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Before you jump right in and start spending your money I would suggest you read up on How to score at online auctions . Remember to click the "Auctions Online" link at the left to return here after reading about auctions.
The following are Person-to-person sites. They operate as a clearinghouse between seller and buyer. If you would prefer to deal with company sites (those that sell their own merchandise) see the links below this section.
AuctionAddict.com charges sellers no listing fee, but instead takes a one-percent commission on items that sell. Items for sale range from antiques and gemstones to musical instruments and consumer electronics. The site offers search tools, a browsing index, and a posted privacy policy. Transactions are handled privately between buyer and seller, via email. The site is run on the honor system, and users can record positive and negative comments about other buyers and sellers for all to see.
Acquired by Excite in April of 1998, Classifieds2000 has extended its reach from newspaper classified ads-style listings to online auctions. Items for sale include computer goods and general consumer merchandise. The site offers search tools that let you search both auctions and regular classified listings at the same time, plus a Cool Notify feature that sends you email when a particular item you're looking for is offered for sale. As at other person-to-person sites, email between buyers and sellers cements the deal, with feedback options for recording/checking out the integrity of transaction partners.
At the giant eBay site, sellers post items for a small listing fee plus a variable percentage of the final sales price. Buyers will find everything from Beanie Babies to Zappa records. Think of it as the world's biggest flea market. The site offers search tools, a browsing index, personalization, SSL encryption, and a posted privacy policy, and it runs on the standard honor-system-with-feedback model.
Buy & Sell at auction! Collectibles, Computers, Jewelry, Cars, Antiques, Musical Merchandise, Pet Stuff, Software and more are currently at auction on u-Auction-it. Bid on a changing selection of auctions. Sell one item or many. uAuction is an online interactive auction - a different type of shopping experience - a Great Place to Buy & Sell.Somewhat lightly trafficked, u-Auction-it charges no listing fees but takes a variable-rate commission on items that sell. Items for sale include everything from books to sporting goods to car parts. The site offers search tools and a browsing index, and its page of links and advice for shopping on the Web is well worth reading. U-Auction-it runs on the standard honor-system-with-feedback model.
The following are company sites, those that sell their own merchandise.
Featuring: Hi-tech Products, Computer Hardware and Software, Telecommunications & Consumer Electronics, Powersports, Motorsports, On-Wheel Sports, Healthcare, Skincare and Fashioncare
Items for sale include computer gear; small office/home office (SOHO) goods; auto electronics; sports equipment; and more. The site offers search tools, personal bid tracking, SSL encryption, and a posted privacy policy, but it's not updated with new sale items as quickly as other commercial sites.
This site is part of the consumer network that also sponsors the Internet Shopping Network and the Home Shopping Network. Items for sale include name-brand equipment and appliances in areas like computers; home, SOHO, auto electronics; sports equipment; personal accessories; and more. Although it has no search engine, First Auction does feature bid tracking, site customization, SSL encryption, and a posted privacy policy. The site offers 30-minute Flash Auctions in addition to multiday auctions.
Items for sale include the usual array of home, office, and recreational products. Bid tracking tools are available, and a search engine is in the works. This site also has a personal auction section for private listings, and offers one-hour Express Auctions for those in a hurry. Onsale does have a posted privacy policy and excellent security measures, including a policy of reimbursing the first $50 of fraud if your credit card is misused on the company's SSL-secured pages.
This site is an offshoot of Micro Warehouse. Its stock is heavy on computer gear, with a smattering of consumer electronics. The site posts a Hot Auction list with the latest action, and it offers a browsing index (but no search tools), bid tracking, SSL encryption, and a posted privacy policy.
