| Am I the only person who doesn't know what a 3 | | | | auction,the auction will be automatically extended for |
| minuteauction is? Looking for fresh content for my site, | | | | an additional |
| Idiscover that "minute auction," or even a 5, 10 and | | | | 1 minute from the time of the latest bid. The auction |
| 30minute auction is a popular item. Some auction sites | | | | willclose once all bidding has stopped for a period of |
| mayrefer to a minute auction as a "Live Bid." The | | | | 1minute." |
| "minuteauction" or "3 minute auction" actually comes | | | | OK - I decide I am going to get in on this action. |
| the closest toduplicating the excitement (and anxiety) | | | | Registering is free (username must be a combo of |
| of a real auction. | | | | numbers andletters). I have to click on the picture to go |
| No, it is not the same as an Ebay minute auction. | | | | to thelisting to actually bid according to directionsbelow: |
| I will give the example of uses Flashtechnology to | | | | 1) Simply use the "plus" and "minus" graphic keys to |
| constantly update in real-time auction bidsright before | | | | selectthe amount you would like to bid. The amount of |
| your very eyes! The price goes up, up, up andthe time | | | | the next bidis automatically one dollar more than the |
| clicks away ... down, down, down!. Add flashinggreen | | | | current bid. |
| highlights for added new bids and red flashing for | | | | If you only want to place a one dollar bid, you can |
| theominous approaching 0 minute and to say the least, | | | | justclick the Bid button without any adjustments. |
| it isquite thrilling. | | | | 2) Click the bid graphic button to register your bid. |
| On the Bidz home page, there is a link that says | | | | PROBLEM: I click the Bid! button and then find out I |
| 3-minuteauctions. This is a separate category all by | | | | haveto register my credit card in order to bid - but |
| itself. Ifyou click that link you are taken to the 3 minute | | | | theydidn't tell me that when I was registering (even |
| auctions,usually consisting of jewelry. (Note: See end of | | | | though Iquite expected it). |
| articlefor "The 3 minute auction - too good to be | | | | Another problem I encounter is a sluggish modem. By |
| true?") | | | | thetime I reach the listing page and the picture and bid |
| A word of caution: It takes a little finesse to bid | | | | buttonloads, the auction can be over (sigh...). |
| atthese fast-paced auctions - and I mean FAST! You | | | | Its not hard to become giddy over the amazing deals |
| must be | | | | of a 3minute auction...too good to be true? 3 minute |
| EXTREMELY CAREFUL when bidding. The highest | | | | auctions |
| bid I cameacross on my visit was for $1500. My | | | | "typically offer expensive items, such as Cartier |
| advice would be topractice on the dollar starting bids. | | | | watches, |
| Bids quickly escalateto $15 and $30. In the words of | | | | Beanie Babies, computers, and cars at prices that are |
| BidZ: | | | | lowenough to dull the scam alarm in most people." |
| "If you are bidding on items in the 3 Minute | | | | This was taken from an auction fraud article. The |
| Auctionscategory, you will not be notified if you are | | | | samearticle reports that the Federal Trade |
| outbid. Theseauctions move very quickly, so you have | | | | Commission hasidentified a scam email that includes |
| to monitor yourwinning bids very carefully." | | | | "Live 3 minuteauctions" in the subject line. See the |
| Back on the 3 minute auction page of BidZ, what do | | | | details of the 3minute auction scam at |
| you see? | | | | For a list of minute-auction websites, refer to: The |
| From left to right: the product picture, the item | | | | 3minute auction list at |
| number,title, price, bids, and time left. The "bids" and the | | | | My final words: The 3 minute auction and minute |
| "timeleft" are where the auction action is at. But just as | | | | auction arethe epitome of auction entertainment. So |
| itsnearing 0 minutes left, it jumps up to more time left - | | | | pop some popcorn,invite some friends over, and have |
| whatgives? According to Bidz.com: | | | | yourself some Fridaynight auction fun! |
| "If the bid is placed during the last minute of an | | | | |