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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.12

                               January 10, 2000


VIA FACSIMILE
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(650) 328-5234

James G. Hume
98 Deodora Drive
Atherton, CA 94027

Dear Jim:

As we discussed, and on behalf of DoveBid, Inc. ("DoveBid"), I am pleased to
offer you a full-time position as Vice President of Operations reporting to me,
effective as soon as you indicate your acceptance to this offer below.

Your annual base salary will be $175,000 and will be paid in accordance with
DoveBid's normal payroll procedures. Also, you will be eligible for a year-end
bonus up to 33% of your base salary, determined by DoveBid in its discretion,
and payable on or about DoveBid's fiscal year-end. All payments to you will be
subject to legally required withholding(s). It is DoveBid's policy to review
compensation levels periodically.

Your compensation package also will include an incentive stock option under the
terms of DoveBid's 1999 Stock Option Plan for 700,000 shares of common stock at
an exercise price equal to fair market value of the stock on your start date.
Currently, the fair market value of DoveBid's stock is $0.77 per share; however,
you must accept this offer and begin your employment prior to Thursday, January
13, 2000 in order to receive shares at an exercise price of $0.77 per share -
after that date, fair market value is expected to increase to $1.50 per share.
The Company will allow you to exercise those options immediately and to deliver
to the Company a note in the principal amount of $539,000 in order to purchase
those shares. Your stock options will be subject to the terms of DoveBid's 1999
Employee Stock Option Plan (the Plan includes vesting restrictions, restrictions
on exercise and restrictions on transfer of shares) and will be conditioned on
your execution of a Plan Agreement related to your options.

In addition to your base salary, you will be eligible to participate in the
employee benefits generally made available to our full-time employees, as may be
modified in DoveBid's discretion. At the present time, those benefits include a
"cafeteria" style benefits plan, health insurance, life insurance, vacation and
sick pay, and a 401k plan which you will become eligible for in accordance with
the applicable benefit plans and DoveBid's written policies.
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Your employment with DoveBid will be "at will"; in other words, either you or
DoveBid will have the right to terminate your employment with DoveBid at any
time with or without cause.

As a condition of your employment, you will be expected to comply with all
DoveBid's policies and procedures, as may be modified from time to time in
DoveBid's discretion (including our policies protecting other employees against
discrimination and sexual harassment). Please refer to DoveBid's Employee
Handbook for details regarding those policies and procedures. Also, you will
need to execute DoveBid's Employee Confidentiality And Proprietary Information
Agreement.

Please note that because of employer regulations adopted in the Immigration
Reform and Control Act of 1986, within three (3) business days of starting your
new position you will need to present documentation demonstrating that you have
authorization to work in the United States. If you have questions about this
requirement, which applies to U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens alike, you may
contact our personnel office.

This offer will remain open until January 14, 2000. If you decide to accept our
offer, and I hope you will, please sign the enclosed copy of this letter in the
space indicated and return it to me. Your signature will acknowledge that you
have read and understood and agreed to the terms and conditions of this offer
letter and the attached documents, if any. Should you have anything else that
you wish to discuss, please do not hesitate to call me.

We look forward to having you join our team!

Sincerely,

/s/ Jeff Crowe
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Jeff Crowe
President & Chief Operating Officer


I understand and agree to the above terms


/s/ James G. Hume
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James G. Hume