For some, smart shopping is a competitive sport, the score tallied in unique items found and deals negotiated. For others, smart shopping is a source of quiet pride, driven by a sense of responsibility and financial necessity. That smart shopping is now more important than ever is perhaps a bit of understatement.

With the advent of cellular internet services, we are increasingly accessing the net from anywhere at any time. Simultaneously, we have grown accustomed to bargain shopping online for products. The next step forward is bargain shopping online for services—and the most efficient system of all is likely to be an auction system. Applied to gym services, for example, this means the consumer can bid on a time slot and a machine, and the gym can select the highest bidder—a Monday night 630pm slot on the treadmill can be sold for its real value, as can the 1130am slot on a Friday. As another example, a teenage babysitter can auction off her unsold Thursday night inventory on short notice after plans for a school extracurricular activity are cancelled.