POULSBO — In less than 10 years, eBay has gone from an unknown to a household name.

Since its startup out of its founder’s living room in 1995, the online auction site has grown to the point that last year, 95 million eBayers made sales totalling about $7.5 billion.

And one new Viking Avenue business is hoping to use that locomotive-like momentum to create its own success story.

Port Ludlow residents Jerry and Victoria Gilmore opened Auction Hot Spot in early September. Much like a traditional consignment store, the shop’s employees work on behalf of their customers to sell items on eBay. For a commission on the selling price, potential sellers get a full array of services from appraising an item to listing it to completing the transaction and even shipping. The concept is also being tried with similar but unaffiliated stores in Port Angeles and Seattle.

“So it seemed like we were going in the right direction,” Jerry said of the decision to open a shop in Poulsbo.

A visit to Auction Hot Spot begins with a preliminary interview with one of Auction Hot Spot’s sellers. The customer and Hot Spot employee sit down and do initial research into the item and its potential to sell on eBay.

The company recommends that items be able to sell for at least a $50 to ensure the seller makes money off the deal. Because both Auction Hot Spot and eBay take commissions, anything less than $50 doesn’t garner much for the seller. Hot Spot will take items of lower values, however, there is a minimum $5 commission per listing.

Items accepted run the gamut from household items to jewelry, to collectibles and antiques. The Gilmores hope to have qualifications to sell on vehicle auction area eBay Motors within the next six weeks. The pair said the best selling items so far have included opal jewelry, pewter figurines and collectibles of many kinds. The store’s Web site has a list of the 10 most popular items on eBay right now.

“Sometimes, we’re surprised. Sometimes we’re disappointed. It’s a real roller coaster. It’s like gambling,” Victoria said of selling on eBay.

If the seller decides to leave their item with Auction Hot Spot, they open an account much like at a consignment store. Each new item brought in by that customer is logged in under their account, bar coded and then put into a screening system.

Before being put on eBay, the item is further researched, photographed by a professional photographer and a description is written for it. Victoria explained that the quality of their photography and cataloguing alone make selling through Auction Hot Spot worth it. She mentioned one customer who brought in an item that went for $150 more than similar items because Hot Spot employees cross catalogued it on eBay to ensure a greater number of bidders.

“People who are selling on eBay out there are often competing with e-tailers,” she explained. “You need your product to look professional.”

Once an item is put on eBay, the customer can follow its progress through Auction Hot Spot’s Web site or by coming to the store and watching the auction on the shop’s projector screen. Any questions from potential buyers are e-mailed directly to Auction Hot Spot, saving the seller even more effort.

“This business is unique to a lot of other industries in that you have to satisfy customers at both ends,” Jerry said.

Once the item sells, Hot Spot employees pack and ship it and the seller usually receives a check within about 21 days.

And with a business that’s mostly online, it seemed only natural that the Gilmores would also offer computer services. Customers can take advantage of high-speed Internet services on one of the shop’s computers or they can bring in their own laptops. There is a cozy sitting area with Ethernet hubs and a wireless network that reaches out about a quarter of a mile from the shop — close enough for customers to use the service from the nearby Poulsbo Perk coffee shop.

Use of Hot Spot’s computers also includes a full suite of business software and laserjet and inkjet printers.

Internet and computer time can be bought by the hour, however, a handful of packages are offered that allow the customer to reduce their costs.