Each of us must have heard such a thing as “auction”. Therefore, we know that an auction is a form of bidding, a public sale of goods, which is carried out in order to obtain the highest price per lot through bidding. Until recently, using this word, we imagined the sale of art objects, such as paintings or some sculptures. However, recently the concept of this form of sale and purchase of goods has changed somewhat. Now we have such a thing as an online auction. It is on it that everyone can sell their things. And it’s not necessary to paint a picture for millions!
How are auctions arranged?
The very principle of auctions, most likely, is familiar to many of us, and there is nothing unusual in this: a lot is put up for sale, for which participants begin to “fight”. The winner is the one who makes the largest bid, as a result of which the product falls into the hands of the buyer, one might say, at the highest price. Many auctions are also limited in time - this is done in order to limit the possibility of price growth to infinity. Also, the fact that the time for which bids can be made is limited, plays to the benefit of participants who want to get the goods cheaper, raising the price as soon as possible before the end of bidding.
Since the auction is a form of public sale, this means that for its holding it is necessary to ensure the presence of a large public - people who will bid. This, in turn, causes some technical difficulties. For example, you have to conduct thematic bids for people who will be interested in a particular category for goods. The downside of real auctions for the same reason is the inability to sell one product (for example, a tractor) at any time. The owner has to wait until a special agricultural auction is organized. This, in principle, applies to any product.
Electronic auction as an opportunity to sell any thing
This problem is solved by today's popular “virtual” auctions that are held on the Internet. Such services are the largest portals with a large number of categories, in each of which any product can be placed without the need to wait for any deadlines.
A plus of such a platform as an Internet site is also the fact that it is visited by a huge number of users around the clock, each of which can become a potential buyer of a tractor (if we talk about our example) or any other product. A developed contactless payment market, as well as companies providing freight transportation services, facilitate a simple exchange in the form of money-goods between participants in online auctions.
The largest auctions in the world
If we talk about the number of users and goods sold, then the largest, without a doubt, can be called an electronic auction eBay. It was introduced in the United States, but now millions of goods are sold on this platform worldwide. As a result, many users from a number of countries are constantly searching here, trying to purchase the desired lot as cheaply as possible.
In addition to eBay, one can also name AllegroGroup trading platforms, which include the largest portals in Eastern Europe (whether it is an auction or not is a question, since goods are also sold here at a fixed price).
How to start trading?
If you want to start trading, you need to understand that a real auction is an event that requires registration in advance, with the provision of documents and, possibly, minimum guarantee fees. If we talk about online auctions, then participation in them requires much less - you just need to register. For merchants in the case of electronic bidding, they are also sometimes required to confirm their real address and, of course, passport data - in order to eliminate the risk of fraud.
Then you need to provide a
description of the product that you would like to sell, providing it with high-quality photographs. Writing so that the buyer wants to bet on your product is also an art. However, this is a topic for writing a completely different article.
Foreign Auctions Opportunities
Everyone who understands that an auction is a trading platform with its turnover of lots and money paid for them knows about the possibility of earning income. The chances of making money on trade are also increasing because now many foreign auctions are available for us, where you can buy and sell things (if not directly, then at least with the help of intermediaries).
Examples of successful earnings can be called a lot. For example, these are auctions in Japan, at which a large number of cars of their production are traditionally sold. Since in the country itself the price of cars is constantly falling due to the release of new models, buying them and bringing them to our country is quite profitable. In addition, everyone understands how high-quality products the Japanese auto industry has been offering for many years.
Auctions as a business
In addition to the possibility of one-time earnings, for some of the most advanced users, an auction is a business that generates regular high income. There are many schemes by which auctions can be used to make money. Someone relies on the local market, offering their own goods at the auction, others buy products in bulk, then sell them using online sites with a lot of them.
A more global approach is working with foreign auctions. For example, some rare things, such as old coins or some household items from the USSR, can be resold on the same eBay with a mark-up. With us, these things, in fact, are worth nothing.
There is a reverse scheme whereby goods are purchased in Europe, the USA or Canada through an auction directly or through intermediaries, after which they are sold here, on local bulletin boards.
And, believe me, this is not all the opportunities for making money at online auctions. Where there is a turnover of hundreds of thousands of lots, everyone can find some kind of niche for earning. The main thing is to want and start the search. And your niche: a product, category or seller with which it is profitable to cooperate - you will definitely find.