Online auctions are perhaps the hottest thing on the Internet today. With the advent of reasonably cheap auction-hosting technology, rental companies can now be a part of it.

OpenSite Technologies (www.opensite.com) recently unveiled what it is calling a "turnkey auction hosting service," allowing businesses to have their own auction sites while outsourcing the hassle of running the auction.

OpenSite's Concierge Service - which provides setup, software, hosting, site design and auction maintenance - runs the auctions, providing its clients information on auction winners as well as contact data for all bidders.

A company named BuildscapeAuction is currently using the service to run Internet auctions targeting contractors for building, home improvement and decorating products. Buildscape (www.build scapeauction.com) uses its site to liquidate closeouts, damaged goods and overstocked inventory.

The cost of OpenSite's Concierge auction package is $3,000 to $9,000 per month, depending on the number of auctions held each month. Later this year, OpenSite plans to launch an even simpler entry-level service for small auctions for about $50 per month.

Bay.com is a household name. Could rentalauction.com and A-1rental.com be far behind?