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 Seller's Guide 
 
Collectors Book Mart: Seller Information
Registering Registration is fast and free. 
1. To begin, click on the Login/Register link above the top menu. 
  2. Read the entire User Agreement and Seller Code of Ethics.  If you agree to abide by the rules and regulations we have set in the User Agreement and Seller Code of Ethics, to adhere to our defined grading and description standards, and to guarantee your items will be as described, then click the "I agree" box at the bottom of the User Agreement.
3. Fill in the other required fields, including your email address and any optional fields you choose.

Frivolous, false, or misleading information entered in any of these fields is cause for immediate suspension without notice.

  4. Once you have entered you registration information,  you must enter your credit information via our secured server.  All members must provide verifiable credit information even if they are only buyers. This is to protect all members, buyers and sellers, from fraud and abuse.
5. Choose a UserName which you can easily remember.  There is a limit of 25 characters which can be any of  the regular alpha/numeric chararcters,  plus the period ( . ), at ( @ ), underline ( _ ), and  dash ( - ).  No blank spaces, other punctuation or symbols can be used.
6. Your password will automatically be generated and emailed to you.  Keep a record of your password, it is a "hashed" (encrypted) password generated by the system and only you will know what it is. 

Note: You can edit any of this information at any time.

  • You can change your password by clicking the My Account link above the top menu, then selecting the Change Your Password option.
  • If you forget your password, you can get another at the by using the My Account>Retrieve Lost Password link.
  • You can change your user information at any time by clicking the My Account link and choosing the Edit My Registration link.
  • You can change your billing information at any time by clicking on the My Account>Edit Billing Information link.
Listing an Item -
    Review the Fee Schedule to know what charges are accrued for posting items using the different types of Auction and Mart listings and listing enhancements.
 
   1. List your item by clicking the Add Item link in the Mart Menu Bar.
 
   2. Select the type of Mart listing you want; For Sale, or  Want Ad.
Note: For Sale Items can use all the fields below, Want Ad Items can only use the ones marked with a W in the left column.
W 3. Enter the Author

This can be up to 90 characters long and should include and co-authors and illustrators.  Use the main editors name when appropriate.
 

W  4. Enter the Book Title

This can be up to 100 characters long. 
 

W  5. Enter the book Publisher.

This can be up to 60 characters long. 

W  6. Enter the  Pub Date..
 7. Choose the best field value option from the Binding, Book Type, Book Condition, and Dust Jacket Condition from the drop down boxes.
Note: these options greatly enhance the Collectors Book Market Search function by standardizing the values used to describe items on the site (use the Postcard/Description field below for more detailed information on your item).  Users can select or eliminate any or all of these values when they run a search.

 

 8. Select any appropriate "Special Icon" for designating an Autographed item or a First Printing.

Notes: 
Any item described as autographed must include a picture or scan of the signature and/or a statement of provenance or lack thereof.  For more information, click here.

Any Item described as a first printing must cite an approved First Edition reference. 
For more information, click here.

W  9. Choose a category

This is one of the most important steps when listing an item, because our detailed, nested* category system allows buyers to browse for items by subject, much like they would shop for them in a store.

Tip: Use your browser's 'Search on this Page' function (CTRL-F) on our descriptive Category list page to match many common keywords to the best category for your item.

*Nested categories allow sellers to put their items in the lowest sub-categories and yet have them appear in the parent categories above it, so put your item in the most specific sub-category as possible to get the most exposure.
 

W 10. Enter the Listing Ad Title

The listings that potential buyers first see are a one line synopsis of your item's listing information. You can have up to 250 characters in your "Ad Title".

When you insert your cursor into this field it will "autofill" the information you put in the book title, author, binding, book type, and condition fields.  You can edit or add to the autofilled information to clarify or enhance the Ad Title to give users as much information as possible as they browse the category listings or view their search results.  The default search is 'title only' so the more info you can put in the Ad Title, the more searches you will match.
 

W 11. Enter your books Description.
  • Use our built in HTML Editor or your own HTML to enhance your description's appearance.
  • Describe the book in detail and note all defects.

    Note: Remember you are required to follow the grading guidelines of the grading reference you selected above.  Deliberate or repeated failure to adhere to these standards will result in a warning, temporary suspension, or a permanent suspension from the site. 
    Include the storyline, a synopsis, or even a personal review if you want.   You've got the buyer this far, this is the place to close the sale.

    • Tip:  Copy blurbs from the back cover or the dust jacket flaps (use quotes and cite the jacket as your source for the information)..
  • Ex-Library and Bookclub editions should ALWAYS be noted, even if they are also designated in the Book Type field above.
  • Include information about you and your bookstore or website. 
  • Include your Shipping and Payment details even if they are included in the bulleted options below.
    • Tip 1: Make these extra clear.  Some buyers won't email to ask and then don't bid
    • Tip 2: Make your U.S. shipment a fixed amount so the buyer can send payment immediately if they want.
Note: If you forget something in the description, you can add to your items description using the Edit function on your My Auctions Page.
 

Tip: Avoid the temptation to over grade or to neglect to mention a defect. Think of your buyer's reaction when they open your package: You don't want to disappoint them. Your feedback reputation is often the key to buyer confidence and can make a difference in how many buyers bid on your items.

W 12. Set the number of days for your listing to run if you want a shorter time than the default 90 days (for example, you can run "specials" for selected items for 30 days at a lower price or offer free shipping)..
 
13. Enter your selling Price.

Note: There is a minimum listing price of $25.00 on the Mart.  Lower priced items can only be sold on the auction.
 

14. Choose the Gallery option to have your item's thumbnail image displayed in the Gallery View and on the Browse Category pages next to your Ad title and any icons.
 
W 15. Set the Auto Relist Option.
The system will automatically relist your item up to 3 times (at 90 days each for a total of 360 days).  You will be charged the normal listing fee each time it is relisted.
W 16. Check your Location settings.  If you are shipping the item from (or "to" in the case of a want ad) another location, change this to the correct location.
  17. Check the appropriate boxes for your accepted Shipping and Payment Options.

The system will set a "cookie" on your computer to remember your last selections so you don't have to reselect them each time unless you want to offer different options. 

W 18. Increase interest in your item by using the Auction Enhancement options, Boldface Lisitng ( 25 cents), Featured ($20), or Highlight ($2).
 
   Click on the Go To Review Page button or Click the Upload Images button to move to the Image Upload page. 
19. Add digital photos to enhance your auction description. 

Digital pictures can be quickly uploaded to our servers directly from the Image Upload page for 10 cents per listing OR you can enter the URL (web site address) for photos hosted elsewhere on the Web in your description (no charge).  For detailed instructions on adding images, click here.
 

W 20. Once you have entered all the information about your item,  you will be presented with a preview screen where you can review all of the information you have entered, the options you have chosen, and the total listing fee you will be charged. Use the Back button at the bottom of the preview page to go back and make any necessary changes. 

Do not press the Finish button until you are absolutely sure that all of the information is correct.

W 21. When you press the Finish button, your account will be listed immediately and your account will be charged with the applicable charges.  

Note: You can end an auction at any time in your My Auctions pages by using the Close button next to the listing.  Manually closing an ad will end all automatic relists for that ad.

Once you press the Finish button you will be presented with a link to where you can view your ad, and a receipt for what you have been charged for adding the ad.  You can print out this receipt as a record of your transaction.
 
Bulk Uploading your records.
You can bulk upload your existing inventory records from inventory programs like Homebase or by exporting them from a spreadsheet in a CSV (comma separated value) file.  Custom bulk upload options are available.  For more information, click here.
Your Account Status and Billing
1. You can check the status of any debits or credits that have been charged to your account by clicking on the My Account link above the top menu. 
 
2. Log into your account using your username and password,  and then choose a billing period for which to view your bill.  All transactions for your chosen billing period will tell you what the debit (Listing Fee, Closing Fee) or credit (Registration Credit, Volume Discount) was for, how much it was, and the date that it was processed.
 
3. You account will be billed on a monthly basis.  Past due accounts are subject to finance charges.

Note: Accounts with past due balances may be frozen by the administrator.  Users with a frozen account will not be able to bid, post items, or edit their account information.

 
Promoting Your Listings
Visit our Media Room (make link) for a wide range of materials you can use to promote your listings on CBM to your customers. These include email announcements ready to customize, and business cards, bookmarks, and flyers you can print or send, either "as is" or customized with your bookstore information. Please let us know if you need help with customizing or would like us to create some other type of promotional material for you.
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Transmitted: 8/21/2008 5:13:28 PM PST
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