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Internet Auctions

This page includes links to websites for conducting auctions. If you cannot find the auction site you are looking for please use our search facility.

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The number of Internet auction sites is mushrooming in response to the popularity with consumers. After all, one of the drivers to online shopping is finding a bargain.

Most auction sites will let you browse the auction items, however if you want to bid they will require you to register. You have to submit your name, e-mail, postal address and credit card details. You can then bid and wait to see if someone outbids you.

Some auctions will have a time limit on the bids, and you will win your bid if no one exceeds your bid in that timeframe. Many sites allow the seller to set a reserve price, and will offer you automatic bidding. You decide your maximum bid and the system places bids for you until either you win or your maximum is reached. If the reserve price isn't reached, the sale is not completed.

Internet auctions still have a number of legal grey areas, so be sure to check out any conditions on the site. Most sites simply act as a venue for sellers to conduct auctions and for bidders to bid on sellers' auctions. They are not involved in the actual transaction between buyers and sellers. As a result,they have no control over the quality, safety or legality of the items advertised, the truth or accuracy of the listings, whether the seller delivers or the buyer pays. What is your comeback if the goods you pay for are not delivered or not as the buyer claims? Does your credit card company support you if have problems? What if the item is damaged in transit?

There been some well publicised frauds and spoofs by auction site sellers. Online bids reached $5,750,100 for a "fully functional human kidney" before eBay stepped in to prevent the illegal sale. On another occasion, someone offered eBay itself for sale!

Remember "caveat emptor" (buyer beware) when you're on person to person sites. Look for sites which give some information on the buyers and sellers, for instance how many transactions they have successfully completed, and if they give buyers' references.

Amazon have introduced two new services ZShops and an auction service. ZShops allow you to set the exact price you want to charge for an item you’re selling. Auctions allow potential buyers to bid for the item you’re selling. As in all auctions, the highest bid wins, though you can set a minimum price if you want. You can learn all about Auctions and zShops by visiting those areas of the Amazon.co.uk site.

eBay

This is the UK site for eBay (see under US sites)

Freepatentauction.com

Freepatentauction.com is designed to help inventors identify potential buyers,
licensees or investors for their patented inventions.

icollector

Auction site run by Interactive Collector Limited. Bid for a range of art, antiques and collectibles from auction houses and dealers world-wide.

QXL

Originally founded as Quixell in September 1997 by Tim Jackson, a columnist for The Financial Times. Quixell hosted Europe's first online auction in January 1998. At the end of that year they introduced Europe's first person-to-person online auction. They now sell items themselves, products from "brand name partners" and from registered public members.

Loot

Loot started life in 1985 as a free-ads newspaper. Their website now includes classified advertising with auctions.

Sothebys

Fine Art, Decorative Arts, Antiques, Jewellery, Books.

Winebid

Rare and vintage wines.