NJAUCTION TEAMS UP WITH PRINCETON GARAGE TO BRING ECLECTIC ITEMS AND VEHICLES TO AUCTION

Online Auctions Offered for First Time to Princeton Garage vehicles

Princeton, NJ, May 23, 2001 - In its latest step to create the leading New Jersey destination for auctions of eclectic items and vehicles online, NJAUCTION, LLC (www.njauction.com), today announced an arrangement with Princeton Garage (www.princetongarage.com) to make select Princeton Garage vehicles available to the online community at auction. Princeton Garage will simultaneously offer select collectibles from NJAUCTION for personal inspection and purchase at its a retail location on Route 27 in Princeton.

The high quality, full-featured online vehicle auctions will give the tri-state area access to new and used vehicles at great prices. The site will also include invaluable information on how to safely bid using online auctions.

"By joining forces with PrincetonGarage.com, NJAUCTION, LLC is offering users an eclectic selection of new and used vehicles and value added services" stated Dan Horowitz, President of NJAUCTION, LLC. "Princeton Garage gives users added confidence in bidding on used vehicles at NJAUCTION.COM and continues our efforts to create the most comprehensive eclectic marketplace in the New Jersey area."

Under the terms of the arrangement, NJAUCTION visitors may access free of charge Princeton Garage's select database of vehicles and list of services such as full service detailing, which will enhance bidder confidence in making purchases.

"Teaming up with NJAUCTION, LLC is a win-win for Princeton Garage and NJAUCTION. Our Car Sales and Service experience adds an important and attractive element to the customer experience at NJAUCTION, LLC" said Wade Martin, a partner of Princetongarage.com. We are pleased that offering vehicles at auction expands our reach, while providing a valuable service to car enthusiasts at NJAUCTION.COM.

Launched as an eclectic collectibles site in 1999, NJAUCTION, LLC bridges the world and the Internet by offering a unique showcase for collectibles, commercial equipment, and vehicles. The site provides an array of services which includes the purchase of estates, consignment sales, and auction consulting services. For more information, visit www.njauction.com.

About NJAUCTION
NJAUCTION (www.njauction.com) is one of Central New Jersey's largest online trading venues for eclectic products ranging from commercial equipment to vehicles. Since 1999, NJAUCTION has been selling goods and services to a passionate community of individuals and small businesses.

About Princeton Garage
Princeton Garage (http://www.princetongarage.com) was founded in 1999 by Wade Martin and Richard Stewart, owner of Kingston Garage, which is known for its high quality customer service and attention to detail. As a full service shop, Princeton Garage is committed to excellence and equipped to take care of all of your car care needs.

For more information, email dsh872@cs.com

---

Online Auctions - Customer Service at Its Best,...or Worst

Online Auctions - Customer Service at Its Best,...or Worst By Dan Horowitz, J.D

If you haven't already seen it on the newsstands, the May 2001 issue of Consumer Reports magazine rated several online auction companies based on privacy, design, navigation and content of their sites. It is a nice article, but in my view, they didn't adequately address a major aspect - Customer Service. Some of you may have heard Jeff Bezos of Amazon say it: Customer Experience is what keeps people coming back.

Whether you are a new or seasoned online auction buyer or seller, at some point during your online shopping, you have had a question. But unlike typical brick and mortar stores, there is no standard customer service desk to go to. It is up to you to find the answer to your question.

So on a Friday afternoon, I wrote email to ten different auction sites trying to find help from customer support staff on how to safely bid on an auction using their service. Nine of the ten auction sites had email autoresponders confirm that they had received my inquiry and would provide an answer, generally within 24-36 hours. Only Sportsauction didn't immediately reply.

Several of the autoresponses provided links to interactive help pages that provided immediate direction. eBay's link is . This link offers up a list of Top Questions, including how to register and how to bid. The link also offers up a search engine where you can ask questions and obtain immediate answers. On each eBay auction, there is a yellow question mark in the upper right hand corner that acts as a Bidding Tutorial for new users. It explains many of the features of the online auction process, including what a reserve is and how to safely bid.

Although it did take eBay a little over 24 hours to respond, they provided the most helpful response suggesting how to safely bid. They suggested :

1. Know the item you bid on; research it and/or clarify any questions with the seller.
2. Check the seller's feedback, or check the Better Business Bureau.
3. Use a Proxy Bid naming the top price you want to pay for the item, and the system will bid for you as the auction proceeds until someone outbids you, or you win the auction.
4. Make note of auction details so you can readily contact the seller to complete the transaction.
5. Phone the seller to make you feel more comfortable.
6. Protect yourself by paying with a credit card. Many cards offer insurance or reimbursement for transactions over $50.00.
7. Be Courteous to Other Users.

Yahoo's autoresponse provided a short Auction Tour . They followed this up with a personalized response suggesting that you use common sense and review their safety tips at .

Amazon's autoresponse referred me to their online help section. , but despite sending three emails to three different Amazon support addresses, I didn't hear back from them within 48 hours. In defense, they did eventually provide a nice response and included their customer support phone number, 800-201-7575. They would rate higher had they responded sooner.

A customer service representative from Biddingtons < http://www.biddingtons.com> responded very quickly - only 15 minutes after the inquiry. The representative provided a clear explanation on how to bid using their service. She also provided their telephone number and hours of operation. She commented, "We find that with fine art in particular, it is useful to talk with someone who actually knows the item." I found this to be good advice. Also, they explained their privacy policy immediately. This may be due to Consumer Reports note that they lacked a formal privacy statement on their site. Biddingtons can be reached at webmaster@biddingtons.com.

Ubid responded within an hour, and referred me to their help pages at . While I would have liked a more "personal touch," Ubid uses "Ask Jeeves" technology. This allows you to ask a question, and Jeeves (a computer Robot) attempts to answer it for you. When I asked Jeeves my question, I obtained FAQs for new users and a slew of commonly asked questions, including "How to prevent Bid Escalation Fraud." If you wish to browse, or have a question that does not require the human touch, I recommend Ubid's help section.

Bargain and Haggle < http://www.bargainandhaggle.com> referred us to their help section and quick tour section. Customer support can also be reached at 800-290-3693.

Bidbay said to direct specific questions to clientservices@bidbay.com.

Auctionaddict provided a generic automated response with a ticket number.

Finally, Sotheby's adequately responded within 24 hours. To speak to a Sothebys.Com representative immediately, you can visit and click on the red Instant Help button. They also provided a telephone number for customer service (847-236-5460).

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised that virtually all customer support staffs for online auction sites responded in a reasonable time and manner. Best of luck bidding!
---
Dan Horowitz, J.D. is founder of NJAUCTION.COM, an auction consulting company that also offers eclectic shopping to its customers. Dan may be reached at dsh872@cs.com.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Dan will be rating auction management services in an upcoming issue. He welcomes readers' stories regarding their own personal experiences with online and offline auction management software and services. Email your comments to me at ina@auctionbytes.com, or send them directly to Dan at "auctionratings@cs.com."

ONLINE AUCTION CUSTOMER SUPPORT RATINGS
(Ratings vary from Excellent to Fair)

eBay - Excellent
Biddingtons - Excellent
Sothebys - Excellent
Ubid - Excellent
Bargain and Haggle - Good
Yahoo - Good
Amazon - Good
Bidbay - Good
AuctionAddict - Fair
Sportsauction - Fair

---

WeBuyQuantities.Com

Looking to sell your business/estate? We buy quantities of unusual items. Email WeBuyQuantities@cs.com. Include your name and telephone number where you can be reached and someone will contact you. Compensation is paid for leads that materialize!

For more information, email webuyquantities@cs.com.

---

NJAUCTION.COM Launches Its New Web Site

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Dan Horowitz
NJAUCTION, L.L.C.
(908) 359-8870
dsh872@cs.com
http://njauction.com

NJAUCTION.COM Launches Its New Web Site

PRINCETON, NJ - May 7, 2000 -- NJAUCTION launches its new web site, , which offers customers a variety of eclectic products, and easy buying and selling options. If you are looking for diverse, and unusual items not readily found, NJAUCTION has it all. Browse the Modern art, sculptures, and rare collectibles dating back to the Civil War. From civil war era cavalry clips to unusual medical equipment, to more current black beaded prom or wedding gloves. Have it all delivered to your doorstep. You never know what you will find here.

NJAUCTION is one of the few auction web sites, so far, to distinguish itself by offering the highest standard of products that cannot be easily found elsewhere. NJAUCTION liquidates and helps clean out businesses and estates;

NJAUCTION is well positioned to cater to the growing need of online buyers for higher end antiques and collectibles. Located near Princeton, New Jersey, the company strives to provide top quality service and products not readily available in stores. For additional information on NJAUCTION or the products that they offer, visit their Web site at http://www.njauction.com or call (908) 359-8870.

# # #

For more information, email dsh872@cs.com.