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.
Fair
Invaluable is an online auction that stands out by focusing primarily on fine art, antiques, and collectibles. Invaluable currently partners with over 5,000 auction houses worldwide to connect you with premier, high-quality items that you won't find anywhere else. While this is a fully online auction house, most of the bidding is done live, so you'll need to do some extra scheduling in order to keep track of which auction is happening at what time.
Search filters designed for art
Joining Invaluable is simple. You can either log in and create an account, or begin browsing the live or upcoming auctions, check out the partnered auction houses, or look through the work of particular artists for free. Invaluable does not charge any fees to join right away, but you do need a registered account in order to bid with this online auction site. The top search bar is the easiest way to look through the active listings and lots. Invaluable also offers helpful filters that let you narrow down larger searches by item category or by a particular artist.
Most auctions include live bidding
Invaluable offers real-time auctions that you can attend online from anywhere in the world. You will be participating in live auctions. All sellers on Invaluable have been vetted by the company before being allowed to offer their auctions through the database. All bidding is secure and compliant with PCI, GDPR, and KYC regulations. In some cases, you can also bid absentee through Invaluable before events begin, but this will depend on the particular online auction.
Number of items comparison
Invaluable doesn't have quite the same number of options when compared to online auctions that have a broader range of auction items. Invaluable mostly focuses on jewelry, art, and antiques. In order to do our comparison, we still looked for the same four categories, but some were notably lacking just due to the focus of this online auction. Here's what we found at Invaluable:
Subscription for serious art enthusiasts from $30 to $199.95 per month
Invaluable has a fairly standard buyer's premium of between 10-25%. This number is set by the auction house, so you will want to check the particular fees for each auction you're interested in attending. Now, if you want access to Invaluable's archives to see what previous pieces of art went for and what you should expect to pay for the items up for online auction currently, Invaluable does have a subscription plan. Here's how the three tiers work out:
48-hour refunds for misrepresented items
Invaluable's refund policy lets you return or reject a purchase within 48 hours of receiving the item if you can prove that it is forged, counterfeit, or misrepresented by the seller at the online auction. All returned items must be sent back in the original condition. Outside of that policy, any other returns must be processed through the auction house. If you get a refund, usually the price of the item and the buyer's premium are both refunded to you, but shipping fees are not included in your refund.
Increasing negative feedback for fakes and transfer issues
Invaluable does not have a page with the Better Business Bureau. Instead, we had to rely on third-party review sites like Trustpilot to get a picture of how buyers and sellers feel about using this online auction platform. Regrettably, Invaluable has only 2.7 stars out of 5 on Trustpilot, with nearly 10,000 individual reviews to consider. Recent feedback points out issues with fakes from certain auction houses, issues with accounts and routing numbers with no refunds, and others stated that items they won at an auction never arrived. While some customers still had great experiences with Invaluable, there are an increasing number of complaints without helpful resolution.
Really only an option for art fans (and maybe not even then)
Invaluable is a unique site that's set up for art dealers, enthusiasts, and those looking for specialized antiques. While it has a great selection of those items, you might miss out on more standard household finds. Plus, without a helpful refund policy, customers are finding increasing problems with the quality of items and falsified auction lots without the option for returns. While Invaluable may be an option if you're a fan of fine art, it doesn't quite hit the mark in terms of customer service. In general, we would suggest caution (and research on a particular auction house) before making a bid or subscribing to this online auction service.
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!
Compare Any 2 Products
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!
Top Products.
Top Reviews.
Top Consumer Reviews.
Reviews
Browse through thousands of reviews.
Social Media
Like us? Follow us! We'd love to have you join our community.
Newsletter
Stay up to date with the latest reviews. We'll keep you informed, and we'll never sell your information to anyone.
