CS651

e-Business: Auction Model

Some Features of the Auction Model

A selectively popular e-commerce model
Possibly more money in business-to-businnes auctions than person-to-person (ebay)
Person logs on as either "bidder" or "seller".
As seller - you post item, minimum price required to set, deadline to close auction, other information like picture, payment accepted, etc.
As bidder- you may search site for items, view current bidding activity, place a bid, sometimes you can submit max bid and the site will continue bidding for you.
Most sites not involved in any way in transfer (logistics) of physical item sold.
Some sites give no garauntee of quality, reliability of seller.
Some sites give information via reviews of seller.
High (or continuous) - availability computing is important. This is the idea that they are always up and online. Fault-tolerance and redundancy are critical.

Example: eBay.com

Opened 1995
one of the largest online retailers and auction sites
many countries
some people make a living selling/trading on eBay.
Does not maintain any costly physical inventory or deal with shipping, handling or other services like Storefront sites do.

eBay entrance page

Example of Auction items on ebay

eBay baby items auction page