IUSA launches auction site

Students looking for furniture, tutors or even something to do on a weekend can now go to Iubid.com.\nIUbid.com., a Web site created by the IU Student Association, was launched April 2. The online auction site enables students to bid on items ranging from a 1996 Ford Mustang Cobra to a 1940s antique lamp.\n"You are able to find almost anything that you need at the click of a button," IUSA President Meredith Suffron, a senior, said.\nThis site is similar to the eBay auction site but is local.\n"This site is different because it creates a new market for these items (and) because it is centrally located, creating a valuable service for all students," IUSA Vice President of Administration Scott Witoszynski, a senior, said.\nThe site also provides links for students to stay connected to Bloomington.\n"We wanted to have a way for students to be able to be connected in order to sell furniture and textbooks, find a sublet for summer or a ride home for Thanksgiving online, and look for tutors," Suffron said. "This idea was a part of our campaign platform and we really wanted to see it through before we were out of office."\nThe IUSA Platinum administration, which Suffron led, started working on IUbid as soon as it took office. \nThe group's goal was to establish a service that offered, "real solutions for real people which didn't already exist that students could use all year 'round, for all four years here," Witoszynski said.\nThe group had high hopes for the Web site, with the goal of having it online by the end of its term April 15.\nThere are many different categories for the auction portion of the site. More than 250 items are already posted for sale.\nThe categories include appliances, books, collectibles, furniture, music and travel. The site has 24 categories and is adding new categories as it grows. To buy or sell items, visit www.iubid.com and sign up to become a registered user. The posting of items for auction is secure and free. \nIUSA collaborated with InterVision Solutions, Inc., a Web site software provider in Bloomington. \n"InterVision Solutions, Inc., the parenting company of IUbid.com, had the role of developing an auction site that functions on a local basis, despite the Internet's global use," said Ryan Yarian, head of public relations at InterVision Solutions, Inc.\nWitoszynski said the group wanted to use a company that would "help us to make sure the site is encouraging and easy to use, as well as being able to get feedback on the design of the site, and InterVision Solutions, Inc., helped us achieve that goal."\nInterVision wanted to use IUbid as a pilot for other schools interested in creating their own local auction sites. Since IUbid's launch, 26 universities have expressed an interest in the community auction platform.\n"My highest expectation is that IUSA will receive national recognition for bringing a site of this multitude to its University," Yarian said. \nThe Web site is meeting expectations, with more than 150,000 visitors to the site. It is projected to reach the 200,000 mark before the end of the semester. \nThe next step for IUbid is to begin "working to expand the list of items for sale and the number of tutors online, as well as increase the marketing and awareness of the site," Suffron said.\n There are already tutors for more than 18 subjects available. Links including IU and IUSA activity news will be added to the Web site in the fall. \n Plans are also underway to increase awareness of the site and to work with IU residence halls on some activities. \n InterVision Solutions, Inc., also plans to join forces with area retailers, having them post items online to create an even larger selection.\n IUSA wanted to create a site that would benefit students. \n Adding to those benefits, Witoszynski said, "A portion of the profits from IUbid.com will be used for student scholarships"