[thorax]

Here's an interesting/free feature idea for an auction site. Maybe it won't work as well for yours, but here you go anyway:

Offer visitors a cut of the selling fee if they correctly predict what price the item will sell for. (Maybe closest without going over?)

This brings people over to a "I'm not looking, but I'll make a guess" site, but also might get you some users, friend invites, etc. In addition, it might also help buyers when they see that "230 people think this item should sell for more than $300" or somesuch.

It's basically a way for getting other people interested in a transaction they have nothing to do with. Which could get people looking, evaluating, and thinking about products even if they're not an immediate buyer.

I think momentum and traction is the key, and if sellers know they'll get exposure just with random auction watchers, that's publicity they may not get via ebay and searching.

[ashr]

This is a great idea. Just need to make sure this feature doesn't get spammed.