Online Auction Sites Review

Why Online Auctions?

Online auctions are great places for entrepreneurs and bargain shoppers alike. Online auction sites are like giant flea markets; they provide a forum for buyers and sellers to find or sell just about anything.

There are many ways to approach online bidding. For many, selling items on Internet auctions sites is a hobby and a good way to supplement their income. For others, it is a job and way of life. For buyers, it’s a great way to find good deals on rare, unusual collectibles or everyday items.

In this site, you’ll find articles related to Online Auctions, as well as comprehensive reviews and a side–by–side comparison to help you make an informed decision on which Online Auction Site is right for you. At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don’t Have To.™

What to Look for in an Online Auction Site

Buying and selling items on online auctions should be fun, easy and safe. Online bidding sites should be easy to navigate, provide a wide selection of categories and subcategories, several custom selling options and a straightforward feedback forum.

Additionally, detail pages should disclose all information about the item and the auction including pictures, descriptions, bid history and information about the seller.

The following are the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to evaluate online auction sites:

Fees
Sellers want to make the most of their auction listings without paying extra fees. Some online auction services charge registration fees, listing fees, and/or final value fees. The ideal for sellers is to pay no listing fees, but sometimes a few extra dollars in fees goes a long way in selling potential.

Selling
Sellers should have a large amount of control over their items. They should have the opportunity to block bidders, choose their own listing and category and disclose all information about the item in the details page. The auction site should also provide tools to assist in listing and selling products as well as managing personal product inventory. This may include features like editing images, adding item descriptions and canceling bids.

Buying
Finding what you're looking for should be fun and easy. Online auction sites should provide resources and tools to help users find and bid with confidence. The auction site should also provide helpful information about the products and help the bidders feel safe. Some sites provide mobile features and other customizable options to further advance browsing, bidding, and buying.

Reliability/Security
Helping buyers and sellers feel safe is important for online auction services. Sellers should have control over their auctions and bidders should have assurance that they're buying from a reputable source. Most online auction sites utilize a feedback system where sellers and buyers can rate each other based on transaction experiences. Checking out a user's feedback helps potential bidders and sellers evaluate other members' reputation and credibility.

Help/Support
Auction services should provide receptive and comprehensive customer support through several methods including email, live chat, telephone and FAQs.

Those are the things we looked for in online auction sites. Ebay, WebStore and eBid are the three leading sites because they offer the best mix of features for buyers and sellers. All three are solid options and give people the opportunity to buy and sell things right from the comfort of their home.

 
 
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Web Services » Internet / Ecommerce » Online Auction Sites Review
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eBay WebStore eBid OnlineAuction OZtion Overstock WeBidz CQout uBid ePier
eBay WebStore eBid OnlineAuction OZtion Overstock WeBidz CQout uBid ePier
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Overall Rating
Ratings
Fees
Selling
Buying
Reliability/Security
Help/Support
 
Fees
Registration Free Free Free $8 per Month Free Free $5 $3 Free Free
Min Listing Fee $0.10 Free Free Free Free $0.10 Free Free Free Free
Max Listing Fee $4 Free $0.05 Free Free $3.15 Free Free Free Free
Min Final Value Fee 8.75% Free Free Free 3.90% 3% Free 1.50% 2.50% 5%
Max Final Value Fee 13.75% Free 3% Free $28.40 + 1.5% 6% Free 4.50% 12.50% $20.75 + 1%
Relisting Fee Free Free Free   Free Free Free   Free Free
Attention Getters
 
 
Bold $1
$0.07   $0.95 $1   Free   $0.50
Highlight $5
$0.18   $1.95 $5     
Category Featured $19.95
$1 $10.00 $4.95 $13.17   $3.50   $1
Homepage Featured $39.95
$2.50   $9.95    $11   $5
2nd Category x2 Free $0.05 Free   x2 Free $0.15   
Subtitle $0.50   $0.15   Free Free     
Additional Pictures $0.15 Free $0.05 $0.25   $0.10 Free   Free  
Pay-per-bid          
Selling
Dutch Auction
  
 
Secondary Category
 
  
Item Subtitle
 
 
 
 
Fixed Price
Extra Picture Options
    
 
 
Listing Layout Customization
 
    
 
Promotion Options
Page Counter
  
Private Auction
  
  
Open a Store
  
Cross-Promote Items
 
  
Block Bidder/Buyer
  
 
 
Cancel Bids
  
 
 
Change Image
    
 
Add to Item Description
 
End Listing Early/Cancel Listing
 
Calculate Shipping
 
  
 
Buying
Advanced Searching
 
 
Search By Seller
 
Search By Bidder
 
  
Search By Item Number
 
Title and Description
 
     
Search Suggestions
  
     
Personal Picks/Favorites
  
   
Sort By Options
 
Watch
 
  
Wanted Ads
 
   
  
History
 
Gift Cards
         
Mobile Alerts
         
Reliability/Security
Feedback
 
Reply to Feedback
     
Delete/Revise Feedback
 
     
Adult Material Prohibited  
 
 
  
 
Adult Material Monitored
N/A
N/A
N/A  
N/A
Return Policy
    
  
 
Help/Support
Email
Live Chat
     
   
Phone    
   
Search
  
  
FAQs/Articles
Community Blog/Forum