Live Internet Auctions

• Live auctions are run similarly to English Auctions rather than the standard eBay timed auction. Users register for a particular auction and log in to bid at a specified time, with each item displayed individually. Auctions are run by an auctioneer, and typically do not have a set time to end.

• Because live internet auctions are not set to end at a specific time, bidders and sellers do not have to worry about sniping(waiting until the last minute to bid in order to keep prices low). Auctions end when no more bids are received, and so waiting until the last second to bid, and thus keep costs low, is not possible.

• Live Auctions present bidders with an entire inventory, rather than have them scour through a database. Although bidders can peruse the catalog beforehand and place proxy bids, anyone who stays for the duration of the auction will see everything up for auction. Sellers may prefer this, as it guarantees some focus will be directed toward their items.

• Live Auctions do not have individual item listing fees.

• More stringent sign-up requirements than eBay help prevent deadbeat bidders.