Mineral Market Tutorial
Registration
Before you step out into the fast lane of bidding and selling you must first create a name for yourself so that others will recognize you. Directly above and below the category or item listings click on the link titled "New Registration". The New User Registration form should appear.
Create a handle (username) for yourself. You may choose anything you like. Joe Schmoe might choose to be "JSchmoe" or simply "Schmoe". It's your choice, just remember that this software is CAPS specific and you may only use alphanumeric characters - no punctuation or spaces.
In the next form box you will be asked to enter your email address. Your password and high bid notification will be mailed to this address. And, finally, enter an address where your packages may me mailed. Some people think it's funny to enter such things as "666 Skruyoo Street, Nowhereville, BFE, USA", but the joke is on them, because when they win an auction, that's where their packages will be sent.
When you've entered all the appropriate information, click the "Register Me" button to register your handle. You will see a confirmation page that instructs you to look for an email message that lists your new password. You may change your new password at any time using the "Change Registration" link above and below all category and item descriptions. It may be important to write down your handle and password, or save the introduction email that is sent to you.
Although the password email should be sent instantaneously, please allow at least a day if you don't immediately receive the message. If you still receive no confirmation after at least 24 hours, contact the Webmaster.
Changing Registration or Password
Changing your registration is a necessary function as time moves on. Eventually every registered user will have to change his/her critical information and this paragraph explains how.
Click on the "Change Registration" link directly above or below the category or item listings. This form should look exactly like the New Registration form, only now you are asked to enter your old password, select a new password, and retype your new password. You do not need to retype your name and address if this information has not changed.
When you are done click the "Change Registration" button. You will then see a page confirming that your information has been updated.
Bidding
So, you successfully registered and changed your password from that unbelievable sequence of letters and numbers to something you can remember. Now it's time to interact with all of the other auction members. It goes without saying that if you are ready to bid on an item, then you've found an item that you like. If you haven't found an interesting item, but would like to know how to bid anyhow then this is the paragraph for both of you.
Surf around through all of the auctions and find something that you just can't live without. Perform a few searches, browse around, look at a few items and then decide that you're going to make a bid. In order to bid on an item you actually have to be viewing the auction details. At the top in big bold letters you see the title for the auction you are viewing. If the seller is wise he/she will have posted a picture of the item for you to look at. Read through all of the information posted before you decide to bid.
You will see the item title, the category the item is listed under, which seller is offering the item, the current time, the auction close time, and the last bid placed on the item. Below all of this information you will see a description of what is being offered for bids. At the bottom of the page the bid history is listed, which is comprised of all the registered users who have placed a bid on that particular auction and the price they bid.
And, at the very bottom of the page is the bid form. When you have decided to make a bid, enter your handle, your password and your bid amount and click "Place Bid". You are now officially a big spender! Be aware that sellers are allowed to make there own bid increments, so you may have to sacrifice more than just a few cents to outbid the current winner.
Posting
All those people are making good money, AT NO CHARGE, and you would like to make good money, too. Here's how:
Follow the link directly above or below the category or item listings that says "Post New Item". All of the form boxes are fairly clearly labeled, but here's a description of what should be entered into each box.
Title/Item Name - Enter a fairly descriptive title for your auction that briefly summarizes exactly what you are selling. No HTML is allowed to be submitted in the title box and trying to do so will only make your listing look tacky. You are allowed up to 50 characters which should be more than enough room.
Category - Select an appropriate category for your auction. If you find more than one category that is suitable for listing your item, simply choose the category that is a little higher up on the main listings page.
Image URL - You may post one of your own images to show bidders exactly what you are selling. Type in the URL where the image is stored, being sure to use the http:// prefix. You can check to be sure your image appears as it is supposed to when you preview your auction later.
Days Until Close - Wow, isn't it wonderful to not have to pay more for keeping your auction listed longer? Select how long you want your auction to last, from 1 up to 14 days!
Description - This is your personal shebang line. This is where you work your business skills and make your item look better than everyone else's. See the tips below on how to optimize your auction success by posting too little or way too much about your auction. Feel free to enter all the HTML you'd like. Add extra images, links, jazz up the text, anything you'd like. Please don't abuse the privilege, though, or you will be told to leave.
When you are done titling, describing, selecting where to place, and selecting when to end your action, enter your Handle and your password and select a starting price for your auction. The last box allows the seller to select a bid increment. This is the next smallest amount that a bidder is allowed to "up" an auction. You can set this to whatever you prefer. Just remember that people don't like to spend more that they have to and would rather up the ante a small amount at a time then have to throw in their jewels to increase the bid. At the opposite extreme, it does you no good to receive 100 bids that each increased the price by 1 cent. Strike a happy balance.
When you are satisfied with your auction, click the "Preview Auction" button. Look over your listing to verify that everything is as expected. Make sure your image loads properly, confirm that your starting price is accurate, double check the auction close date. If something is not the way you would like it to appear, use your browser's "Back" button to return to the previous page, correct the problem and preview the auction again. When it looks just right, click "Post Item". You are now a big time seller on the Mineral Market Online Auction!
Searching
There is a search box at the top of every page in the auction. Utilize this tool to find exactly what you are looking for. Type keywords or usernames into the text box, select which type of search you wish to perform (either a keyword search, or a username search) and click "Search". Searching for a username returns only auctions posted by that registered member. Searches query titles and descriptions.
Tips
When Bidding:
1. Don't wait until the last three seconds of an auction to place a bid. This site is equipped with Sniper Protection. Last second bids will extend the auction for an additional two minutes beyond the closing time.
2. Unless you are trying to make a point, or drastically outbid someone who is competing with you, always place the minimum bid.
3. The current time is posted on each auction in the information box.
4. It is a bad idea to keep bidding an item up higher and higher because you have not yet bid the reserve price. On many occasions a seller will complete the auction whether you have met the quota or not. You may be able to get an item a little cheaper than expected by posting a reasonable offer that is less than the reserve price.
5. If you are not sure about an item, then by all means, email the seller. Just click on his/her handle to send them a question. Don't forget to state which auction you are asking about in the message.
When Selling:
1. It is a silly concept to place a reserve of $200 on an item that you are starting at $0.02. Try to place items at a starting price that is equal to the amount that you would like to get out of the transaction and there is no need to place a reserve.
2. If you can't decide on which category is more appropriate for your auction, select one that is listed closer to the top on the category listings page.
3. When creating an item description remember to include as much detail about the item as possible and as little detail about your company, your other auctions, or related items as possible. Remember that there aren't as many dingbats using this site as there are on eBay. Tactics popular on other sites will probably not work here. This is an informational site and it attracts people who want to get directly to the point.
4. Bid increments are an exact science. It is likely that your item will sell for more if you have a reasonable bid increment, anywhere from 10% to 15% of your listing price. Increments above 20% of your listing price will probably not get you those crucial final bids. At the opposite extreme, an increment of 1 cent will likely get you nowhere. It would take a hundred bids to increase the price one dollar at such a low rate.
5. People are skeptical. Give them some reassurance by being very honest. Most will bid on items that say "slightly used" before they will bid on something that says "@@@WOW!! LIKE NEW!! WOW@@@". Try to tone down your approach and you'll probably make a better landing.