EBay to Update Item Specifics
EBay announced several changes to item specifics that will take effect in early January. Item specifics enable sellers to complete listings quicker by using pre-filled (or pre-defined) information when selling specific items. Here are the changes expected to be implemented by eBay:

• Cell Phone Accessories: Chargers, Cradle Chargers will change to "Chargers."
• Gift Certificates, Lodging, Cruises, Vacation Packages and Airline: Year values will be updated.
• BMX Bikes, Mountain Bikes and Road Bikes: Model Year and Brands will be updated and Model changed from a pre-set selection to a text-entry field.
• Coins: Certification numbers added via Item Specifics will be partially masked on the item page.

Year-End UPS Rate Hikes
Rounding out the year, eBay is reminding sellers that UPS rate changes will be in place on Dec. 31, 2007. The new rates will be automatically updated in the eBay Shipping Calculator and the PayPal Label Printing Solution. Those using UPS for their eBay shipping needs can expect a  4.9-percent increase on UPS Ground and UPS Standard to Canada, as well as the same overall change on Air and International express services. On Dec. 31, the UPS Web site will offer an electronic copy of the 2008 UPS Rate and Service Guide.

Also, Canadian eBay sellers can learn more about eBay and the Jan. 14, 2008 Canada Post rate increases here in last week's eBay Watch.

Create an eBay Flyer in Seconds
Those looking to do a little eBay promotion offline can take advantage of eBay Flyer, an online tool that lets sellers create paper flyers in three simple steps for any eBay item.

Using the online site, you simply enter in your item number or seller ID in step one. Step two loads details right from your eBay item listing into the flyer. Next, you can edit the text, headings and the other automatically generated information. The third and final step is an online print preview, and, once you are happy with the way your flyer looks, you can send it directly to your printer or save the flyer as a PDF file on your computer.

This a a super easy and fast way for eBay sellers to post notices of eBay items for sale in local advertising spaces such as public bulletin boards at grocery stores, on campus and anywhere you might think you'd have local buyers.

WhyAbe Gets New Features
WhyAbe, an automated on-demand procurement portal and collaborative marketplace, just released new tools and site enhancements that lets buyers and sellers connect through its service. In addition to being able to set notifications for upcoming contract expiration dates, e-tailers can take advantage of individual RSS feeds for their stores that lets buyers track inventory and special sales of their favorite WhyAbe supplier. And, the company also implemented a search function for individual stores.

Open Source Services eBay Style
Open source software is always popular with the D.I.Y crowd, and this week, SourceForge.net, one of the most well-known open source software development Web sites, added a new marketplace. The new eBay-like marketplace enables developers and users to buy and sell their projects and services online. Sellers using the marketplace are able to set their own pricing, support levels and offer different types of services. The marketplace is currently in beta, and according to the Web site, is open only to a small group of sellers at present time.