Raise you hand if you have heard of Ebay.

OK, now raise your hand if you would say you love the electronic auction Internet Web site.

It seems that many, many people have fallen in love with Ebay and similar auction sites in our online world, so my bet is there are lots of hands waving in Lawrence County today.

Guess what? My hand is up too. Online auctions are fun and exciting because you can get a good deal on just about anything you could ever want.

But my hands are waving today because I am even more excited about The Ironton Tribune's first Tri-State Online Auction.

The bidding begins Sunday morning and we hope the community gets as excited about this event as we are.

First, let me explain the concept a little bit.

Our Web site will have all the features and excitement of the big auction Web sites, but we're featuring merchandise from 36 local business.

If you don't have a computer, please don't stop reading. You can bid by phone the day all auctions close.

Here's how it works: A full Tri-State Online Auction guide will be in your Sunday, edition.

The guide is a complete menu of items that are up for bid.

It includes full item details and restrictions, if there are any.

Log on to www.irontontribune.com and click on the Tri-State Online Auction logo in the upper left corner of our main page.

From there, you can browse through all items. To bid, you will have to register, which takes about five minutes and requires a valid e-mail address.

If you are going to phone in your bid, just call The Ironton Tribune office on Saturday, May 28 during the times specified in the auction guide.

Auction representatives will be on hand to help you place your bids and save big on some great stuff.

Hold on to your keyboard because here's the best part.

Opening bids for almost all items are 65 percent off the retail cost!

That's right. This is your chance to buy services and new merchandise from local merchants at only 35 percent of the original cost.

Sound too good to be true?

How about a brand new La-Z-Boy recliner for $192.15?

Or, how would you like to have all the carpet in your home cleaned for $35?

It's almost summer and everyone wants to look their best.

Beauty services from our area's top professionals are for sale at unbeatable prices.

Vacation and tanning packages, limo rides, gift certificates, furniture, jewelry, clothing and a lot more are on the site. The list goes on and on. You will find it all. Sound good?

We think it's great and I hope you will too. If this works out it will be the first of a more events like this.

We hope you have fun with the auction and find that perfect something.

Going once, going twice, sold!

Dave Evans is the advertising director at The Ironton Tribune. For more information or if you have problems bidding, e-mail Dave at dave.evans@irontontribune.com or call him at (740) 532-1441 ext. 29.

Michael Caldwell is managing editor of The Ironton Tribune. To reach Mike, call (740) 532-1445 ext. 24 or by e-mail at mike.caldwell@irontontribune.