Why is Sportlots a better way to run online auctions?
What are 1,2,3,SOLD auctions?
How does the Max bid feature work?
How does the Quick bid feature work?
Is postage reduced when I win multiple items?
What do I do after I win an item?
How do I sell on Sportlots?

Why is Sportlots a better way to run online auctions?

Sportlots is different from other mainstream online auctions. These differences make Sportlots auctions better. Here are the major differences between Sportlots and other online auctions:

The 1,2,3,SOLD format prevents "Snipe" bidding. There is no such thing as putting bids in at the last second. This insures that you get a fair opportunity to put the final bid on the item you want to win (See below for more information about 1,2,3,SOLD auctions).

Sportlots automatically calculates reduced postage when you win multiple items from the same seller.

Every item starts at $0.00 with set bidding increments. This gives everyone a chance to get some real great deals and makes it simple and easy to place bids.

Bidding increments are 25 cents for items up to $5.00, 50 cents for items over $5.00 and $1 for items over $25.00. If a bid is placed is not in these increments, Sportlots will truncate your bid down to the next valid incremented price.


What are 1,2,3,SOLD auctions?

Sportlots 1,2,3,SOLD auctions are unique in that they prevent "Snipe" bidding. Snipe bidding is the art of waiting until the closing minutes (or even seconds) to place your bid on an item. This prevents others from outbidding the sniper after they have placed the bid. Why is this bad? Because don't get the chance to place the final bid on the item you wanted. How it works.. The 1,2,3,SOLD stands for the status (or the number of days) since the item last had a bid placed on it. After the item goes over 3 days without getting a bid, the item is sold! However, if another bid is placed before then, the status goes back to a "1" status and the whole process starts over. So the Sniper is defeated! Even if a bid is placed seconds before the status is changed, the status goes back to a "1". The Sniper has no advantage here.

Your initial thought would be that it may take forever for my items to go to a SOLD status. However, because there are NO Sniper games to play, there is no reason why anyone should wait until the last day to place a bid. Matter of fact, it's to your advantage to bid your maximum amount right away. The sooner an item goes SOLD, the fewer new people view the item you want.


How does the Max bid feature work?

Sportlots Max bid feature allows bidders to mark up an auction lot by the minimum increase possible, but also enter the maximum price you are willing to pay for an auction item. Because "Snipe" bidding doesn't work on Sportlots auctions, you can enter the maximum bid price without worrying about bidding up the price of an auction prematuraly. As a matter of fact, it is to your advantage to bid up the price of an auction lot as soon as possible. The sooner the auction item reaches the maxiumum price that bidders are willing to pay, the sooner it will sell. The sooner an auction item sells, the fewer new bidders get involved in the bidding process.


How does the Quick bid feature work?

Click on the Quick Bid link to automatically bid the minimum increase on an item without having to go into the item detail to place the bid. If you have never used the quick bid feature, Sportlots will pop up a warning message to let you know more about this feature. Just close out this warning pop up message window and use the quick bid feature again. The warning message will only come up one time.


Is postage reduced when I win multiple items?

Yes, if you win multiple auction lots from the same seller, you may be able to reduce your postage. Sportlots allows you to pay for your auction items one at a time as they go sold, or you can hold off for up to 5 days to combine your winning lots together in an attempt to reduce your postage costs. Reduced postage is automatically calculated by Sportlots once all winning bids are combined into a single Sportlots order.

To determine your total postage use the single postage rate for the most expensive item you won (or plan on winning) from the seller and add the multiple items postage amount from each subsequent item you win from this seller to get your total postage due for this sellers items.


What do I do after I win an item?

Each night, Sportlots updates the status of all active Sportlots auction lots. At that time, you will receive an email that will let you know about all the winning auction items you have pending. At that time, you can form a Sportlots order invoice, or you can wait up to 5 days to accumulate winning lots in an effort to reduce postage costs. After 5 days, Sportlots will automatically produce a Sportlots order for you and notify you to pay for your auction items at that time.


How do I sell on Sportlots?

In order to Sell on Sportlots auctions or on Sportlots fixed price Marketplace, you must first register as a dealer on Sportlots. To do so, just go to www.sportlots.com and click on the "Sell on Sportlots" link. More information will be on this page.