There is a great, cheap way to obtain all kinds of items. This includes, cars, houses, jewelry, collectibles, household items. About anything and everything you can think of! Auctions!
You can find auctions in your area by a number of different ways. Your local newspaper should have a section in the classifieds for auctions that will happen in the coming week or so. The Internet is a good place to search for auction houses. If they have a web site, they should list their upcoming auctions along with pictures and descriptions of items being offered at the auction. There will also be signs close to the auction site indicating an auction is taking place or will be soon. The ads or web site should also give directions to the location of the auction.
After you find the auction or auctions you are interested in, you will want to check the time it starts. There should be a starting time for the auction and a starting time for viewing the items at the auction. Make sure you get to the auction in plenty of time to check out the items. This will allow you to determine which items you want to bid on and how much you want to bid. Take a pad of paper and pen to make notes of the items and your top dollar you are willing to bid for the items. This will also be a good time to find the auctioneers and auction workers. Get to know them. They have the low-down on the auction and the items and should be happy to give you any information you want.
You will want to find out when the auction will start. Sometimes they start early, other times they start later. Find out where the auction will start and what direction it will commence. There may be more than one auction ring, if there are many items. Some auctions last for several days. Each auction ring will have an auctioneer, a recorder, and helpers. Find out how many rings and which auctioneer will be in which ring. Introduce yourself to the auctioneer and the workers. That way they will recognize you when you bid and be more apt to look your way for a bid. It is also an avenue for inside information to the type of auction it is, the type of items being offered, etc. Some auctions have multiple estates represented, so some sections of items may look like it doesn't really go with the other items. The auctioneer and workers should know this and will gladly share that information with you.
As mentioned, there can be auctioneers, recorders, and helpers at an auction. There will also be a payment table and registration table. These two tables are probably the same table. You will want to stop at the registration table before the auction starts. You will need to register. They will need your name, address, phone number, picture ID, and tax number, if you have one.
The auction can be indoors or outdoors, so dress appropriately. You might want to think about taking a snack or lunch. There might be a vendor available near the auction. Check out where you want to park to get your winning items to your vehicle easily.
As you check out the auction, you will notice that each item will have a lot # or description associated with it. This information may not be on the actual item, but the recorder will have it. It will be on the tickets for each of your winning items. It is usually a good idea to keep track of what you were the winning bidder on and what the winning bid was. This way, you can match each up to your ticket when you check out.
The items up for auction are usually kept in boxes or flats. The items may be auctioned per box or per item. You should be able to request a certain item be pulled out of a box to auction separately, if you like. A lot of times, you can get a better bargain if the item you want is grouped together in a box with other stuff that may not be as desirable.
The more expensive item are kept in locked cases with an attendant close by to open the case for inspection of the items. These items have been determined by the auctioneer to be more valuable pieces and will be auctioned individually. Since you have gotten familiar with the auctioneer, you will know where the auction will start. Get yourself positioned so that you can see the items as they are auctioned and so that you will be readily seen by the auctioneer for your bids. Make sure you have your bidder numbered card ready to show the auctioneer when you bid and when you win an item.
Before and during the auction, as people look at the items, some may get moved from box to box. Make sure you pay close attention to what is being auctioned, in case some things were moved. If you win, make sure to grab your winnings and make a stack or take straight to your vehicle. Once you win the bid, the item or items are you possession and you are responsible for them. Items have been known to get up and walk away while you are not looking. It is best to keep an eye on your winnings or have another person there to attend to them and transport them to your vehicle.
Depending upon the auctioneer, bidding may start at what the auctioneer thinks the item will eventually sell for. That offer may not get any bids, so in order to get people bidding, the auctioneer will lower the starting bid. If you are really interested in an item, you may want to bid first thing. This quick bid may scare off other potential bidders and you will win the item. Toward the end of the auction, there may not be as many people still at the auction. This is a good time to get some good deals also.
At the end of the auction, or when you are ready to leave, you will need to go to the payment or registration table to pay for your winning items. They will have a list of items or a ticket for each winning item. Make sure the item and price match what you have recorded. It will be much easier to resolve any conflicts immediately rather than later.
Happy bidding and good luck!
Monday, June 9, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Boost Online Auction Profits with Audio
Can you boost profits significantly by adding audio to your online auctions? According to a recent article on a net business site the answer is a definite yes. In fact, one e-book author suggested that adding audio to your auctions could potentially increase bids by as much as 22% over auctions without audio.
A recent trend showing up on a lot of websites is the addition of an audio clip. The clip is a personal message by the author or the website owner encouraging you to take advantage of what they offer.
The psychology behind this technique is really Marketing 101. It's called personalization. An audio clip added to your online auction allows you to personally tell the potential bidder about the product. Using your own voice allows you to make contact with the bidder on a personal level that written words cannot. Because, that's what your online auction really is...It's just a long written classified ad asking the bidder to make an offer to purchase your item.
Prior to the advent of the telephone the only reliable way to communicate long distance was by writing letters. It was not unusual back then for lovers to write each other daily or weekly. The decline of letter writing is a well documented event that coincides with the advent of the telephone. The power of the human voice to convey a message triumphs that of the written word.
With audio you can describe the item, tell the bidder why you are selling it or even communicate with them about your refund policy or provide your contact information. The possibilities are almost unlimited as a way to establish a rapport with the bidder.
There are some technical elements to adding audio to your online auctions. The simplest way is to upload a .wav or Mp3 file to a website and provide a link to the file. When the bidder clicks on the link his or her computer will automatically recognize the file and play it with the audio player on the bidders computer.
There are some drawbacks to this method. If the bidder's computer doesn't recognize the file it won't play. The overall effect is not as professional as it could be and it distracts the bidder. If you are a reasonably tech savvy type you can easily deal with the drawbacks of this approach.
For the rest of us, there are a number of software solutions and websites that will simplify the task of adding audio to our online auctions. These different programs and websites range from charging a one time fee to monthly fee's for the use of the program. The good news is that many of them will let try them for as little as $1 for a trial basis or let you download a demo version to see how well it will work for you.
A recent trend showing up on a lot of websites is the addition of an audio clip. The clip is a personal message by the author or the website owner encouraging you to take advantage of what they offer.
The psychology behind this technique is really Marketing 101. It's called personalization. An audio clip added to your online auction allows you to personally tell the potential bidder about the product. Using your own voice allows you to make contact with the bidder on a personal level that written words cannot. Because, that's what your online auction really is...It's just a long written classified ad asking the bidder to make an offer to purchase your item.
Prior to the advent of the telephone the only reliable way to communicate long distance was by writing letters. It was not unusual back then for lovers to write each other daily or weekly. The decline of letter writing is a well documented event that coincides with the advent of the telephone. The power of the human voice to convey a message triumphs that of the written word.
With audio you can describe the item, tell the bidder why you are selling it or even communicate with them about your refund policy or provide your contact information. The possibilities are almost unlimited as a way to establish a rapport with the bidder.
There are some technical elements to adding audio to your online auctions. The simplest way is to upload a .wav or Mp3 file to a website and provide a link to the file. When the bidder clicks on the link his or her computer will automatically recognize the file and play it with the audio player on the bidders computer.
There are some drawbacks to this method. If the bidder's computer doesn't recognize the file it won't play. The overall effect is not as professional as it could be and it distracts the bidder. If you are a reasonably tech savvy type you can easily deal with the drawbacks of this approach.
For the rest of us, there are a number of software solutions and websites that will simplify the task of adding audio to our online auctions. These different programs and websites range from charging a one time fee to monthly fee's for the use of the program. The good news is that many of them will let try them for as little as $1 for a trial basis or let you download a demo version to see how well it will work for you.
How to Avoid Internet Auction Fraud
In the early days of Internet auctions you were much more likely to be conned than you are today. Figures from the National Fraud Information Center for the year 2000 stated that 78% of Internet fraud at that time took place on online auction sites. These days the big sites have taken steps to make their auctions safer places for their users.
Despite it being safer to buy online from auctions today, it still pays to be on your guard when transacting in Internet auctions. Here are some tips to ensure you don't get ripped off.
Only buy from sellers with good feedback scores. This is definitely one of your best protections. Indeed, this is a feature of Internet auctions which can't be matched by other online retailers. This independent rating system will give you a very good indication of which sellers can be trusted. Just make sure that the seller has carried out enough selling auctions for it to be a reliable indicator.
Pay by the safest means you can. This will generally be credit card. This way, if you do have any problems you can seek redress through your credit card provider. Again, this is a facility you wouldn't normally have when buying from a private individual, so make use of this extra security feature of online auctions.
Only use the big name auction sites. Stay clear of the small, out of the way sites that nobody's heard of. The bigger sites have a reputation they want to protect. That means they'll take any fraud complaints seriously and deal with the culprits quickly because it's in their interest to do so.
Make sure you work out exactly what the product or service you're intent on buying is worth to you. If you do this at the outset you'll be in a better position to make sure you don't overbid and end up paying more than the item's worth. It may sound stupid, but there are plenty of people who'll testify to having been caught up in a bidding frenzy. Auctions can be exciting and addictive, but it doesn't make sense to pay more for items at auction than those items can readily be bought for elsewhere.
Remember that when you place a bid you have, in effect, entered into a contract with the seller. Don't place a bid if you don't really want the item. If you don't adhere to this rule that pink, floral toilet seat could be yours!
And finally, the golden rule for buying on Internet auction sites - if it sounds too good to be true, it very probably is.
Despite it being safer to buy online from auctions today, it still pays to be on your guard when transacting in Internet auctions. Here are some tips to ensure you don't get ripped off.
Only buy from sellers with good feedback scores. This is definitely one of your best protections. Indeed, this is a feature of Internet auctions which can't be matched by other online retailers. This independent rating system will give you a very good indication of which sellers can be trusted. Just make sure that the seller has carried out enough selling auctions for it to be a reliable indicator.
Pay by the safest means you can. This will generally be credit card. This way, if you do have any problems you can seek redress through your credit card provider. Again, this is a facility you wouldn't normally have when buying from a private individual, so make use of this extra security feature of online auctions.
Only use the big name auction sites. Stay clear of the small, out of the way sites that nobody's heard of. The bigger sites have a reputation they want to protect. That means they'll take any fraud complaints seriously and deal with the culprits quickly because it's in their interest to do so.
Make sure you work out exactly what the product or service you're intent on buying is worth to you. If you do this at the outset you'll be in a better position to make sure you don't overbid and end up paying more than the item's worth. It may sound stupid, but there are plenty of people who'll testify to having been caught up in a bidding frenzy. Auctions can be exciting and addictive, but it doesn't make sense to pay more for items at auction than those items can readily be bought for elsewhere.
Remember that when you place a bid you have, in effect, entered into a contract with the seller. Don't place a bid if you don't really want the item. If you don't adhere to this rule that pink, floral toilet seat could be yours!
And finally, the golden rule for buying on Internet auction sites - if it sounds too good to be true, it very probably is.
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