Here is the AuctionBytes online-auction news roundup for Tuesday, December 28, 2004.

Industry News & Trends

"Selling unwanted, duplicate gifts: Consumers may use eBay, Craigslist to turn loot into cash," by Kristen Gerencher, CBS.MarketWatch.com, 12/27/04 http://digbig.com/4cjas

"Web sites help pawnshops sell inventory," By Daniel Huron, Galveston County Daily News, 12/27/04 http://www.galvnews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=7b265ad7886ea336

"Local stores open their doors to eBay sellers," By Ed Taylor, East Valley Tribune, 12/27/04 http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=33688

"A Good Season for Online Sales, by Bob Tedeschi, New York Times, 12/27/04 http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/27/technology/27ecom.html

Weird, Unusual, Celebrity or Charity Auctions

"Dad lists kids' toys on eBay once again: Online auction site apparently removed last posting overnight," by Lucas Wall, Houston Chronicle, 12/25/04 http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/tech/news/2963315

"Casino wins kids' gifts on eBay: Father tired of publicity, says that the $5,300 will go to his church," Houston Chronicle, 12/27/04 http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2966307

Fraud, Privacy, Security Issues

"House flippers beware, officials cracking down," By Michael Gormley (AP), Modesto Bee, 12/24/04 http://www.modbee.com/business/story/9661755p-10545414c.html

"Consumeractive: Caveat eBay emptor: What rights do consumers have when it comes to buying from online auctions?" by Dinah Greek, Vnunet.com, 12/25/04 http://www.vnunet.com/news/1160231

"Officials ready for fake tickets," Taipei Times, 12/25/04 http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2004/12/25/2003216729

"Bogus online auctions catch out shoppers" ABC News Online, 12/28/04 http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200412/s1272967.htm