Category: How To

  • Best Deals for Visiting Las Vegas

    Best Deals for Visiting Las Vegas

    You know what they say: what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas! Some of the most exciting shows and attractions can be found in the desert oasis that is Las Vegas. Whether you prefer concerts, theater, magic shows or sporting events, there’s a good chance you’ll find something you’re looking for somewhere in Sin City.

    Yes, pool parties, Vegas shows, gambling, food, music and top stars, are all awaiting you on a Vegas vacation. All you have to do is find a four-star Vegas hotel room and a cheap round-trip plane ticket. Fortunately, there are many great resort hotels in Vegas that offer experiences. For help sorting through the options, we’ve compiled a list of the best Vegas hotel deals!

    Best Las Vegas Deals

    Kayak.com

    The first site for Vegas deals we’re highlighting is Kayak. Kayak.com offers some great deals on hotels and travel to and from Vegas. This covers hotels and flights and can included tours and packages, as they are actually a conglomeration of several other travel and booking sites. They way it works is that instead of having to go to several different sites, you just go to one and punch in what you want, in this case ‘Vegas.’ Kayak crawls the other sites and brings up the various Vegas deals being offered at the time, with links to those sites.

    Vegas.com

    Vegas.com is a great destination for those looking to make Vegas their trip destination! Jokes aside, this site is wonderful if you’re trying to find deals for traveling to Vegas. They market their site as a way to see “Vegas from the Inside,” and, for what it’s worth, it’s pretty accurate. The site offers a ton of great insider info on tickets for shows, deals at hotels and venues for parties! They even help you find cool activities you might not have thought of and help you save money while you’re at it! Vegas.com also offers a ‘Best Price Guarantee’ that matches competitor’s pricing.

    LasVegas.com

    Not to be confused with Vegas.com, LasVegas.com offers a rather similar service to its similarly-named competitor. The difference, however, is that LasVegas.com is the official tourism site of surrounding Clark County, Nevada. The site offers vacation packages, hotel deals, tours, show offers and tickets, restaurant deals, resort packages and even planning tools to help you plan your Vegas getaway. They’re a great way to find deals on visiting Las Vegas!


  • 7 Ways to Fly for Cheap

    7 Ways to Fly for Cheap

    Cheap airfare, it’s something we’re all looking for. Finding decent prices on flights can be difficult though. It is human nature to want to travel, to explore your horizons and see new places, or perhaps, to return to the places you once knew.

    Whether you want to visit home or see an exotic location, airline travel is fast, but costs a lot of money. What is the best way for finding cheap airline tickets? How do you even start? Whether you are traveling for work, for vacation, or to visit family or friends, finding cheap airfare can help you save on what’s often the largest expense of your trip.

    If you’re trying to take a trip and keep finding it difficult to get a decent price, you’re probably looking for some new travel hacks to help you save some money. Well, the good news is that we’re here to help. Let’s talk about the best ways to fly for cheap! Read more below to learn about who is offering the best rates at an amazing price $73 and $39 for one-way flights!

    Best Ways to Fly for Cheap

    Compare Airfares

    Airfares vary widely, and discount airfare is out there for those who know where to look. The most important thing is that you make sure to compare airfares. The rates offered by one airline may be much higher or lower than the rates of another. If you use one of the popular travel sites, you can easily compare airfares from different airlines.

    Also, if you have any flexibility in your schedule, try putting different dates into the sites’ ticket finders to see if that makes a difference. For example, currently, Southwest Airlines is offering flights as low as $73, and Delta is offering flights as low as $39 during the holiday season.

    Use Reputable Flight Search Engines

    Some flight search engines actually get a cut from airlines when they help generate sales. That means that you could search for “budget flights” and have normal or even premium flights show up. In order to counter this, use reputable search engines that don’t mislead you. Great options are Skyscanner, Momondo, AirWander and JetRadar. Like we said previously don’t be afraid to shop around to find the best price.

    Get Tickets Early

    Get your tickets early — but not too early. You may think it would be smart to buy tickets six months in advance, but in fact, getting tickets more than five months before you need them may keep you from getting the best fares. Aim for two to four months in advance, if possible. If you can’t plan that far in advance, at least try to avoid the two-week period right before a flight, when ticket prices tend to go up.

    Specialty sites like “air fare watch dog” provide a medium for you to search for deals between two specific locations, and also can send you alerts when prices drop to a much more affordable rate. This is perfect for those who know where they want to travel, just are not too concerned about when. They can snag a great deal and plan their trip once they get that informative e-mail from the website.

    Airport Selection

    Fly in or out of airports that are not in your destination city. If you are flying into New York City, you may be able to get cheaper fares at the Newark airport than you would in New York City’s JFK Airport. If you are going to or from San Francisco, try the Oakland or San Jose airports. Many other cities also have airports that are nearby but outside of the city limits. Flying out of an alternate airport isn’t even necessarily a hardship. For example, If you are going to some parts of Manhattan, ground transportation may get you there faster from Newark than from JFK.

    You will benefit on price, though, because not as many people will think of using the other airports, so the seats won’t sell out as quickly. Always think in terms of supply and demand when trying to find cheap airfare.

    Non-Direct Flights

    Accept a little inconvenience in exchange for a cheaper price. You may be able to save money on long trips by taking routes where you change planes rather than taking a non-stop flight. If you’re not in a hurry, you don’t need to pay a premium for the faster route. Try traveling lighter to avoid the luggage fees that so many airlines are charging now. Be creative in figuring out how to get by with fewer things on your trip.

    Incognito Mode

    Lock up your search history tight and don’t look back. When you start looking at flights and trips, make sure you’re in incognito mode. When you search for flight prices, sites use cookies to track how many times you’ve looked at the flight. Each new time you look, the price goes up. Why? Well, to get you to buy as soon as possible so you “lock in the lowest price.” Yeah, it’s dirty, but you can fight back!

    By browsing incognito, you won’t have any cookies tracking you. This allows you to bypass this dirty trick and get a better price for your flight!

    Find the Cheapest Days to Book

    Try to fly on a Tuesday or a Wednesday, if possible. Those are often the cheapest days of the week. If possible, avoid Fridays and Sundays, when rates tend to go up. Flying right before a major holiday, like Thanksgiving or Christmas, is going to be very expensive. But if you are able to fly on the day of the holiday itself, you can usually pick up some very cheap fares because not many people want to fly then.


  • Best Deals on Suits

    Best Deals on Suits

    Feel your best in a quality custom suit! Custom suits fit exact specifications, ensuring comfort and confidence. Off-the-rack suits will never fit perfectly, and unless you spend the money to get custom alterations, it just won’t fit the same as a custom suit.

    However, custom suits are becoming more popular, which is making them more affordable. It is easier than ever to get a custom suit that will make you look and feel great and maybe even walk a little taller, thanks to your newfound confidence.

    Whether you’re going to be in a wedding, have a big job interview or just trying to look sharp, it’s important to have a nice suit. That said, you don’t want to spend an arm and a leg just trying to look spiffy! To help you out, we’ve got our tips for how to get the best deals on suits!

    Best Deals on Suits

    Men’s Wearhouse

    Don’t let the cringe-worthy spelling of their name fool you: Men’s Wearhouse is a great destination for picking up a suit! If you’re looking for particular style of fabric or cut, they’ll be able to help you. Their custom suits start around $400, which isn’t bad for a tailored outfit!

    They actually have stylists on staff, and one can help you figure out what kind of suit will look best on you. What’s more, they even offer a free shirt with the purchase of a custom suit! They’re definitely worth checking out.

    Joseph A. Bank

    Joseph A. Bank is another great destination for custom suits. Just like Men’s Wearhouse, they offer custom suits starting at $400, so the difference is really preference. They have a wide variety of fabrics and styles, and you’re free to customize to your heart’s content. After you book your appointment and get your specifications for the suit, you should have it in just a few weeks!

    They also offer great deals on other suits. They’ve got specials like “Buy One, Get One for $150” deal going on. If you’re looking for a straightforward pair of suits for general use, this is a great option!

    Indochino

    If you can’t make it to a physical store, Indochino’s online platform can help you. After you get your measurements and select your customizations, you can place your order with them online. Then, they’ll set about making your custom suit! If you’re an online shopper this is a great way to go. They even offer free shipping on orders over $150!

    They have great prices on custom suits, too. New custom suits start around $350, so all you need is someone to help you get your measurements! It’s time to look sharp for any occasion!


  • Top Things to Know About Assisted Living

    Top Things to Know About Assisted Living

    It can be nerve-wracking when you’re trying to find assisted living for yourself or someone you love. There are a ton of things about assisted living facilities that you won’t be told up front. The contracts you sign are usually complex and full of fine print that you might overlook.

    In order to help you prepare yourself for this process, we’ve got a few tips for you to help navigate this process. This should prepare you for some of the things to come.

    Pricing Will Be Higher Than You Think

    This is the sad reality of assisted living facilities. They’re expensive, and the base fees for rent go up every year. This is due to inflation, of course, and the ongoing upkeep costs of the facility. There are also a number of fees you might not expect. For instance, if someone needs food delivered to their room, or outside transportation, that will have an associated fee. Don’t be afraid to try to negotiate for a better price and make yourself aware of any fees that are hiding. Just ask the facility if there are any fees you haven’t been told about yet before you sign anything.

    Medicare

    Not every community will accept Medicare, but those that do can’t turn someone away for using it. However, communities aren’t eager to take in Medicare residents, as they get less money from them than those who pay on their own. As such, a number of facilities have limited “Medicare Beds,” and will often use that number to limit Medicare residents. However, if a resident gives three months of advanced warning that they will be transitioning to Medicare, this usually circumvents the bed limit.

    There Are No Doctors at the Facility

    Most communities simply don’t have a doctor on-site. Some have nurses on staff, but that’s not a given, so it’s a question worth asking. Generally speaking, most nursing homes will have a doctor on-call. This doctor isn’t located in the facility, so be aware of that when making a decision.

    Residents Can Be Removed Anytime

    All a facility has to do to remove a resident is tell them that the facility can no longer meet their needs. Make sure you read the contract very closely to understand the types of things residents can be removed for. Behavioral issues and needs that are too specific for the facility are some of the more common reasons given. Review these carefully before you make a decision.

    You Could Be Stuck with the Assisted Living Bills

    If you’re signing the contract on the behalf of a parent, and you sign your own name, you could be stuck with the bills should they be unable to pay. In order to prevent this, sign the name of your parent on the contract. Then, make sure to add “by (your name) acting as power of attorney,” and then the date. This will keep you from getting pinned with bills just for trying to help your parent.


  • Ten Best Natural Hair Regrowth Remedies

    When you get right down to it, no one likes losing their hair. While there are numerous expensive hair treatments out there, they’re largely unnecessary. Why is that, you might ask? Well, there are several natural hair regrowth remedies that you can try first. Let’s talk about regrowth!

    Ten Best Natural Hair Regrowth Remedies

    Pumpkin Seeds

    This one might sound odd but hear us out! Try adding pumpkin seeds to your diet. They’re high in zinc, and zinc deficiencies are a common cause of hair loss. Not to mention, when it comes to healthy hair zinc is an important component!

    Try Drinking More Tea

    Caffeine has been shown to encourage hair growth. While we suggest not overdoing it on caffeine, as caffeine dependencies are unhealthy, drinking a morning cup of tea could do more than just perk you up! That’s assuming you don’t already drink coffee or caffeine-high energy drinks. See, caffeine has nearly the opposite effect in very high quantities.

    Jump on the Superfood Hype Train

    A number of the super-seeds that are all the rage in health-food circles also have proven to encourage hair growth. Chia seeds, hemp seeds and flax seeds are all great sources of fiber! Not only are they good for you, but they can help you have a lush, full head of hair!

    Omega-3

    Whether taken in supplements or consumed from wild-caught fish, Omega-3 is great for full hair. Not only is it good for you, it’s good for your locks! It’s also known to help with inflammation, which is good for those with chronic pains.

    Drink Less Alcohol

    As a general rule, you should probably just drink less alcohol. However, if you’re worried about hair loss, it’s especially important that you cut back on alcohol. It increases inflammation, which is terrible for you in general, and it can lead to higher liver toxicity. That, in turn, can lead to hair loss.

    Stop Smoking

    While it can be exceedingly difficult to quit smoking, it’s very important that you do so. Besides the numerous health benefits to not smoking, you’ll also encourage your hair growth. That’s right, smoking can even make your hair fall out.

     Take B-Vitamins

    Try taking a B-vitamin supplement. They’re great for managing stress, and B7 and Biotin both encourage natural hair growth. Not to mention, your body will thank you for the vitamins!

    Aloe Vera Juice

    Drinking aloe juice has been shown to encourage hair growth. There are also shampoos that include it that can help with hair growth! It’s totally natural, inexpensive and quite good for you. Why chase some expensive supplement when you could just go the natural route?

    Fish Oil

    As we mentioned, Omega-3 is great for thickening hair. As such, fish oil supplements are a great way to encourage your hair’s growth naturally. It’s also a great way to make sure you’re getting enough Omega vitamins!

    Adaptogen Herbs

    Adaptogen herbs, like ashwagandha and rhodiola, have been proven to reduce cortisol levels in the body. That helps fight the body’s natural processes that lead to hair loss! Not to mention, adaptogen helps the body produce natural stress-fighting mechanisms by helping to balance hormones.

  • 7 Ways to Fly for Cheap

    7 Ways to Fly for Cheap

    Cheap airfare, it’s something we’re all looking for. Finding decent prices on flights can be difficult though. It is human nature to want to travel, to explore your horizons and see new places, or perhaps, to return to the places you once knew.

    Whether you want to visit home or see an exotic location, airline travel is fast, but costs a lot of money. What is the best way for finding cheap airline tickets? How do you even start? Whether you are traveling for work, for vacation, or to visit family or friends, finding cheap airfare can help you save on what’s often the largest expense of your trip.

    If you’re trying to take a trip and keep finding it difficult to get a decent price, you’re probably looking for some new travel hacks to help you save some money. Well, the good news is that we’re here to help. Let’s talk about the best ways to fly for cheap! Read more below to learn about who is offering the best rates at an amazing price $73 and $39 for one-way flights!

    Best Ways to Fly for Cheap

    Compare Airfares

    Airfares vary widely, and discount airfare is out there for those who know where to look. The most important thing is that you make sure to compare airfares. The rates offered by one airline may be much higher or lower than the rates of another. If you use one of the popular travel sites, you can easily compare airfares from different airlines.

    Also, if you have any flexibility in your schedule, try putting different dates into the sites’ ticket finders to see if that makes a difference. For example, currently, Southwest Airlines is offering flights as low as $73, and Delta is offering flights as low as $39 during the holiday season.

    Use Reputable Flight Search Engines

    Some flight search engines actually get a cut from airlines when they help generate sales. That means that you could search for “budget flights” and have normal or even premium flights show up. In order to counter this, use reputable search engines that don’t mislead you. Great options are Skyscanner, Momondo, AirWander and JetRadar. Like we said previously don’t be afraid to shop around to find the best price.

    Get Tickets Early

    Get your tickets early — but not too early. You may think it would be smart to buy tickets six months in advance, but in fact, getting tickets more than five months before you need them may keep you from getting the best fares. Aim for two to four months in advance, if possible. If you can’t plan that far in advance, at least try to avoid the two-week period right before a flight, when ticket prices tend to go up.

    Specialty sites like “air fare watch dog” provide a medium for you to search for deals between two specific locations, and also can send you alerts when prices drop to a much more affordable rate. This is perfect for those who know where they want to travel, just are not too concerned about when. They can snag a great deal and plan their trip once they get that informative e-mail from the website.

    Airport Selection

    Fly in or out of airports that are not in your destination city. If you are flying into New York City, you may be able to get cheaper fares at the Newark airport than you would in New York City’s JFK Airport. If you are going to or from San Francisco, try the Oakland or San Jose airports. Many other cities also have airports that are nearby but outside of the city limits. Flying out of an alternate airport isn’t even necessarily a hardship. For example, If you are going to some parts of Manhattan, ground transportation may get you there faster from Newark than from JFK.

    You will benefit on price, though, because not as many people will think of using the other airports, so the seats won’t sell out as quickly. Always think in terms of supply and demand when trying to find cheap airfare.

    Non-Direct Flights

    Accept a little inconvenience in exchange for a cheaper price. You may be able to save money on long trips by taking routes where you change planes rather than taking a non-stop flight. If you’re not in a hurry, you don’t need to pay a premium for the faster route. Try traveling lighter to avoid the luggage fees that so many airlines are charging now. Be creative in figuring out how to get by with fewer things on your trip.

    Incognito Mode

    Lock up your search history tight and don’t look back. When you start looking at flights and trips, make sure you’re in incognito mode. When you search for flight prices, sites use cookies to track how many times you’ve looked at the flight. Each new time you look, the price goes up. Why? Well, to get you to buy as soon as possible so you “lock in the lowest price.” Yeah, it’s dirty, but you can fight back!

    By browsing incognito, you won’t have any cookies tracking you. This allows you to bypass this dirty trick and get a better price for your flight!

    Find the Cheapest Days to Book

    Try to fly on a Tuesday or a Wednesday, if possible. Those are often the cheapest days of the week. If possible, avoid Fridays and Sundays, when rates tend to go up. Flying right before a major holiday, like Thanksgiving or Christmas, is going to be very expensive. But if you are able to fly on the day of the holiday itself, you can usually pick up some very cheap fares because not many people want to fly then.


  • Top Things to Know About Assisted Living

    Top Things to Know About Assisted Living

    It can be nerve-wracking when you’re trying to find assisted living for yourself or someone you love. There are a ton of things about assisted living facilities that you won’t be told up front. The contracts you sign are usually complex and full of fine print that you might overlook.

    In order to help you prepare yourself for this process, we’ve got a few tips for you to help navigate this process. This should prepare you for some of the things to come.

    Pricing Will Be Higher Than You Think

    This is the sad reality of assisted living facilities. They’re expensive, and the base fees for rent go up every year. This is due to inflation, of course, and the ongoing upkeep costs of the facility. There are also a number of fees you might not expect. For instance, if someone needs food delivered to their room, or outside transportation, that will have an associated fee. Don’t be afraid to try to negotiate for a better price and make yourself aware of any fees that are hiding. Just ask the facility if there are any fees you haven’t been told about yet before you sign anything.

    Medicare

    Not every community will accept Medicare, but those that do can’t turn someone away for using it. However, communities aren’t eager to take in Medicare residents, as they get less money from them than those who pay on their own. As such, a number of facilities have limited “Medicare Beds,” and will often use that number to limit Medicare residents. However, if a resident gives three months of advanced warning that they will be transitioning to Medicare, this usually circumvents the bed limit.

    There Are No Doctors at the Facility

    Most communities simply don’t have a doctor on-site. Some have nurses on staff, but that’s not a given, so it’s a question worth asking. Generally speaking, most nursing homes will have a doctor on-call. This doctor isn’t located in the facility, so be aware of that when making a decision.

    Residents Can Be Removed Anytime

    All a facility has to do to remove a resident is tell them that the facility can no longer meet their needs. Make sure you read the contract very closely to understand the types of things residents can be removed for. Behavioral issues and needs that are too specific for the facility are some of the more common reasons given. Review these carefully before you make a decision.

    You Could Be Stuck with the Assisted Living Bills

    If you’re signing the contract on the behalf of a parent, and you sign your own name, you could be stuck with the bills should they be unable to pay. In order to prevent this, sign the name of your parent on the contract. Then, make sure to add “by (your name) acting as power of attorney,” and then the date. This will keep you from getting pinned with bills just for trying to help your parent.


  • The Best Wireless Home Security Systems

    The Best Wireless Home Security Systems

    Sadly we live in a world where  wireless home security systems are not just a necessity but vital. There are a lot of options for wireless home security systems, even do it our self options. Do-it-yourself setups are ideal for homeowners on a budget because they can save you a bundle on installation charges and subscription fees. Then there are the professional systems. The nice thing about professionally installed systems is you don’t have to lift a finger; after you’ve placed your order a technician will come to your home, set everything up for you, and show you how the system works. When it comes to my home and my family I want a professional wireless home security system. Lets take a look at the 3 best options available today.

     

    1.ADT Pulse

    ADT formed in the 1800s as American District Telegraph, the world’s first telegraph-based alert system. They are not number one for being the oldest, they are also by far the best. With features like  Wireless or Hardwired options, Professional instillation, Doorbell monitors, Intrusion Protection, Medical Response and state of the art  Home Automation. Just having the sign in your lawn reduces your risk of intrusion by 63%.

    The cost is manageable, and miniscule for piece of mind. ADT home security costs can range from $9/week * to $14/week * based on your monitoring package. However, an ADT home security cost depends on which monitoring package best fits your needs. The ADT monthly fee for the standard Essentials package starts at $36.99/month

    2.SimpliSafe

    This solutions is making a big splash. Using small and efficient IoT enabled devices and 24/7 live human monitoring they offer a complete protection package. Utilizing, Entry and motion sensors, Glassbreak detection, Video security.  Heads up burglars, start running. Being totally wireless, Its easy to install your self and customer service is just a quick call away. It’s like having your own personal security guard with a direct line to the police. Video equipment with instant live link anytime an alarm is triggered lets you see whats happening when you are not at home. You can Arm and disarm SimpliSafe with just a single touch on those incidental false alarms.

    3. Vivint

    Vivint the solution for All-wireless security. All your home controls on one app. Vivint Smart Home helps you live more and manage less. THey have a wonderful small sensor that can be placed at any entry point. This sends you a wireless alerts anytime a door or window opens. With a total control app you can manage your security entry points, Smart Locks, Doorbell Camera, Outdoor Camera, and Element Thermostat.

     

    The Wireless Home Security Systems Final Thought

    All of these will secure your home, protect your family and significantly reduce the chance of a home invasion. They are all very low cost and almost completely  hassleless. With all the threats we have looming, wireless home security systems are a non-negotiable for any homeowner.


  • The Best Wireless Home Security Systems

    The Best Wireless Home Security Systems

    Sadly we live in a world where  wireless home security systems are not just a necessity but vital. There are a lot of options for wireless home security systems, even do it our self options. Do-it-yourself setups are ideal for homeowners on a budget because they can save you a bundle on installation charges and subscription fees. Then there are the professional systems. The nice thing about professionally installed systems is you don’t have to lift a finger; after you’ve placed your order a technician will come to your home, set everything up for you, and show you how the system works. When it comes to my home and my family I want a professional wireless home security system. Lets take a look at the 3 best options available today.

     

    1.ADT Pulse

    ADT formed in the 1800s as American District Telegraph, the world’s first telegraph-based alert system. They are not number one for being the oldest, they are also by far the best. With features like  Wireless or Hardwired options, Professional instillation, Doorbell monitors, Intrusion Protection, Medical Response and state of the art  Home Automation. Just having the sign in your lawn reduces your risk of intrusion by 63%.

    The cost is manageable, and miniscule for piece of mind. ADT home security costs can range from $9/week * to $14/week * based on your monitoring package. However, an ADT home security cost depends on which monitoring package best fits your needs. The ADT monthly fee for the standard Essentials package starts at $36.99/month

    2.SimpliSafe

    This solutions is making a big splash. Using small and efficient IoT enabled devices and 24/7 live human monitoring they offer a complete protection package. Utilizing, Entry and motion sensors, Glassbreak detection, Video security.  Heads up burglars, start running. Being totally wireless, Its easy to install your self and customer service is just a quick call away. It’s like having your own personal security guard with a direct line to the police. Video equipment with instant live link anytime an alarm is triggered lets you see whats happening when you are not at home. You can Arm and disarm SimpliSafe with just a single touch on those incidental false alarms.

    3. Vivint

    Vivint the solution for All-wireless security. All your home controls on one app. Vivint Smart Home helps you live more and manage less. THey have a wonderful small sensor that can be placed at any entry point. This sends you a wireless alerts anytime a door or window opens. With a total control app you can manage your security entry points, Smart Locks, Doorbell Camera, Outdoor Camera, and Element Thermostat.

     

    The Wireless Home Security Systems Final Thought

    All of these will secure your home, protect your family and significantly reduce the chance of a home invasion. They are all very low cost and almost completely  hassleless. With all the threats we have looming, wireless home security systems are a non-negotiable for any homeowner.


  • An Easier Way to Sell on eBay

    An Easier Way to Sell on eBay

    The updated mobile app from the veteran online marketplace will make it much easier to upload your stuff. The new eBay app, which has already rolled out on both iOS and Android, allows users to upload an item in a just a few seconds.

    Scan and Go

    The biggest change to the app is the addition of a barcode scanner, along with a product search feature. The app works best if you have the original box since you can simply scan the barcode. However, if you didn’t hang on to the box, never fear! You can still look up the name of the product in eBay’s extensive database and pull up the necessary information.

    The app fills out the majority of the fields for you although you’ll still need to enter the item’s condition. For many items, eBay is even able to provide images from its library, suggest a price, and calculate shipping costs. You can edit any of the pre-populated fields as needed.

    The Power of Data

    The new app builds on the simplified selling tools debuted by eBay last year. Using structured data and predictive analytics, the platform draws on its vast database of listings to cut down on the time it takes to upload an item. They hope that the streamlined process will make the platform more appealing to current sellers and newbies alike.

    “At eBay, we’re dedicated to delivering a seamless and efficient selling experience for both first-time and seasoned sellers alike,” says Kelly Vincent, eBay’s VP of Consumer Selling Product & Engineering. “This is one of many enhancements we’ll be making this year. We’ll continue to leverage structured data and new technology developments to help our sellers ‘get it sold.’”

    Limited Features

    Unfortunately, sellers who trade in vintage or unique items will find that the new app has limited functionality. The lack of barcodes on vintage items and the variability in condition means that these sellers will still need to enter most of their information by hand and upload their own photos instead of using the provided stock images available for newer mass-market products.

    Increased Competition

    When it arrived on the scene over 20 years ago, eBay was a revolutionary way to sell online. Since then, resale apps like OfferUp, Poshmark, LetGo, and ThredUp have emerged to pose serious competition. Facebook’s Marketplace has also claimed a piece of the online resale pie, focusing on connecting local sellers and buyers.

    Although there are over 13 million listings added to the site each week using the mobile app, eBay is betting that their faster, simpler uploading process will keep the platform competitive.