Online Auctions

Buy at online auctions to save money and get bargains or sell at an online auction to make money:


Online auctions are a great way to bag a bargain and save money. They are also ideal to sell items that you no longer have a use for or items that you want to make money from as a business. This online auctions article will guide the internet user through buying and selling at online auctions weighing up pros and cons and offering advice to take advantage of online selling and buying and the disadvantages of online auctions at sites like eBay and SwapitShop.







Most online auction websites will allow you to register for free. Rarely will they charge you a join up fee. Most will make their money from advertising within the auction in the case of free auction websites or will charge the seller of auction items a listing fee and a small percentage of the sale. Some, like eBay, have free listing days where such fees are not charged for the day, or are at a reduced fee, like 5p or 10p per item. There are even free listing days for car auctions where on normal days they can run into several pounds to list. There should not be a charge for buying from reputable internet online auctions. Do be wary though of sellers who try and charge you excess fees if you choose to pay by credit card or PayPal this is against most online auctions terms and conditions and sites like eBay actively encourage users to report people making such illegal charges.

The seller should not charge you an excess amount for postage and packaging and these should be clearly explained in the listing. Some sites like Swapit offer free delivery to the person who successfully wins the online auction with their free swapit points. There is more about SwapitShop further below.

Those selling at online auctions can help reduce postage and packaging costs to their sellers by recycling padded envelopes and bubble wrap or buying these in bulk at discounted retailers. Do mention this in your auction and pass the discount onto your buyer. They may well choose you over another seller because your postage costs are cheaper.








Selling At Auctions And Income Tax

These online auction costs can be added to your expense sheets if you are selling for profit to reduce your tax costs. If you do sell items that you either make or buy to sell then this is classed as a business and you are liable to pay Income Tax and National Insurance. However if you are clearing out your loft, cupboards or garage and selling your own items like old books, CDs, DVDs, clothes, etc then you will not have to pay tax or NI. Your local Tax Office can give you more information and help on selling at auctions and Income Tax


Online Auction

So you may have joined an online auction site by now and had a good look round. So now lets share some online auction tips.

If you are looking for an online bargain then look at the closing soon section of the online auction website. These listings usually finish within a few minutes and you can bid last minute for some great bargains.

Do try and avoid getting into an auction bidding war though where if you are outbid you feel you need to keep bidding to win the auction, no matter what the price is. Winning isn't everything and a bidding war will loose you money and your bargain may have just cost you more than you would have paid in a shop or online store. So do check out the prices on the net and set your limit. But just like a game of poker do not reveal your cards just yet.

Bid last minute for your lots or set a spend limit into the auction website software. There is last minute auction software you can download and use to automatically bid at the last moment on your behalf. These can be set as soon as auctions go live and will remember your settings 3, 7 or 10 days later or can be set on the day.








Do check the delivery costs and country of origin. For example make sure it is a UK seller or can send to the US etc. If you are selling do weigh your item, in its packaging, at the Post Office and state these costs in your listing.

If you sell regularly at online auctions then get quotes for delivery charges from courier firms. Their prices may work out cheaper then the PO, though you may have to weigh up the cost of mileage and petrol to the courier firm, though some will pick up from your home for an additional small charge.

Check the payment method is one you can use, eg if the seller only accepts paypal do sign up for a free paypal account before the auction. This has the added advantage of being able to pay by credit card and have money paid into your bank account from your own auction sales.







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If this page has not answered your questions or you need some more advice then please feel free to e-mail me. I would also welcome any advice to increase the information on this page to make it more useful to others. So feel free to e-mail me your thoughts. I would also appreciate it if you were to send the url of the www.findextrawork.co.uk to your friends, forums and websites.


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Use a password for your online auction site that is hard to guess using a mixture of random numbers and letters.
Photographs can help sell an item or secure a higher price. Take your own photograph rather than use stock photos. A unique photo will make your auction look more realistic and feel honest. Buyers will appreciate that.

Read the feedback points and comments of the buyer and view the feedback left to him or her by other buyers. Positive comments will give you reassurance that you will get your purchases. You may wish to avoid a user with many negative comments, though you can message or e-mail the seller to discuss any concerns you have.

If you plan to sell at auctions for profit or as a full time trading and selling job then buy many small low cost items from auctions or sell household items or quick selling cheap items. This will increase your feedback score and rating and give people a chance to see how quickly you send or pay for items. Other internet auction users like to buy and sell from other auction users that have a high feedback score. Some will only trade with those who have a feedback score above 100 because they know they are honest and an experienced seller.

Do send your items as soon as payments have been secured or pay for items as soon as the auction you have successfully won has finished. Keep in touch by e-mail or telephone with the buyer or seller. They are more likely to want to leave you positive feedback and it will give them assurance that their item or payment will get to them.

If a buyer wants to pay you by cheque, ask him or her to write their name, address, and cheque guarantee card on the back. Cash the cheque and wait for about 7 days before sending the sold items. Then if the cheque should bounce because it is stolen or there is insufficient funds in the buyers account then you have not lost any items or money. A refund of any auction fees can be requested from the auction site in these sort of instances. You can also sell it to the next highest bidder and explain the situation to them. This is known as second chance.

Post items by recorded delivery or ask for a proof of purchase so that you can claim for any missing parcels from the Post Office or courier. These small costs can either be met by yourself or passed onto the buyer if mentioned in the listing. The cost of recorded delivery is only about 65 pence and gives you insurance against any losses or damage.

If you are using a public computer do remember to sign out - you'd be surprised at the number of people who forget and therefore give access to their account to strangers.


Auction Site

The most popular auction site is eBay the online marketplace which is free to join and is easy and clear to use. It has many free tools to help buyers and sellers such as eBay toolbar, seller protection and feedback. Ebay has easy to follow buyer and seller guides and offers online support.

A children's auction site that involves no money is Swapit which adults with children can also join. When you sell something or take part in their surveys and competitions you get free Swapit points which you then use to buy items. The person swapping the item will send it to the swapitshop team so no-one on the site will know your address and all members use a nickname so that names are never revealed. This is a safe site for children to swap the stuff they no longer want and to get stuff they do for free.


Sealed Bid Auction Website

AuctionAir is a sealed bid auction website where you can bid for high value lots like TVs, laptops, iPods, digital cameras, watches, flights, holidays, weekend breaks, etc. Bids are sealed and unique and no one will be able to see them until the end of each sealed bid auction


Reverse Auctions

Reverse Auctions are slightly different to normal online auctions because the lowest unique bidder will win the lot. Most people will bid a penny but remember it is the lowest and unique bid that will win so most reverse auctions are won by people who tend to bid over £1 and aim for a unique value. Reverse Auctions tend to attract many bidders so the lots are usually high value items like a Plasma TV, sports car like a Porsche Boxster, PS3, etc. Reverse Auctions normally make a charge per bid to cover the cost of the lot and make the company a profit for running the auction. However bidders can successfully win reverse auctions through good fortune whilst having some fun. An example of a reverse auction website is Million-2-1 where bids can be placed online or via SMS. As an example of what Million-2-1 auction and the bid price it went for was a £125,000 Ferrari for just £123.82! The winner only paid £1.50 to place that winning bid. Quite a good return!


QXL

QXL is an online auction platform that enables individuals and small businesses to buy and sell all types of products and services online in an easy, efficient and safe environment with a buy now option available. Items generally available for sale or that you can list include cars, comics, collectables, toys, software, items for the home and garden, mobile phones, baby equipment, stamps, coins, etc.


The Cons Of Auctions

There are a few cons of auctions and sadly conmen and women frequent auctions in the hope of scamming people. The commonest auction con involves them buying an item, sending you a cheque for an over inflated amount and asking you to wire transfer or send by cheque the difference. These cheques they send you are either stolen or will bounce. In the meantime if you have wire transferred or sent a cheque for the balance then this will be cashed by the crook and people find it impossible or really difficult to trace the money and get a refund. People have been reported for fraud even though they are the innocent victims of this internet auction scam. They have also lost the item they were selling to the villain. This is know as a Nigerian Scam because it originated from Nigeria and many fraudsters still do seem to come from this country.


Auction Sites Phishing Pharming Scams

Another auction con is phishing and pharming attempts to get your account details so that crooks can access your bank details. These are e-mails sent to you that will look like they come from a popular auction site or from paypal. Sometimes they are easier to spot from spelling and grammar errors. Other times they look like a genuine e-mail. Do be wary of these because if you reply or click the link then you will be taken to a mock site that asks you to type in your password and username. This is then captured by the scammer who can then access your account. There is more written about online auction scammers and cons of auctions on the Internet Scams page. Follow that advice to avoid such scams and make your online auction experience much safer.

But do not let these cons of auctions put you off, online auctions are a great way to make money by selling online and there are many savings and bargains to be made for buyers.


Computer Equipment Auction Website

Morgan Auctions is a computer equipment auction website where all bids for computers, laptops, monitors, etc start at only £1 and there are no reserves on the lots. Morgan Auctions sell a wide range of overstock, refurbished and second user computer equipment.

Jonathan: I have no plan to sack Petroleum Minister

Jonathan: I have no plan to sack Petroleum Minister

Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja 12/08/2010 00:24:00


• 'Nobody will know if I want to remove any aide


THE President Wednesday accused his opponents of waging a press war against him, even as he moved two ministers in a minor cabinet shake-up.

Minister of State (Finance), Remi Babalola and Special Duties Minister Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade were affected in the exercise.

Mrs Yabawa Wabi, who joined the cabinet Wednesday, succeeds Babalola at the Finance Ministry.

Two other new entrants -Mrs Salamatu Suleiman and Kenneth Gbagi - are Ministers of State (Foreign Affairs) and (Education).

At their swearing in before the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja, the President lashed out at the media for what he called speculative reports about his planned removal of some ministers, among them the Petroleum Minister, Mrs Diezani Allison- Madueke.

"Nobody will know if I want to remove any minister," Jonathan said, adding that the reports were not good for the country's image as they were capable of deterring investors in the oil and gas sector.

Others sworn in are Special Adviser, Policy Monitoring and Performance Dan Adebiyi and two National Commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ahmed Wali and Christopher Ehimoga.

Urging media to remain agents of development, the President said the redeployment of a minister was not an indictment.

He said: "What we read in the media convey a kind of sponsored press war; this is not helpful to the nation. If a minister is not to be removed and you continue to tell the world that the minister is to be removed, what you publish affects the ministry drastically as people who have one thing or the other to do with that ministry will become careful, they would want to wait for the day the minister will be removed which will not come.

EFCC to probe jumbo allowances of Senators, Reps

EFCC to probe jumbo allowances of Senators, Reps

Yusuf Alli, Abuja 13/08/2010 01:14:00


• Group alleges NASS members’ pay not approved by revenue commission


THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Thursday said it would probe alleged jumbo allowances and illegal quarterly allocation by members of the National Assembly.

The Commission’s Director of Operations , Mr. Steve Otitoju, made the disclosure while receiving a petition from the Transform Nigeria Movement (TNM) in Abuja.

The petition was signed by an Abuja lawyer, Mr. Kayode Ajulo and Mr. Law Mefor, on behalf of 76 other Nigerians.

TNM is asking the EFCC to probe allowances and quarterly allocations to Senators and members of the House of Representatives.

It alleged that some of the allowances and quarterly allocations were not approved by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

The EFCC however said it will look into the petition.

Otitoju, who stood in for the Chairman of the EFCC, Mrs. Farida Waziri, said: "The EFCC is committed to its statutory responsibilities; we will continue to do the job assigned to us. We have been doing it, and we will not relent in our efforts.

"You specifically requested that those people found culpable if investigation is concluded should be prosecuted. Of course, we have a track record on this; you are all living witnesses to that. We prosecute people and our cases are before the court.

"Also, we will go in line with the laws of the land. If any matter is before and we are able to secure court ruling, any fund that has been illegally spent or somehow misappropriated is refunded to the purse of the Federal Government.

"Most of the time, through our efforts misappropriated funds had been refunded to the government. This has been going on and we will continue to do that. This is not going to be an exception.

"We will not treat it anyhow; we will do a thorough job. We will do what you have given us, we will take action."

The TNM petition reads in part: "The attention of the Transform Nigeria Movement(TNM) has been drawn to uncontradicted reports that in addition to the regular and legitimate salaries and allowances of N17million and N14.99million which members of the National Assembly(Senators and Representatives) were collecting yearly and the irregular allowance of estacodes, duty tours etc, they were also collecting N192million and N140million respectively in illegal quarterly allocation which is not provided for by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission(RMAFC).

"In the circumstances, we therefore urge you to use your good offices to cause investigation in the following terms:

"Confirm the actual and total payments made to each member of the National assembly in salaries and allowances annually.

"Investigate the veracity of the allegations of corruption and financial impropriety made by former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and other eminent Nigerians, against the members of the National Assembly".

Who will be Akpabio’s running mate?

Who will be Akpabio’s running mate?

OLUKO-REDE YISHAU 13/08/2010 07:01:00

It appeared the issue was settled last October. Then, Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio declared that he would seek a second term with his deputy, Chief Patrick Ekpotu, as running mate. Before that declaration, speculations were rife that some powerful forces wanted Akpabio to drop Ekpotu and replace him with his erstwhile Adviser on Political and Legislative Affairs, Mr. Samuel Akpan, who later declared his intention to challenge Mrs. Eme Ufot-Ekaette for the ticket of the Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District.

But last year when the Ibibio endorsed Akpabio for a second term, he said he would run with Ekpotu, who is Ibibio.

Ibibio is the largest ethnic group. It controls no fewer than 18 of the 31 Local Government Areas of the state. Annang, Akpabio’s enclave controls eight Local Governments while Oron the third largest ethnic stock, has five local government under its control.

But what appeared to have been laid to rest has resurfaced again. Between then and now, the relationship between the duo is said to have become frosty and has made the governor consider dropping his deputy. A PDP chieftain in the state, Nsima Ekere, is mentioned as the replacement. Ekere was Akpabio’s original choice as running mate in 2007 before he was made to accept Ekpotu, who was chosen by former Governor Victor Attah.

But prominent indigenes of the state such as Chief Don Etiebet are said to be advising Akpabio against dropping Ekpotu.

It is not only Ekere who has been mentioned as possible replacements to Ekpotu. Those who have been mentioned include:Bishop Sam Akpan, Martyns Udoinyang, Aniefiok Smith and Mrs. Grace Anwana.
The camp of Senator James Akpanudoedghe is said to be happy over the purpoted move to drop Ekpotu. They see it as a sign that all is not well in the governor’s camp. Udoedeghe wants to be governor and has declared under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He is being backed by Attah, who nominated Ekpotu for Akpabio in 2007.

Ekpotu, an Ibibio of Ikot Abasi extraction was a product of consensus in the run up to the 2007 governorship election. While he served Attah as Commissioner for Information, Akpabio was Commissioner of Local Government Affairs.

Time will tell who among Ekpotu and others will run with Akpabio in 2011. For now, there is anxiety in the deputy governor’s camp.

Chime lights up Enugu Communities

Chime lights up Enugu communities

Chris Oji 13/08/2010 07:25:00



GRASSROOTS people toil the year round but find it difficult taking their produce to the markets in the towns and cities. Why? Because their roads are often in utter disrepair.
When Governor Sullivan Chime took office, he promised to open up feeder roads. Now, he has kept faith with that developmental agenda. Feeder roads are being upgraded. Hitherto unlit communities are also being connected to the national grid

This was demonstrated when the governor commissioned the 33KVA Oji Substation Circuit Breaker and the Oji-Nachi Inter-Town Connection (ITC) network to improve quality of electricity supply to Udi and Ezeagu Local Government Areas.

The project, which was executed by the state government in partnership with Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) at the cost of N68m included the Construction/Installation of 33KVA circuit breaker and 7.2 kilometer route length of 33KVA Inter-Town Connection (ITC) Network from Oji Substation to Nachi.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Chime said the execution of the project was in line with government’s efforts to improve the number and effectiveness of PHCN facilities in rural areas and boost power supply in rural communities in the state.
Chime noted with satisfaction that the impact of the improved power supply is being felt by power consumers in the affected communities in Udi and Ezeagu council areas.



He commended the State Rural Electrification Board, officials of PHCN, the State Water Corporation and all the unseen hands that contributed in one way or the other to the successful execution and commissioning of the project.

Governor Chime then appealed to the people to protect the project, even as he said: "So long as we protect what we have and pay our electricity bills promptly, things will be better and government will continue to provide the people with the basic needs of life."

In his speech, the State Commissioner for Rural Development, Mr. Casmir Ugwu said the project was embarked upon to address the age-long epileptic power supply to communities in Udi and Ezeagu Local Government Areas from the 9th Mile Corner injection substation.

Ugwu explained that before now, some communities in the two local government areas used to connect light to the dedicated electric power line to Ajalli Owa and Oji River water intake pumping stations thereby increasing electricity demand on the line and resulting in water shortage in the state capital.

He said: "It is as a result of these disturbances on the dedicated line that the State Rural Electrification Board (REB) and the PHCN conceived this alternative route of supply from Oji River Power Station to supply light to these communities within the affected two local government areas."

He stated that the project was completed in March this year by the (REB) through direct labour and confirmed fit for energisation by the Ministry of Energy, Electrical Inspectorate Division in May. He thanked the PHCN and the state government for their support towards the execution of the project.

The Chief Executive Officer, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Mr. S.A. Yahaya in his brief remarks said with the commissioning of the electricity project and its improved quality and quantity of power supply, the socio-economic well-being of the entire people of Udi and Ezeagu council areas will improve greatly.

Yahaya used the occasion to appeal to electricity consumers in the area to reciprocate government’s gesture and help Enugu Electricity Distribution Company to serve them better. This, he said, they could do by protecting the power line from vandalisation and prompt settlement of their monthly electricity bills to sustain the power supply.

Setback for Jonathan as PDP throws race open

2011: Setback for Jonathan as PDP throws race open

Sanni Ologun 13/08/2010 01:27:00


THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) threw the presidential race open Thursday.

President Goodluck Jonathan can run, just as any other aspirant, party chair Okwesilieze Nwodo said.

He spoke at the 52nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting where Dr Jonathan said opposition parties have conceded the presidency in the 2011 election to the PDP.

Nwodo said, adding that the party would hold a special national convention where it would amend its constitution – in line with the new Electoral Act.

Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema was said to have moved the motion that Jonathan should be allowed to contest. It was seconded by former BOT chair Chief Tony Anenih.

The NEC also adopted a memo by Nwodo that zoning and rotation of offices would continue to be an integral part of the administration of the PDP.

The NEC was also said to have suspended the e-registration of PDP members to “allow for wider consultation”.

The party also readmitted Abia State Governor Theodore Ahamefule Orji and granted him a waiver to contest.

Politicians who returned to the party from Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Abia and Niger states were granted waivers to contest elections under the banner of the party.

The National Working Committee (NWC) was mandated to revisit the dissolved state executive committee in Ogun State, with the aim of settling the party’s crisis amicably.

Nwodo and other leaders of the party are to visit Ogun State next week to reconcile the factions.

A source who attended the meeting said: “The National Chairman of the PDP read the resolution of the Expanded Caucus Meeting to NEC.

"At the end of the day, the motion for the retention of zoning was endorsed, pointing to the fact that the governors had done their homework.

"After the resolution, the mood of the President’s camp at the meeting suggested a kind of unease because he has to oil his political machinery very well in running against the decision of the party.

"So, in the real sense of it, the ticket is open, but most members would be guided by the party’s decision that the zoning formula should be respected."

Concerning online registration, the source added that when it was raised, three governors rose up to condemn it.

He added: “To the surprise of everyone, Governor Timpre Sylva and the chairman of the PDP in Ekiti said NEC members do not want it. Sylva said 85 per cent of Bayelsa State is water-logged and the online registration is impossible.”

Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta) and Sullivan Chime (Enugu) said online registration is “no-go area and should be stopped.” Uduaghan also said that 35 per cent of Delta landmass is covered by water, it was learnt.

"All the governors and state party chairmen rejected the exercise, which would have been launched on Friday (today).

"The NEC members asked that the online registration be stopped forthwith. The decision reflected the outcome of an earlier meeting which the governors had in Kwara Lodge yesterday,” said another source.

Jonathan’s camp has returned to the drawing board to consider whether to take the risk to contest or not.
A source in the camp said: “We were not pleased with the double-speak resolution of the NEC. They opted for zoning and asked Jonathan and any member to exercise their rights to contest.

"It is a delicate situation but we will meet to re-strategise and weigh options before any pronouncement from the President."

Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo was absent at the meeting.

It was learnt that Obasanjo’s absence may not be unconnected with the rejection of his suggestion by the Board of Trustees of the PDP that zoning should be cancelled.

Jonathan said: "Just look at the issue of zoning or no zoning; it is PDP affair. Whether we zone or don’t zone, it is our own internal affairs. But the debate is even being spearheaded more by non-PDP members.

"That shows that what happens in PDP; in fact, they have already conceded the presidency to us. Otherwise, they have no business coming to join our own debate. That means that they have already known that the PDP will produce the president of this country, but do it well.

"That is why they decided to join our debate; whether we zone or not zone. So I believe those other candidates who want to be president know that their parties have surrendered to PDP."

The President noted that there is bound to be disagreements when two people are working together. The PDP would continue to resolve its internal disputes through dialogue and not by fighting, Jonathan said.
Jonathan said the 2011 elections would be conducted in such a way that only very few candidates would want to challenge the results in court.

He said: "The way others look at us, as if we cannot conduct elections that are acceptable. To some extent, we are doing fairly well. But at the end of the elections, the number of us that go to court are so many.

"This time around, we will conduct the elections in a way that only very few people will want to go to court.”

He said going by numbers, the party could always predict the outcome of elections because it still has the majority.

Nwodo, in his opening remarks, said zoning had been entrenched in the party’s constitution and there is no way it could be jettisoned, if equity, fairness and justice are to be upheld.

He added that since Jonathan came on the same joint ticket with the late President Yar’Adua, it was fair for him to be allowed to contest the 2011 presidential election without excluding other presidential aspirants who also wish to partake in the exercise.

Nwodo said: "It has become imperative, due to the new Electoral Act to hold a special convention and bi-annual conference to update our party constitution before the primary election.

"Already, the constitutional amendment notices have gone out, but additional notices would follow to capture the changes in the Electoral Act and other areas.”

He tacitly apologised to the governors who had drawn a battleline with him on the way he has been going about the issue of reforms in the party.
Nwodo said: “I know that reforms are sometimes hard to accept, especially when we are called upon to abandon old ways of doing things.

"Furthermore, in preaching these reforms, we may have hurt the sensibility of some of our members; we hereby present our unreserved apology. But, we, however, continue to appeal that these reforms be accepted by all our party members."