Abstract: A method of selling a firearm using a computer and a communications network comprises the steps of listing the firearm to be sold with a facilitator, registering a bidder with the facilitator, wherein the bidder is required to specify to the facilitator a federal firearms license holder with shipping information, and having the buyer and seller agree to a price to purchase the firearm. Once the bidder and seller have agreed upon a sale price for the firearm, the facilitator sends seller information and bidder information to a federal firearms license (“FFL”) holder so that the FFL holder can properly and legally transfer the firearm to the buyer.

Abstract: A method of selling an item using a computer and a communications network comprises the steps of registering a seller of the item to be sold and registering a bidder with a facilitator, listing the item to be sold with the facilitator, and specifying an ask amount and a minimum amount, wherein a trading zone is defined as the range between the minimum amount and the ask amount. When the bidder makes a high bid at a price which equals or exceeds the ask amount, the high bid is accepted and processed for payment. When the bidder makes a low bid at a price which is less than the minimum amount, the facilitator automatically rejects the bidder's low bid. When the bidder makes a bid at a price which is greater than or equal to the minimum amount and less than the ask amount, the seller can choose to accept the bid, reject the bid, or make a counter-offer to the bid. The bidder can preferably make bids for all of the item to be sold, a portion of the item to be sold, or more than the item to be sold.