3 Unusual Formats For Auctions on eBay

3 Unusual Formats For Auctions on eBay


by: pavel

eBay users are accustomed to only two "standard" formats for

sales on eBay: either the 'regular' auction which involves

bidding and waiting; and the Buy It Now, which is an instant

purchase. adsense



But there are three other formats that are less well known.



1. Live Auctions



Before eBay, the traditional auction included live bodies in

chairs and an auctioneer up front (talking so fast he was

frequently unintelligible). Any buyer can still participate

in these live auctions via eBay. Live auctions are a hybrid

- a buyer is 'sort of' present in a live setting yet is at

home using an Internet connection.



The products for sale are usually expensive and unusual.

There are such items as expensive and unique coins, Asian

art, native American artifacts, incredible jewelry, costly

furniture, memorabilia from major sports stars and even

history. Today, for instance, there are documents signed by

John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, James Madison and Ulysses

Grant (he confides that he was strenuously opposed to the

"wicked" war with Mexico).



If you choose to participate in a live auction, be certain

that you register first because you can't just drop in on a

whim.



You can find all the details here:

http://www.ebayliveauctions.com/



2. Private Auctions



Private auctions are similar to the typical auction that

we're all familiar with except for one detail - the

identities of the bidders are kept secret. Only the seller

has access to the names.



Why would anyone create a private auction? It's usually for

one of three reasons:



* The item is quite expensive and buyers might be

uncomfortable having others know they can afford such

merchandise. Their concern about their financial status is

most likely misplaced because it is quite possible to

distance yourself from eBay contact information, but much of

selling is about perception.



* The buyers might be embarrassed by the nature of the

merchandise.



* Some sellers habitually use private auctions to make it

harder for their competition to snoop on them.



3. Restricted Access Auctions http://4788818vb-a34oc7uavk39ep4w.hop.clickbank.net/



This is usually for sales of "adult" items. The main purpose

is to prevent children from seeing this kind of merchandise,

and is similar to having covers on racy magazines at store

checkouts.



To bid on these items, the buyer must:



* Be 18 years old



* Must have supplied credit card information to eBay.The

theory is that no one under 18 can get a credit card and

therefore cannot get into these sections.



* Agree that he is voluntarily accessing restricted access

auctions



In addition, restricted auctions are excluded from the

Featured pages. So if you are a seller using this format,

your listing will be harder to find.



Even though they are less well known, these three formats

for auctions on eBay still account for tens of millions of

dollars in sales each year. If they suit your business

model, you might consider them.