Where are the best online auctions? If you're a deal seeker like we are (who isn't with prices as high as they are right now), online auctions are probably already on your radar. If they aren't, you've definitely come to the right place. There are tons of ways to find deals on things you need (and some you never knew you wanted) through online auctions.
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HiBid is a great online auction platform that helps you find whatever kind of auction you want to join. Whether you prefer in-person bidding, online only, or a webcast version where you join with in-person bidders from a distance, you can find all types on HiBid. The website is highly rated for its organized layout and helpful features for tracking multiple auctions at the same time. For these reasons, and for its competitive selection of auctions and lots, HiBid earns a full 5 stars as the #1 online auction site in our review.
DealDash is a penny auction site known for its low prices for items on sale and its gamified approach to online auctions. While it's a fun way to buy auction items, it isn't as cut-and-dried as some other sites. This online auction site does have the benefit of a 90-day refund policy on your first deposit, and high ratings from customers, but you will lose your bid money if you don't win the auction (unless you purchase the item at sticker price from DealDash instead). So, while it takes a little bit of a learning curve, DealDash is a standout for fun auctions, earning high praise in our review.
eBid is a budget-friendly online auction house that operates in over 100 countries. If you're looking to avoid the high fees found on larger auction sites, you're in luck. Selling fees are capped at 3%, and there are no buyer's premiums. While you might not find big-ticket items like cars, the site is easy to use and has plenty of small items and antiques. For the low-cost benefits, eBid remains competitive in our review.
eBay is a global online auction site that's been one of the most well-known out there for years. It has a massive selection of items to search through, and you can find anything you need all in one place. However, its money-back guarantee may not be helpful to everyone, and customers report increasing frustration with customer service at eBay overall. While it might still be worth a look due to the sheer number of auction options to browse, it isn't as helpful as some of our top picks.
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Invaluable is an online auction site with a specialized focus on collectibles, fine art, and antiques. Most bidding happens in real-time live events that you can access online through the Invaluable platform. Although the company claims to vet sellers, there are increasing negative reviews about fake items or lots that are lower-quality than promised. Without a helpful refund policy, Invaluable's buyers can end up feeling stuck. For these reasons, it gets a lower-than-average score from us. Still, Invaluable might be worth a look if fine art is a must-have for you.
Auction Zip is an online directory for finding local and online auctions. While it's free to join, the site's middleman approach frustrates many customers. It does not verify or authenticate items and requires that you handle any issues with the auctioneer directly. You can't get a refund through Auction Zip per its policy, so you'd have to hope that the auction house you purchased from has a reasonable policy if something goes wrong. The bottom line is that Auction Zip is more of a place to locate auctions than a site that helps you with the process.
GovDeals is a different approach to online auction sites that lets government agencies list and sell surplus items. While it's free to browse, you should be cautious of high buyer's premiums and fees included in the purchase process. Most sales are final and sold in "as is" condition, so you won't be able to get a refund based on condition in most cases. Although there are unique deals on government equipment, there aren't as many listings as you'll find at other online auctions. For these reasons, and the poor customer service reported by reviewers, GovDeals earns a lower rating in our review.
Liquidation is a wholesale online auction site that takes pallets and truckloads of material from large retailers and offers it to you on auction. However, the price points for these large lots can be out of an average bidder's price range. This site is best for those with lots to spend and a plan to resell the items once they get them. Plus, with the roulette approach, where you don't know exactly what you're getting until it arrives, it may not appeal to customers looking for something specific.
Public Surplus is an online auction platform that connects government agencies with potential buyers to sell their surplus supplies and seized items. While the site features lower buyer's fees than many competitors, the limited selection of items and the difficult search tool make it harder to find the deals you want. Without a helpful refund policy or recent reviews, it's hard to know how supportive Public Surplus is these days. So, we suggest caution, but if you want a new car for less, it might be worth a look.
Property Room is a police auction site that sells items gathered from police operations, recovered stolen goods, and abandoned property. However, there are some red flags to look out for with this online auction. While there is a policy for returns for errors, customers say they have trouble getting Property Room to act on it. Further, there are unexpected shipping charges, and some items never arrive at all. With no reviews newer than 2020 and not many positive reviews from the past, Property Room is a site we approach with caution.
Continued from above...
If you're a deal seeker like we are (who isn't with prices as high as they are right now), online auctions are probably already on your radar. If they aren't, you've definitely come to the right place. There are tons of ways to find deals on things you need (and some you never knew you wanted) through online auctions.
There are auctions for every possible need. Whether you're looking for general items like books, clothing, appliances, and more, or big-ticket items like cars, boats, or even homes, there are auctions to help you get the best deal for what you need.
Online auctions make it much easier to find what you want at a much lower cost. In years past, you'd have to keep track of auctions in your area and go visit in person to hope for getting a good deal. Now, online auctions help you track all that and combine different auctions all in one place. Looking for estate sales? You'll be able to buy items directly from an online auction site.
If you still like the thrill of bidding against others, don't worry. Many online auction sites still offer live auctions where you can bid against others, or attend auctions via video call. If you're just looking for a deal (or you find the bidding war approach too stressful for finding your next KitchenAid at a discount), you can find plenty of options on online auctions that are buy now, or that you just type in your max bid and let the auction run. If you put in the top amount, you'll be notified when you win. Easy.
There are two main types of online auctions. The first type is business-to-person. This type of online auction is where a major business or website buys items from customers or manages online auctions, estate sales, or live-streamed auctions, so it feels more like shopping at a traditional retailer for many items. Business-to-person online auctions also usually include professional item appraisals, so you can be sure the items are legit. The other main option is person-to-person online auctions. These sites allow individual sellers to list items for auction, so you'll be buying directly from another individual who listed items on the auction site.
In general, at online auctions, you'll find more convenience and lower costs than you might at an in-person auction (which is ideal if you're trying to score those deals). You might see some new terminology if you're joining online auctions for the first time, but don't worry. It's not too bad. You can make "pre-bids," which is where you submit your highest amount before an auction goes live, or "real-time" bids, which is when you bid while an auction is ongoing. The reserve price is a number set by the seller (and not all items have one), where the seller is only willing to let an item go for that amount or more. And a "buyer's premium" is an extra fee paid if you win an auction (also optional and not present on every online auction or item).
Now that you know the ins and outs of online auctions, you're ready to jump in and snag deals you can't find anywhere else. To help you find the best sites to place your bids, we've put together a checklist to guide you to the best fit:
If you're ready to jump into great deals with online auctions, we're excited to help. To make sure you have the best experience possible, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked the top online auctions out there today. This way, you can feel confident that you'll get the most customer-friendly experience from your next online auction, and enjoy the spoils of your shopping spree. Happy deal hunting!
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Top 3 Tips For Buying In Online Auctions
Online auctions have really skyrocketed in popularity. Any item that you could ever wish to own is probably being sold in an online auction. In the clothing category alone, over 2 million items are being auctioned off at this moment. New merchandise, used merchandise, rare merchandise, even "celebrity" merchandise - it's all there. Did you know that there have been over 50 books written on how to get the best online auction experience? For those of you who have never had the pleasure of shopping in an online auction, we'll walk you through 3 basic tips for your success.
First, do your research! When going to an online auction site, you'll be able to type in the item you are looking for, or can narrow the search by selecting categories and choosing from there. Be as specific as possible. Take, for example, clothing. If you know the brand, size and even line you are looking for, this will make your search much easier. Then, research the seller. Is this someone was has mostly positive feedback or have they had problems shipping their items? This is easily viewed online. Reputable online auctions have built a solid reputation as safe places to buy and sell. That's why most all transactions from both seller and buyer are given feedback. Look for such seller qualities as a fast shipper, item as described and good communication. Be wary of a seller who has a lot of negative feedback. You may be getting the best price, but you might be sacrificing its good condition.
Second, visit the online auction site often. There are a couple of reasons for this. In the unlikely event that what you're looking for is not being sold, check back. Take, for example, one of our reader's experiences they had with wanting to purchase a particular item.. The first time they looked, there were none being sold. They checked back a few days later and there were 5 being auctioned off.
Another good reason for checking the online auction site often is that you'll usually get a better deal. Here is another example; one of our readers wanted to purchase a set of books called America at School from American Girls. One month, this book set was going for over $100 dollars. They kept watching and looking. Two months later, they purchased the book set for $26.00 at the very same auction site. Not a bad deal. Often times in online auctions, items are sold for more than what the buyer is willing to pay. Keep looking and you could get that bargain buy that you're looking for.
Third, wait to bid. This is the single most important fact to buying in online auctions. Many new buyers bid too early (the amount you have purchased or sold is usually available to the general public). This backfires for two reasons. One, it causes the price of the item to increase, because seasoned shoppers know to wait until the last few minutes to bid. Two, it also triggers a competitive aspect to buying. It's pretty common for two new buyers at an online auction to get into a bidding war a day or two before the auction closes. Then, at the last minute, another buyer will bid and win the merchandise. The exception to this rule of course is if you are unable to be at a computer when the auction closes. Then you just have set your highest bid and hope for the best.
Remember, you win some and you lose some, but that's the fun of online auctions. Good Luck and remember to have fun!
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