Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of services we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Online Auction Sites.

Ratings

Ease of Navigation/Layout

Online auction services should be easy to navigate. All categories and features should be clearly displayed and easy to find.

Standard Categories

Auction services should provide a wide selection of standard search categories. These include categories like books, art, DVDs and clothing.

Buying

The online auction service provides resources and information about products for sale. Information may include price, history, pictures and payment methods.

Selling

Tools provided by the auction site to assist in listing and selling products as well as managing personal inventory. This may include features like editing images, adding item descriptions and canceling bids.

User Options

Features provided for users to browse through the auction site and manage their online account.

Browsing/Searching

Online auction services provide various search features to assist users with finding specific products or sellers.

Help/Support

Auction services should provide receptive and comprehensive customer support through several methods including email, telephone and FAQs.

Seller Fees

Insertion Fee

Service supports the sale of clothing, shoes and accessories for men, women and children.

STANDARD CATEGORIES **

Antiques

Online auction service sells antiques from various mediums like furniture, linins and rugs.

Art

Service sells art that includes paintings, posters and drawings.

Automotive

Service sells cars and car parts.

Books

Auction sells various types of books in many formats including hardback, trade paper and mass market.

Business & Industrial

Online auction site has products, equipment and supplies for several types of businesses.

Cameras & Photo

Website auctions cameras, photograph materials and film accessories. This includes still, video and film camera equipment.

Cell Phones

Service sells cellular phones and phone accessories.

Clothing/Shoes/Accessories

Service supports the sale of clothing, shoes and accessories for men, women and children.

Coins

Auction site sells American, world and collectible coins and currency.

Collectibles

Site has products for collectors. This includes items like trading cards, knick–knacks and memorabilia.

Computers & Networking

Online auction service sells computers, computer accessories and computer related material.

Consumer Electronics

Site sells home and personal electronics. This includes items like home theater equipment, portable audio players and GPS devices.

Crafts

Auction site has products related to home crafting and homemaking materials like sewing and quilting are included.

DVDs & Movies

Website supports the sale of movies in several formats including DVD, VHS, HD DVD, Blu–ray, Film, Laserdisk.

Entertainment Memorabilia

Site sells film, television, music, theater and video game memorabilia like posters and photographs and scripts.

Health & Beauty

Site auctions products related to health, beauty, body, skin and make–up.

Home & Garden

Website sells appliances and equipment for in the home and yard like lawn mowers, bedding and appliances.

Jewelry & Watches

Auction site sells various types of jewelry.

Music

Site auctions music albums in several mediums including CDs, cassettes, digital audio and records.

Musical Instruments

Online auction site sells a selection of musical instruments and instrument accessories.

Sporting Goods

Auction website lists items relating to various sports or recreation activities including sport accessories.

Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop

Website auctions sports cards and a selection of sports memorabilia like autographs and souvenirs.

Stamps

Auction site has various collectible postage stamps and accessories from around the world.

Toys & Hobbies

Site sells a selection of modern and vintage toys including action figures, games and stuffed animals.

Video Games

Online auction sells video games, consoles and accessories in a variety of platforms including Nintendo, PlayStation and Xbox.

Other

Online auction site has additional categories not listed here.

BUYING

Start Time

Website provides a time and date the product was originally listed.

End Time/Time Left

Remaining time and date to place a bid is displayed.

Number of Bids

Displays the number of bids an item has received.

High Bidder

Displays current bidder and high bid on item.

Shipping

Details that clearly display the amount and method of shipping. In some cases, a shipping calculator is provided to determine shipping costs.

Location

Information about where a product is located and where the seller is willing to ship.

History

A section displaying the item’s bid history including the last bid, how many people have bid and how much they bid.

Pictures

Website has pictures of items being sold; however, not all items listed include pictures.

Seller Info

Website provides information about the seller. This includes seller feedback and how long they’ve been a member of the auction site.

Ask Seller a question

Auction service provides contact information about the seller.

Description

Buyers can read a description of the item at auction.

Fixed Price

Item has a set price so buyers can purchase the product without going through the auction process.

Auto Bid

The member sets the maximum amount they are willing to spend on an item. The auction service will automatically raise the buyers bid every time another member outbids them until the buyer’s maximum bid is met.

Payment Methods

Buyers may use a variety of payment methods to purchase items. Common methods include cashiers check, personal check, credit card and Pay Pal

Listing

Sellers can post their items on the auction website.

Previously Used Category

Sellers can save a small selection of previously used item categories for future listings.

Keywords to find

Sellers can use keywords to find appropriate categories to list their products.

Secondary Category

Products may be listed in more than one category.

Pre-filled Information

An option that helps speed up the listing of products like books and movies by placing identifying information like ISBN or UPC numbers into the auction system. The auction site then automatically identifies the product.

Custom Description

Seller may customize their description to include various fonts, colors and graphics.

Item Title

The seller may create the title of the item they are selling.

Item Subtitle

Seller may include a subtitle with their item that adds descriptive information about the product.

Starting Price

The auction site allows sellers to choose and list a starting price for their products.

Fixed Price

Sellers may set a price so buyers can purchase the product without going through the auction process.

Reserved Price

The lowest price the seller is willing to sell an item. If bidders do not meet the reserved price the seller can refuse to sell the item.

Duration

A predetermined period of time that a product is listed. This is typically from one to 10 days.

Individual Item

Sellers may list individual and unique items for sale.

Multiple Items

A seller may list several identical products; however, there are restrictions about the number of multiple items allowed.

Item Location

Sellers must disclose where the product will be shipped from.

Add Pictures to Listing

Sellers can place one or more pictures with their listing.

Add Gallery Image

Sellers can place an image on the product search page.

Extra Picture Options

The auction site provides additional picture and photo options like photo managers.

Listing Layout

The auction service provides customizable layout options, like picture placement, colors or background, for listing products.

Promotion Options

The auction site provides extra tools or options like, discounts for the first bidder, which allows seller to promote their products and store, sometimes these features cost extra.

Page Counter

A counter placed at the bottom of the listing page allows the seller and potential buyers to see how many people have visited that page.

Private Auction

The seller may choose to keep their buyer's identity anonymous by creating a private listing.

Payment Options

Sellers may provide a variety of payment options for buyers including cashiers check, personal check, credit card and Pay Pal

Shipping Options

Sellers may use several shipping methods to mail items usually UPS ground or air.

Shipping Insurance

Sellers can choose to include shipping insurance with their shipping options.

Return Policy

Sellers can create their own return policy regarding their items and online store.

Payment/Shipping

Seller includes payment and shipping instructions to the buyer to insure safe and effective delivery.

Open a Store

Sellers can create an online store featuring all their items and products.

Edit your Store

Sellers can customize their store with color, content, or graphics.

Cross-Promote Items

The seller can track and view the efficiency of their cross–promotional items on each page.

Block Bidder/Buyer

Allows the seller to block or refuse bids from selected buyers.

Cancel Bids

A seller may cancel bids placed on their products.

Change Image

The seller can change, alter or edit pictures on listed items.

End Listing Early/Cancel Listing

Service allows the seller to end or cancel a listing prior to its original deadline.

Relist Item

The seller may relist an item if it has not sold for another predetermined period.

Revise Item

Sellers may revise details about an item already listed.

Add to Item Description

Site allows the seller to add descriptions to items after they have been bid on.

Calculate Shipping

Sellers can calculate an items' shipping cost depending on location.

USER OPTIONS

Watching

Shows current items the user is watching.

Bidding On

A list or collection of items a buyer is bidding on.

Selling.

Sellers can manage and see a list of current items they are selling.

Messages

Members can send messages to other members regarding products through an internal messaging system.

Sold

Sellers can see a list of all products they have sold.

Unsold

Sellers can see a list of products they have listed but never sold.

Scheduled Items

A list of products a seller has created to start selling on a specific date.

Favorites

Members can create a favorites list.

Sellers

A buyer's list of favorite sellers.

Searches

A list of favorite searches in the favorites list.

Categories

A list of favorite categories within the favorites list.

Won

Auctions a buyer has won.

Lost

Auctions a buyer has bid on, but lost.

Personalized Picks

A list of products the auction site thinks the buyer may be interested in judging by recent searches and bids.

Account Options

Auction site provides a section for buyers/sellers to manage their accounts.

Payments

A financial management center regarding member’s payments to the auction service and sellers.

History

A history of a member's buying and selling transactions

Summary

A summary of the member's auction history and payments.

Feedback

Auction site provides a place for buyers and sellers to leave feedback about transactions.

Awaiting Feedback

A seller is awaiting feedback from a recently sold item.

Positive

A buyer or seller can leave positive feedback about a purchase.

Negative

A buyer or seller can leave negative feedback about a purchase.

Neutral

A buyer or seller may leave feedback that is neither positive nor negative about a purchase.

Score

A number or percentage of total positive, negative or neutral feedbacks about the member as a buyer and seller.

Feedback Received

A list of feedback messages including ranking and buyer satisfaction.

Reply to Feedback

A buyer or seller may respond to a member regarding feedback.

Account Information

A section is provided for members to manage their personal account information.

Address

Shipping and receiving addresses may be modified.

Preferences

Members may set their own preferences for their searching, buying, selling, notification or delivery needs.

Notification

Members may set preferences regarding delivery, buying or legal notifications.

Communication

Members can regulate how other members communicate with them.

General

Account organization, search features and reviews can be altered to adhere to the member’s preferences.

BROWSING/SEARCHING

Search

Online auction site provides a search option to find items for sale.

Advanced Search

Auction site has an advanced search option to make searches more specific.

By Store

Buyers may search for products by seller’s store.

By Seller

Buyers may search for items through a specific seller or member name.

By Category

Browsers can search for items within general categories such as “books” or “art.”

By Location

Browsers can search for items from a specific location or within a radius of a specific location.

By Bidder

Browsers can search for items other buyers have bid on or won.

By Item Number

An item can be found using its assigned item number.

Popular Products/Featured Items

The auction site provides a popular products or featured items list for buyers to search through.

HELP/SUPPORT

Email

The auction site can be contacted through email.

Live Chat

The online auction service provides an online chat feature that instantly connects you to live help/support.

Phone

The website provides a contact telephone number.

Knowledge Base

The auction site provides a comprehensive list or catalogue of services and options available with their service.

Search

Auction site provides a search feature in the help section.

Resources

Additional resources and tools provided by the auction service.

FAQ/Articles

Frequently asked questions provide possible answers before a user contacts the auction company.

Security Help

The auction has a security center designed to monitor fraudulent actions and prevent spamming or member harassment.

 ©2003 – 2008 TopTenREVIEWS, Inc.