About Alternative eBay Sites
Online auctions have become a staple of modern commerce and are commonly used by professional sellers as well as regular consumers. Although eBay is generally regarded as the go-to site for auctions, other sites have become more competitive, with lower listing fees, more seller variety and comparable traffic. Checking out alternative online auction sites will definitely make you a more empowered consumer and could even save (or earn) you a few extra bucks!
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Advantages
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Although eBay may be big, it does have several shortcomings. One of the biggest advantages to using an alternative to eBay site is the listing fees. While eBay uses a scaled structure that charges a certain percentage of the list price, this may not be the most economically profitable for those who sell specialty items in bulk or high-cost items. Another benefit to using another auction site besides eBay is that you can appeal to a more targeted audience. So, for instance, if you deal in antiques, you can post on an antique-focused auction site.
U.S. Auction Sites
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There are several popular U.S.-based auction sites that offer domestic auctions with small fees and more focused auctions. UBid is probably the most popular, especially because of its low listing fees and certified seller program. Overstock.com also has a U.S.-based auction program, although it does not have as many users as UBid. PlunderHere is a very popular website that has an "absolutely no fees" policy and attracts thrifty bidders. However, the volume of "junk" listings makes it less reliable than other sites.
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International Alternatives
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Although eBay does most of its business with the U.S. market, it has quite an international presence as well. Fortunately, if you are dealing with auctions based in other countries, there are plenty of other alternatives. Yahoo! Auctions is the most popular worldwide and is especially dominant in the Asian auction market. The Amazon auction service is also very prominent internationally, particularly with the European market.
Considerations
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When considering putting something up for auction on a site that is not eBay, it is very important to look at the costs and benefits associated with each one. The most immediate consideration is probably the listing fee associated with each site and how much you will have to pay just to get your listing on the service. However, it is important to also consider how much visibility you will have on these alternative sites. While it may be more expensive to list on UBid than PlunderHere, you will probably get more hits (and perhaps money) on your listing since it will be seen by more people.
Warning
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It is very important to read the terms of service of any auction website you join. Each one will have different policies when it comes to listing prices and extra service fees, so it is crucial that you are aware of any fees associated with the site that you may incur. It is also a good idea to read the website's privacy policy as well to make sure your information will not be passed on to third parties.
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Resources
- Photo Credit ArtWorld Salon
