Question 1

How do I start selling with Bid Local?

Accepted Answer

Getting started is simple. Fill out our seller intake form on the Sell With Us page — just tell us what you have, where you're located, and roughly how many items. We'll review your submission and reach out within one business day to discuss the best approach for your situation.

Question 2

Do I need to bring my items to you?

Accepted Answer

No — for our full-service program, we come to you. Our team visits the property to catalog, photograph, and prepare your items for auction. You don't need to transport anything. For our Partnership Program, you manage the logistics yourself.

Question 3

How long does the auction process take from start to finish?

Accepted Answer

From initial consultation to settlement, most full-service auctions take 3–5 weeks. That includes a site visit, cataloging and photography (typically 1–2 days), a 7–14 day online bidding period, a buyer pickup window, and then settlement. If you have a hard deadline — like a property closing — let us know upfront and we'll work around it.

Question 4

What areas do you serve?

Accepted Answer

Bid Local primarily serves southwestern Pennsylvania, including Westmoreland, Fayette, Washington, and surrounding counties. If you're outside that area, contact us — we evaluate requests case by case depending on volume and logistics.

Question 5

Is there a minimum number of items required to run an auction?

Accepted Answer

There's no hard minimum, but auction works best when there's enough volume to justify the setup. A full room of household goods, a garage of tools, or an estate with mixed contents are all good fits. If you only have a handful of items, we'll be honest with you about whether auction is the right approach.

Question 6

How much does it cost to sell at auction?

Accepted Answer

Bid Local charges a seller's commission — a percentage of the final sale price. We only make money when you do, so there are no upfront listing fees for full-service clients. Exact rates depend on the service level and volume of items. We're always transparent about fees before we start.

Question 7

When do I get paid after the auction?

Accepted Answer

Settlement is typically issued within a few business days after all buyers have completed pickup. We provide a detailed post-auction report showing every lot sold, the final price, and the net amount due to you.

Question 8

What happens to items that don't sell?

Accepted Answer

Unsold items are your property. We'll discuss options with you before the auction — common choices include donating to a local charity, scheduling a second auction, or arranging disposal. We never charge you to take unsold items away without your consent.

Question 9

Are there any hidden fees I should know about?

Accepted Answer

No hidden fees. We discuss all costs upfront before any work begins. The seller's commission is the primary cost. If there are any additional charges (such as for specialty item handling or unusual logistics), we'll tell you in advance.

Question 10

What types of items sell best at auction?

Accepted Answer

Power tools (especially brand-name like Stihl, DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Echo), antiques and collectibles, quality furniture, firearms, farm and agricultural equipment, and sporting goods consistently perform well. Business liquidation contents — commercial equipment, fixtures, and inventory — also attract strong bidding.

Question 11

Can you sell firearms at auction?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As a licensed auction company, Bid Local can legally handle firearm sales. All applicable federal and state regulations are followed, including proper buyer verification. Firearms are a strong category at auction — collectors and enthusiasts actively monitor our listings.

Question 12

Do you sell vehicles or heavy equipment?

Accepted Answer

We evaluate vehicles and heavy equipment on a case-by-case basis. Smaller equipment like riding mowers, ATVs, and trailers are generally a good fit. For larger vehicles or specialized machinery, contact us with details and we'll advise on the best approach.

Question 13

Should I clean or repair items before the auction?

Accepted Answer

Clean items, but don't restore antiques or attempt repairs. A light cleaning helps photography and buyer confidence. However, over-cleaning or refinishing antiques can actually reduce their perceived value — collectors often prefer original condition. For mechanical items, don't attempt repairs; just describe the known condition accurately.

Question 14

What items can't be sold at auction?

Accepted Answer

Hazardous materials, certain chemicals, and items prohibited by law cannot be auctioned. We'll flag anything during the cataloging process and advise on proper disposal. Most household and business contents are fair game.

Question 15

Where do my items get listed?

Accepted Answer

All Bid Local auctions are listed on HiBid (bidlocalllc.hibid.com), one of the largest online auction platforms in the country. HiBid has hundreds of thousands of registered buyers, giving your items broad exposure to motivated local and regional bidders.

Question 16

Can buyers see items in person before bidding?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we typically offer a preview period before the auction closes. Buyers can visit the location to inspect items firsthand. Preview details are listed on each auction. In-person previews often drive higher bids because buyers bid with more confidence.

Question 17

How does online bidding work?

Accepted Answer

Auctions run for 7–14 days online. Registered HiBid users can browse lots, ask questions, and place bids at any time. HiBid uses proxy bidding — you enter your maximum, and the system bids on your behalf up to that amount. A soft-close feature extends bidding if a bid is placed in the final minutes, ensuring fair competition.

Question 18

Do buyers pay a buyer's premium?

Accepted Answer

Yes — like most auction platforms, HiBid auctions include a buyer's premium added to the hammer price. This is standard practice in the auction industry and is clearly disclosed in every auction listing. The buyer's premium is separate from the seller's commission.

Question 19

How do buyers pick up their items?

Accepted Answer

After the auction closes, buyers receive pickup instructions with scheduled times. Pickup typically takes place at the property where items are located. Buyers are responsible for bringing help and transportation for larger items. Pickup windows are clearly communicated in the auction listing.

Question 20

Can you handle a full estate cleanout?

Accepted Answer

Yes — estate cleanouts are one of our most common services. We handle everything from cataloging and photography to managing the auction and coordinating buyer pickup. When the auction is complete, the property is cleared of all sold items. It's a far more profitable alternative to calling a junk hauler.

Question 21

What if I need the property cleared quickly?

Accepted Answer

If you're on a tight timeline — a property closing, lease deadline, or other constraint — we offer a buy-out option. We purchase the contents outright and handle the cleanout ourselves. You get a check and the property gets cleared on your schedule. Contact us to discuss.

Question 22

Do I need to sort or organize items before you arrive?

Accepted Answer

No. Our team handles sorting and organization as part of the cataloging process. You don't need to do anything before we arrive. Just let us know if there are items you want to keep or exclude from the auction.

Question 23

Can you work with estate attorneys or executors?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. We regularly work with estate attorneys, executors, and family representatives. We understand the legal and logistical requirements of estate settlements and can coordinate directly with all parties involved. We're happy to provide documentation for estate accounting purposes.

Question 24

What is the Partnership Program?

Accepted Answer

The Partnership Program is designed for dealers, resellers, and experienced sellers who want to run their own auctions under Bid Local's license. You handle the catalog, photography, and logistics — we provide the platform, compliance, marketing, and settlement. Lower fees, more control.

Question 25

Do I need an auctioneer's license to use the Partnership Program?

Accepted Answer

No. That's the point of the program. Bid Local serves as your licensed Auctioneer of Record, covering all regulated auction activities under our Pennsylvania license (PA #AU006414). You can run auctions legally without holding your own license.

Question 26

Who is the Partnership Program best suited for?

Accepted Answer

The program is ideal for recurring sellers — liquidators, estate dealers, warehouse operators, resellers, and anyone who regularly has volume to sell. If you're running multiple auctions per year and want to keep more of the proceeds, the Partnership Program is worth exploring.

Question 27

Can I switch from full-service to the Partnership Program later?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many sellers start with our full-service program to learn the process, then transition to the Partnership Program once they're comfortable managing their own auctions. We'll help you make the transition smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started as a Seller

Fees & Payment

What Sells at Auction

The Auction Process

Estate & Cleanout Sales

Partnership Program

Still have questions?