Category: Auction Earning

Are you planning to sell whiskey online but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, we are here to guide you with all the steps needed for selling whiskey online. It has become a good option as the demand for rare and valuable whiskey bottles are rising in the United States. But in order to make your presence felt as the best whiskey seller, you have to get a good audience who can offer the best value for your bottle.

In order to start selling whiskey online, you have to select the right platform first. This can be done in many ways like online auctions, going for brokers, or selling to retailers. In all the listed ways, online auctions are a much better choice to get your whiskey bottle noticed by collectors from around the world. Brokers can offer a straightforward selling process with set prices and retailers usually buy the bottle to resell by taking it at lower prices to make a profit. Knowing where to sell whiskey can make a big difference in the profit you get for your effort. Let’s go ahead with the detailed steps to sell whiskey bottles online.

Step-by-Step Guide to Selling Whiskey Online

1. Choosing the Website: The first step to selling whiskey online is picking the right website. Research the best whiskey auction sites in the USA and select one of them. Popular options include Whisky-Online Auctions, Whisky.Auction, and Unicorn Auctions. They are the leading whiskey selling websites with different fees and commissions. Review them to find the one that is best to sell your bottle.
2. Creating an Online Account: Once you have selected the auction site, it’s time now to create an account. You need to provide basic details like your name, contact information, address, and payment method. Most auction sites make this process very easy. This will let you list your whiskey bottle for sale in the online auction.
3. Keep the Whiskey Bottle Ready: Clean the bottle, check its label and seal. Buyers go for well-preserved bottles with no cracks or damage. The bottle’s condition matters a lot in the sale as a damaged label or broken seal might sell for less. Most sites advise taking clear images of the front, back, and seal of the bottle. Original packaging and any certificates of authenticity that come with the bottle should be mentioned. When you sell whiskey online, honesty about its condition helps build trust with buyers.
4. Know the Shipping Rules: You must know the shipping regulations when you sell whiskey online. Some states in the U.S. have strict rules about shipping alcohol. You may need a shipping license to send your bottle to another state or country. Make sure to pack the bottle well to avoid damage during transit.

 

Where to Sell Whiskey Online: Top-Rated Platforms

whiskey online

Now let’s compare the websites where you can get the best price for your whiskey bottle. The right platform connects you with buyers who know the value of what you’re selling. Here are some of the best whiskey auction sites in the USA.

1. Whisky.Auction

It is the favorite site for people who want to sell rare whiskey bottles. The website has a strict verification process to check the quality of each bottle. Seller fees vary based on the final sale price with rates ranging from 20% for lower-priced items to 2.5% for higher-priced lots. Whisky.Auction holds monthly auctions for sellers to list their bottles. The website follows 100% transparency for both sellers and buyers in the online auctions.

2. Unicorn Auctions

They have captured the American whiskey market by creating a platform for sellers of all levels. This auction site values presentation and handles all photography and marketing. This is done to showcase your whiskey in the best possible manner. Seller fees are competitive too and the site takes care of the legal aspects of shipping alcohol within the United States. Unicorn Auctions has a trustworthy service and commitment to helping sellers get best deals.

3. Whisky-Online Auctions

Whisky-Online Auctions is counted as one of the best whiskey auction sites in the USA. The website specializes in collections of rare whiskeys for serious buyers. Sellers can take the benefit of free valuations by listing single bottles or entire collections. The website charges a seller’s commission that depends on the bottle’s final auction price. Whisky-Online Auctions also holds regular auctions to reach international buyers and give the best prices.

Make Profits by Launching Your Own Whiskey Auction Website

Creating your own whiskey auction website can help you get maximum profits from whiskey sales. You control the pricing, get a global reach of buyers, and avoid high seller fees by third-party websites. Knowing how to sell whiskey online through your own site can give you more flexibility. Here’s how you can do it.

Online Auction Software for Whiskey Sales

Using auction marketplace software helps you create a whiskey auction website easily. The software has all the features to manage listings, track bids, and receive payments in your account. This makes the buying and selling process easy for both you and your buyers. Customize your site, set your own rules, and control the look of your website. It gives you the freedom to design your platform to match your brand.

Here are some of the benefits of using an online auction tool to create a website for selling whiskey online.

1. Real-time bids give users the chance to compete for your whiskey. Instant notifications will keep bidders engaged and ready to increase the amount when someone places a higher bid. 
2. Faster payments mean you get your money right after the auction ends.
3. You can set a buyer’s premium to cover extra costs and make more profit. 
4. With the option to go for a no-reserve price, you can have more people to start bidding. This feature attracts a wider audience because they know they have a chance to win the bottle at a reasonable price.

Here is how your whiskey online website will look like after using the Online Auction software.

1. HomePage – It will show all the available whiskeys for auction.

2. Auction Product Details – It will show the price and brief of the auction item.

3. Product Details – Customers can check out the product details at this page.

If you are still wondering “how to sell whiskey online”, start your own auction site today with online auction software. With the right approach, you can build a site in a way that gives 100% profit and reduces headaches.

 

Legal Requirements for Selling Whiskey Online in United States

There are strict legal requirements for selling whiskey online in the United States. You must be aware about these laws to stay compliant and avoid any legal trouble. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and state-specific regulations set these rules. Sellers must follow federal and state guidelines for licenses on how to sell whiskey online.

The TTB requires a federal basic permit for those who are working in the production, blending, or bottling of distilled spirits. If you want to sell whiskey online legally, then you must have specified licenses. If you plan to ship alcohol directly to customers, you need a Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) license. The DTC license allows shipping to states where this practice is legal. For more details on federal alcohol laws, visit the TTB website and apply for a permit to sell whiskey online. 

State laws differ when you think about where to sell whiskey within the United States. Every state has its own set of rules regarding alcohol sales and distribution. Some states allow direct shipping to consumers while others restrict it. States like Utah and Mississippi do not permit direct shipping of alcohol. Some states require sellers to collect and remit taxes on shipped alcohol. Other states may ask for individual permits for each shipment. The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) provides a summary of state laws for alcohol shipping.

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) does not allow the shipping of whiskey online within the USA. You have to use private courier partners like FedEx or UPS for alcohol shipping. You need to follow these carrier guidelines and state laws so that the whiskey reaches its destination safely.

 

Advantages of Auctioning Whiskey Online

Now as you know how to sell whiskey online, let’s discuss the advantages of selling via auctions rather than selling directly to a retailer.

1. Auction sites will fetch higher prices due to online bidding by multiple users. When two or more buyers compete for a rare bottle, the price can go above the market value. The best whiskey auction sites in the USA will attract serious collectors who are willing to pay more for unique whiskey. Using online auction software helps sellers list their whiskey easily.
2. Auction sites offer much needed flexibility to sellers so that they can set a reserve price for whiskey bottles.
3. You can choose to auction valuable whiskey for high-end buyers. Custom auctions for whiskey are transparent as sellers can track bidding and know the final selling price. Using auction marketplace software gives sellers control over listings effectively.

 

Conclusion

If you are looking for ways to sell whiskey online, then there is no better option than online auctions. Auction sites give higher value by creating a competitive environment where bidders can raise the price. Using the best whiskey auction sites in the USA gives access to a global audience. Platforms like Whisky.Auction and Unicorn Auctions help sellers to reach serious buyers who know the value of rare bottles. Direct sales to online retailers offer a quicker and more predictable process but may not deliver the highest price.

Using auction marketplace software like GetUltimateAuction can simplify the process of creating your own website. This software gives sellers control over listings and bidding while managing everything in one place. Knowing how to sell whiskey online with the right software helps you set competitive prices. Whether you choose auction sites or direct sales, the right approach leads to higher profits.

HiBid is an online auction platform that connects buyers and sellers online. It has been in the market for a long time and you will come across a range of products available for bidding. There are electronics, antiques, art, cars, furniture, real estate, toys, coins, clothing, and other items available at HiBid. Some people wonder if HiBid is trustworthy for buying items online. It is normal to have such concerns in your mind about online platforms because it’s your hard earned money that you are going to spend. Today, we are going to help you out by giving an all-inclusive review of HiBid, the buying & selling process at their platform, security features, and more.

What is HiBid All About?

HiBid is a tool for online auctions which is available for sellers to reach more buyers. The platform supports many types of auctions in the form of live, timed, or both. It started as a way to bring auctions online and grew in popularity with time. Now, many people use it for their buying and selling needs.

Many users have shared positive experiences with HiBid. The platform takes steps to provide 100% safety for buyers and sellers. It has clear rules and support to handle any disputes that arise. These proactive measures have built trust in the community. It is important to research and understand how the platform works.

HiBid Auctions at Work: Step by Step Process

HiBid supports both live and online auctions for bidders to participate in real-time at their convenience. We have listed down the types of auctions available at their website.

1. Live Auctions: These auctions happen in person and have online tools for remote bidders.
2. Online-Only Auctions: These auctions are purely online where all bidding takes place remotely.
3. Webcast Auctions: These allow online bidders to participate in live auctions remotely.
4. Absentee Auctions: Bidders can submit their maximum bids in advance, and the system will bid on their behalf up to that amount.

Who Can Sell on HiBid?

HiBid is a platform for different types of sellers like businesses, estate liquidators, and individual sellers. There are some eligibility requirements for sellers. While nearly anyone can sell on HiBid, they need to meet the platform’s standards. You have to adhere to the regulations and provide accurate descriptions and images of the items for sale. Sellers also have to comply with the auction’s terms and conditions for the auction type. You can find all the Hibid seller user terms here for better understanding.

How to Become a HiBid Auctioneer

You have to visit the platform’s auctioneer registration form. Provide your business details and proof of auctioneer licensing, depending on your location. The platform also needs auctioneers to meet certain standards in terms of experience and ethical conduct. Auctioneers can list items, schedule auctions, and manage their sales through HiBid.

Step by Step Guide of How to Sell on HiBid

Selling items on HiBid is a very simple process and you just need to follow the below steps. 

1. Create an Account

You first need to have an account for selling on HiBid. Click the “Sell” button on the top of the homepage. It will open a registration form where you have to provide your information like First name, Last Name, Phone Number, Email, Zip Code, and your Message. Then click on the “OK” button to submit the form. You will get connected with one of their representatives who will assist you in setting up your account.

2. List Your Items

You can start listing your items once you have an account ready with HiBid after getting connected with an auctioneer. All you have to do is provide complete descriptions, upload high-quality images of the items you want to sell, and set the price for starting bids. Please note that all items with accurate and complete descriptions will attract more bidders. Make sure to write down any unique features in your items.

3. Choose Your Auction Format

Now it’s time to proceed with the type of auction you want. HiBid offers different auction formats like online-only auctions, live auctions, or a combination of both. Choose the one that suits your items and the target audience.

4. Set Your Terms

Clearly mention your payment and shipping terms before the auction begins. This will help avoid any misunderstandings in the entire process.

5. Promote Your Auction

You are allowed to promote your auction on social media and other platforms to reach a larger audience. The more visibility your items get, the better your chances of getting higher bids.

Platform Fees for Selling on HiBid

HiBid auctioneers charge a commission on the sale price between 5% to 20%. We have listed the breakdown of all fees associated with seller accounts on HiBid. YOu can use this information to know about the potential earnings you will get after the deduction of HiBid fees.

Auction Type	Auction SetUp Fees	Bidding Fees	Maximum Price
Webcast Live Bidding	$25	$0.25 per unique bid	$125 per auction
Internet Absentee Bidding	Nil	$0.25 per unique bid	$25 per auction
Internet-Only Auction	Nil	$0.25 per unique bid	$75 per auction

 

Other Platform Fees at HiBid

1. Auction Fee: 2% of the gross value of items sold in the auction
2. Real Estate Auction Fee: 0.1% of the amount for bidders from public portals
3. Credit Card Registration: $1.00 for each registration

So, choose the right auction setup to get the best out of your sales. 

Note: If you are a seller who often deals with many auctions in a month or the items are of high-value, you can also think of setting up your own auction platform to minimize these costs. There are many reputed custom auction marketplace software that gives you more control and flexibility to conduct auctions. Let’s figure out how you can set it up with minimal cost and save the HiBid auction fees.

Save on Fees with Your Own Auction Platform

While the HiBid platform is there to sell items, you can have your own auction site to avoid the auction fees in the long run. Online auction software will let you set your own rules, fees, and commission structures. This is helpful as you will avoid the standard commissions charged by third-party auction sites. You also get the flexibility to customize the user experience and add any additional features in your own auction website. This will not only maximize your profits but also give a clear understanding of your products to the customers.

Creating your own auction site is no longer a difficult task with our top-rated online auction software in the market. Here are some standout features you can use:

1. Customizable Auction Listings: Create end-to-end listings with options to add images, descriptions, and bidding rules to fit your product needs.
2. No Commission Fees: Avoid high fees charged by other platforms. You set your own rules and keep all your profits to yourself.
3. Real-Time Bidding Updates: Track bids in real-time throughout the auction.
4. User-Friendly Dashboard: Manage your auctions, users, and bids from one place. The dashboard is easy for daily auction operations.
5. Automated Email Notifications: Send instant notifications for bids, winning, and losing alerts to all participants automatically.
6. Multiple Payment Gateways: Integrate various payment options for your buyers to accept payments.

So, if you’re selling any auction items online, time to switch to your own auction website today!

Step by Step Guide for Bidding on HiBid

This section will show you how to bid on your favorite items in an ongoing auction at HiBid.

1. Create an Account: The very first step is to have an account on the HiBid website. This will give you the list of all the ongoing auctions on the platform.
2. Find an Auction: Use the search and filter options to find auctions that you are interested in. You can filter by categories, location, or price to narrow down your search.
3. Place a Bid: Once you find an item you want to buy, enter your maximum bid amount. HiBid will automatically bid on your behalf up to your maximum limit.
4. Bidding Increments: Each auction has specific bidding increments for the minimum amount by which your bid must increase over the current highest bid. You can set up the incremental bids in case you are not going to monitor it for the next few hours or days.
5. Set a Maximum Bid: This allows the system to automatically place bids for you up to that amount. This helps as you don’t need to monitor the auction every single minute.
6. Monitor the Auction: Keep an eye on the auction once it nears its end. If you’re outbid, you can decide to increase your maximum bid or let the item go.

How to Cancel a Bid on HiBid

1. Contact the Auctioneer: HiBid does not allow users to directly cancel their bids. You must contact the auctioneer of the specific auction and explain your reason for canceling the bid.
2. Auctioneer’s Discretion: It is up to the auctioneer whether they will allow the cancellation. They may reject the request if they believe it disrupts the auction process.
3. Potential Consequences: Canceling a bid is not common practice and can lead to restrictions on your account or being banned from future auctions. To avoid these issues, always double-check your bid amount and item details.

Security and User Experience on HiBid

All active buyers and sellers on the Hibid platform must follow the guidelines specified on their portal. Buyers should carefully read the item descriptions and check seller ratings before placing a bid. If you are bidding for a high-value item, it’s better to visit the item in person or ask for more details from the seller to avoid any issues later. Similarly, sellers should provide accurate descriptions and real photos. Be upfront about the estimated shipping costs and item conditions.

HiBid has many security measures in place to make sure that all transactions are 100% safe and secure. They offer credit card authentication (optional) to verify buyers’ information. This gives the confidence to sellers that the bidders have a valid payment method. The platform also monitors transactions and provides dispute resolution to handle issues between buyers and sellers. HiBid always asks the users to contact their support team for assistance in case of any query.

HiBid User Reviews and Testimonials

Hibid has mixed user reviews from being positive to negative. Many buyers and sellers appreciate the range of items and the simple user interface. Some have reported positive experiences with high-value transactions and deals. On the other hand, few have noted concerns with certain sellers not accurately representing items. 

Overall, HiBid has a 4 star rating on TrustPilot with 910 total reviews. This shows that the platform is legit and has given good items to buyers. It also has positive user reviews on its own website.

Here are some of the positive reviews available online at TrustPilot.

 

Ownership and Background of HiBid

HiBid is owned by Sandhills Global which is a company based in the United States. Sandhills Global is a technology firm specializing in information processing and distribution across several industries. They own multiple auction and listing platforms. The corporate structure of Sandhills Global includes a dedicated leadership team for operations and expansion. The focus is on providing online solutions for auctioneers and buyers.

HiBid’s Place in the Online Auction Industry

HiBid stands out in online auctions for its reliable platform. It offers many auction types like online-only, live webcast, and absentee bidding. Compared to other platforms, HiBid is known for supporting both small and large auctioneers. It has been growing steadily with a rising user base and expanding market presence. 

HiBid saw impressive sales in December 2023. The total merchandise sold was valued over $52.8 million. The overall hammer price was more than $102 million. Over 844,000 lots were sold through online bidding. There were 1,830 timed auctions and 118 live auctions held. Bidders placed more than 3.8 million bids in around 4.2 million sessions. Overall, it has been on an impressive growth for the past few years and the momentum is likely to continue.

Conclusion

HiBid is a trusted online auction site where buyers and sellers connect with each other. It offers many products like cars, real estate, antiques, art, clothing, etc. HiBid works with licensed auctioneers and well-known businesses so that all the items are legitimate. The platform is easy to operate with a clear bidding process and real-time updates. Buyers can see descriptions, photos, and terms of every auction. HiBid also has a mobile app to join live auctions from anywhere. You can explore HiBid to find rare items or sell your own at a safe and trusted space.

If you’re  a seller and worried about the high fees charged by Hibid, you can have your own auction website. GetUltimateAuction is a great online auction software with customized features and easy setup to start your own auction site without much hassle.

Paying rent for stored items is crucial to retrieve them on time. Here, storage auctions play a huge role. Learn more about how does a storage auction work!

Storage businesses can recover this missing property through storage auctions. Based on a brief sight of what’s inside, individuals from the public can place bids on the belongings of the storage unit. Check out the article to learn – how a storage auction works.

When an individual avoids rent for a predetermined time, storage facilities frequently decide to sell the unit at auction to raise money for the outstanding rent. When a unit is put up for auction, people seek out a deal bid for the storage area to find other unique items.

How Does a Storage Auction Work: Everything You Need to Know

Storage facilities can use storage auctions to sell the contents of a vacant unit to make room for a new renter. They are comparable to a standard auction in that bidders compete against one another to purchase the item. Although things aren’t offered separately, you’ll get a short glimpse inside the unit compared to a close-up view before putting in your bid.

At storage auctions, you’ll run into both experienced buyers who know what they’re looking for and buyers who are unfamiliar with the auctions. While a storage auction’s procedure varies from unit to unit, it typically adheres to the same pattern. Auctioneer software plays an important role in the registration process.

Instead of holding typical live, personal auctions to auction off their units, many self-storage companies now sell their space through internet marketplaces. Visit their rental office and inquire about the potential for an auction if the regional facility fails to utilize e-auctions to help organize and manage a storage auction using silent auction software.

Rare finds, antiquities, and interesting objects can occasionally be discovered. In other instances, it’s boxes of paperwork and unsold items. Storage auctions have become extremely famous as a result of reality TV series, but they are still relatively simple to locate, even without that boost in advertising.

How Does a Storage Auction Work: Key Rules to Know

Storage auctions frequently have a set of guidelines that are only sometimes well-known. There are a few guidelines you should be aware of before participating in your first storage facility auction. These guidelines apply to every storage unit you visit. Following are the guidelines or rules for storage auctions are:

Key Rules to Know

• The storage unit responsible for organizing will probably want you to pre-register before coming to the storage auction if you want to participate in the day’s activities. That could entail registering online and registering before the auction day using auctioneer software or silent auction software.
• Instead of bidding on individual items, bidders compete for all items in the storage container.
• The highest bidder receives the unit.
• Upon acceptance of the highest bid, the bidder pays the amount in cash.
• Personal belongings like tax records, legal papers, photos, and documentation must be provided by the buyer of the property to ensure they can be given back to the former tenant.
• The site may request a deposit at its sole discretion till the storage facility gets cleared.
• The local police force must be notified if there are any weapons in the storage facility.
• Normally, the successful bidder has up to 48 hours to sort out the place or rent it out in their company’s name.
• Additionally, there won’t be any private bids because each unit is being sold in an open auction.
• Typically, cars are just auctioned for their parts; no registration is ever acquired to give the winning buyer.

How Does a Storage Auction Work

There are a total of three parts in the storage auctions. They happen in the following ways –

The Pre-Auction

Storage firms will publicize the approaching auction of storage units and make arrangements for a presenter or an auctioneer to preside over the event. Even though most auctions are held in person, some are done online, too, via silent auction software or non-profit auction software.

Auction participants must register in advance using auctioneer software. The specifics of the auction need to be reviewed to determine whether this is required to be carried out in person or online.

---

The Auction

The storage facility is to disable the unit to begin the auction and give prospective bids access to the interior. It’s important to remember that bidders typically aren’t allowed to go into the facility itself and can just take a quick peek inside. The amount a storage unit sells for at auction mostly depends on the bidders and the possibilities they perceive inside.

---

The Post-Auction

There are regulations governing what is to be done and what is not to be done with the goods themselves, just as there are regulations governing how storage auctions operate.

For instance, the storage facility must keep hold of significant papers belonging to the former tenant, such as photographs of family members and their birth certificates, and make an effort to hand over them to the original owner. And any weapons must be turned over to law police if they exist.

---

How Does a Storage Auction Work: Guide to Online Storage Auctions

If you want to bid on units at several different storage facilities or don’t live close by, online storage auctions are a fantastic choice. Similar to a live auction, you will place a bid on the entire unit instead of each item through an online auction, where you will be shown a picture of the unit on offer to get a sense of what’s inside.

Instead of taking a chance at an in-person auction when you can walk away empty-handed if you win a unit, you’ll be able to travel to a facility with an assurance that you’ll have stuff available when you get there. Silent auction software and auctioneer software have made process registration process easy for the bidders.

Tips for Winning Bids at Storage Auctions

It needs planning and considerable thought to win a bid at a storage auction. To improve the probability of success, consider the following tips:

• Since bidding can be alluring, set a budget and stick to it. Set a limit on how much you’re willing to spend on a unit, and don’t go over it.
• Perform research as much as you can on the storage unit before the auction. To learn what may have been kept within the units, look into the storage facility and its patrons.
• Your instincts can sometimes point you in the proper route. It’s acceptable to pass on an auction if anything seems odd or if the risk appears to be worthwhile.
• You might not be allowed to get inside the storage space or touch the objects, but you may still look at them closely from a distance. Look for any obvious indications of expensive things or possible damage.

In Conclusion – Final Words

Make solid preparations when you think about participating in a storage auction. The inability to clean the unit may end in high fees that could further deplete your budget. The process of placing a bid on a unit of storage might be competitive, so if it’s the first time you’ve done so, you might skip it altogether.

If you acquire a storage unit at a particular location, you’ll have more time to look through your finds, but keep in mind that you will only sometimes be able to go to the container. Check out non-profit auction software beforehand to get an idea.

A storage unit that is being auctioned off usually allows you to peek inside for a short while. This brief view is typically all you’ll be allowed to use because you won’t be able to enter or touch things. Make a checklist of the specific products you want to purchase and look out for them.

If you want to know more information on how a storage auction works, you need to look for the specific storage auction policies of different companies. If you are interested in being a part of an auction and want to become a bidder, look out for storage auctions nearby to learn more about them and when they are going to take place.

Check out the process of various auctions and how they work in Auctioneer Software.