The present inventive device provides a new method of real-time, interactive, competitive, live on-line auction using an animated auctioneer. The animated auctioneer initiates the auction, actively solicits bids from the auction participants, acknowledges bids input from auction participants, and moves to close the auction when there is a cessation in bidding. In the course of the auction, the auctioneer audibly and physically promotes the item up for bid, and entices the participants to bid. Participants input bids real-time, competitively and successively in response to the animated auctioneer's solicitations.