New Web Site is Electronic 'Auction Block' for New and Used Exhibits and Display Materials

Online purchases of a wide variety of goods and services have increased dramatically. Now, buying and selling exhibits has gone electronic. There's a new web site dedicated solely to the auction of exhibit and display materials for the tradeshow and event industry. The site offers both new and used exhibit materials. And because of concerns by some online purchasers about security and other issues, www.exhibitauction.com features some safeguards to protect exhibit buyers.

The web site is a self-serve forum for buyers and sellers. The site does not process any payments or facilitate shipment for winning bids. All risk is taken by the individual buyers and sellers. Buyer protection features of the site include a vendor rating page, and customers are encouraged to post comments on the site after transactions have been completed. One regulation prohibits sellers from manipulating the price of any product they are selling, either by use of a shill or by bidding themselves.

Robert Dobinski, CEO, exhibitauction.com^TM says, "A corporation designs and builds a new exhibit every three to five years, which makes their existing property obsolete." Corporate mergers and image changes also create exhibit inventory, much of which ends up in a landfill, says Dobinski. "This iscostly and environmentally irresponsible.''

The auction process works like this: on-site sellers provide exhibitauction.com with unlimited 8"x10" photos of their exhibit; a scale drawing (if applicable); an accurate description, including color, materials and condition; purchase price and reserve (lowest acceptable) price and location of the exhibit. The buyer is responsible for shipping charges.

A minimum price is established for anticipated sale. There is no charge to bid. Sellers' fees range from $175 to $500 depending on the reserve price. The transaction fee is the 25% of the sale price paid by the buyer. Bids are made online and winning buyers are notified by e-mail. Buyers can view many exhibits on the site and the sales process can be completed in as little as one week.

Source: Jaime Lysik, Director, exhibitauction.com, 200 Turnpike Road, Southboro, MA 01772 (800/966-2992 or 508/624-5555; Fax: 508/624-6097).