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The Boatanchor Auction Help Files and FAQ

Listed below are the common questions and answers for most issues regarding The Boatanchor Auction. Any other questions you might have please contact: support/auctions@dealamerica.com
Click on an underlined text area to get the answers!

• How do I Register ?
• How do I Change my Password after I receive my random one from the Auction?
• How do I Sell an Item?
• How do I Modify an Auction?
• How do I Repost an item if no one bids on it?
• How do I Bid on Items?
• How do I Navigate around on the site?
• How to do I Search for active items?
• How do I see and search for auctions that have Closed, and how long will I be able to view closed auctions in the active categories?
• What is User Feedback, and how do I see it?
• What is the  page, and how do I get one?
• What do all those icons mean in the Status columns of the tables?
• What does Proxy or Maximum bidding mean?
• What does Reserve Price mean?

Registration: It's easy to register at The Boatanchor Auction. Because this is a FREE auction, the information is used only to track your listings within the program, and to allow other users to contact you by E-Mail. To register, click the button on the top of the page near the logo titled "Register". The pull-down menu titled "User Services" also includes a registration option. When clicked, a form will appear titled "Boatanchor Auction Registration". The first field in the form prompts you for your "Handle /Alias". This is the name that other users will see when you list an item, or if you bid on one. Use a name that you can remember, and that you will be comfortable with for a while. The second field is for your "E-Mail address". Use a valid one that you can check periodically so that you can answer any questions other users may have, and review outbid notices that the auction may send to you. You will also receive your random password via that address when you first register. The next field is for your "Contact Information". Enter your real name (not your "handle"), and your address. This information is given only to high bidders and sellers via E-Mail at the end of an auction.
That's it! If all the fields are filled out, you will receive an E-mail with your random password! You can easily change your password immediately by selecting  the "Change Password" option in the User Services pull-down.

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Change Password or Address: If you have just received your random Password from the auction, and you would like to change it, look to the "User Services" pull-down menu, and select "Change Password". This form will prompt you for similar information as in the Registration form, but with options to change your password or address. The first field asks for your current "Handle/Alias"(not changeable). The second field prompts for your "Current Password" (the random one sent by E-mail). The next input is for the "Password" you would like to use (and can remember!). You will have to enter it again in the next field to confirm it. Finally, you have the option of "Changing your Address" in the last field. Leave it blank if there is no change!

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Selling your Item: It's really easy to sell stuff at The Boatanchor Auction. Looking to the buttons on the top, or in the User Services pull-down, click the one named: "Sell Item". The form titled "List your Item for Auction" will appear. The first field input is for the "Title/Item Name" of your auction. This should be an accurate and brief line detailing the item or items you have for auction. One note: the search engine searches "Titles" and "Descriptions", so use a title that people might want to see if they searched for it! The second field, "Category", is a pull down select menu for the category you would like to place your item in. Click the down arrow, highlight the correct category, and it should appear in the box. Try to place an item accurately! The next field is for a Picture of your item, named "Image URL". This is optional! Enter the actual Web address of your pic in this field. Here is an example: http://www.yourserver.com/yourpicture.jpg
Try to use a picture if you can. It's always nice to see what you're bidding on. The fourth field: "Days until Close" is the length in days (1-14) that you would like to run your auction. Enter your numerical choice in the box. This is strictly a personal choice! Sometimes longer isn't always better. The next field is "Description". Fully describe your item here, including condition, operation, and any included accessories. Also, don't forget to add things like additional shipping costs, and any other fees or conditions the bidder should be aware of. You can also include HTML code in this area..So if you create a "selling" page in an HTML editor, you can copy the HTML code and paste it into the description box! The next two fields establish who you are by asking  for your "Handle/Alias" and password. The next three fields deal with specific $dollar amounts. The first named "Your Minimum Bid" is the minimum dollar amount you would like to start your auction at. If, for instance, you have a radio worth $50.00, and you'd like to get that and hopefully more, start the bidding at $50.00! Or if you're just not exactly sure what an item is worth, let the bidders set the price, and set your minimum bid at a lower figure..it's fun sometimes to let the dice roll! You MUST enter a numerical $dollar amount  in the minimum bid area to get the auction going. The next box is named "Your Reserve Price". This optional field is for a $dollar amount that you set, that bidders must meet, before you are obligated to sell. This is very useful when you know exactly what an item is worth, and you don't want to let it go for less. Leave the field at zero (0) if you don't want a reserve price. Some bidders can shy away from Reserve Auctions, so try not to overuse it..The last field  "Bid Increment" is used to set a $dollar amount that the bid will be increased each time the item is bid on. For instance, if your current auction started at $10.00 and you set the Bid Increment to $1.00 (default):  Bidder 1 meets your $10.00; Bidder 2 has to bid at least 11.00 (increased by $1.00) for the next bid.
Finally, at the bottom of the page click the "Preview" button to see how your auction will look. If you're happy, hit the
"Post Item" button on the bottom of your item preview page, and you've started your Auction! You will also receive a confirmation E-Mail with your auction stats for your records.

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Modifying Your Auction: You can easily modify your ongoing auctions by calling up your item, entering your "Handle/Alias" and password in the bid section, and checking the radio box labeled "Modify Auction" at the bottom of the page. Press "Submit", and a form will appear titled "Modify Your Auction". You have options of adding to the Description of your item, adding or changing your Image URL address, and deleting the item if there are no bids.

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Reposting Your Item: If your item doesn't receive any bids, or if the reserve price is not met, you can easily repost the auction.  In fact, Any item that was listed by you can be reposted. Select the "User Services" pull-down menu and select "Repost Items". A form will appear named "Search or Repost Closed Items". Enter your "Handle/Alias" and password and click the button "View Closed Items". A pull down menu will appear with the items you listed for auction. Select the item you would like to repost and press the "View Item Info" button on the bottom. The auction information will appear as it was listed by you. Hit the "Repost" button on the bottom of the page, and the "List Your Item for Auction" form will appear. Your title, description, and Image URL information will be entered into the form. You will have to fill out the remaining empty fields to repost!

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Bidding on Items: Bidding on auctions is fun and easy. The Boatanchor Auction will keep you informed by E-Mail of your bidding status. Try to keep track of an item's ending time which is represented by "Time Remaining" on the item's page. Directly below the description and "Bid History" sections is the "Bidding"area. A list of vital information including item name, auction number, time remaining, bid increment, current bid, and minimum bid is provided directly above the fields for your "Handle/Alias" and "Password", and your "Maximum bid". All you need to do is enter the maximum numerical $dollar amount that you would be willing to pay for the item. Be sure to look at the "Minimum bid" figure as your bid will have to be greater. The Auction will do the rest, and will bid by Proxy based on that figure! Of course, you can take a more active approach and bid on your own schedule. It's up to you...and have fun!
 

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Navigation: The Boatanchor Auction has an easy to use navigation interface. At the top of the page next to the logo are the most commonly used buttons, including "Home", "Sell Item", "Register", "Browse All" (all items in all categories), "Search" (all search options), and "Help". Looking to the top right are two pull-down menus titled "User Services", and "Categories". All of the essential auction services are accessible from the User Services menu, including "Forgot Password?", "Repost Items", "Place Feedback" (leave feedback on a user), "Profile Page" and "Edit Profile" (a special user home page that you can make and edit), "Search Options" (a central search page with more options), and "E-Mail Support" (our E-Mail address if you need support). The "Categories" pull-down menu includes all auction categories plus "New items" (items posted in the last day), "All Auctions" (browse all items at Auction), "Ending Soon!" (items with less than 3 hours to auction close), "Hot items" (items with 15 or more bids). And if that wasn't enough, most of these navigation links are also available at the bottom of the Auction pages as well! Getting around will become second nature to you as you get more familiar with the Auction.
 

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Search: You can search for items currently at auction by using the search box at the top of every page of  The Boatanchor Auction. Your options, selected by checking the radio fields, include: searching by "Keyword" (like "Collins"), "Username" (a user's Handle/Alias), and "Item #" (current auction item number of an item). You also have many more Search Options , including closed auction search, etc.
 

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Searching and Viewing Closed Items: After an item has Closed, you will be able to view it in the active auction for only a short time before it is moved to a special directory within the Auction. So if you have book marked that item, and try to view it after the auction is over, you won't be able to see it in the active directory! Not to worry! You can find the item easily by selecting  Search Options  in the "User Services" pull-down menu. The "Search Closed"  field allows all users the ability to view closed items by searching by "Keyword", "Username", or "Item #",  just like the active search. If you were the seller, and you would like to view all auctions that you have sold, select "Repost Items"  in the User Services pull-down. The "Closed Auctions"  link at the bottom of every page, includes a form for reposting and a "Search Closed" search box for general closed item searches.
 

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User Feedback Ratings: "Feedback" is a way of describing your dealings with specific users so that others will have a good idea what to expect in transactions with that user in the future. Obviously those users can leave Feedback on you as well! The little numbers (0) in parenthesis next to all users' "handles" are the link to view their Feedback Ratings.You will also be able to leave feedback about your transaction with other users utilizing those links.The "User Services" pull-down includes a choice for "Leave Feedback", which calls up a form labeled "Feedback Search Form". You can use this form to search for a specific user, and view or leave feedback. The Search Options page also has a section for Feedback search. Feedback is VERY important, and helps to build confidence throughout the Auction..
 

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The ProfilePage: This special link :  appears next to a user's "Handle" when a "Profile Page" has been created. This basically is a web page created by the Auction for users to get to know who you are, what other auctions you may have going,  a display of your current feedback, etc. all on one page! You can easily create and edit your own Profile page using the "User Services" pull-down menu and selecting "Profile Page" (to create your page), or "Edit Profile" (to edit your page).
 

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Item Status: When ever an item is displayed in a category, or from search results, it is in a table with other items. Information in the table includes: | Status | Item | Ends | #Bids | Currently | High Bidder| . The Status column will display various icons to help you at a glance determine an item's standing. These icons are:    . The first  represents items that have been newly posted within 24 hours. The second   indicates that the user has included a picture for the item.  represents items with 15 or more bids. The last icon  indicates that less than 3 hours remain on that auction.
 

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Proxy or Maximum Bidding: In lieu of having to actively raise your bids on items, you can enter your maximum $dollar amount when you bid on an item, and the Auction will bid for you. This is called "Proxy Bidding". It allows a more passive approach to auctions. You will develop your own bidding strategy, and Maximum bids may be part of it..It's up to you!