Several years ago, my husband was interested in getting started on eBay-of course he never followed through-but to humor his interest, and to give my readers something they've been asking for, I interviewed Karol Gajda about running a successful business on eBay. Below are the results of that interview, enjoy...

It is pronounced like Karl or Carl. I was born in Wroclaw, Poland and Karol is how it is spelled there.

I moved here 4 days shy of my first birthday. We came here to get away from Communism and to strive for better things in the USA.

Actually, I didn't start charging for Web sites until I was about 18. I started designing when I was 13, but fortunately the thought never occurred to me that I could start a business at that age. A lot of it comes from that fact that we are programmed throughout our school years to be "worker bees" as opposed to entrepreneurs or free thinkers. I've broken free from that mentality.

My favorite Web design book right now is Photoshop 7 Down and Dirty Tricks. It has so many amazingly simple, yet stunning techniques. It is definitely not for the complete beginner, but it is an awesome book once you have some Photoshop experience. I first started learning HTML from one of those normal HTML tutorial books. Then I progressed to looking at the code of other Web sites that I liked. Right now, I code in straight HTML. I could never get the hang of any of the HTML editors, although I did purchase Dreamweaver. Bad move!

Actually, I've had personal Web sites since I was 13, and I've had a company Web site since I was about 18. The company was called Infinite Solutionz LLC, and I started it with 2 friends of mine. We were 24th on the YoungBiz.com 100 list in early 2001 (http://www.youngbiz.com/aspindex.asp?fileName=yb_mag_news/2001youngbiz100/main.htm). By the end of 2001 we broke the company up. It just wasn't working between us all, and we burnt ourselves out.

Being named in the top 100 on young biz.com, how has that helped you with business and in your personal life?

It really didn't do too much since we didn't promote the fact that we were on there.

Would you recommend that those who own their own businesses look for ways to gain prestige and why or why not?

I guess it depends on the kind of person you are and what your definition of prestige is. I'm not really sure how else to answer that...sorry! I definitely recommend trying to get publicity and to be looked at as an expert in your field. That can only help you, don't you think?

Today, you are 21 years old and graduating with a BS in computer science. How will this further help your career as a Web Designer?

The degree I am pursuing really has nothing to do with Web design actually. It is mostly programming and the logistics of computers. Really boring stuff! Web design is fun for me, and I think that's why I have gravitatedtowards it much more than programming.

You recently wrote an e-book called Free Auction Profits. Learn How to Turn Free into Money! Have you always thought of yourself as an author, or was this a spur of the moment idea that took of?

Yes, I've always been a sort of an author I guess. Actually, more of a lyricist/poet. I started playing the guitar when I was 13, about the same time as I started getting into Web design. I've been writing songs since that time. Maybe I'll let you all know where my songs are hiding one day! :) Hint: Some of them are on MP3.com.

What was the hardest part about writing this e-book?

The hardest part was coming up with the idea...and it was sitting there right in front of me! I've been utilizing the techniques in my eBook for almost 2 years now, and yet I didn't really get the idea to write the eBook until October of 2002. Within 12 days of my ironing out the idea I'd written the book, set up the Web site, and already made a sale...2 sales actually! That was an amazing, indescribable feeling.

I notice your e-book takes the same approach as many of mine, get down to the basics and cut out all the fluff, why did you choose this format for your book?

Although I know it's not the best move to write a short eBook because of perceived value, I just didn't want people to have to cut through a bunch of fat before they got to the meat of my ideas. If I wanted to write a 100 page eBook, I'm sure I'd have no problem. But it would have the exact same information as my 32 page book, so what's the point?

Did the ideas from this book help you financially during your years at college or what there another reason that you came up with the idea for this book?

Of course it has helped me. Although I earned a full 4 year academic scholarship to my University, I still have many bills to pay! Basically, I love the word FREE. I try to figure out any way I possibly can to get stuff free...without stealing of course! I've always been like that. If you asked any of my friends they'd tell you that if you want a good deal on something, you go to Karol and he'll find it for you. I literally get almost everything free. I eat free, go to movies free, get paid to "buy" free stuff, get free CDs and DVDs...everything!

How has developing a web site helped you to sell your product and was it a more effective means than placing an ad in the local papers or magazines?

I can't really answer this question since I've never placed a print ad for my eBook. I've actually spent only $40 promoting the eBook so far. I am going to start an Overture.com campaign soon, and also start placing some solo ezine ads. I wanted to make sure I could make some money with the eBook without having to spend a dime and I did that. So now it's time to put it into full throttle!

It almost seems scrupulous to get things for free and then resell them for a profit, yet it's a brilliant idea when done legally. Have you received any slack from being so forward with your idea?

No, I haven't received any slack. There was, however, an instance where about an hour after I sent my Special ailing List a free offer, it was taken away. I guess sometimes you've just got to act fast! Unfortunately I can't control when, where, or how the companies give away the free stuff...but I can be ready to snatch it up as soon as it's available! My Special Mailing List consists of everybody who has purchased the Free Auction Profits eBook.

Do you fear that companies will start putting strict rules on using rebates and/or sales coupons, in order to prevent this type of manipulation of their discount offers? Why or why not?

No, and the reason is simple. Most people don't bother with sending in rebates if they do have one so the company always comes out on top with a deal like that anyway. I read an article about it once. I wish I had saved it.

Of course it is, because people will automatically want to purchase something if the perceived value is a lot more than they're paying. But like I said, most people don't take advantage of it and lose out in the end.

You recently ran a deal that went something like this. Visit an online store and purchase several products, with rebates to get one scanner and several pieces of software for only $4.89. As you put it, "Not quite free, but pretty darn close!" This idea meant that one had to have cash or a credit to make the purchase, then wait for the rebate checks to come in the mail, in order to pay off the products. Some might reason, "I love the deal on the scanner, but to go through all that hassle seems futile. I am not only wasting my time, but by the time the rebate checks come in, I will have had to pay interest on my credit card, and will probably end up spending those rebates on something else, instead of paying back my credit card. What would your response be to skeptics like this?

Simple: don't put anything on your credit cards that you don't have the cash to pay for. I've never in my life carried a balance on my credit cards, and I never will. I don't like to work for my money, I like my money working for me. Sometimes I have literally over $1,000 charged to a single credit card, and when the bill comes it gets paid right off in full. I don't think I go one month without charging over $500 on my credit cards. But I always, always pay them off right away.

You mention that you sell many of the things you get at discounted and free prices online, via ebay. Do you find it more financially productive to use ebay versus hosting your own online store or getting a booth at a swap meet and selling these products yourself?

eBay is just so simple that anybody can literally buy a computer and a few hours later be selling stuff on eBay. I love eBay...it's fun, it's my hobby. I actually ran an online store for about a year, but it just got to be too much. I sold the domain name to another Web site and went on with my life. That said, I'm looking into opening a Yahoo! Store in 2003. Multiple streams of income!

I love your philosophy about winning contests. "Enter every contest you come across, you will win!" It is the law of averages that entering enough contests, you are bound to win a few. but have you had better luck with certain types of contests and would you stress to enter only free contests or giveaways?

I'm don't think I've had luck with any particular contests...all contests are good to me! I've won stuff from newspapers, magazines, Web sites, the radio, TV, everywhere. I enter any and every contest that I come across...unless I have to pay for it.

Thank you for taking the time to be interviewed. Thank you Alyice for taking the time to interview me! I hope I wasn't too boring!

Visit him at http://www.freeauctionprofits.com/ where you can now read his e-book,"How To Turn Completely Free Merchandise Into Cold, Hard Cash On eBay!", online, for free.