Auctionair

SIGN UP BONUS: Auctionair works somewhat differently than other reverse auction sites. You can’t add funds or build credits for bidding like other unique low bid auction sites. You are instead asked to submit payment (referred to as an “entry fee”) each time you finalize and submit a bid. So, there is no ongoing count of credits or bids you have remaining and no bulk buying of bids through membership plans. This means no sign up bonus and no way to accumulate bonuses, however, losing bidders do become eligible for Auctionair “Buy It Now” discount prices up to £200 off of the marked price. This compensates somewhat for money spent on entry fees for lost auctions.

NUMBER OF AUCTIONS: Unlike most reverse auction sites, Auctionair has both high bid auctions and unique low bid auctions. There are typically about 30 high bid auctions and 13 unique low bid auctions running at a time. Auctioned items include plasma/LCT televisions, iPods, computers, cameras, cars, vacation getaways to big cities, landmarks, resorts and exotic destinatons, and even wildlife adventure tours. You definitely see some unique items being auctioned off ranging from two nights in Prague at a 5 star hotel, three nights in New York City, spa pampering, professional photo shoots, 7-day African safaris, 10-night romantic jaunts to India, along with the usual items auctioned off in reverse auctions.

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Auctionair has produced a very easy to navigate website that contains a lot of useful information and tips regarding reverse auctions, high bid auctions and unique low bid auctions. Both types of auctions are explained in great detail and users have more than enough information and background about high bid auctions and low bid unique auctions prior to submitting their first bid.

The site features plenty of testimonials from previous winners along with results of past high bid and unique low bid auctions, bidding tips, and FAQ and “How Does It Work” sections for novices. The site’s content is sprinkled with the success stories of members that have won £16,000 Mini Coopers for £5., iPods for £13, LCD/Plasma TV’s for £59, and lavish vacation holidays for £27.

OVERALL RATING: Auctionair is a fun reverse auction site that dares to be different in presentation and format. The Auctionair high bid auctions differ greatly from traditional online auction sites like eBay. There is an entry fee of £5 per bid to participate in the high bid auction. This auction is a ‘sealed bid’ meaning your bids aren’t visible to others and you only need to bid once. You don’t need to continuously check back to see if you still have the high bid and nobody can outbid you at the last minute. You aren’t put in a position where you’re continuously increasing your bid amount to come out on top as the high bidder by auction’s end. You’re simply bidding what you feel the item or product is worth. Bid amounts are not binding as you still have an opportunity to decline completing the purchase even if you have the winning bid. The item will just be offered to the next highest bidder. Every few weeks unclaimed winning bids are also sold off to other members; allowing others to obtain bargain deals on auctions they may have lost or missed out on originally.

Auctionair’s low bid unique auctions also differ from other reverse auctions. Each auction has a set amount of required bids that must be met before the auction ends. For example, an iPod Touch’s auction will not end until there are 160 required bids. There is generally a maximum amount of bids allowed per person and entry fees range from £2 to £25 (sometimes more) per bid depending on the item up for bid. While different from the standard reverse auction site, these entry fees and the required number of bids for each auction give members access to more unique items and products and the potential for greater bargains.

Click here to bid with Auctionair