SNOQUALMIE VALLEY – It’s one of the oldest methods of buying and selling, dating back to 500 B.C. – the auction.

King County Journal Newspapers, publishers of the Snoqualmie Valley Record, will be hosting a modern online version of this free-enterprise event from April 29 through May 9. This e-Bay-style auction, called “Bid4ItKingCounty,” will match readers with more than 100 local merchants offering quality new merchandise and popular services with a total retail value of nearly $500,000.

Close to 800 items will be up for bid, including fine furniture, electronics, sporting goods, health and beauty services and dining, travel and entertainment packages. Most of these items will go for 50 percent of their retail value, including gift certificates.

Live bidding begins at 9 a.m. this Friday, April 29. Right now the auction Web site is live for preregistration and item preview. To participate in the auction, those interested can go to www.bid4itkingcounty.com and register by providing their name, address, phone number and e-mail address. Personal information will not be shared.

Once live bidding begins, the Web site provides bidders with the status of each auction item and their personal bid history. Participants can also create a watch list of items they wish to track. At the conclusion of the auction at 8 p.m. Monday, May 9, those who hold winning bids may pay for their items online, by telephone or in person. They will then be given a certificate to claim their merchandise from the retailer or service provider.

* For information about the Bid4ItKingCounty local online auction event, go to www.bid4itkingcounty.com or call (866) 444-6662 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to speak to a bidder support representative.