Where do I find local auctions for construction equipment, misc salvage from demolitions, items from businesses that went under, etc? [more inside]
posted by bengarland on Nov 9, 2009 - 2 answers

Is the place where the de facto price of grain is set world-wide, the Chicago Board of Trade "wheat pit," still a cacophony of live in-person bidders yelling and making hand signals while wearing platform shoes and bright jackets, or has it become electronic and silent? Or are both types of bidding possible? If it changed, when did it do so and why?
posted by tnygard on Sep 20, 2009 - 4 answers

Where to find Storage Auctions? Need help with resources to find where they are at, best practices... [more inside]
posted by MMALR on Apr 8, 2009 - 2 answers

Starting my own Auction service locally... what kinds of things do I need to think about? Price points, consignments, fees, etc... any help appreciated. [more inside]
posted by MMALR on Mar 30, 2009 - 1 answer

Looking for book auctions in Ontario and Quebec... [more inside]
posted by crazylegs on Aug 28, 2008 - 1 answer

cp /mnt/com/ebay/completed_auctions/ps3 ~/ps3.txt ?? [more inside]
posted by SirStan on Jul 23, 2008 - 6 answers

I bought an item on ebay, and almost 3 weeks after I paid it hasn't arrived. I've tried to contact the seller to get the package tracking number (since I paid extra for delivery confirmation) through his paypal email address (bounced back) and through ebay's messaging system (did not respond). I don't think I'm ever going to get the item, and at this point I'd like to get my money back as quickly and with as little hassle as possible. Should I initiate a dispute with my credit card company, ebay, or Paypal?
posted by joshuaconner on Mar 26, 2008 - 15 answers

Whither Google Auctions? [more inside]
posted by yellowbinder on Jan 29, 2008 - 19 answers

I love Velvet Garden and have been stalking LJ sales communities for bargains. Where else can I find cheap but good thrift/second hand shopping sites online? (Doesn't have to be clothes.) [more inside]
posted by divabat on Jan 21, 2008 - 3 answers

Are there significant savings at dealer-only options for used cars? Enough to make the effort and cost of getting a dealer licence worth it? [more inside]
posted by upc_head on Jan 17, 2008 - 10 answers

I volunteered to be an auctioneer for a charity event. All I know is that I have to acknowledge people's bids and try to nudge people higher, while talking really, really fast. What else should I know? [more inside]
posted by stupidsexyFlanders on Nov 8, 2007 - 15 answers

I sent my supposedly authentic Italian music manuscripts to Sotheby's of London (after their music manuscripts expert authenticated them in person in NYC) to be auctioned. After they received them in London, they told me they weren't sure if they were authentic and they wouldn't auction them. Problem is, it's going to cost me a lot to get them back, and it already cost quite a bit to mail them to London. More details within. [more inside]
posted by FlyByDay on Oct 14, 2007 - 19 answers

I'm looking for an alternative to eBay's Blackthorne software... [more inside]
posted by chrisfromthelc on Sep 5, 2007 - 1 answer

eBayFilter: A friend is considering selling "stuff" part-time on eBay, but doesn't exactly know what he should sell. [more inside]
posted by bjork24 on Apr 17, 2006 - 6 answers

Lowest-unique-bid auctions. What's the rational approach? [more inside]
posted by Leon on Jan 16, 2006 - 24 answers

Is a 'seized electronics' auction site for real or is it a scam? [more inside]
posted by TeamBilly on Dec 1, 2005 - 10 answers

I have a flute. I don't play flute. I'd like to sell the flute. How do you sell a flute? [more inside]
posted by ToasT on Nov 4, 2005 - 10 answers

Have you ever been to an auto auction? [more inside]
posted by NoMich on Sep 7, 2005 - 9 answers

I need some privacy! I recently upgraded my Paypal premier account to a business account in hopes that my personal name would not be easily accessible to buyers and/or others I'm in contact with in online auctions. I chose a business name but my personal name is still parenthetically listed beside it. So, now I'm wondering if my name will still be visible to buyers? [more inside]
posted by anticlock on Aug 9, 2005 - 8 answers

Cleaning house, looking to sell books, CDs, toys etc., and I'm LOST. Need advice both specific and general. Is eBay best for books and CDs, or are there other places to get better value? With the 'Net awash in Star Wars paraphernalia, how do I find a price for this elaborate 1998 14" talking Darth Vader? (I've checked books and they're mostly about "vintage" SW toys.) How do I value odd things for my uncle, like this pipe from Germany circa 1890 or earlier, or some Xmas cards circa WWII made by Chinese Xtian nuns in Tsing Tao? Is there a market for historical magazines and newspapers, for example with headlines about the first moon walk? [more inside]
posted by Shane on May 14, 2005 - 19 answers

How does one go about researching and purchasing properties being auctioned or tendered because of tax sales or sheriff's sales? What are the kinds of things I should look for and is this a viable means of buying property? I'm based in Canada, but I'm sure there's enough commonality between regions that general advice will apply.
posted by Big Fat Tycoon on Nov 10, 2004 - 4 answers

ScamFilter: what's the deal with the "bid on info on how to get a free powerbook" auctions? It seems like a scam, and yet, it doesn't seem like this would be anywhere near as profitable as, say, selling something expensive and disappearing. If it's real, what's the catch? If it's not, how are these guys doing well enough to make it worthwhile?
posted by namespan on Jul 3, 2004 - 7 answers

I am wondering if anyone out there has had experience with absolute real estate auctions. I have to sell a farm fast and am in a contract for one of these (long story i hope i don't have to get into). Anyway i need to know soon if i have to change it as advertising has not started but will start at the end of the week. What is the best and fastest way to sell, absolute, reserve or privately through a realtor. I have read several links from google but what i really want to hear is personal experience and advice.
posted by Recockulous on Mar 29, 2004 - 0 answers

I'm sure many people have wondered this: Where do e-bay sellers get all their products? If the buy it now price on a barebones computer system, for example, is not significantly higher than the price of the individual components from an online retailer like tigerdirect or newegg, how are these people turning a profit? ~..MI..~ [more inside]
posted by Grod on Mar 15, 2004 - 13 answers