Patent ID: 7797222

Claim:
A computer-implemented method comprising: transmitting, via a communication device, to one or more remote auction bidders information about an item being auctioned at a live auction site; receiving, via the communication device, one or more remote auction bids from the one or more remote auction bidders for the item being auctioned; choosing, via a computer, as a starting bid in the live auction a highest bid from one or more remote auction bids; processing, using the computer, onsite auction bids from one or more onsite auction bidders for the item being auctioned using the starting bid; accepting, by an auctioneer of the live auction site, using the computer, an auction bid, wherein the accepted auction bid is selected from a plurality of onsite auction bids and the starting bid; and transmitting, via the communication device, information regarding the acceptance and rejection of the onsite and remote auction bids to at least one remote auction bidder, wherein the acceptance and rejection of the onsite and remote auction bids is determined by an auctioneer of the live auction site.