3 Unusual Formats For Auctions on EBay

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.

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

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.

Sydney Johnston has been an eBay seller since 1996 and is the originator and teacher of the famous 'Auction Genius Course'. She is the author of the best-selling auction book on the Internet, 'Make Your Net Auction Sell' and offers an 11 Day Course that teaches how to sell on ebay: http://www.auction-genius-course.com/11days .shtml

---

EBay Income Possibilities

If you've ever read an article about eBay, you will... Read More

How To Convert eBay Surfers into Bidders!

Do you know the phrase "A Call To Action"? Well,... Read More

Importing Products to Sell on eBay

The interesting thing about online buyers is they are extremely... Read More

Ebay And Dropshipping, A Marriage Made In Heaven?

eBay is the 'BEST' opportunity you can use right now... Read More

The Down Side Of Using Dropshippers In The Ebay Auction Arena!

Ok, let me just say right up front that I... Read More

2 Step Secret Reveals How You Can Find Wholesale Suppliers

Have you spent hours on the internet searching for a... Read More

Instructions on How to Put Picture on Ebay

Like many folks, you have heard of online auctions. Heck,... Read More

Auction and Its Benefits

An auction is basically a public sale wherein any object... Read More

How to Survive the Jungles of Ebay Selling

Come with me, we are going to take a safari... Read More

Making Money on eBay is Really Easy

If I can do it you can.Let me tell you... Read More

Free Auction Templates: How to Set Your Border Color With FOAM

If you have not heard of Foamtemplates.com yet, home of... Read More

Smart Ways Your Business Can Benefit From Online Auctions

It seems as if everyone is talking about online auctions.... Read More

How to Double or Even Triple Your Net Profit Selling on eBay

eBay Search tips and secretsThis is an example of how... Read More

Why Its a BAD Idea To Promote Hot Selling Products on eBay

Do a quick search on Google, Yahoo, or your favorite... Read More

How To Sell On Ebay: The Money Is In The Back-End

Many people who sell on Ebay completely neglect the follow-up... Read More

So What Are YOU Going To Do About eBays Fee Increases?

Unless you have been hiding under a rock, I am... Read More

Online Auctions: 5 Ways Your Business Can Benefit From Online Auctions

Online auctions are now the new gold rush on the... Read More

The Webs Best Online Auction Sites

The best online auction links for buyers and sellers are... Read More

Learn How To Be A Successful eBay Seller

Anyone can sell anything on eBay. Open an account, list... Read More

Drop Shipping Secrets and Sources Revealed

Unfortunately for those just breaking into the wholesaling business, drop-shipping... Read More

Everything You Need To Know About Ebay Money Making Opportunities

Ebay money making opportunities are simply the best thing to... Read More

The Secret To Real eBay Success

Q. I hear so much about people who started selling... Read More

Four Reasons Why You Should NEVER Use Animations In Your eBay Auctions

Inexperienced auction sellers, or those lacking in confidence, often want... Read More

How To Sell On Ebay: Using Store Policies To Cement Your Credibility

In your quest to build credibility as an Ebay seller,... Read More

How To Sell Santa?s Slip-Ups

Shoppers spent more than $15.5 billion this Christmas on gifts... Read More

The Secret Of The Ebay Money Machine And How To Get Your Share

If you have all the money you need, then this... Read More

Professional eBay Auctions Reap the Profits for Sellers

eBay offer an unbelievable amount of traffic for ANYONE wanting... Read More

Dropship Your Way To Ebusiness Success

Q: I would like to start my own eBay business,... Read More

Fundraising Ideas Using eBay

Have you thought of using the online auction site eBay... Read More

Bananas - Your Source of eBay Packing Materials!

This is the most boring stage of the process and... Read More

Used Cars For Sale On EBay

There are thousands of used cars for sale on eBay... Read More

How I Was Nearly Conned On Ebay

I am not sure how many people have had bad... Read More

Hurricane Katrina Donations Could be Many Millions More - EBay Sellers Try in Vain to Help

Yesterday I saw a mention in someone's email ezine about... Read More