Should I Attend An Online Auction?

After all of the new changes due to COVID-19, you may be weary to attend an auction in person. With the functionality of technology now, it’s easier than ever to attend online auctions. While some people love the rush of actually being there, there can be pros and cons to an online auction. 

Pros

There are many pros when it comes to attending an online auction.

1. You don’t even have to leave your house. What’s better than that? You can literally bid on whatever you want from the comfort of your own home. You don’t have to get dressed up and ready, you can just hang out in your PJs!
2. You can do more research on the items in the auction. While there are items that are up for auction, you can look up the worth of them and know what your budget is. 
3. During an online auction, there tends to be less tension. You aren’t seeing other people and therefore you aren’t able to see their reactions to yours or someone else’s bids. 
4. The process is so much easier for an online auction- for both parties. You don’t have to spend as much time trying to set the auction site up and the attendees don’t have to worry about moving their schedules around to attend. 

Cons

Sometimes, it’s easier for people to be able to physically attend an auction. Here is a list of certain cons pertaining to an online auction. 

1. You don’t get to physically see the items in person. While the pictures of the item may be thorough, it’s still not the same as being able to see it with your own eyes. 
2. You aren’t able to see the reactions of the other attendees. Seeing everyone’s reactions is important so that you can tell whether or not that they are excited or interested in the items up for sale. 
3. Depending on the auction site you are using, there may be a lack of information. While this isn’t always the case, it is still a possibility. 
4. Since you are purchasing your item(s) online, there will be a wait time for them to actually ship to you. 

Our advice

Obviously, there will be pros and cons to every situation. But, it all depends on your unique circumstances. There may be reasons as to why you only attend online auctions, and vise versa. Either way, you can find so many unique and rare items no matter which direction you choose to go. 

Want to attend an auction?

The experts at High Plains Auctioneers know how to put on amazing auctions. If you are interested in farm equipment, hay equipment, vehicles, and rare finds at estate sales, then check out our upcoming auctions to find out more about what we have to offer. If you have any questions you can email us or call us at 806.244.6776! Happy auctioning!