Abstract
This paper discusses various aspects of auction theory and practice. Various types of auction are described with their solutions. A brief discussion of relevant theory is presented. Some recent real-life auctions are observed. In conclusion a brief discussion of what contributes towards a successful auction is included.

From the Paper
"Auction design can play a critical role in the success of an auction. Recent mobile phone spectrum license auctions in Europe and other examples serve to highlight this point. In 2000 six European countries auctioned off spectrum licenses for "3G" (third-generation) technology mobile phones. UK and German auctions generated the huge level of revenues that had been predicted while Austria, the Netherlands, Italy and Switzerland all suffered significant problems in lost revenues and accusations of collusion. Klemperer (2002) points out several reasons why poor auction design contributed to these failures."

Tags:economics, game, klemperer, theory

Abstract
This paper addresses eBay Live Auctions. It discusses what eBay auctions are, how to participate, how to register to be part of the eBay auctions, how to bid from a computer, what are corrigenda, and trouble shooting when it comes to eBay auctions. How to contact the seller after the sale is important once the bid is accepted.

Tags:BUSINESS / BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY, the ebay auction

Abstract
This paper explores the effects of the opening of the French auction market to foreign auction houses on local French auction houses, the international auction market and the French art market in general. Specific problems that are investigated in include the impact of the French auction market reform on local French auction houses and whether they have thrived in competition with their larger international counterparts.It also looks into related issues, such as whether the change in French legislation has led to the export or import of more works of art into France for sale and whether the high taxes and stringent regulation regarding the sale and exportation of works of art from France offset any increase in the market share that would have come from the liberalization of their auction market.

Outline:
Introduction
Background Information
A Brief History of the Auction Market in France
Changes Brought By the Reform
Impact of the Reform
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Ever since the profession of auctioneer was invented in France, some five hundred years ago, they have been government officials, a kind of civil servants appointed by the Ministry of Justice because the art auctioning business was viewed as a public service just like justice and internal affaires. This monopoly was established by a royal edict of Henri II in 1556. All the profits from the activity went to the French state. All these authorized auctioneers were holding a monopoly over the art sales that were conducted on the French market. They were not only controlled and appointed by the government, they are actually considered to be government officials. "

Tags:sothebys, auctioneer, regulation, sales, export

Abstract
This paper describes how on-line auctions are a form of peer-to-peer (P2P) networking in which the on-line auction serves as the transaction forum, but is not directly involved in the transaction. Consumers who use on-line auctions must place trust in the trade and trust in the trader. This requires that an on-line auction e-company must have solid policies and procedures to resolve disputes between buyers and sellers. The process of resolving disputes on on-line auction websites follow a series of steps, as outlined in this paper. A flow-chart diagram of the steps is included.

From the Paper
"The process for a seller to sell an item on an online auction is parallel to the buyer's process. The seller locates an item he or she would like to sell and researches similar items on eBay to find its potential value to bidders. The seller also decides which category the item best fits and then lists the item using eBay's "Sell Your Item" form. This takes the seller to a step-by-step process where the seller describes the item, posts pictures, and sets a starting price for the auction. When the auction ends and the item was won by a buyer, the buyer pays for the item and its shipping costs using a tool such as PayPal."

Tags:paypal, transaction, consumer

Abstract
The paper discusses the traditional initial public offering (IPO) allocation processes and explains that the banks intentionally restrict investment participation, set a low price that will ensure a big short-term gain for their favored customers and charge high fees to the company going public. The paper looks at Google and Morningstar's alternative process of a Dutch auction and examines the risks involved. The paper notes that supporters of auctions claim that they help raise more capital for a company and are fairer for small investors. Yet, the paper shows that there is no evidence that efficient pricing results from an auction process. The paper shows how even in Google's auctions, large, favored investors and the insider club obtain an edge in the investment process. Further, the paper warns there may be additional adverse outcome risks from auctions.

From the Paper
"There's no conclusive evidence to support the theory that auctions serve as efficient pricing mechanisms for IPOs. According to Hensel (2005), the increase between Google's offer price and its open price was much greater than the increase for IPO's using traditional allocation processes in 2004. The price rose by nearly eighteen percent its very first day. In contrast, eighty-three percent of the IPOs issued between January and November 2004 experienced less of a jump from the offer price to the open price than Google did. Furthermore, the Google share price continued to soar in the following months to a high of $216.80."

Tags:initial, public, offering, capital, public

Abstract
The paper examines the opportunities and threats as well as strengths and weaknesses of eBay, the online auction company. The paper presents recommendations for eBay to improve its one-stop shopping strategy and to do more to remove fake and illegal auctions.

Outline:
Background
External Environment
Internal Environment
Conclusion and Recommendations

From the Paper
"The one-stop shopping strategy appears to be a good move on eBay's behalf. It provides diversification should online auctions continue to lose their appeal and it offers a way for eBay to differentiate its site by providing more ways to purchase products than other online retailers. And, targeting the secondary market should be a better option than going after a primary market dominated by Amazon.com.
"However, the execution of the strategy needs improvement. Most notably, eBay needs to protect its auction business while adding fixed-pricing. It needs to stop using fees to favor fixed-price sales and it needs to do more to support small customers who are the back-bone of its auction service rather than trying to get rid of them through poorly conceived ratings policies. Although the site will provide one-stop shopping, it must accommodate the various requirements of all the types of suppliers who participate. Therefore, eBay should segment its various sellers and develop pricing and policies that suit each individual segment. Further, eBay might consider developing different sections of its Web site for auctions and for fixed-pricing. This is because eBay is so heavily branded as an auction company. The addition of a separate section would permit branding for fixed-pricing."

Tags:PayPal, Skype, fixed-pricing, ratings, fraud

Abstract
The paper looks at how "information signaling" in the context of the property market, as described by Ong, follows what Horstmann and LaCasse write about an information signaling explanation as to why sellers in auctions with secret reserve prices choose not to sell when they have a resale option. The paper explains that the sellers try to communicate information to potential bidders by choosing secret reserve prices, since announced reserve prices are easily mimicked, and the seller then voluntarily refuses to sell when the reserve price is not met.

From the Paper
'"Information signaling" in the context of the property market, as described by Ong, follows what Horstmann and LaCasse write about an information signaling explanation as to why sellers in auctions with secret reserve prices choose not to sell when they have a resale option. The sellers tries to communicate information to potential bidders by choosing secret reserve prices, since announced reserve prices are easily mimicked, and the seller then voluntarily refuses to sell when the reserve price is not met. The refusal to sell can be seen as a profitable signaling device, and the model predicts that the average price for goods when re-auctioned will increase over time (Horstmann and LaCasse 663-684)."

Tags:real, estate, auction

Abstract
This paper examines how Yahoo! Auctions is currently within the online auction segment of the electronic retail industry. It looks at how it started in 1998 as a free service offering the ability to post auctions without a service charge. It analyzes how, in order for Yahoo! Auctions to increase their market share, they must first get their financial in order and how, the excess properties that Yahoo! Auctions has should be considered for divestiture. It also discusses how the next phase would be the identification of certain market segments that can either generate high user volume or capital in listing fees.

Outline
Introduction
Executive Summary
Business Case
Brief History: Timeline
Mission Statement
External Assessment
General Environment
Industry Analysis: Industry Attractiveness
Economic Structure
Porters Five Forces
Strategic Group Analysis
Competitor Analysis
Internal Assessment
Organizational Structure
Value Chain Analysis and Identification of Core Competency
Financial Ratio Analysis
SWOT Analysis
Recommendations
Managerial Implications
Epilogue

From the Paper
"The online auction industry, a segment of electronic retail is currently a monopoly. Ebay.com controls 69% of the market share with its closest competitor in the industry being Ubid.com with 14%. Even with this, Ubid.com has a different niche than Ebay.com by appealing to business-to-consumer transactions. Therefore, the closest competitor is Amazon or Yahoo! Auctions which do not even account for a quarter of the market. The reason that this monopoly is allowed to continue is because Ebay.com does not restrict any trade within the industry. There is room for new entrants but they too, must find a niche in order to gain entry."

Tags:amazon, ebay, finance, five, forces, key, online, porters

From the Paper
"Many observers feel that the concept of the online auction is the trend of the future and that this will portend the way that shopping will be done in the future. According to an Oct. 23, 2000 survey, the online auction market will be worth 6.5 billion dollars by the end of the year, up from 650 million dollars in 1998. Part of the survey states "eMarketer predicts that revenue from online auctions will reach USD16.3 billion by 2004. As a percentage of total b2c sales, the online auction market is expected to peak this year at 17.6 percent, falling to 13 percent in 2004" ("Online..." 2000 Online). To determine the efficacy of this method of commerce, four web site auctions were selected -- E-Bay, Amazon, Live Auctions and Bullnet, a U.K.-based auction site."

Abstract
The paper reveals the problems inherent in the article such as the article being written before the auction taking place. The paper criticizes Macmillan for making profits his primary source of concern while emphasizing that the motivation behind this sale is not monetary. The paper notes a flaw in Macmillan's argument regarding efficiency being of paramount importance. The paper shows how the other goals discussed are mere covers for the desire to produce revenue.

From the Paper
"If the FCC were actually concerned about efficiency, minority ownership, preventing monopolies, and promoting the best usage of these spectrum for the sake of the people, it could have mirrored an auction such as the one in Argentina. This nation auctioned off its licenses not to the highest bidder, but to the company which could set up an efficient, goal driven system in the least amount of time."

Tags:FCC, government, auction, revenue, efficiency, profit