Overdue Success

There has always been a fascination with royalty and as a niche area for collecting and auction trading’ it is still a relatively accessible market. And it can also be extremely interesting.

There is a vast range of items that you can choose as your niche market. So whether your interest is in fine china’ silverware’ mugs’ clothing or whatever’ you can usually find something with a royal connection. And you don’t need a huge bank balance to get started’ as prices can be very modest depending upon your speciality.

There always seems to be a healthy demand for royal memorabilia listed on eBay and other online auctions. And now that items from the 1980′s and 90′s are becoming increasingly collectable’ you can start trading with a very low budget.

So’ is there a favourite Royal for eBay traders?

What can be said is that the British royal family has inspired more memorabilia than any other dynasty: whether it is stamps’ photographs’ medals’ books’ tins’ china or a host of other varied items’ the likeness of a British royal has probably appeared on it. And UK royal items are sought after all over the world and especially in the US. So this could be a high demand area to initially concentrate on.

Products related to Elizabeth II’ the present British monarch’ are currently the most tradable. Items can still be found related to the birth and childhood of Elizabeth’ her 1953 coronation’ the Silver and Golden Jubilee celebrations and other items associated with key birthdays’ wedding anniversaries and state visits.

It is now believed that the most photographed person in royal history was Princess Diana and related memorabilia still attracts a strong interest and demand. Hand-written letters from the Princess can now sell for 10’000 plus but you can still find a Charles and Diana wedding matchbook for 50p!

Recently’ the Christies’ catalogue for the sale of Princess Diana’s dresses sold for 775 on eBay.co.uk. In 1997′ you could have bought this same catalogue for just a few pounds. So start searching those junk shops and yard sales. You just might find a copy tucked away in a corner somewhere!

On a slightly macabre note’ if you have a copy of the original French newspapers (dated August 31st and September 1st 1997) that reported the injury and death of the charismatic Princess’ you probably have an appreciating collectable. Hang on to it for a few more years and its value is bound to increase.

Other royal memorabilia in order of desirability are items connected with Queen Victoria’ Prince Philip’ the late Queen Mother’ Princess Anne’ the late Princess Margaret’ Prince Charles’ Prince William and Prince Harry.

Memorabilia featuring royals from other countries is also very collectable but interest tends to be concentrated within that specific country. The exception is any item associated with the Russian royal family especially the Tsar and Tsarina’ Nicholas II and Alexandra.

So which items of royal memorabilia are the most tradable and profitable?

I’ll be exploring these questions in my next article appearing soon. I’ll also be looking at the how and where to source royal memorabilia to maximise your auction profits.

Until then’ wishing you every success.

With 30 years of business experience’ online auctions and information marketing have now become my passion. I’m still learning and happy to help others if I can.

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Your eBay listing has finished and you have made a sale’ now the next important stage starts – the after sales. Again we are aiming to develop the professional image or ourselves in the customers eyes to encourage them to come back to us again and again because it is easier to sell to a current customer than it is to a new customer.

eBay after sales is almost 100% email based’ apart from very rare occasions’ and you need to set up a process whereby you can accurately monitor the stage of after sales that each customer is at. This is very easy in the early stage with not many auctions but when you start to develop as an eBay seller it needs to become very organised.

eBay start this process off for you’ they email you (and the seller) to confirm the sale and provide you with the contact details so you can start your after sales process. Always send a reminder email as sometimes’ due to the number of fraudulent eBay emails that are around’ the buyer never actually opens the original email.

Again eBay provides this functionality by means of allowing you to send an invoice using the eBay system’ always include a copy to yourself (a simple tick box) if you plan to use this method so that you have a record of the email and can use it for your records. I would recommend however that you actually send an email using your own email provider as it forms the basis for developing a customer relationship.

The email you send should include the following:

A short thank you for using your auctions and a congratulations on them winning.

Then the item specifics:

Item Purchased’ Final Price’ Shipping Price’ Total Price Due (final plus shipping)’ Payment Methods Accepted (also indicated in the listing)’ Payment Time Frame’ Mailing Address for Payment and a link to your feedback page so that you can encourage the buyer to leave feedback.

It is also advisable to provide another email address so that they can contact you if they experience any difficulties using the original and of course always include a link to your own web site (if you have one’ if not get one!). It works along the same lines as the eBay about me page method.

I have a draft copy of the contact email saved so I do not need to keep retyping it out’ all I do is change the customer specific information and send it.

The customer then sends you your payment and the final stage of the after sales process begins…. Post and Packing.

Visit ebay information central to use the FREE resources to develop your online business.

As a serious seller on eBay you’re familiar with their fee circumventing rules. If not’ visit: http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-circumventing.html.

In a nutshell their rule is that you are not allowed to put an item up for bid for a penny and charge $100 for shipping and handling (S&H) in an attempt to avoid the transaction fee. Since we are not trying to avoid fees we all follow the rules ? right? To a certain extent yes’ but many sellers are still stretching the bubble by over charging for S&H in an attempt to maximize their profits and losing bidders in the process – the end result is the opposite of what they hoped for. Ultimately they reduce their sales and although these efforts fit within eBay’s policies’ when extreme’ they are considered an unfair practice by many buyers.

I’ll give you an example. I play in a Texas-No-Hold-Em poker game once a month – just a bunch of friends who get together’ play a little poker’ talk about their lives and have some fun. I thought it would be nice if we had some ‘professional-style’ poker chips so went to eBay to buy some. I like to think of myself as an intelligent eBay shopper so I watched the auctions for a few days and noticed that the final price averaged $60 for the chips I wanted (retail is about twice that at a local store). The market was determining the price’ or was it?

As I watched these auctions I noticed an interesting problem’ the shipping charges varied greatly. For the sake of this example let’s say one seller was offering S&H at $20′ another at $30 and one $50. We’ll call them Seller A’ Seller B and Seller C. As a buyer’ if I was willing to accept the price determined by the market ? in this case $60′ then the final cost of the item from each of these sellers would be:

Seller A: $60 + $20 = $80
Seller B: $60 + $30 = $90
Seller C: $60 + $50 = $110

I did some additional homework and discovered the package would weigh 17 pounds’ the size would not increase shipping costs and the sellers were all in my state. I went to the UPS and Fed-X web sites and plugged in the needed information for shipping cost estimates. The results were $11 and $17. All things being equal the total cost of the chips should be around $71-$78. So which seller’s auction did I bid on? Only one ? Seller A ? and I got the chips for $52′ plus S&H ($72). If I hadn’t won that auction I may have bid on Seller B’s but probably would have lowered my total bid amount by $10. Seller C’s auction closed without a singe bid.

Seller A got my business’ Seller B may have’ and as far as I was concerned’ and apparently other bidders’ Seller C can go pound sand. The outcome of this example should be pretty clear and it should be obvious by now that you don’t want to be Seller C. Although you may get an occasional windfall with less savvy bidders’ in the long term your sales will be much less than that of other sellers of similar items.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t recoup your shipping and handling costs in the process. We’re not in business to lose money’ but make sure you are not trying to pad your ‘profit’ at the expense of loosing bidders and ultimately sales. Take the time to do similar research on your own items and market niche and find out where you stand with your shipping and handling charges. If you’re fair to your customers they will think better of you for it and in the long run your sales will be better.

(c); Copyright 2005 Steven Woodward – All Rights Reserved

About the Author:
Steven Woodward is the owner’ editor and publisher of the Auction Sellers Network (ASN); a web site for individuals and companies who are serious about utilizing the online auction marketplace for their business. In addition to topical articles’ ASN provides an extensive resource center’ news feeds’ member forums and classified ads. For more information or to become a member please visit http://www.AuctionSellersNetwork.com.

No permission is needed to reproduce an unedited copy of this article as long the About the Author tag is left intact and included. We do request that we be informed where it is posted and reciprocal links will be considered.

Due in part to the popularity of the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s home auction program’ more potential homebuyers than ever are buying homes at auction. Homes for auction aren’t limited to just HUD’ however. Many government entities auction homes for payment of back taxes’ and some homeowners even auction their homes on eBay.com!

Homebuyers considering buying a home at auction should take some steps in advance to help them with their bid price’ and even whether to bid at all on a specific home. There will always be a degree of risk when buying a home this way’ but with a little diligence’ potential homebuyers could save a lot of money buying in this manner.

Before the auction’ you should have your financing arranged’ and have enough cash on hand or in your bank account to cover a deposit on your purchase. You need to check the features’ location’ condition’ and ownership history first. Afterwards’ be sure to learn what the property is worth by looking at sales of comparable properties in the same area. Compare homes with the same number of rooms is possible’ but be sure to allow for price differences due to pools’ decks’ carpeting’ window treatments’ etc.

At the auction itself’ resist the temptation to get into a personal bidding war’ just “to beat out the other guy”. Have a set price limit and stick to it. Other houses will come along’ and you don’t have to win the first auction that comes your way.

You should know that the price of a home at auction is typically the loan balance (if foreclosed)’ plus any back taxes owed’ plus legal fees and other expenses in foreclosing the property. This will typically be the opening bid amount’ and the price will go up from there. Even so’ it’s possible to get a great deal in an auctioned house’ with a little research and planning first.

Also’ know that you probably won’t be able to get an inspection’ and are buying the home “as is”. If you can’t do any needed repair work yourself’ or can’t hire it done within your budget’ you may not end up getting such a bargain in the end.

About The Author

Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.cashbazar.com. Visit his website for the latest on personal finance’ debt elimination’ budgeting’ credit cards and real estate.

I feel a loss when pragmatism wins over the mystical. There is a greater magic at work when you engage with Source. I believe that strength and optimism combined with hard work will keep marketing principles and other learned strategies working well for success. I have a much different story to tell.

I’ve spent many years in the corporate world and in the service and sales industry. Letting those learned and hard-work principles go to engage in a relationship with the divine has been one of the most difficult challenges I’ve ever faced. So why face it? Why not stick with the old ways?

Simply put’ the mystical’ the divine’ the source energy’ or God if you like’ wouldn’t let me go. No matter how hard I worked’ I simply did not see the results I desired. There was a transformation already underway and I would be embracing a new way of living. You cannot deny who you truly are. As I moved away from working hard and focused more and more on my gifts’ passion & purpose’ magical things began happening.

In spite of all my marketing and business focused activities’ none of my prospects had become a client and none of my projects came to life. Strangely’ people from across North America were finding me’ and rarely through my website. As long as I engaged in a relationship with the source and exercised faith’ clients began showing up. Clients that were looking for the gifts that I had to offer and the connection I had to share.

This has pushed me deeper into a relationship with the mystical’ the metaphysical’ the spiritual – so many words to describe the same thing – and practicing a new way of being in this world. It is much simpler’ much more organic’ much more peaceful’ and in many respects’ very easy. Well’ easy when I get out of my way.

There have been times when I’ve been in a complete and utter panic over what was not materializing. I’d come close to reverting to an old pattern and headaches would show up and more resistance in mind’ body’ and spirit. Within 24-48 hours’ I’d back off from my worries’ unable to give-in and give up the dream. I’d trust and just as suddenly’ abundance again made itself known.

I see this pattern’ these ups & downs’ as part of the training I am receiving. To deepen my relationship with the divine. To trust source. To trust my true calling’ passion and purpose. To express more fully who I am and thereby be a much better guide and teacher to those who wish to engage in the same relationship with the source of creation.

Magic lives everywhere. Being pragmatic can work’ but who wants to work?

Lee Down is a Professional Coach’ Trainer/Facilitator’ Speaker’ & Writer of One Man Can Human Capital Development that focuses on relationships’ the key foundation to success in business and life. With more than 15 years professional experience and a thirst for truth and understanding’ he focuses on the human spirit and human capacity.

Working with clients’ he facilitates the breaking down of beliefs’ barriers or obstacles that bring clients forward on their journey of discovery with spirit’ energy’ abundance’ passion and purpose’ integrating the mind and body experience. Working with business’ he brings visionary leadership and relationship skills to the forefront that witnesses an empowered culture evolve and develop directly impacting the improvement to the bottom-line.

If you can do anything in this time in your life what would you do?

I mean the sky is the limit. You have all the money you need’ your bills are all paid and right now you have the opportunity to do whatever you want. What would be your choice?

I remember watching a show on the Discovery Channel about people who are nominated to receive approximately $3’000 to accomplish whatever goal they wish to aim for. I remember’ on one show’ a man wanted a place to train inner city youth in the sport of Boxing.

He was also given so much time to spend the money and make things happen. What did this guy do? Well’ first’ he did not know that he was going to have this opportunity. He most likely woke up and did his usually morning routine and made a few decisions about what he was going to do for the day.

However’ when the TV host showed up and told him he was nominated to make his dream come true’ he stopped what he was doing and started taking action.

He called every place that sells Boxing equipment in his area. He was asking for donations’ negotiating prices’ and letting people know what he was doing. Now his dream was to give the inner city youth something positive to focus on rather than causing trouble. This was his dream and now he was taking action and running full force.

Now’ did he need to win this nomination to make his dream come true? No! He could have made a list of all his contacts’ informed them of his dream and the positive impact he wanted to make on his community and ask for their support. Some would have jumped on board’ and then he would have had more contacts to contact. That is how things are done. But how long has this man been waiting to make his "dream" come true? I don’t know’ but it looks like he was only willing to believe in his dream once he had what he thought he needed’ which was the money. However’ the money is not what he needed’ he needed the belief that his dream could come true and that he could get it done.

Most people are looking for the money before they actually begin to see their dreams come true. With that limiting belief’ the money will never come’ and another dream will go down the drain.

Is that what you are waiting for? The money’ the perfect time’ the right season’ the right year? The only time is NOW. Now is the time to take action. Most people don’t know what the first step is. They are stuck in an oscillating attitude and are unable to make a clear decision.

This is where a coach can come in and help you. A coach can help you see the possibilities and options that are right in front of you and that you may not even see. If you are still reading this’ then may be you are ready to accomplish that dream. Are you ready?

Anthony Treas is a Life Coach’ Motivational Speaker’ Mentor’ and Writer. He is the President of Activate Your Potential Institute’ dedicated to helping young adults’ and individuals to reach new levels of their full potential. For more information visit: Activate Your Potential Institute

I bet you’re like me – you want results now’ without having to put in the effort and time to make things change. We want to pray a prayer and have instant results. Kind of like microwave Christianity!

But God isn’t our sugardaddy. He wants to build character in us so that once things do change we can handle the new lifestyle and be better equipped to fulfill His plan for our lives. And building character takes disciplines and time.

But what disciplines do we need to work on? It depends upon what outcome you’re looking for. If a person wants to be a concert pianist’ he practices the piano consistently and increases the level of his challenge as he improves.

If you don’t know what you want in life’ you just know you’re not happy and your life needs improving’ then you’re in serious trouble! If you don’t have a target’ then you’ll hit your aim every time! But the good news is that every person has a dream. Even if your dream was put on the shelf some time ago’ you can take it down and begin working on it today. The dream is still there because God put it there and He is ready to help you implement it.

Let’s look at how the following disciplines will help you’ no matter what you are striving for.

Transform Your Thoughts (change your beliefs)

To make changes in our life it helps to understand the process of what happens between the time we think about something and when we take action. It looks like this:

Beliefs create thoughts
Thoughts create emotions
Emotions create actions
Actions create our lifestyle

Therefore’ to change our thoughts requires us to identify false beliefs and replace them with God’s truths. Sometimes if we aren’t sure why we acted in a certain way’ we can backtrack through the above process to uncover our core beliefs that caused our ultimate action.

Whenever we want to make changes in our life’ fears and self-doubt begin to creep in. In order to conquer them we need to identify the specific fears (false beliefs) so we can counter them with God’s truths.

This is accomplished by continually reading the Bible. When we read statements that are contrary to what we think (believe)’ then we have a choice to make. We choose to either believe God’s truth and act according to this new belief or continue to believe the lie’ which keeps us stuck in a rut. We must make the choice as soon as we realize our thoughts are focused on lies.

Speak Your Future Into Existence

This outcome of this second discipline is described very well in Proverbs 18:20-21: ” A man’s [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil]. Death and life are in the power of the tongue’ and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].”

God created the world and everything in it’ including us’ by the words He spoke. He first thought about what He wanted’ then He spoke it into existence. This power isn’t limited only to God. God tells us that we’ too’ have this power to create with our words.

Many of us spend more time talking about our past than speaking forth our future. When we talk about our future’ it’s important to say what we “want” not what we “don’t want.” We must be extremely specific on what we speak forth for our future.

Control Your Emotions

We aren’t taught that it is possible to control our emotions. Therefore’ we feel powerless over how we react to situations. In John 14:1 Jesus told His disciples’ ” Do not let your hearts be troubled (distressed’ agitated)…” God won’t ask us to do something that He is not capable of helping us do.

This is great news that we can reign in our out-of-control emotions. Just knowing that this is possible helps us to see things in a new light. We see new possibilities of change where we didn’t think change could ever occur.

Pray Consistently

This fourth discipline keeps us connected to the source of our hope ? God. We obtain success through deepening our relationship with God and others. The three disciplines above help us develop character to enable us to develop healthy’ loving relationships which fulfill us.

Copyright 2005 Kathryn Williamson

Kathy Williamson teaches biblical principles to help people overcome their problems and discover God’s will for their lives. Her book’ teachings and ezine can be found on her website at http://www.wisdomforliving.org