Local Online Auctions: A Bargain Wonderland

Q: I keep hearing that auctions can be a great source of bargain furniture and collectibles. The thing is, I don’t like the idea of going to an auction house and bidding against a bunch of other people in person. I’ve tried eBay for collectible items, but so many people around the country see those listings that the competition gets too fierce, and prices go too high. And of course I don’t want to bid on sofas that are 1,000 miles away! Are there local online auctions where I can bid online but collect my winnings in person?

A: Yes! If you want exceptional deals on pre-owned furniture, decor, tools, dishes, or collectibles, local online auctions can be a fantastic resource. You can find authentic antique, vintage, or even contemporary furniture and other home furnishings at remarkable prices. If you’re a collector of just about anything, auctions can unearth jaw-dropping treasures. Online auctions can be even better than in-person ones if you know what to look for and are game for a bit of a challenge and a little mystery. They’re also an environmentally friendly source of home goods—recycling and repurposing furnishings is a sustainable practice that keeps items out of landfills.

To read more about sustainable living, see my articles Sustainable Interior Design and Sustainable Landscaping and Garden Design.

Benefits of Local Online Auctions

In-person auctions are excellent if you’re looking for high-value pieces that have been authenticated. They’re also good if you want to see what you’re buying before you bid on it. However, the best prices can often be found in local online auctions. These also allow you to browse and bid privately, from your own home.

MaxSold runs thousands of online auctions in the U.S. and Canada each year. These are often estate sales or downsizing sales where people want to get rid of things quickly. Their auctions usually offer mostly individual pieces, and some lots with multiple items. It’s these odd mixed lots that often provide the best deals.

Enjoy the Adventure

Be patient. Don’t judge an auction based on the first few listings you see. The same auction may have lots featuring a kimono, a box of 8-track tapes, a full set of Victorian china, snow tires, and a midcentury modern bar cart. Part of the fun is imagining what sellers must have been like based on their belongings. If you give up looking too quickly, you might miss some great lots on the last page.

Don’t expect a fancy auction house experience when you pick up your winnings. Estate sales often include items recently unearthed from years of storage in a basement. Some things may be dusty or need polishing. But I wouldn’t mind wiping away dust from an original midcentury modern coffee table in great vintage shape if I only paid $30 for it, would you? A rare early 19^th century china plate I won for a $1 bid needed a wash when I got it home. One just like it sold for $95 on Etsy recently—I think dealing with the grime was worth it.

Things to Know Before You Bid

When you enter a local online auction site, search for your geographical area. See what auctions are listed as coming up in the next week or so. Auctions will be listed by city and may include the street name, but exact addresses are only furnished to winning bidders.

Each auction listing says when the bidding deadline for each individual lot is, and the current high bid. Before you bid, you must agree that if you’re the high bidder, you’ll pay your winning bid amount. You also agree to pay a buyer’s premium (usually about 15%) to the auction house, plus any state or local sales taxes.

Before you bid, be aware of a few conditions and restrictions.

Auction item details are limited

• You usually can’t see the items in person before you bid.
• Photos are often grainy and descriptions are often vague and incomplete—actual sizes or condition may not be apparent until you pick up your purchases.
• Some sellers provide lots of great details and photos that clarify an item’s history, condition, size, etc. Other sellers don’t even get the item’s function, name, or brand right, leave off dimensions, and post fuzzy photos. Every auction is unique.
• Sellers’ identities are private. If you have a question or problem regarding an auction (e.g., you got lost and won’t make it to the scheduled pick-up on time), you must contact the auction company. They’ll contact the seller for you. However, the auction house will usually not forward questions about individual items. Expect to bid based only on the information and photos provided in the listing.

You MUST gather winnings at your scheduled time

• If you have the winning bid, you must pay for it promptly online and show up at your appointed pick-up time. If you don’t show up, you can be banned from bidding for any other auctions held by the company.
• As soon as you receive confirmation that you placed a winning bid, you need to choose a pick-up time on the scheduled pick-up date. It’s usually within a few days after you win. Pick-up time windows can be as short as five minutes to avoid a pile-up of buyers at one time. Make sure to leave time to arrive early in case of traffic, and to find parking and make your way to the auction site.
• Auction pick-up time windows usually close promptly. Auction house employees may leave right on time, and homeowners may not be present.
• If you are unable to pick up your items on time, contact the auction house immediately. They may be able to help arrange an alternate pick-up time.
• If you fail to pick up your items at the appointed time, the seller or auction house can get rid of your purchases without refunding your money.

Bring your own movers & packing materials

• Don’t expect anyone at the pick-up site to help you carry your winnings to your car. You need to bring whatever assistants you’ll need to get your new armoire into your U-Haul.
• Sometimes my winnings have been wrapped and boxed up for me before I arrive. Usually they’re in a pile and I have to wrap them in bubble wrap myself. I pop them in the bins I bring along, and carry them to my car myself, sometimes in multiple trips. If you’re buying fragile items, bring your own bubble wrap, towels, blankets, boxes, etc. with you to get purchases home safely.

Wayfinding & parking can be challenging

• Local online auction sites are usually in people’s houses, front yards, condos, or apartments. They’re sometimes in small businesses in shopping malls or warehouses. Signage is usually good, but sometimes not.
• Free or nearby street parking may be unavailable. Leave time to find and walk to your destination.

Why Bother with All These Rules?

The rules described above can be a pain, and auctions can be time-consuming to drive to and from. But the deals can be extraordinary. I’ve seen a $3,000 custom designer table in perfect condition go for $150. Quality Danish modern, Victorian, or original colonial chairs and side tables often go for between $1 and $25. I bought a beautiful late 18^th century chair in fabulous condition for $25. Rare furnishings, collectibles, and exquisite china, crystal, or art can sell for $1 piece—or less. I got a mid-19^th century Eastlake carved plant stand in excellent condition for $4! But bids can also jump from $2 to $200 in the last five minutes of bidding. Sometimes things sell for their full actual value, or even more. The surprise is all part of the excitement.

Auction lots featuring contemporary high quality furniture makers usually fetch higher prices. These include companies like Restoration Hardware (now RH) or Crate & Barrel. But you’ll find such tables, chairs, or bedside tables in excellent condition for 70% to 80% off at the right auctions. With a little luck, you might furnish an entire an entire room with furniture in excellent condition for under, $200 plus the cost of a two-hour U-Haul rental. Isn’t it worth taking a look to see what’s on offer?

At top:

An auction warehouse filled with furnishings ready to be sold to the highest bidders | Tima Miroshnichenko for Pexels