| New-home builders try auctions, some online, as the market softens
Could something akin to eBay auctions be the next stop for new-home builders facing a glut of unsold properties? Inland builders in recent months have been cutting prices and throwing in extras such as free swimming pools to move their new houses in a slowing market. And recently, joining a national trend, some are finding success with public auctions, traditionally seen more as a way to sell artwork or rare antiques. Some of those builders are incorporating online elements into their auctions, giving Web shoppers a chance to bid in real time against the on-premises participants. .
Auction lends hand with preserving local land
Kevin A. Byron An array of items will go on the block at the Kennebunk Land Trust auction Friday, May 4. These items, a Trek 3900 bicycle, a Morgan stained glass pannel, a Tuxedo kayak and an Schopfle oil paintong are just a few of the items that will be up for the bidding. .
Bidding starts Monday for first rides on Maverick
Rollercoaster enthusiasts, get out your checkbooks and wallets. The auction for Maverick's inaugural seats begins Monday. The Firelands Chapter of the American Red Cross and Cedar Point amusement park/resort are conducting an auction for thrill-seekers who want to be among the first on the park's new Maverick roller coaster. "We've had a lot of interest," said Ron Rude, executive director of Firelands Red Cross. "There's a lot of excitement out there." The Red Cross is auctioning seats on Maverick to the 72 highest bidders, with bids starting at $75. A winning bid will include a continental breakfast at the park, commemorative medallion, the inaugural ride on Maverick and complimentary admission to Cedar Park on opening day, May 12. In previous years bids have poured in from all over the country, including New York and California, as well as overseas.
Fundamental E-Commerce Patent with Early Priority Date to Be Sold ...
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ocean Tomo Auctions today announced it has been engaged to sell a fundamental business method patent related to internet shopping and electronic commerce. The patent will be offered for sale at Ocean Tomo's first private auction to be held on Thursday, May 10, 2007, at Ocean Tomo's global headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. U.S. Patent Number 5,895,454 ("the '454 Patent"), entitled "Integrated Interface for Vendor/Product Oriented Websites," discloses a method of allowing users to interact with vendors and their product or service offerings by querying a database to view, order and pay for products or services using the Internet. The patent has been forward-cited more than 80 times by 38 companies' patents, including such leading companies as Amazon.com, Accenture, CNET Networks, Microsoft and Yahoo!.
Lunchtime markets: FTSE lower on bidding war concerns
Investors' fears over merger and acquisition activity weighed on the markets and the FTSE 100 was 4.7 lower in early trade at 6482.1. The FTSE 250, however, picked up 14.4 to 11915. Barclays led the blue-chip index lower, down 1.2pc to 741p. Investors were concerned that the bank would be drawn into a costly bidding war for ABN Amro following its agreed 3.225-for-1 all share bid, worth around \u20AC67bn (£46bn), for the Dutch bank. .
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