.
       
  
 Don Lancaster's
  eBay & Auction  
Help Library
 
      



search Guru's Lair

 Click here  for  the  latest  updates!

Click here for the CMOS Cookbook!
  Click here for  our  JFA  Preprint!
   Click here for  the  canal  images!
     Click here for my ARA Video!


fast
access
usb
classics
bajada
canals
on site
stuff
off site
stuff
free
ebooks
video
links
gila
hikes
more
help
Some other Guru's selections: new? home email rss top bot
If you want the back story...
Pick your blog year...
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
2017 2018 2019 2020 -----
Otherwise, scroll down or please start here...
 
Navigation Links to Auction Resources

alt ebay archive enhance help
links must read our eBay postproc
shipping software third tools
tutorials --- --- ---

I have gathered together most of our surplus and auction
resources on this library page. You can also click here to
go to our Auctions or here for our
eBay Store.

A key secret to eBay seller success is having an acceptably
high sell-buy ratio. I recommend seeking out a sell-buy ratio
of at least 30:1 or higher.
Product sources shown below that
work for me do include community college and other school
auctions, the dot bomb blowups, inventory overstocks, and
industrial bankruptcies.

Particularly valuable are "contents of cabinet" and the
"contents of room" opportunities. Especially in hour 15
of a 2 hour live auction where it is 120 in the shade plus
the five inch hail. And, of course, no functional restrooms.


Sadly, mil surplus is no longer a useful resource in many
areas
of the country. Caused in part by Southern Arizona
surplus being trucked 900 miles to Northern Utah to save
on costs and by privatized sources now having obscenely high
minimum orders combined with atrocious service..

eBay sources that not only do not work but are an outright
joke include "buying wholesale", drop shipping, or distress
pallets.
Per this tutorial and these guidelines.

Most or our library files do demand use of Adobe Acrobat
to read their .PDF files. Such readers are now free and are
usually included in most browsers.

Your own custom regional auction finder can be added to this
library per these details. Or email us

Our Live eBay Auctions and Bargains: deeplink   top   bot   respond
The Guru's Lair eBay Live Auctions
   Dozens of items usually featuring test equipment, sensors, water
   soluble swimsuits, robotics, cold war collectibles, bunches more.
   We try for 24 hour response. Fully Guaranteed.

Click here to reach our eBay Store.

The Guru's Lair eBay Store
   Many of these unique and hard-to-find items offered in quantity and
   open to bulk offers. Such as electronic components, test equipment,
   many unusual collectibles, sensors, connectors, and lots more.

Click here to reach our eBay Auctions.

The Guru's Lair Bargain Pages
   At one time, we ran a surplus direct market venture. This links
   a historical archive site that still holds many of the original
   catalog and advertising routines. Offered products are long gone.

Click here for custom eBay & Auction consulting.

Our "must read" eBay files: deeplink   top   bot   respond
eBay Buying summary ebaybuys.pdf.
   A "slideshow" summary of essential rules for eBay buyer success.
   Based on ebaybuy.pdf. Proxy bidding your max. Bid based on
   total costs. Bid odd amounts above resistance thresholds. more...
Click here for the ebaysels.psl source code.
Click here to contact the author directly.
eBay Selling summary ebaysels.pdf
   A "slideshow" summary of essential rules for eBay seller success.
   Offer unique  products not available elsewhere. Become a manic
   and an evangelical expert. Maximize personal value added.

Click here for the ebaysels.psl source code.
Click here to contact the author directly.

Successful eBay Buyer Strategies ebaybuy.pdf
   More details on essential rules for eBay buyer success. Understand
   proxy bidding. Proxy bid your max. Bid based on total costs. Ask
   before you bid. Bid odd amounts above resistance thresholds.

Click here for the ebaybuy.psl source code.
Click here to contact the author directly.

Successful eBay Seller Strategies ebaysell.pdf
   More details on essential rules for eBay seller success. Offer
   unique products not available elsewhere. Be a manic evangelical
   expert in those products. Maximize personal value added.

Click here for the GuruGram library.
Click here for the ebaysell.psl source code.

The "Enhancing eBay" Series: deeplink   top   bot   respond
Enhancing your eBay Skills I enhebay1.pdf
   Tutorial on advanced eBay topics that include Vickrey auction
   theory, the Uniform Commercial Code, currency thresholds,
   theft prevention, live auction guidelines, plus much more...

Click here for the GuruGram library.
Click to reach our eBay Store.
Click here for the enhebay1.psl source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

Enhancing your eBay Skills II enhebay2.pdf
   Tutorial on advanced eBay topics that include eBay phishing and
   fraud, the 1-2-4-8 ploy, "perfect" auctions, "perfect" products,
   Bruno, secrets of triage, the Alvin piles, thoughts on refurb, more...

Click here for the GuruGram library.
Click to reach our eBay Store.
Click here for the enhebay2.psl source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

Enhancing your eBay Skills III enhebay3.pdf
   Continuing our series of eBay insider secrets. Image expansion and
   cross linking. More on HTML. Shilling again. Bailout guidelines.
   Exploring log files. No unhappy customers. Sellthru rates. More...

Click here for the GuruGram library.
Click to reach our eBay Store.
Click here for the enhebay3.psl source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

Enhancing your eBay Skills IV enhebay4.pdf
   Common eBay buyer and seller mistakes. Walmart auctions. Fixing
   crimage "whiteburn". Dealing with order mixups. Craig's lists. What
   to wear at a live auction. Resources. Cut and paste secrets. etc...

Click here to reach our eBay auctions.
Click here for the enhebay4.psl source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

Enhancing your eBay Skills V enhebay5.pdf
   Storage guidelines. The Government Liquidation saga. Multi-day
   auctions. More imaging tips. Secrets of winning websites. Why
   eBay is not Walmart. Controlling closure. More...

Click here to reach our eBay auctions.
Click here for the enhebay5.psl source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

Enhancing your eBay Skills VI enhebay6.pdf
   The Latest in a continuing series of eBay insider techniques. The
   rights of abandonment. Barbie Dolls. Your own custom listings.
   eBay is not Walmart. Controlling closure. More...

Click here to reach our eBay auctions.
Click here for the enebay6.psl source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

Enhancing your eBay Skills VII enebay7.pdf
   Regional data mining. Digging deeper. Seeking obscurity. Rounding
   bitmap corners. Auction strategy. Resetting to zero. Refund policies
   Two auctions at once. IP violations. Staying lean and mean.

Click here to reach our eBay auctions.
Click here for the enebay7.psl source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

Our Best Free Software: deeplink   top   bot   respond

Over the years, I've written and improved a number
of custom software programs that I have personally
used ( and continue to use, often daily ) for our eBay
sales and custom auction work.

Many of these feature the PostScript language
and require Acrobat Distiller used as a general
purpose PostScript computer. I've written some
Gonzo Utilities and its Tutorial that are often
needed by these routines.

In general, you edit one of our .psl files as a
textfile, changing such things as your filenames
and option preferences. You then save your
modified file to a new filename. Then you send
your file to Distiller, using a top secret incantation.

You run your code from the Windows command
line with windows-X by using this special code...

     //acrodist /F

    ...and then drag and drop your file into Distiller.

This special procedure is needed to allow Distiller
to access most disk files, a feature usually arriving
disabled. Alternately, you can use GhostScript, but
Distiller is very strongly encouraged. Acrobat and
Distiller can now be rented quite economically.

Here are some of our best and most popular files...

Architect's Perspective Correction ghotilt5.psl
   Makes all of the vertical lines in a .BMP bitmap truely vertical!
   Also can be rotated for two axis distorttion correction.You can
   find many hundreds of examples here.

Click here for a USB of all our available software and tutorials..
Click here for a Intro Intro to Postscript video tutorial.

Auto Vignetting Backgrounder ghoback.psl
   Takes a .BMP image that has been red=255 outlined and
   wraps a mottled and optionally vignetted color background
   around it.  Also minimizes final .JPG edge artifacts..

Click here for Perspective and Auto Backgrounding Demos.
Click here for the PostScript Show and Tell..

Bitmap Typewriter bmfauto1.pdf
    Superbly legible full PostScript fonts useful to improve very
    very small lettering on .BMP files, especially for eBay resale.
    Includes full anti-aliasing. . Sourcecode here.

Click here for the PostScript Beginner Stuff..
Click here for the PostScript Reference Manual
Click here for our PostScript Secrets.

Web Friendly PostScript & CSS Colors webcolor1.pdf
   A display of 215 6 x 6 x 6 = 215 web colors in decimal and hex
   formats. Paste this on your wall! For more use details, see the
   .psl sourcecode below.

Click here for the webcolor1.psl source code.
Click here for a faster version of the Fractal Fern demo.
Click here for a faster version of the Fractal Fern sourcecode.

Apache Log File Analyzer log_an1.psl
   A detailed analysis program that starts with a daily log report
   that focuces on user activity, 404 error reports,  malware attempts,
   and filee popularity by type. Also available as a service.

Click here for an Apache Log File Analyzer typical printout.
Click here for Poison Ivy in a Spray Can
Click here for some Nonlinear Graphics Transforms.

PostScript Power Point Emulator gonzopow.pdf
   A PostScript to .Acrobat replacement for PowerPoint with
   better appearance, single files, shorter code, no GIF, and fast
   loading . Substitute .psl trailer in examples for sourcecode.

Powerpoint Emulator Example #1  Example #2 Example #3 Example #4
Powerpoint Emulator Example #5  Example #6 Example #7

PostScript Font Snooper psfontnamesnooper6.psl
   Attempts to generate a list of all PostScript and some other fonts
    available on any  computer by exhaustively trying out a master
   list. Shows actual fonts and which are real or faux substituted.

Click here fora PostScript Font Snooper demo.
Click here for the Flutterwumpers. 

Fat Tail Arrows fattail2.pdf
   A collection of easy-to-use arrows that can improve
   raw PostScript presentations. Makes extensive use of
   simplified cubic splines. Sourcecode here.

Click here for Fun with fields
Click here to More Fun with Fields
Click here for Fundamental Innovation Factors and their sourcecode..

Image PostProc Tutorials: deeplink   top   bot   respond

I very strongly feel that decent images are the core secret to
long term successful eBay sales. Snapping a picture or scanning
an image is only step one in a long process.

You often should spend a minimum of TWO HOURS in your
image postproc!


We have bunches of specialized image postproc tools, tutorials,
and utilities. All of which we personally use. Some are internal,
others for your general use. Some are simple and obvious, while
others are leading edge and exotic.

You can start with this older tutorial that has links to all of our
major image postproc files...

Image Post Processing Tools postproc.pdf
   A tutorial review of all of our post processing and bitmap
   manipulation current tools. Includes details of key variables
   and proc use details.

Click here for the postproc.psl source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

My eBay Photo Secrets ebayfoto.pdf
   Highly detailed tutorial on creating successful eBay product
   photos. Fundamentals. The "hex" method. The "square" method
   Dealing with image theft. Links to dozens of postproc utilities

Click here for the ebayfoto.psl source code.
Click here for additional GuruGrams
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

Click here for the Before .BMP test file.
Click here for the Before .JPG example.
Click here for the After .JPG example.

Digital Camera Swings & Tilts swingtlt.pdf
   A tutorial on our SWINGT01.PSL utility that provides image
   rectification and distortion correction for 24-bit uncompressed
   BMP image files. Makes your vertical edges truly vertical.

Click here for the swingt01.psl source code.
Click here for the swingtlt.psl source code.
Click here for the Gonzo utilities

Magic Knockout Backgrounds knockout.bmp
   These are some of the knockout backgrounds I use for my eBay
   photos. Besides their subtle texture, they greatly minimize JPEG
   edge artifacts. View with any viewer. Cut and paste using Paint.

Click here for the Bitmap Manipulation library.
Click here for our eBay examples.

Dodge & Burn Tutorial & Utility DODGEBUR.PDF
   A tutorial on our DODBUR01.PSL utility that gives you all sorts of
   image improvement corrections to .BMP image files. includes dodges,
   burns, hue & saturation adjust, vignette, chroma, masking, more...

Click here for the DODBUR01.PSL utility.
Click here for the DODGEBUR.PSL sourcecode.
Click here for the Gonzo utilities.
Click here for the GuruGram library page.

Blatant Opportunist #67  STEPPREP.PDF
   Secrets of Step-by-step Image Prep. Postprocessing. Scanner vs
   camera. knockout knockouts. Pixel locking. Adding detail. How to
   improve lettering. The small stuff. For more help.

Click here for a companion bitmap.
Click here for STEPPREP.PSL source-code.

 

 

This update is a work in progress. We are only CSS compliant and
URL clean to this point. The old stuff still appears below.

Please check back often.

 

 

 

 

 

   Blatant Opportunist #57  IMAGIMAG.PDF 
    
A scanner makes a ridiculously better digital camera than digital
     camera does. Here's Don's insider secrets on propping, scanning,
     enhancement, and conversion of digital images.

Click here to contact the author directly..

   Gonzo PostScript Utilities Guide GONZOTUT.PDF #79
       The long overdue tutorial and directory to my Gonzo utilities. These
     are a combined PS pagemaking and illustration package that features
     super quality text justification, electronic schematics, more.         08/07

Click here for the Gonzo PostScript utilities.
Click here for the PostScript
library.

Click here for the GuruGram 79
source code.
Click here to Contact the Author
directly.

Click here for the My eBay Secrets tutorial
Click here for the Son of eBay Secrets tutorial.

Other tutorials and utilities: deeplink   top   bot   respond

 

   Blatant Opportunist #70 AUCTSCNE.PDF 
    
The live auction scene. Finding events. How to become a crooked
    auctioneer. Before you bid. Bidding strategies. Seeking value that
    others miss. Random thoughts. Opporknockity tunes but once.

Click here for custom Auction Help
Click here for AUCTSCNE.PSL sourcecode.

   Arizona Auction Resources Tour AZAUCT01.PDF #44
     A tutorial guided tour of some Arizona Auction Resources. Classified
     ads. Auctioneer associations. The biggies. Government Liquidation.
     Good old boys and gals. Schools. Heavy equipment. more...

Click here for the GuruGram library.
Click for a Custom Auction Finder resource.
Click here for the
REBOUND1.PSL source code.
Click here to Contact the Author directly.

   Blatant Opportunist #65  MYEBAYS.PDF 
    
My eBay Secrets. Fundamentals. Getting stuff. Listings. Images.
    Getting paid. Closing your sale. Guarantees & refunds. Reserves,
    Dutch,  BIN. Promotion. Storage. Protection. Snipers. Lots more...

Click here for more Blatant Opportunist columns.
Click here for our current eBay offerings.
Click here for more surplus bargains.

   Blatant Opportunist #73 MOREEBAY.PDF 
    
Son of eBay Secrets. Update & continuation of MYEBAYS.PDF
    The $19.95 minimum sale. Drop shipping & pallet lots. Trucking info
    Reducing weight. Reducing wait. Not shooting yourself in the foot.

Click here for our current eBay offerings.
Click here for more surplus bargains.
Click for the MOREEBAY.PSL sourcecode.
Click here for more Blatant Opportunist columns.

   Logfile Reader & ANALOGEB.PDF #28
     Tutorial shows how to use new web logfile analysis utilities that
     include automatic eBay hit reports, eBay image theft detection, plus
     detailed individual visitor logs. Totally customizable.

Click for the Web Logfile Analyzer utility.
Click for a Web Logfile Analyzer output demo
.
Click for a Web Logfile Analyzer input workfile
.
Click here for additional GuruGrams
.

Click here for additional eBay help.
Click here for the ANALOGEB.PSL source code.
Click here for additional Consulting services.
Click here to Contact the Author
directly.

Click here for new Logfile Reader Additions.


Other Regional Auction Links: deeplink   top   bot   respond

One leading newsgroup is alt.marketing.online.ebay while its
Frequently Asked Questions FAQ is found here.

  Arizona  Auction  Resources
Click here for a  Guided Tour.
Zipcodes 85000 to 86999 sponsored  by  Abeja
In State National Classified Ads


  A1 Auction
  ADOT Auction
  Arizona Auctioneers
  ASU Surplus
   AZ Auction Man
  Barrett Jakson
  Battermans
  Browns are Selling
  Bruce Tingle
  Cunningham & Assoc
  Depuy Auction Svc
  Haynie Auctions
  Homes & Contents
  J. Levine
  Mangold
  Pot of Gold
  R & S Auctions
  Ron Brewer
  Ron Brunk
  Scott Auction
  Sierra Auctions
  Stueber Auctions
  Susie's Estates
  T & T Auctioneers
  Tumbleweed Auction
  Universal AZ
  University of Arizona



  Abamex  
   Allard
  American Auctioneers
  Ashman
  Asset Sales
  AuctionFlex
  Bankruptcy Sales
  Barrett Jackson
  Bid It Up
  Bidspotter
  Bonnette
  Branford Group
  Cincinatti Industrial
  Cowan Alexander
  Dickerson Auctions
  Dovebid
  Fast Track
  Grafe Auction
  Government Liquidation
  Gov Sales

  Heritage Global
  Hilco
  Liquidation
  M.J.Auctions
  Parker Auction
  Penny Worley
  Public Surplus
  Proxibid
  Ray Fentern
  Raytheon
  Ritchie
  Salvex
  Schneider Industries
  Siezed Liquidations
  Starman Brothers
  Tauber-Arons
  TNT Auctions
  Thomas Hayward
  US Government Auctions

  National Auctioneers Assn
  AZ Auctioneers Assn
  
  Auction Floor
  Live Auctineers
  Auction Zip Directory
  Auction HQ


  National Universities
  National Comm Colleges
  Arizona Universities
  Arizona Comm Colleges
  Maricopa Comm College
  Arizona School Districts
  Arizona Counties
  Arizona Towns



  Adquest Auto-notifier
  National Newspapers
  Arizona Newspapers

     Phoenix Republic
         classifieds

     Tucson Daily Star
         classifieds
         display Ads

       East Valley
         classifieds
         class add network

       Flagstaff
       Globe
       Nogales
       Payson
       Phoenix New Times
       Prescott
       Safford
       Sedona
       Sierra Vista
       Show Low
       West Valley
       Winslow
       Yuma

     Craig's Lists:
         Search Tempest
         Phoenix
         Prescott
         Sedona Flag
         Tucson
         Yuma

  New Mexico Newspapers
       Albuquerque
       Alamogordo
       Las Cruces
       Silver City
       Socorro

  AZ Self Storage Assn


Click here for your own custom regional auction finder
Or email us for a sponsor quote and specific details.

  Northern  California  Auction  Resources
Zipcodes 93000 to 96999.
In State National Classified Ads


  A & A Auctions
  Avanti Arts
  Baxtin
  Bertrand & Cole
  Bid It Up
  Carl Johnson
  Charyn Auctions
  DGW Auctions
  Dove Bid
  Hambrooks Center
  Heritage Auction
  Madison
  Mulrooney
  Nationwide
  Neale & Sons
  O'Callaghan
  Restquip
  Santa Margarita
  Silicon Valley
  Skip Domingos
  Slawinsky
  Thomas Hayward
  TLC Auctions
  West Auctions
  W.T. Martin



  Abamex
  American Auctioneers
  Ashman
  Asset Sales
  AuctionFlex
  Bankruptcy Sales
  Barrett Jackson
  Bid It Up
  Bidspotter
  Bonnette
  Cincinatti Industrial
  Cowan Alexander
  Dovebid
  Grafe Auction
  Government Liquidation
  Liquidation
  M.J.Auctions
  Public Surplus
  Proxibid
  Ritchie
  Schneider Industries
  Starman Brothers
  Stopol Auctions
  Tauber-Arons
  Thomas Hayward
  US Government Auctions


  National Auctioneers Assn
  Calif. Auctioneers Assn
  Auction Floor
  Auctionzip Directory


  National Universities
  National Comm Colleges
  Calif. Universities
  Calif. Comm Colleges
  Calif. School Districts
  Calif. Counties
  Calif. Towns


   National Newspapers

  Calif Newspapers:
    Sacramento Bee
    Salinas Californian
    Santa Rosa Press
    S.F. Examiner
    S.F. Guardian
    San Jose Mercury
    Vallejo Times


  Craig's List
    Fresno
    Sacramento
    Stockton
    San Francisco
    Redding
    Reno/Tahoe
    Gold Country
    Humboldt County
    Merced

Click here for your own custom regional auction finder
Or email us for a sponsor quote and specific details.

  Northern  Ohio  Auction  Resources
Zipcodes 43000 to 44999.
In State National Classified Ads


  Amlin Auctioneers
  Anglins/
  Appletree
  Auction Ohio
  Barck Auctions
  Basinger
  Bambeck
  Dan's Auctions
  Dan Baker
  David Jones
  Dilgard Richart
  Dimmerling
  Dunn Deal
  Farnsworth
  Frey and Sons
  Garths Art & Antique
  L.Garner
  P. Gerhres
  Go Antiques
  B. Higgins
  Homestead
  JosephSaine
  Kiko Auctions
  Klug Auctions
  Kieth Orr
  Koehlert
  Mike Brandly
  Newell Auction
  Parazino
  Rawn Auctions
  Rosen and Company
  Schafer
  Semple Sells
  Skipco Auto
  Spiffy Auctions
  D. Sweeting
  Troupe Auctions
  M. Van Hook
  Wallick
  Wilson
  L. Woods Auctions
  Yodar & Frey



  Ashman
  Asset Sales
  AuctionFlex
  Bankruptcy Sales
  Bid It Up
  Bidspotter
  Bonnette
  Cincinatti Industrial
  Cowan Alexander
  Dovebid
  Grafe Auction
  Government Liquidation
  Liquidation
  M.J.Auctions
  Proxibid
  Public Surplus
  Ritchie
  Schneider Industries
  Starman Brothers
  Tauber-Arons
  Thomas Hayward
  US Government Auctions


  National Auctioneers Assn
  Ohio Auctioneers Assn
  Yelow Pages
  Auction Floor
  Auctionzip Directory


  National Universities
  National Comm Colleges
  Ohio Universities
  Ohio Comm Colleges
  Ohio School Districts
  Ohio Counties
  Ohio Towns



  Adquest Auto-notifier
  National Newspapers  

  Ohio Newspapers:
    Akron Classifieds
    Cleveland Classifieds
    Toledo Classifieds
    Youngstown Class.


  Craig's Lists:
    Akron-Canton
    Cleveland
    Columbus
    Toledo
    Youngstown


Click here for your own custom regional auction finder
Or email us for a sponsor quote and specific details.


   Eastern  Pennsylvania  Auction  Resources
Zipcodes 17000 to 19999 sponsored  by  Paul Lowe
Regional National Classified Ads


  Bachman
  Boltz Snyder
  Chuck's Auctions
  Comly
  Dotta Auction
  Enterline
  Fraley
  Hall Auction
  Hartzell
  Hess Auction
  Horst
  Hurley
  Kenny's
  Keystone State
  Kist Auctions
  Klein Krieder
  Maurer Train
  Max the Auctioneer
  Mason Dixon
  Probst
  Rentzel
  Shamrock
  Shaub Family
  Slosberg
  Stermer
  Teel Auctions
  Wagner Aucrtioneers
  Wehrly
  Wotring
  Zettlemoyer
  Ziegler



  Asset Sales
  AuctionFlex
  Barrett Jackson
  Bid It Up
  Cowan Alexander
  Dovebid
  Grafe Auction
  Government Liquidation
  Hunyady
  Liquidation
  Proxibid
  Ritchie
  Starman Brothers
  Tranzon
  US Government Auctions


  National Auctioneers Assn
  PA Auctioneers Assn
  Yelow Pages
  Auction Floor
  Auctionzip Directory


  National Universities
  National Comm Colleges
  Penna Universities
  Penna Comm Colleges
  Penna School Districts
  Penna Cities & Counties



  Abracat
  Adquest Auto-notifier
  National Newspapers

  Regional Newspapers:
    Easton
    Harrisburg
    Lancaster
    Reading
    Scranton


  Craig's Lists:
    Altoona
    Lancaster
    Lehigh Valley
    Philadelphia
    Poconos
    Redding
    Scranton
    York





Click here for your own custom regional auction finder
Or email us for a sponsor quote and specific details.

 

Alternatives to eBay: deeplink   top   bot   respond

.

One of the seldom mentioned advantages of all these "alternative
to eBay" sites is their tremendous savings in bubble wrap,
strapping tape and other shipping materials...

Froogle ultimately should provide serious eBay competition
because it has a much better model: No listing fees, no value
fees, true reverse Dutch auction ( prices drop till items sell ),
and each bid is an instant and certain winner.

Craig's List and Kijiji can be most useful for heavier items
sold locally. But may not be available in your area.

You can apparently start up your own direct eBay competition
by using the products at Rainworx.

Some other alternatives to eBay include..

Atomic Mall
Blujay
Buy Sell Trades
Craigs List
Intershop Zone
Liquidation
Mystore
Online Auction
Overstock
Powersellers Unite
Storm Pay
Tazbar
Treasure Soft
US Auctions Live
Usiff
Webidz
Web Store

This site tracks the popularity of some of the
above services. They are all, of course, ( with
the sole exception of Craigs List "noise on
the graph"
below eBay.

Third Party Resources: deeplink   top   bot   respond

.

 We'll continue here with auction resources of general interest...

   National Auctioneer's Assoc. AUCTIONEERS.ORG
    
   Leading national group has listings of allauctioneers and many
     auctions. Searchible by stateand even city or zip radius.

Click here for thet Arizona Auctioneer's Associations.
Click to find Other State Auctioneer's Associations.

  Webcast Services from Bid Spotter
     Provides tools, expertise, and techniques to allow traditional
     auction houses to conduct live web auctions.
   Software from Auction Flex
      ITools for clerking, accounting, list management, inventory control,
    Complete software management for live auctions.

   Worldwide Auctions from Bid it Up
      Includes auctions, apprasials, liquidations, machinery for sale,
     real estate, financing, leasing. Even pays finders fees.

   International auctioneer GoIndustry / Dove Bid
      Tends to be annoying with international listings, but otherwise is                  a major auction resource

   US Government property  Gov Sales
      Official sales site goes well beyond military surplus and includes
      GSA, DEA, and most other agencies.

  Local government auction lists from Public Surplus
      Mostly sells 1973 pickup trucks with no title or broken highway
      paint stripers, but occasionally has really outstanding bargains.


   Find most anything with Yellow Pages
      Categories of interest include auctioneers and auctions. Works
      like traditional yellow page phone directories.


   Internet broadcasts from Live Auctioneers
     A gateway for live auctions broadcast via the web.
    Used to extend the reach of local auctions nationwide.

  Live auction locator Auction Zip
      State by state live auction searches, Can be based
      on radius from a selected zip code. Also search by categories.


  Promotion, Listing and Tracking from Vendio
     Provides auction management software and other services
     for online auction sellers. Used to call themselves Auction Watch.
  Privitazed DRMO auctions at Government Liquidation 
    
The DRMO is in the process of privitazing many of their auction
      offerings. But opportunities here have become sorely limited.
  Industrial wholesale auctions at Liquidation.Com 
    
The commercial arm of Govermnment Liquidation. Typically offers
    truckload pallets at a listing fee of 15% over a $150 minimum.
    Bettter deals can usually be found elsewhere. Watch shippng!

.Click here for the Wholesale Central website.

  Live and online auction resources at USA Web 
    
A web portal and link farm to such resources as Internet Auction
    Link, Repoman, Auction Marketing Institute, Fast Talker Directory,
    Auction Talk, and others.
  Frank Stefanick's Inside the Auction Game 
    
Books with useful live auction info in them are exceptionally scarce.
     This is one extremely useful exception. Professional tips, bidder
     psychology, bidding techniques, scams, much more.

You can click here for our own Live Auction tutorial.

You can click here for our own eBay Secrets tutorial
You can click here for our Son of eBay Secrets tutorial
You can click here for our eBay Photo Secrets tutorial

   Military surplus at DRMS/DRMO   
    Opportunities flin military surplus have dried up dramatically in
    most parts of the country. And privitized sources have obscenely
    raised their minimum bids on most items. No longer a good deal.
   Other government surplus at GSA Auctions Online 
    
Non military government surplus often gets sold via the
     General Services Agency. Here's their main access link.
  Reach the main screen at eBay 
    
The number one online auction site. You can also click here to
     view our own eBay offerings.
   US Post Office Auction Info at USPS 
     
Basically an urban lore myth. Atlanta only, and then only in very
     large and highly competitive lots. Only a few times a year.
  A second online market at Yahoo Auctions 
     
Online auction competitor to eBay seems to be placing a distant
     second place. Traffic is everything.
  National Assn of Bankruptcy Trustees at NABT 
     
Find out about auctions before they even happen by using this
     unique resource.

  Science & Lab Instruments from  Lab-X 
    
Older resource for buying and selling of laboratory instruments and:
   
related research gear.
Shipping Help: deeplink   top   bot   respond
  Small Package Delivery via United Parcel Service UPS 
    
 Our preferred shipping resource. Just dump the stuff in your front
    yard and it magically disappears into a big brown truck.

Check out their obscure UPS Hundredweight service.

Click here to reach their Federal Express competitor.
Chick here to reach their Airborne Express competitor.

  Newly offered  United Parcel Service LTL Freight  
   
  Now handles larger and group items well above the old 150 pound
    weight limit. Convenient but much pricier than some freight outfits.

  Pack, ship, or item pickup at UPS Stores
   
  Very expensive but convenient package pickups, packing, and
    shipping. Many locations. But they broke an anvil we tried to ship!.

  U.S. post office services from  USPS
   
  Their flat rate priority mail services are hard to beat for
    convenience and economy. Free boxes as well.
 

Click here for Zipcode versus address lookup.
Click here for Zipcode versus towns lookup.

  Routes and street views via Google Maps
   
 Largest and most popular of mapping services. Travel mileage,
  detailed travel routes, options, even street images.
  Topo and Satellite image info via Acme Mapper 
    
Our favorite source for really difficult mapping problems. Combines
    topos, satellite, GPS, markers, bunches more.
  Compare shipping rates at InterShipper 
     
 Shippers service gives you instant comparisons of UPS, USPS,
    FedEx, Airborne, and other charges by weight and zip
  Compare shipping rates at U-Ship
    
Calls themselves the first and largest auction-style marketplace
    for shipping
and transportation services.
  Compare shipping rates at Freight Center 
   
 Shippers service gives you instant comparisons of UPS, USPS,
    FedEx, Airborne, and other charges by weight and zip
  Compare shipping rates at My Freight 
   
 Shippers service gives you instant comparisons of multiple
  freight rates from hundreds of carriers.
  Trucks and Trailers from U-Haul 
    
Often your fastest, cheapest, and simplest hauling or delivery
     solution. Note that one-way rates continually change with demand.

Also check their American Freight Company and
Freight Resource Center competitors.

Useful Auction Tools: deeplink   top   bot   respond
  Handy eBay tools from Vrane
     Free tools that greatly simplify management of your eBay
     auctions. Their power bomb is particularly useful.
  Phrase generator from Quick Phrase 
  
   Universal free boilerplate generator is a must for any site, auction
     management or otherwise.
  Superb IMAGV32 image editor from Arcata Pet 
  
   My favorite image processing toolset does PhotoShop essentials
     faster and cheaper. Scale, sharpen, contrast, etc... Free tiral.
  The Uniform Commercial Code from Cornell Law 
  
   All US business or auction transactions, eBay and otherwise, must
     follow these enforcable UCC legal guidelines.

Click here for the Arizona Revised Statutes.

  Real time auction stats from Power Sellers Unite
  
   Hourly updates on the popularity of eBay and most competing
    alternate auction sites

Click here for a PDF URL extractor.

  Website Validator from W3.ORG
  
   Quickly finds most HTML and XHTML structural errors and isolated
     Browser differences. A most useful tool.

Click here for a Consulting Assistanc.

   Link Validator from W3.ORG
  
     Useful but quirky tools to test many ( but not all ) website links
      for currency. Does not work on .PDF files.

Older Archival Auction Tutorials: deeplink   top   bot   respond
.
   Blatant Opportunist #60  EBAYPHEN.PDF 
     
The eBay Phenonomen opens up new possible revenue streams.
     Intro. Photos and art images. Promoting the goodies. Mining the
     seconds. Some secret guidelines. For more help.
   Blatant Opportunist #65  REFURB.PDF 
     
Don' Thoughts on Refurb. Reselling test equipment on eBay
     and elsewhere. Establishing value. Scoring the goodies. What to
     avoid. Manuals. Actual refurb. Stripping. Oscilloscopes. More...

     Click here for more Blatant Opportunist columns.

   Blatant Opportunist #59  WEBIMAGE.PDF 
     
Don looks at web imaging secrets. New "scanner" method. Image
     data formats. Bitmaps, GIF, JPEG, Acrobat. Getting your image on the
     web. Some eBay specifics. Image prep secrets. Editing methods. 
   Blatant Opportunist #54  AUCTION.PDF 
     
A look at the Surplus and Auctions scene. Some useful venues.
    Community colleges. Mil surplus. Distress sales. Hamfests and
     online auctions. Some guidelines. The "Never be underbid "ploy.
   Resource Bin #81 RESBN81.PDF 
   
New Secrets of mil surplus, part I DRMS web sites. Finding offered
    items. Local, national, RCP, and group sales. Other Sales. Condition
    codes. Efficient markets and typical prices. DRMO base list.
   Resource Bin #82 RESBN82.PDF 
   
 New Secrets of mil surplus, part II Where were we? Winners and
     losers. A "never be underbid" ploy. The bidding process. Getting the
     goods. $24 jeeps? Free surplus? For more help. ISMM contest.
   Tech Musings #153  MUSE153.PDF september 2001)
      Bouncy brick secrets. Privatizing mil surplus. Bogus water powered
      cars. Fundamentals of electrolysis. Reducing table lookup sizes.
      Quadratic interpolation. Bounty hunting patents for $$$$.

Click here for Live Auction bargains.

   Resource Bin #73  RESBN73.PDF 
     
Insider secrets of electronic surplus and auctions. Hamfests.
      Government & Military. Electronic surplus. Web sites. Schools.
     "Closeouts." Auction pubs. Auction houses. Contest.
   Tech Musings #148 MUSE148.PDF 
     
Algae hydrogen source. Applying Taylor Series. Surplus & auction
    update. Lithium polymer batteries. Understanding nonlinearity.
     Battery books. Cave radio site, Maxim chargers, more...
   Tech Musings #133 MUSE133.PDF 
 
    A military surplus update. AC and DC lamp dimmer fundamentals.
       Some selected magnetic recording books. A SETI search invitation.
      CD and web USGS maps.
   Tech Musings #128 MUSE128.PDF 
      
A look at used test equipment. Some Tesla Turbine lit. How to
      buy military surplus electronics. Impulse radio communications.
      New Class D amplifiers. Merry-go-round horses.
   Tech Musings #121 MUSE121.PDF 
       FM Wireless Broadcasters. The Radio Shack 12-2051. Surplus
     and auction update. A homopolar traction motor. A new power
     measurement chip. Understanding the Faraday Disk. Cool cars.
   Resource Bin #87 RESBN87.PDF 
 
  Exploring used test equipment options. The foremost rule. The
     blue book. Some sources. Hamfests. Newsgroups. Auctions.
      Mil surplus. Online auctions. For more help. ISMM III contest.
   Tech Musings #107 MUSE107.PDF 
  
  SX laser printer repairs, linear phase digital filters, home theater
     
opportunities and resources, debunking some techno-myths,
     improved access to government surplus electronics.
   Resource Bin #06 RESBN06.PDF 
 
  An intro to the wondrous world of electronic surplus. Military
      surplus. Hamfests. Wholesale sources. Personal favorites
      Commuinty college auctions. Industrial surplus. (older classic)

For more help: deeplink   top   bot   respond

.

   Ask Don an Auction or Surplus question. 
  Explore an Energy Efficient Opportunity.
  Find Instant Research Answers.
 

Please click here to... 

 
   View our eBay Auctions.  Send Don Lancaster email.
   Go to the site directory  Learn patent alternatives.    
   Pick up surplus bargains.  Explore magic sinewaves
   Sponsor a display banner.  Find out what a tinaja is.
   Find research solutions  View recommended books.
   Place an order.  Return to the home page.