Lixtor is an internet auction website operating in New Zealand since 2005, as a free alternative to Trade Me[1] or Facebook Marketplace.
Lixtor's business model is substantially different from its rival site Trade Me as it tries to operate its business on advertising revenue rather than charging users on listing fees and success fee.[2]
Controversy
On 6 November 2008, the National Business Review reported on an article[1] that Lixtor has been legally-threatened by Trade Me over "copyright infringement" on their "Privacy Policy" and "Terms and Conditions". However, Lixtor stated that it was carried out by Trade Me to "intimidate" Lixtor because Trade Me was threatened by Lixtor's "no fee" business model.[1]
Following this dispute with Trade Me, Lixtor listed their auction site for sale on Trade Me on 17 November 2008, with the starting bid $100,000,000.