Web Chat: Online auctions going local

The year 2000. We live in a seller's market, where buyers are rarely discouraged by price and availability.

For the first time in decades, the United States economy is in such great shape that disposable income is flowing like water and consumers are placing a higher value on goods that were once strictly a luxury.

Of course, the Internet, the phenomena that created much of our relative prosperity, has also done well to accommodate these prosperous times. And a few local sites are online, attempting to jump on board.

www.renoauctions.com: Owner/operator Bob Babbitt says the site, which is just starting out, is designed to give online auctions a local flavor. For now Northern Nevadans can place an item online with a text description and picture for free (the site will charge once the service takes off, Babbitt says).

A minimum reserve is set, and the bidding is done via computer until time expires.

"We need to realize Ebay will be people's first choice," Babbitt said. "We a have a structure that is local to the Reno and Tahoe areas. The idea has obviously already been proven by Ebay and so far people have been receptive."

Babbitt and partner Elliot Braun have been operating the site solo for a few months, advertising with a radio campaign.

The advantage to the local idea is the ability to go out and view an item before buying it, Babbitt said.

The site currently has about 50 items available for bid.

www.tahoe.com: While seemingly self-serving to review your company's own Web site in the paper, it is one of the few available in Northern Nevada and, in my opinion, the best.

Searching for anything that would normally be found in a classified section is easy on Tahoe.com. Just type in a search phrase, decide from which newspaper you wish to view the ad and press return. The Tahoe.com network features ads from newspapers in the Eagle and Carson valleys as well as all areas of Lake Tahoe.

Tahoe.com also has links to all sorts of travel and lodging accommodations.

www.carson-city.citynews.com: Although this site claims to be local, there are only a couple of ads that originate from this area. In actuality, an ad inquiry sends you down the primrose path into the world of corporate sites and advertised deals.

View an item and bid on it and see what happens. I wouldn't have high hopes for a real local connection.

Ideas? Feedback? Please contact me at jimscripps@Tahoe.com