We just returned from our first eBay Live, and were amazed at how much we learned.  eBay Live 2006 was held at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.  For those eBayers who have never attended eBay Live, it is a must!  Not only do you get the chance to meet and network with 15,000+ eBayers, but there are also numerous insightful workshops offered by marketing experts, eBay employees, companies that can enhance your eBay experience, and actual eBay sellers.  Whether you are an eBay newbie or a seasoned eBayer, there is something for everyone at eBay Live!

We took several exciting courses at eBay Live, but some of the ones we enjoyed the most dealt with: marketing your eBay store, keeping and maintaining the entrepreneurial spirit, Powerseller Best Practices, and product sourcing.  Class titles and descriptions change, so please keep an eye on http://www.ebay.com/ebaylive for exact information.

For eBayers who may be interested in attending eBay Live, here are a few tips:

1. Bring plenty of bottled water.  Las Vegas was a sizzling 100+ degrees, and we could not drink enough water. Also, it helped to have our own bottled water because hotels were charging $5+ for a bottle that normally costs $1 or less.

2. Bring comfortable shoes.  Many people wore sandals, but found that they were not as comfortable as they thought.  Tennis shoes seemed to work best for us, especially since it was quite a hike from the hotel entrance to the convention center.

3. Talk to every vendor you can.  Even if you do not think that company may help you now, your needs may change down the line, and even if they do not, you may learn something new.

4. Bring plenty of business cards.  While eBay sellers are not allowed (and frankly, do not have the time) to sell at eBay Live, you can always hand out your business cards to fellow eBayers.  Not only is it a great way to keep in contact at and after eBay Live, but maybe those eBayers will direct buyers your way- and vice versa.  If you do not have business cards, check out http://www.vistaprint.com for some professional yet reasonably priced business cards.

5. Keep an eye on your hotel rates.  We booked our hotel (Luxor) relatively late and found that it was cheaper to book directly through the hotel's website rather than an online discounter.  Also, rates went down shortly before eBay Live, and the Luxor graciously reduced them once we called them.  Several eBayers who did not double check their hotel rates or who had booked their room through eBay found that their room rates were not able to be lowered, even though the rates had fallen.

6. Explore the city if you get a chance.  Whether it is Las Vegas or Boston, each city offers its own unique attractions, and eBay Live is a great chance to mix in a vacation with "work."  Most taxi drivers and hotels will give you information about low-cost attractions, as well as insider tips about what to see and what to skip.

7. Get to know your fellow eBayers!  Even if you do not sell the same items, it is always great talking to someone else who shares as much passion for eBay as you do.  There is usually a Meet and Greet the day before eBay Live, and there are plenty of socializing opportunities during eBay Live...take advantage of them.

In 2007, eBay Live! will be in Boston.  Boston is one of America's finest and most diverse cities and we cannot wait!

A little about us: We are an eBay Powerseller specializing in baseball, basketball, football, and hockey rookies, cards, inserts, game used, autographs, BGS, PSA, Bowman Chrome, Bowman Chrome Draft, and many other great products.  What started out as a way to sell off our personal sports card collection has now become our full-time job.  We hope to offer tips for eBay buyers and sellers, along with some entertaining entries.

Our Weekly Auctions: 

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZrainmanesq

Our eBay Store: http://stores.ebay.com/RAINMANESQS-SPORTS-CARD-CENTRAL