| 大家e起来上网购物-2 Internet auctions function in much the same way as regular auctions, though with a longer time limit. 网络上的拍卖运作方式大体与一般的拍卖无异，但有更长的拍卖期限。 Information about items for sale is posted on an auction site and anyone can make a bid within the stipulated time. 交易物品的信息会登在举办拍卖的网站，每个人都可以在规定期限内竞标。 The successful bidder is informed by e-mail. Then, payment and delivery, which are carried out by prearranged methods, follow. 中标者会以电子邮件得到通知，再依事先约定的方式付款、取货。 There are two kinds of auction sites: business-to-person and person-to-person. 举办拍卖的网站有两种：商品对人的交易及人对人的交易。 In the former, it is the Web site that has possession of the goods on sale and accepts payment for them, whereas a person-to-person auction site merely provides a means by which sellers can sell their goods directly to customers. 前者，网站拥有待价而沽的物品并收取拍卖所得；后者则只提供卖方直接销售物品给顾客的途径。 As with other forms of Internet shopping, credit cards are usually the safest and most convenient way to pay, 对其他形式的网上购物来说，信用卡是最安全且最方便的付款方式， but in a person-to-person deal, the seller may be unwilling to accept them, insisting instead on a cashier's check or money order before sending the merchandise. 但在人对人的交易中，卖方可能不愿接受这种付款方式，而是要求买方先付清货款或支票才交货。 In that case, some sites recommend an escrow service that will handle the transaction independently for a fee of around 5 percent of the cost of the item. 因此，某些网站会建议使用一种“委托契约”（由第三方独立处理交易）的模式，另加收约货品价格百分之五的费用。 Practically anything can be bought on-line and, provided the appropriate caution is exercised, Internet shopping can be a rewarding alternative to trudging through the stores. 几乎所有商品都能在线购得，只要处理得当，网上购物会是除了在商家间奔波之外另一项令人满意的选择。 So sit back, log on, and save the workout for the gym. 所以，安靠椅背，开机上线吧！要锻链身体，还是去健身房报到吧！ |
