Welcome back to my Let’s Go Junkin’ Series! It’s summer and that means it’s a great time for hitting up all those yard sales, flea markets, antiques shops and estate sales. Most junkers and collectors are pros at going treasure hunting and thrifting, but a lot of us often forget about (or ignore altogether) the online auction market. Many collectors just aren’t familiar with any online auctions other than Ebay, or perhaps they may be a bit intimidated by other online auctions which feature high end and expensive antiques and collectibles meant for “serious collectors.” Nevertheless, there are some really great auction sites online that offer affordable and unique vintage items and antiques. Today we are going junkin’ around the world from the comfort of home by exploring the online auction market.

Exploring Online Auctions

One of the hottest and most reputable sites to find all the best auctions in one place is Barnebys. This unique online auction aggregator website is essentially a meta search engine which trawls the databases and websites of hundreds of online auction sites. Barnebys offers a service to online auction houses which allows them to put their own content on the Barnebys site to generate traffic.  Setting up a free account with Barnebys provides shoppers with the fun and convenient experience of searching for hundreds of thousands of antiques, art and collectibles on one site. Sellers may also set up a free account and even have access to Barnebys appraisal services. Barnebys uses certified appraisers and their appraisals are accepted by most insurance companies.

Recently I spent some time browsing around Barnebys and I came across several auctions with affordable antique and vintage items that I would certainly consider bidding on. From antique furniture to vintage dishes, glassware, rare collectibles and one of a kind items, there is a little something for everyone in every price range.

Although my blog is focused around home decor and gardening, I am a music teacher, music collector, and a huge Beatles fan! You can also find auctions with  a wide variety of antiques, collectibles and art, (and a lot of Beatles items) on the Barnebys UK Site. 

I have been a Beatles collector for years, and I have often wondered how much some of my original Beatles memorabilia is worth. Using Barnebys UK Valuation  services would probably be a great way to get true and accurate appraisal of my memorabilia.

Bid With Confidence

Are you ready to start venturing into the world of online auctions? One of the first things you should do before bidding online is familiarize yourself with the company and website. A reputable  and trustworthy online auction site will typically feature:

• Clearly Defined Methods of Acceptable Payment
• Clearly Defined Rules And Regulations
• Proper Procedures For Handling Disputes and Refunds
• Positive Press And Features In Popular News, Magazines, And On Social Media
• Easily Accessible Customer And Consumer Reviews
• Registration With The Better Business Bureau
• A Well Designed and Professional Looking Website That Is Easy To Navigate and Current
• Regular Posting and Updates on Social Media

You should also do some research on the item you are planning to bid on to avoid making any impulse decisions. Make sure that the seller is using a photo of the actual item and not a stock photo. You should also compare the opening bid price with other online sites and research closing bid prices to ensure you aren’t actually over paying on that “good deal.”

I hope you have found this post informative and that it inspires you to check out Barnebys and other online auction sites. Whether you are looking for a particular item to add to a special collection or just browsing for something unique, you might just find the piece you have been waiting for your whole life!

Have any of you had success with buying or selling at online auctions? I love hearing your feedback!

Thanks for visiting today!