eBay USA for 30 days until the seller improve the effected DSR. No listings will be removed. Buyers can still buy from the seller but seller can't do any relisting... it's like being penalized for 30 days! I find that harsh.

The DSR rating system sucks big time. eBay still cannot 'invent' a creative way to educate its buyer when it comes to rating 'long distant sellers'.

Sellers here in Malaysia will be greatly affected by this 4.3 DSR requirement cos 95% of our foreign buyers do not understand the need to wait a little longer for their packages and the extra shipping cost when they buy from us.

So whoever 'passed the bill' to implement the same requirement to South East Asia (SEA) seller obviously never tried selling from SEA. Plain ignorant and idiotic 'law planners'.

eBay wants to 'create' a better buying experience but all these changes are so 'pro buyer' and doesn't help the sellers at all. Sellers are the ones paying hefty listing fees, final value fees & all the misc subscription fees (and not fogetting paypal fees) just to keep eBay in business. Look how they've utilise the money for (paying fines in millions of dollars in countless lawsuits!!). But who gets rewarded? BUYERS!!!

Sigh.... it will take some time for me to get use to these changes... soon (very soon), eBay UK will make some more huge and scary changes.

Will look into that later.

Adios!

Come Visit us at Asia Consumer Fair 2008

eBay will be participating a 10 day roadshow called 'Asia Consumer Fair 2008'.

The event starts from 23rd August till 1st September 2008... just about to start the Puasa Month.

Venue: South City Plaza Seri Kembangan

Time: 11am till 9pm

Date: 23rd Aug - 1st Sept 2008

Admission Fee: FREE

See map location here.

We will be introducing eBay to the public and tell them more about the opportunities and the conveniency if using eBay as a platform to sell globally.

There will be eBay premiums to give away for those who sign up for the FREE eBay Tutorial Program sponsored by eBay.

See you all there!!

eBay's Updates on Feedback Percentage

Finally, eBay has taken neutral feedback from their Percentage equation.

You can find the annoucements here.

eBay Takes Neutrals out of Feedback Percentages

WOW!!! This is indeed good news to all eBay Sellers.

After eBay Live 2008, so many sellers express their anger to eBay about counting Neutrals as Negative Feedbacks. When this took effect, it hurt our business dramatically.

eBay President of eBay Global Marketplace Operations Lorrie Norrington posted an announcement to the eBay board on Thursday afternoon. "When we get something wrong, we want to make it right. And when you have ideas that benefit the collective good, we want to make them happen. To that end, we are making the following changes based on your input."

Effective in late August, neutrals will no longer be counted as part of the Feedback percentage. This means we will be recalculating Feedback percentages retroactively for users worldwide. In the interim, no one will lose their PowerSeller status as a result of neutrals being included in their Feedback percentage.

We hope to have more positive changes for us as sellers. It's been a pain trading in eBay with all these silly changes.

eBay Malaysia Workshop

Workshop Next Date: 19 & 20 July

Time: 2pm till 6pm

Venue: The Outpost, Cineleisure, Damansara Mutiara (Near IKEA)

Topics: Basic of Selling (over 15 eBay Certified syllabus)

How much? RM1,980 (50% off for Early Bird Registration)

What's included: Manuals, eBay Seller Starter Kit, Certificate, Lifetime Support, Refresher Course (T&C Applied)

How to register? Click HERE!

Found a Free Tool For eBay Sellers

Check this out guys, if you have your own website and wish to tell people that you have an eBay store (or listings) and needed extra traffic, http://www.lotwatch.co.uk/ is offering a free 'display eBay Feedback'.

The aim for this tool is to aid in driving traffic & sales from your own website(s), newsletter or blogs to your eBay Listings.

So easy & free to register.

Note: Due to eBay's listing policy, we were advised against including this code in your eBay listings as it may result in them being removed.

eBay Developers Meeting in Singapore 25 June 2008

eBay SEA & Paypal Organizes its first eBay Developers Meeting in Singapore on 25th June.

The event started at around 7pm. Sadly to say, my outbounf flight (Tiger Airways) to SG was delayed from 4pm till 8:30pm and I missed the whole deal. I was so looking forward to it cos I have got so many ideas to tell the Developers what I want as an eBay Seller.

Thankfully, Chris (my business partner) was there. Photos of the event is available when u click the main title of this post.

Also, it was great meeting with Ryan Miller, President and Founder of Merchant Run. I am looking forward to learn more about Merchant Run when Ryan returned to the US. Stay tuned for more details later.

I managed to do a little sight seeing in SG. Visited eBay & Paypal's office, Underwater World in Sentosa, took picture with the dolphins, Singpore Flyer & The Merlion.

Had lunch with eBay Staff and further discuss about the future of eBay in Malaysia. I'm happy to say that eBayers in MY are more and more keen in selling globally and I'm glad Chiica Consultations are here to be of assistance.

eBay Visits Penang

Last weekend, I had the greatest talk of my life with Penangites.

MIRC Penang Organised this great networking sessions with its MIRC Members.

The respond was amazing. Everyone enjoyed my presentation and I hope I have inspired them.

I hope to visit them again 1 day.

My next stop is Johor Bahru! Johoreans, be prepared!!

eBay Bans Apple iPhone 3G Pre-Sales

eBay is prohibiting pre-sales of the Apple iPhone 3G, set to be released on July 11, 2008. The company explained that, "prior to the release of similar high-demand electronics, we saw a high number of well-intentioned sellers unable to meet their pre-sale obligations to buyers due to restricted supply, as well as an increase in fraudulent listings for these items. To prevent similar problems with the iPhone 3G, eBay is prohibiting all pre-sales of this device."

The company is placing restrictions on sales of the iPhone 3G post launch. "In order to continue to ensure protection for our Community after these items are made available by the manufacturer, the following requirements have been put in place for the sale of the iPhone: The listing must include a unique photograph of the item or items; Your User ID must be clearly displayed within the photograph (watermarks will not be accepted); To ensure buyer protection, PayPal must be the only accepted form of payment."

Last year eBay had placed restrictions on the original iPhone, and in prior years it has restricted sales of gaming consoles such as the Nintendo wii.

eBay Announcement Link related to the above message

Chiica's Next eBay Workshop

We are proud to announce our next eBay Workshop for July 2008.

The confirmed dates 19th & 20th

Classes will be open when a minimum of 5 participants paid & booked their seats. Seats are limited.

Upon completion, participants can print their Certification of Attendance.

Click here for Registrations Forms.

eBay, a thriving eCommerce Business

When the Malaysian Govt gave us a heart attack on the recent fuel hike, many of us are screaming for 'help'.

As price of oil is expected to rise, more & more of us that starting to feel the pinch.

This morning paper, our PM said there will no petrol increases this year, we hope and pray that this is not a false promises cos we always see politicians tend to 'break their promise'.

Some of the 'govt advisors' suggested that we may have to find a part time job or to conduct other businesses just to compensate the high cost of living. But part time jobs like tazi drivers, or waitressing takes a lot of energy. Opening another business venture? Where on earth can you find the capital?

The good news is eCommerce is a 'recession proof market'.

When people start to stay at home, they will SHOP!

Forrester Research says, Online Shoppers are Wealthy because they have more purchasing power as they use less expenses to travel and buy things.

So big eCommerce players like eBay, Amazon and other auction sites are the best way to start earning the extra income.

Majority of eBayers started of with just a PC and an internet connection. They started by selling their 'junk' in eBay. So we called this Zero Start Up Cost. We do not have to pay for hefty rentals, no employees salaries oe EPF to pay cos you are your own boss. Therefore, there are many ways to start of with and different people applies it differently.

Another great news is eBay is offering a FREE Basic of Selling Phone Tutorials for eBayers in Malaysia & Singapore. This is strictly Phone Based Tutorials (therefore not a 1-to-1 meet up). Interested candidates will only have to go through 2 sessions (1 hour each session or less).

Many of you might say, 'Hey! What's the catch?'

The catch? You only pay for your eBay Basic Insertion Fees which is mandatory.

The consultants that conduct the FREE course are Education Specialist Certified by eBay SEA. You can meet the consultants here to know more about them.

You can read our reviews here.

So don't waste time and take your first steps (for FREE) and learn from the experts. Don't forget to Register!