Overstock points out that they have "40 times the listings and 16 times the users that eBay had at this age”. Of course, when eBay began 10 years ago the Internet was so different that it's hard to even remember it, plus nobody had even thought of an auction on the Web. So, the comparison is really meaningless.

Here are a few facts furnished by Overstock (especially note the highest number of bids.)

* Number of registered users: 660,000

* Number of unique items listed: 11.6 million

* Fastest increase in listings: surged from 50,000 to 121,000 in February when eBay raised its fees and Overstock lowered its fees

* Highest number of bids on a single item: 403 on a 40GB iPod

* Greatest number of winning bids by one user: 3,246

* Final bid for two VIP tickets to JLO boutique opening on 9/22: $6,936

* Other high-profile/celebrity auctions: a rare, 23-carat natural yellow diamond; the 2005 Chrysler Crossfire Roadster won by “The Apprentice” Bill Rancic; classic rock star memorabilia donated for Earth Day; and NASCAR memorabilia donated for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

I'm really rooting for Overstock Auctions. eBay needs competition and they are a feisty company. I wish them every success.