Related Sites

Site Navigation

Introduction to On-Line Auctions

We have all heard about the people who have made livings and fortunes as power sellers on eBay.  We have heard of people who have made incredible finds as eBay buyers.  You may have wondered just how hard it is to buy or sell on eBay yourself.  The good news is, it is very easy, if you are willing to spend a little time setting up your eBay and PayPal accounts, and learning a few fundamentals of the on-line auction process.

This course will hopefully provide you with the information you need to start your eBay experience, or improve on your current results.  For the sake of simplicity, and because they are the on-line auction powerhouse, we will be focusing exclusively on eBay in this class.  There are other auction sites out there, and I provided links to a few of them on the Resources page.

Auctions - the Major Players

eBay Auctions - eBay Inc. pioneers communities built on commerce, sustained by trust, and inspired by opportunity. eBay brings together millions of people every day on a local, national and international basis through an array of websites that focus on commerce, payments and communications.

Yahoo Auctions - Yahoo! Inc. is a top Internet brand globally and the most trafficked Internet destination worldwide. Yahoo! provides online products and services essential to consumers' lives, and offers a full range of tools and marketing solutions for businesses to connect with Internet users around the world. Yahoo! is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif.  Part of their service offering includes an auction service.

Amazon Auctions - Founder and CEO Jeff Bezos opened the virtual doors of Amazon.com's online store in July 1995. The company was incorporated in 1994 in the state of Washington and reincorporated in 1996 in Delaware. The Company's principal corporate offices are located in Seattle, Washington.  They have expanded from books to other products, and now offer auction services as well.

Overstock.com Auctions - Overstock.com is an Internet leader for brand names at clearance prices. They offer top-quality brand-name merchandise at 40-80% off, every day of the week.  They also have an auction service similar to eBay, but geared more to volume business and manufacturing sellers.

Auction Fire -  Although I have no personal experience with this site, they claim to be free of charge.  According to their site:  "Auction Fire is an automated online auctions website with thousands of listing categories enabling buyers and sellers to transact in real time. It is our mission to provide you with a fun, friendly and safe market place. Our administrative philosophy is both refreshing and simple: we charge no listing fees -- not even for cars -- and we have zero tolerance for abuse or fraud in our community. Our basic service is FREE* and includes image hosting! "

Government Auctions - Not for sellers, but if you are looking for good deals, confiscated and forfeited items abound on these sites, as well as surplus and retired products that have been used by the government.

Craigslist -  Actually an on-line classified advertising service.  This service is currently offered free of charge.  If you are more comfortable selling an item at a fixed price, this would be an option.  With local pages for most major U.S. cities, this can also be a good way to sell items that are too large to ship.

Curriculum developed by WyzGuys Computer Tutors

All Rights Reserved - updated 08/08/2006

Hosted by WyzHost.com

contact support@wyzhost.com