Chinanews, Shanghai, December 12 – Auction used to be something far away from ordinary Shanghainese' lives, but things are different today. Many Shanghainese nowadays do buy not only cars and houses in auctions, but also electric appliances.

 

Last Saturday (December 9), a small items auction fair was held on Fuzhoulu, and the items included jewelry, furniture, electric appliances, even cigarettes and liquors. Over 200 people came to the fair.

 

Many new faces can be seen at each auction fair, most of whom come here for good items and reasonable prices. Sometimes one can buy a TV set with no more than 200 yuan while similar models in department stores cost no less than 500. Interestingly, these small items auction fairs don't have to post advertisements, because buyers will spread their information and convenience.

 

Statistics reveal that in the first 10 months of 2006, goods worth 42 million yuan were sold in such fairs in Shanghai.

 

Experts believe that more and more big items like cars, apartments and antiques will be auctioned openly in the near future, as long as rapid economic growth permits.