Internet auction demo.

Introduction
This demo program simulates what you would see if you where watching a real auction over the Internet. Above is the catalogue, which will automatically scroll through the lots as they are offered. All the auction information is displayed in the area to the left, this is also where you can enter bids. This program is designed to download and run automatically in your web browser (the program you are currently running to view the web) usually Internet Explorer. If nothing appears to the left after about 30 seconds and this web browser has stopped downloading, you should follow this link to the system requirements page. To read more of this information simply scroll down in this window.

Give it a go
This program runs entirely on your computer and does not connect to any other machine on the Internet, so you can run it as much as you like and bid as often as you like. As the bids are not transmitted, bidding will never lead to accidental purchases. In fact the demo program is an ideal opportunity to test the system out, make a few mistakes and work out how you like to use it.

Bidding delays
The demo program automatically delays all bids a half a second to simulate the delay of a real bid going from your machine to the server, on to the webcaster at the auction and back to the client. So don't be surprised if you are told that a bid did not arrive in time even though you made the bid before the auctioneer called "Gone". When you set a bid limit there is no delay in the auction system placing a bid on your behalf, so it is good practice to set a limit near your maximum and have the auction system bid rapidly for you. If your limit is not too far below the reserve it is kept secret from the auctioneer, the webcaster and any other bidders, so if they stop bidding you can get the lot for less than your limit.

Bidding
You can set a bid limit for the system to bid up to by clicking on any of the "Bid up to" buttons. Details of your bid limit will be displayed and you can confirm your limit by clicking on the same button (which is now labeled "SUBMIT"). When you get the hang of it you will find you can simply double click the "Bid up to" button. Once you are confident with the system and sure of the amount you are bidding you can save vital time on the real system by selecting the single click option when you logon.

Opposition Bids
The demo program generates random bids for both imaginary bidders present at the live auction and for other imaginary bidders on the Internet. The bidding starts at $500 for all the lots in this demonstration and the imaginary bidders will rarely go over $1,000.

Set a bid limit ahead of time
You don't have to wait for a lot to be offered to set a bid limit, try setting a limit for a future lot. Simply scroll down the catalogue and click on a lot or enter a lot number several lots ahead into the field next to the "Go to lot" button and then click that button to look at a lot that will be auctioned latter. Now you can place a bid limit (really an absentee bid) for that lot by clicking on one of the "Bid up to" buttons and confirming the limit. Then click on the "Return to the auction" button to watch the auction. When the auction gets to the lot, with your bid limit, you will see the demo program place bids on your behalf till the other bidders drop out or your limit is beaten.