Operate > WebSphere Commerce Accelerator
Work with auctions
WebSphere Commerce provides an auctioning component that lets you sell products to the highest bidder. This component provides an ideal environment for implementing small to moderate-scale auctioning as part of the e-commerce solution, and for conducting auctions simultaneously.
In addition, auctions offer special advantages in these situations:
- When you are uncertain about the size of the market and the willingness of buyers to purchase a product; for example, when selling used or reconditioned products.
- When a product's price has been set too high initially, and to determine a price based on market demand.
- When to promote new product lines or liquidate inventory.
In WebSphere Commerce, the following store models support auctions:
- AdvancedB2BDirect
- Sample B2B Reseller
- Sample B2B Store
- Hosted stores in the SupplierMarketPlace
The consumer direct sample store does not support auctions.
- Auction types
WebSphere Commerce supports open cry, sealed bid, and dutch auctions.
- Auction rules
Every auction is governed by a set of rules that the bidder must read before participating.
- Price mechanisms
WebSphere Commerce supports two pricing mechanisms for auctions: discriminative and non-discriminative.
- Auction deposits
Some auctions may require participants to provide a deposit. By default, WebSphere Commerce records in a database table those occasions when a bidder authorizes a deposit. The way this information is used can be customized to meet the specifications.
- Auction scheduling
Auctions start automatically on the date and time you specify.
- Autobids
Autobids (automatic bids) submit bids for Open Cry auctions on behalf of customers.
- Auction gallery
The auction gallery displays auctions of interest to customers. It includes auctions added by customers as well as any auction for which a customer has submitted a bid. The Web pages for customers typically include an auction gallery page that lists all auctions in the customer's gallery and allows auctions to be removed.
- Create auctions
Use the WebSphere Commerce Accelerator to create auctions.
- Manage auctions
Auctions are managed by business users.
- Manage bids
Use the WebSphere Commerce Accelerator to manage auction bids.
- Discussion forums
Discussion forums let you view and respond to messages from customers.
- Auction styles
You may find that using auction styles saves you time when creating auctions. Auction styles are templates that automatically complete fields for you. For example, perhaps you schedule Open Cry auctions and always use non-discriminative pricing. An auction style can complete the appropriate fields for the auction type and pricing mechanism, saving you the trouble of selecting these fields for each auction.