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.
Best Option
HiBid is an online auction site that's owned by Sandhills Global. Unlike many online auctions in our review, which focus on live auctions that you can bid on as you like (just bid on an item listed and you keep track of bidding till the window closes), HiBid offers livestreamed auctions, which allow you to compete with in-person participants at live auctions around the world. It is particularly popular for real estate auctions and vehicles, so if you're in the market for big-ticket items, this might be an online auction you'll want to check out.
Easy searching by location
HiBid is easy to start browsing. You don't need to make an account to begin browsing auctions, lots, and specific items. You can use the search bar on the landing page and enter a zip code or mileage information if you'd like to keep your searches for auctions local. While HiBid does offer online auctions, the location may matter if you need to pick up an auction item (or if you're looking at property and you only want homes or businesses in a specific area). When you put in your search terms, HiBid will automatically show you lots that match the search. You can also search by auction type, or through a map if you prefer.
Bid in person or online
HiBid offers livestreamed auctions (which you attend in real-time alongside in-person bidders), online-only live auctions, and absentee bidding options. When we went through all of the auction types listed by HiBid, we found in-person auctions, webcast auctions, online-only auctions, and absentee bidding. So, depending on how you like to participate in online auctions, you've got lots of options.
Thousands of items for online auction
To see how the inventory options stack up between different online auctions, we looked at four similar items and categories at each company. Our search terms included a small item, a popular kitchen appliance, a vehicle, and something from a popular category. Here's what we found at HiBid:
Not many fees for buyers
HiBid does have buyer's premiums, which range from 10%-20% depending on the item you're bidding on. Sometimes there is a credential authentication fee, which is around $1 per bidder on an auction (this is set by the seller). If you're selling at this online auction site, there are fees of around 1%-2% of the total of your sale. There are no setup fees for online-only auctions at HiBid, but sellers may have a fee up to $25 for setting up a webcast auction.
Refunds are left up to individual sellers
HiBid, like many of the online auction sites in our review, doesn't have a centralized approach to refunds. It mostly just hosts the auction options for sellers and allows sellers to handle their own policies. For most cases, sales at HiBid are considered final. To request a refund of any kind, you'll need to contact your seller directly, and HiBid will not reach out or assist you during the process.
Helpful and user-friendly website
HiBid holds an impressive "A" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. On top of that, it has a competitive 3.9-star average rating from third-party review sites like Trustpilot. Many of the recent reviews for HiBid are all 5 stars. Customers love that HiBid makes it simple to bid on multiple auctions at the same time. It is praised for the level of organization on the website that helps you track your ongoing auctions. Customers also loved that HiBid's sellers are usually helpful and willing to answer questions if you have something come up during an online auction. While some customers had trouble with lots getting confused or missing items from a purchase, these seem to be limited to a handful of customers rather than a normal occurrence.
User-friendly and competitive inventory
HiBid is a great site if you're looking for a place to manage in-person, online, and absentee bidding, or bid on multiple online auctions at the same time. Plus, HiBid has a competitive inventory of both regular items and big-ticket options like homes or vehicles. While it doesn't have a built-in refund policy, customers say that the sellers are generally helpful and willing to chat about questions during and after auctions. For these reasons, and for its high praise for user-friendliness, HiBid earns the top spot on our list of online auctions.
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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