Here is the AuctionBytes online-auction news roundup for Tuesday, December 14, 2004.

Note: AuctionBytes was selected a Forbes "Best of the Web" in the eBay Helpers category: http://www.forbes.com/bow/b2c/category.jhtml?id=291 See the review at http://www.forbes.com/bow/b2c/review.jhtml?id=7560 A hearty congratulations to the other "Bests of" and to all the unrecognized individuals and companies that provide help to online buyers and sellers.

Industry News & Trends

"Online shoppers must pay tax after three stores settle suit," by Steve Patterson, SunTimes.com, 12/11/04 http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-stores11.html

"Small business targeted by eBay: Site says firms can buy supplies, unload inventory," by Yvette Armendariz (The Arizona Republic), AZCentral.com, 12/13/04 http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/1213sbonline13.html

From the "Can they do that?" department:
"Brightspace Ebay auction ends with private deal," By Kevin May, MediaWeek, 12/13/04 http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/articles/2004/12/07/ebay-brightspace-final-deal

"Need orange shorts or a fire truck? Georgia can help - on eBay," by Daniel Yee (AP), Macon Telegraph, 12/13/04 http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/local/states/georgia/counties/houston_peach/10407790.htm

Weird, Unusual, Celebrity or Charity Auctions

"Ad on eBay angers housing court judge," (AP), Newsday, 12/13/04 http://www.newsday.com/news/local/state/ny-bc-ny--judge-ebay1213dec13,0,107037.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyork

"How much would you pay to hang out with these men?" by Lucio Guerrero, Chicago Sun-Times, 12/12/04 http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-ebay12.html

Fraud, Privacy, Security Issues

"Antivirus firm says organized crime growing online," by Dan Ilett, Cnet, 12/9/04 http://news.com.com/2100-7348_3-5486201.html

Miscellaneous

"A Judge for Sale on EBay, Shipping Included, Isn't Laughing," by Jeffrey Gettleman, New York Times, 12/13/04
Free registration required.
http://digbig.com/4cgrb

"eBay daze," The Observer, 12/12/04 http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/features/story/0,11710,1371338,00.html

"Cost-Cutting, Tech Advances Spur Call for 'Home-Sourcing,'" by Daniel Nasaw, Wall Street Journal, 12/14/04 Paid registration required. http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB110298459004699138,00.html?mod=technology%5Ffeatured%5Fstories%5Fhs