Auctions - Guidelines and Tips!

[b!z]

Introduction

This guide contains guidelines intended to reduce the number of threads in the wrong section as well as arguments regarding vague auction terms and imprecise descriptions. You do not have to follow all of the guidelines in this guide, but they will all help you in some way or another.

What is the Auctions board for?

Forum description:

Auctions may optionally be placed in this section. Topics and replies in this section can't be modified or deleted.

If you are selling a good or service for a fixed price, you should not use the Auctions board to place your thread! Instead, post in the appropriate board. A list of Marketplace boards can be found at the top of this page: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=5.0

Marketplace Rules and Guidelines

The Marketplace Rules and Guidelines apply to all areas of the marketplace, including Auctions. You can read them here: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3629.0

Make sure you know who you are dealing with!

Whether you are the buyer or seller, you should always make sure the person you are dealing with can be trusted. Factors to consider include marketplace trust, successful trades, and reputation (on or off-site). Search the person's username to see if he/she has been labeled a scammer in the past. If you feel uncertain about a deal, it is better to cancel the deal than to be scammed. Use a trusted escrow or middleman to protect both parties!

What should you include in your auction?

• Thread subject
  A good thread subject mentions the item(s) being sold and the quantity clearly. Price and other information can also be included.

• Description
  Describe what you are selling in detail, so that buyers know exactly what they are bidding on. You can include images of the item, or proof of ownership (a signed message for example).
• Starting bid
  The lowest price you will sell the item for.
• Buy it now
  The price you will sell the item for immediately.
• End date and time
  When writing the end date and time, be sure to include the time zone.
• Payment methods accepted
  If you accept payment methods other than Bitcoin, mention them here. Beware of PayPal and other reversible transfer services!
• Additional information
  You can include information about payment, shipping costs, escrow, and auction rules here.

You can copy this code into your auction to get started right away:
[/list]

Code:

[b]Description:[/b]
[b]Starting bid:[/b]
[b]Buy it now:[/b]
[b]End date and time:[/b]
[b]Payment methods accepted:[/b]
[b]Additional information:[/b]

Auctioning shares

When auctioning shares, there are some pieces of infomation that you should include in your thread. You should sign a message with your dividend address as proof of ownership. You can also guarantee a date for share transfers to be finished, to avoid arguments regarding dividends.

Seller Tips

• Add a countdown timer to your auction by following this tutorial: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=285166.0
• Give a brief description of the auction goods and terms in the thread subject.
• Don't be vague in your description. The more details, the better!
• Give buyers an idea on how much shipping will cost (if it is a physical item).
• Keep track of your auction regularly to respond to questions.
• Set up your auction to end at a convenient time, so you can contact the winning bidder and arrange delivery promptly.

Buyer Tips

• Ask the seller any questions you have about the items being auctioned. If you are not sure about the item's condition or if you want more information, you can post your question in the auction thread.
• Replies in the Auctions section cannot be deleted or modified. Choose your bid wisely!
• To keep track of bids in an auction, click the 'Watch' button at the top or bottom of the auction thread. The thread will show up in your watchlist.

Conclusion

Sellers: Be precise in your auction description and terms, keep track of your auction and make sure the bidders are always informed.
Buyers: Ask questions about what you are bidding on, and make sure you agree with the auction terms.
Everyone: Exercise caution when trading with strangers, and always use an escrow when in doubt.

Stay safe, and happy trading!

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[Welsh]

Nice guide! Very helpful for new members.

[b!z]

Nice guide! Very helpful for new members.

Thanks! I'm glad it is helpful to other people.

[AlexMc]

Thanks for putting this together B!z

I was thinking that it might be useful to add a section with a step-by-step guide for the escrow process as most Auctions will probably be using it.  PM's that need to be sent, who the funds are transferred to and when, etc.

[b!z]

Thanks for putting this together B!z

I was thinking that it might be useful to add a section with a step-by-step guide for the escrow process as most Auctions will probably be using it.  PM's that need to be sent, who the funds are transferred to and when, etc.

Yes, that could be useful. I think most escrows would explain the process to you individually based on what is being escrowed though.

[saif313]

good work very helpful for all old and new members thanks for this work

[b!z]

good work very helpful for all old and new members thanks for this work

I'm glad I helped you. Do you want to suggest anything I can add to this guide?

[faiza1990]

I am first time in this section and reading all your Guidelines I am very impressed with this thanks for this all information about this system good work 

[blo8i]

how do you set a timer on your Auctions?

[malevolent]

how do you set a timer on your Auctions?

Visit this website: http://gifcountdown.com/

Once you set up all the details (ending date, time, timezone), copy the URL and paste it on the forum between

Code:

[img][/img]

tags.

[hostmaster]

Very useful post. I amazed with orderness. thanks.

[JJKirsch]

Whoa, a whole new world here.

[QuiveringGibbage]

Nice sticky

One thing i should point out tho, tried recommended counter but it doesn't seem to display correctly.

It only seems to display the top bit of the gif and doesn't refresh.

Auction ends: Sunday, 16th March, 2014 at 8:00pm

Any alternate counter you can recommend?

Cheers,
QG

[rammy2k2]

you should make a new section for domains auctions , its very annoying to see all these domains auctions like this is a domains forum ...

[billysweird]

is there some price difference between the auction and buying/selling in the intnet?
and how to trade with auction?

[boopy265420]

very effective way of explaining the rules and tips to take maximum benefit of auctions. thanx.

[FernandoJr]

Great suggestions. I love the explanation. I'm gonna use the format now

[bernard75]

Add a countdown timer to your auction by following this tutorial: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=285166.0

Hopefully Admin will find an acceptable solution for images soon.

[freedomno1]

Add a countdown timer to your auction by following this tutorial: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=285166.0

Hopefully Admin will find an acceptable solution for images soon.

Well to be honest I solved that one a while ago just thought someone else would notice by now

Set it as needed have it set to tomorrow
Can also do it date format
http://blog.seanja.com/2012/11/dynamic-animated-countdown-clock-gif/
http://seanja.com/secret/countdown/gif.php?time=tomorrow

http://seanja.com/secret/countdown/gif.php?time=2015-01-01

[nutbid]

Thanks , These guidelines and tips of online auction are really very useful to me as I am interested in online auction.