FairMarket will host auctions on portal sites. On Lycos Auctions, for example, FairMarket provides the services but Lycos retains its interface, says Traci VanHorn, a FairMarket representative. FairMarket will list its partners' items across multiple sites, unifying auction communities around the Web. Some sites, such as Dell, will sell only their own products. But Dell computers will sell across the network.
Online auctions make money from small service fees and transaction fees based on purchase prices.
Unlike eBay, FairMarket doesn't charge for listings, a policy that may entice sellers. Some network members, notably Lycos, will charge fees, VanHorn notes. Lycos Auctions opened for bidding with 10,000 items in July, says Laurie Cutts, product manager. It struggled to build its audience and volume, hitting a 25,000-item average. That doubled when Lycos paired with FairMarket.