Auktsioone

Auktsioone are organized public sales in which goods or services are sold to the bidder offering the highest price. They are used to allocate property, collectibles, and various commodities, and can be conducted in person at a venue or online. Items are listed in a catalog or description, participants register, and bidding begins at a starting price. Bidders increase bids in predefined increments, and the auction ends when no higher bid is made. The winner pays according to the applicable bidding format and takes ownership after payment and transfer.

Formats include open ascending-price auctions (often called English auctions), where the price rises as bidders place higher offers; Dutch auctions, where the price starts high and declines until someone accepts; and sealed-bid auctions, where bids are submitted without knowledge of others. Some auctions use a reserve price, meaning the item will not be sold unless the price meets or exceeds the reserve. Hybrid formats combine elements of these types.

Online auctions have become common through digital platforms, enabling remote bidding and real-time price discovery. They are used for art, antiques, vehicles, electronics, real estate, and government or corporate asset disposals. Auctions require clear terms, payment methods, and transfer arrangements. Potential risks include shill bidding, fraud, and price volatility; jurisdictions regulate conduct to protect participants and ensure fair competition.

Historically, auction markets have existed for centuries, evolving from early public sales of goods to modern, regulated marketplaces that facilitate liquidity and efficient price formation.