Seller Process

From inventory to payout

The Advantage.Bid team handles the presentation and publishing so you can focus on coordinating pickup.

Create your seller account

Sign up, verify your identity, and complete your seller profile. The process takes a few minutes and our team is notified as soon as you submit.

Email and password signup — no app to download
Your business name and contact details are kept private
Consignor details are stored securely for estate recordkeeping

Build your auction lots

Upload photos and describe your items using the lot builder. Add titles, conditions, materials, and dimensions — the more detail you provide, the more confident buyers bid.

AI-assisted descriptions — paste your notes and let us help draft copy
Each item becomes its own lot with its own bidding timeline
Select up to 3 featured lots to highlight in marketing
Size category is required; exact dimensions are optional

Submit your auction for review

When your lots are ready, submit your auction for final review. This locks your seller edits — the Advantage team takes it from here.

Our team reviews all lot details and photos for quality
We set the auction schedule, start times, and soft-close sequence
Every lot starts at $1 unless your agreement specifies otherwise
Advantage publishes the auction — not the seller

Buyers bid competitively

Registered buyers browse and place bids during the auction window. All bids are confirmed in real time and recorded permanently.

Anti-sniping: last-minute bids extend close time by 2 minutes automatically
Lots close in sequence — soft close with 1-minute staggered closings
Buyer premium is displayed live during bidding — no surprises
Paddle numbers keep bidder identities private during the live auction

Buyers pay and arrange pickup

After the auction closes, winning buyers pay online. Pickup begins at least 36 hours after auction end — you set the window, buyers choose a slot.

Payment is processed securely via Stripe — debit and credit cards accepted
Full pickup address is only released after payment is confirmed
You never have to chase payment — buyers pay before pickup
Pickup timing is entirely on your schedule

Receive your payout

Once buyer payments are confirmed, your seller proceeds are released. Your payout is the sum of all hammer prices minus the platform fee — no surprises.

Platform fee is a percentage of hammer price — no listing fees
Payout details are visible in your seller dashboard
Full transaction records available for estate settlement documentation

Start Selling →

Platform Rules

What sellers and buyers can expect

Advantage.Bid enforces consistent rules for every auction — so both sides know exactly what they're working with.

For sellers

Auction terms are set and published by Advantage — you don't have to draft them
You lock seller edits at final submission — changes after that point go through our team
Pickup must begin at least 36 hours after the last lot closes
You receive a payout statement with full itemized transaction detail
Consignor details are documented and stored — important for estate settlement

For buyers

Bid increments follow a standard approved ladder — no arbitrary minimums
Buyer premium is displayed live — you always know your total cost before bidding
Anti-sniping extends close time on last-minute bids — every buyer gets a fair shot
Payment is only charged when you win — no hold or pre-authorization
Full pickup address is only released after payment — your security is protected

Buyer Guide

How to find and win lots

Bidding on Advantage.Bid is straightforward. Here's how the buyer experience works from start to collection.

Create a buyer account

Register with your email and verify a payment method. A small temporary charge under $1 confirms your card — it's released immediately. Your account is ready to bid.

Browse active auctions

View all live and upcoming auctions on the auction listing page. Each auction shows the scheduled close date, number of lots, and a preview of featured items.

Review lot details

Each lot page shows photos, condition, materials, dimensions, and current bid. The buyer premium is displayed live — you always see your total before placing a bid.

Place your bid

Enter an amount above the current bid. Bids placed within 2 minutes of closing automatically extend that lot's close time by 2 minutes — giving all bidders a fair chance to respond.

Win and pay securely

If you're the highest bidder when the lot closes, you win. Pay via credit or debit card through Stripe. Your payment is only charged when you win — never before.

Schedule and collect

After payment, the full pickup address and schedule are released. Bring your payment confirmation and collect your items during the seller's pickup window.

Common Questions

Quick answers

More detailed FAQs are available for sellers and buyers.

How long does a typical auction run?

Most auctions run 5–10 days. The Advantage team sets the auction window when publishing — sellers choose their preferred pickup window and our team schedules accordingly.

What percentage does Advantage.Bid take?

Advantage charges a platform fee on the hammer price. The fee is disclosed in your seller agreement before you submit your first auction. There are no listing fees — you only pay if your items sell. See how sellers get paid for full details.

What happens to lots that don't sell?

Unsold lots (where no bids were placed) are returned to the seller without charge. Lots with bids that didn't meet expectations still close at the highest bid — there are no reserves by default, though this may be configurable by arrangement.

Can I set a minimum price for my items?

By default, all lots start at $1 with no reserve. If you need reserve pricing or a different starting bid, discuss this with the Advantage team during your onboarding — it's configurable by admin for the right situations.

How do buyers know where to pick up?

The full pickup address is only released to buyers after their payment is confirmed. Before payment, buyers see the general pickup area (city/region) — enough context to decide whether to bid, without exposing your exact address to everyone browsing.

What if a buyer doesn't show up for pickup?

Buyers pay before pickup — so you're never left holding items waiting for money. If a buyer misses their pickup window after paying, contact Advantage support. We handle dispute resolution and will work with you on next steps.

Is shipping available?

The platform is primarily designed for in-person pickup. Shipping options may be enabled by the Advantage team for certain auction types — ask during your onboarding if this applies to your inventory.

How Advantage.Bid Works