Goin' once, goin' twice, Exchange shoppers are sold on exclusive auction site Published Jan. 26, 2009 By Army & Air Force Exchange Service Corporate Communications DALLAS, Texas -- Since the first auction opened at the Exchange Online Mall's Exchange Auctions www.military.exchangeauctions.com site late in Nov. 2008, more than 4,000 successful bids have been submitted. Winning bids since that time have included a $149 18k over sterling silver blue topaz earring set that sold for $9.50, a framed Mohammed Ali autographed photo, valued at $2,800, that went for $225 and an Eberle Gents watch which retails for $995 that sold for $21. "Exchange Auctions' $1 start bid, no reserve auctions are driving strong repeat visitors," said the Army & Air Force Exchange Service's Chief Marketing Officer Mat Dromey. "In fact, 61 percent of people logging on are actually coming back to browse and take a chance at casting a winning bid." Exchange leadership believes a program that converts five percent of total net winning auction purchases in a calendar month to credits, called "Bid Bucks," is helping drive return traffic. "'Bid Bucks' can be applied toward the payment of winning bids in the following month," said Dromey. "This rewards system is creating additional excitement and savings opportunities." Exchange Auctions www.military.exchangeauctions.com is currently hosting as many as 288 concurrent auctions featuring collectibles, electronics, home outdoor products, jewelry, sports equipment, toys and watches, all with a starting bid of only $1. The site's exclusive platform is only available to military members though the exchange services' websites at aafes.com www.aafes.com, www.usmc-mccs.org, www.navy-nex.com or www.cg-exchange.com .