The Next Bid also extends 3 Bonus Credits to anyone that refers a friend.

There are 6 winners per auction in this reverse auction. Whoever has the unique low bid takes the lot but the five runner-ups do earn bonus points. In fact, 100 Bonus Credits are rewarded to the first runner up of each auction.

NUMBER OF AUCTIONS: The Next Bid has roughly 40 live unique low bid auctions at any given time. Items up for grabs can include things like an iPhone, a Mini Cooper Convertible, an iPod Nano, a Nintendo Wii, Sony Playstation, laptop computers and bid credits. Each auction displays the item’s market value, the cost per bid, auction rules (i.e. maximum number of bids allowed) and the auction’s end date.

Some products being auctioned are also available in a “Buy Now” express auction where you simply pay the seller’s fee rather than placing a bid hoping for the unique low bid. This is particularly good if you find the seller’s fee reasonable and don’t wish to go through the bidding cycle. Some people just don’t like the gamble associated with unique low bid auctions. The possibility of spending money and coming away with nothing frightens most people. So they are willing to pay a flat fee, set by the seller, and forsake the chance of scoring a bargain in a reverse auction.

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Site navigation is fairly similar to the navigation of Bidster. There is a navigation menu on the right side of the page enabling members to click links to view ongoing auctions, closed auctions, add funds or refer a friend who may be interested in unique low bid auctions.

The site keeps a running tally of your available VIP and Bonus Credits. This information is good to monitor as you browse the lots and consider bidding. You are able to develop a bidding strategy without having to scan information from scattered sources.

There is a Feedback Section where members can rate their experiences with The Next Bid’s reverse auctions. Email support is available but not really visibly promoted on the website. The FAQ section is basic and similar to other sites in the reversed auction/unique low bid realm. Same general questions with the same answers. Delivery of goods is 1-3 weeks following the paid invoice and The Next Bid will provide notification in the event of any delay with a full explanation of the circumstances.

OVERALL RATING: The Next Bid is very similar to Bidster but has the edge on Bidster when it comes to the number of ongoing auctions. It is also different from Bidster and other reverse auction sites as it offers both unique low bid auctions and express “Buy Now” auctions. This reviewer actually enjoys Bidster and Auctionair more than The Next Bid but can’t argue the fact that The Next Bid has features and strengths in areas where those sites could use a little improvement.

Click here to bid with The Next Bid

£ 10.00 = £ 1.00 bonus credits
£ 20.00 = £ 3.00 bonus credits
£ 50.00 = £ 8.00 bonus credits
£ 100.00 = £ 18.00 bonus credits
£ 550.00 = £ 100.00 bonus credits
£ 2500.00 = £ 550.00 bonus credits

Bidster also rewards bonus credits as part of various promotional offers. For example, whenever you refer a friend to Bidster, you receive a £ 4.00 bonus credit. Bidster has also recently partnered up with paf.com – a popular online gaming company offering online slots, betting, bingo, lotteries and casinos. Bidster members that register as members of paf.com will earn £ 20.00 worth of bonus credits that they can use to participate in Bidster’s unique low bid auctions.

The bonus credits present an opportunity to build up your bidding frequency as you can use these free bonus credits to place bids for bid packages being auctioned off at bargain rates through reverse auction.

NUMBER OF AUCTIONS: You can typically find anywhere from 14-20 ongoing auctions on Bidster. Items up for auction include cars, plasma/LCD televisions, iPhone and iPods, gaming systems, vacation getaways, cameras, designer watches, gift certificates and bid packages.

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Bidster’s website is very easy to follow. A right side navigation menu links you to sections of the site where you can review your bids. You can view the status of your current ongoing bids and your bidding history for closed unique low bid auctions.

The “How It Works” section is great for beginners trying to learn about reverse auctions and how to comprehend the intricacies involved with low bid unique auctions. The Frequently Asked Questions area of the website is also very well written for novices who at first may be intimidated by reverse auctions.

Bidster offers both telephone and e-mail support. Email response time is typically within 24 hours and their customer service has received high praise.

Every bid listing shows the market value, cost per bid, auction start date and the auction end date. This makes navigating the site less of a hassle, as all of the most pertinent information is right in front of your eyes. There is no need to use the Back arrow to revert back to the previous screen’s information prior to submitting what will hopefully be a unique low bid.

The “News” section of the website is very encouraging as it shares success stories of recent winners. Reading about others that are participating in reverse and low bid unique auctions, just like you, helps build a sense of community amongst members. It’s also a good forum to pick up bidding tips from those that have successfully scored bargain deals through unique low bid auctions.

OVERALL RATING: Bidster is one of the best reverse auction sites online. The site is easy to navigate; the items and products being auctioned are top notch. Bidding fees are typically a very reasonable £ 1.50 or £ 2.00 and are clearly visible as you bid. You can place either single bids or interval bids within a specific price range. An example of an interval bid is 11 bids ranging from 5 pence to 15 pence. Interval bids can increase your chances of winning a unique low bid auction. Bidster customer service generally receives high marks. Purchased products can take 1 – 4 weeks for delivery and Bidster promises to notify you in the event of any delay from the product’s manufacturer.

Click here to bid with Bidster

NUMBER OF AUCTIONS: When Grababid started in 2007, they ran a penny bid auction model and offered primarily DVD’s and computer games. Grababid now runs fixed price reverse auctions with up to 40 live auctions at a given time. This reverse auction seldom slights its participants when it comes to product quality and routinely offers top brand name technology devices, fashion accessories, cars, bikes, fragrances, and other home and lifestyle items for bargain prices that can be up to 95% off standard retail prices. Browse through the winning reverse auctions and you’ll see items like a Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock – Wireless Bundle, a Playstation 3 or the latest iPod contraption with fixed prices of £1.

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Grababid is a very well designed site that is much easier to navigate than some of its low bid or reverse auction competitors. All auctions are categorized and members can browse these categories courtesy of a drop down menu on the front page. You can view the featured fixed price reverse auctions that are ongoing and click each individual auction for more products and bid details. The “How It Works” portion of the site is brief, to the point but still an effective introduction to someone just entering the world of online reverse auctions.

OVERALL RATING: A quick online search of Grababid will likely find many accusations of the site being full of robot programs or certain members becoming multiple winners. Others online will be quick to boast about the bargains that they scored through Grababid’s fixed price reverse auction, not having to pay for shipping and receiving their goods within a desirable time window. Remember that there is always a positive and negative represented online.

The fact remains that Grababid is likely the first site that other reverse auctioneers will copy as a model. For those bidding on the site, it’s just a matter of developing the skill and know-how to come out “last man standing” when the auction clock hits 0.00. And remember the timer resets each time a bid is placed. Our suggestion: Get the most from using the Bid Butlers. Bid Butlers allow you to place, all at once, a number of bids that are submitted throughout the duration of bidding, rather than relying on the crapshoot that comes with placing single bids. You can actually walk away from the computer and come back the winner of a great prize at a bargain price through Grababid’s fixed price reverse auctions.

Click here to bid with Grab a bid

• 10 bid credits for £11
27% discount

• 50 bid credits for £52
31% discount

• 100 bid credits for £95
37% discount

• 500 bid credits for £439
41% discount

• 1000 bid credits for £829
45% discount

NUMBER OF AUCTIONS: Budson offers members the opportunity to participate in both penny bid and unique low bid auctions. There are approximately 28 live ongoing penny bid auctions and 24 unique low bid auctions running at any given time. Products up for bid are very high quality. Ranging from Samsung LCD TV’s, Wii systems, iPods, Xbox systems, iPhones, vacation vouchers, H&M vouchers, iMac computers, bid credits and so much more! We really can’t say enough about the products available through Budson’s penny and low bid auctions. You can really walk away with some incredible products at bargain prices!

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Budson has a very nice layout that is easy to follow and perfect for novices of penny bid or lowest unique bid auctions. There is a very informative video explaining penny auctions and good descriptive text about unique low bid auctions. The homepage displays auctions that are nearing time expiration and the top navigation bar directs you to individual sections for Budson’s penny auctions and low bid auctions. Each auction showcases the products retail price and the auction’s close date and time. There are some very helpful general, penny bid and low bid auction FAQ sections, along with comments from winners, and details on auctions previously won by Budson members.

OVERALL RATING: Budson stands out amongst other online auction sites because members can participate in both penny auctions and unique lowest bid auctions. The site is easy to maneuver around and not “too busy” like other online auctions sites. It’s pleasing to the eyes with no distracting blinking ads and animated gifs. Members seem pleased with customer service and product delivery. This is a very good introductory site to anyone interested in having some fun with online bidding. Budson even offers rookies an opportunity to bid against other newbies for products of interest with their Rookie Auctions.

Click here to bid with Budson

And that’s just the beginning! When your friends actually register as members of BidandClick, and purchase their first credits, you receive 500 extra bonus credits! This is by far one of the best bonus incentives of any reversed auction site. You can start bidding in competitive unique low bid auctions without spending a lot of money purchasing credits.

Bonus credits are also available every time a registered BidandClick member purchases at least £ 25 worth of credits (2,500 credits) with their credit card or through a bank transfer. Just keep in mind that credits purchased through bank transfer aren’t available for immediate bidding in unique low bid auctions.

Gold Membership to BidandClick’s reverse auctions are available with purchases of £ 30 to £ 750 with bonus credits ranging from 450 to 60,000 depending on how many credits are purchased. The most popular Gold Membership package is 5,000 credits for £ 50 with 1,250 bonus credits!

NUMBER OF AUCTIONS: BidandClick has roughly 22 live unique low bid auctions featuring items like smart cars, iPods, a Sony Home Cinema system, an Xbox 360 Elite, a Blackberry Storm, Playstation 3 and other technological necessities and gadgets. You can also place bids for bidding credits at discount prices. Bidders in this reverse auction clearly see the “Remaining Time” clock ticking down, the date and time stamp for auction’s end, the item’s street value, the auction’s lot number and the number of credits needed to place your unique low bid.

EASE OF NAVIGATION: This is one of the nicest put together reversed auction sites online. Site navigation is effortless due to the sleek easy-to-follow design. It has both an aesthetic appeal and good content that is easy to find. The “How It Works” section has a video tutorial to help novices learn about unique low bid auctions along with a FAQ section to help them understand reverse auction terminology and lingo. A left side navigation menu lets you view your ongoing online auctions and your closed auctions. User feedback is also available with prior low bid auction winners rating their BidandClick user experience.

OVERALL RATING: Many reverse auction sites tend to look alike after awhile but BidandClick has a unique look and unique low bid auctions that are comparable to other leading sites in this particular niche.

Click here to bid with Bid and Click

This set up basically rewards loyalty and is perhaps one of the many reasons Bidclever has enjoyed such success and longevity. We all know that reverse auctions and unique low bid auctions can sometimes be a gamble. These auctions are really no different than a roll of the dice or hoping for a sweet hand in a poker game with your mates. But, with Bidclever, the more you bid, the more points you are able to cash in for free bids. This means you aren’t entirely throwing away your money with lost auctions.

It should be noted that Clever Points are only available to those placing their unique low bids online.

Bidclever also frequently runs promotions where any deposit is matched with a 100% deposit bonus. For example, £10 would get you £10 worth of free bids in Bidclever’s unique low bid auctions. These promotions run periodically up to the £100 maximum deposit.

Those who want to test out Bidclever before making a deposit are able to place one free bid in select promotional reverse auctions.

NUMBER OF AUCTIONS: The problem here isn’t product quality but the limited number of reverse auctions that are running at a given time. There can be as few as four ongoing auctions. Rating this section so low is a bit unfortunate because Bidclever does have some great items up for auction. Plasma TV’s, external hard drives, iPods, laptop computers and much more. Also, in regard to simplicity, the fact that there aren’t that many auctions running at once actually makes Bidclever a great choice for anyone that wants to participate in unique low bid auctions without feeling overwhelmed by too many ongoing auctions. But the name of this category is “Number Of Auctions” and not “Simplicity Of Auctions” or “Quality Of Auctions.”

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Bidclever has a simple website that makes bidding on their low bid reverse auctions quite simple and hassle free. We mentioned the minimalism in having just four ongoing auctions. This also makes site navigation less of an eye strain. Each of the ongoing auctions is featured right on the front page. Previous unique low bid auction winners are spotlighted in the “Winners” section. Making a deposit is simple and Bidclever even accepts Paypal for those hesitant to enter credit card or checking account information. The “How It Works” section educates first timers and newbies on the nuances of unique low bid reverse auctions.

OVERALL RATING: Bidclever is a very good site that has been around for years. Launching at the end of 2005, Bidclever is not only one of the original unique low bid sites on the Internet but the site has rewarded over £200,000 worth of prizes. Auctions fees range from free bids to 10p, 50p and £1 per bid. Winners of these reverse auctions are typically complimentary of customer service and problem resolution. You can follow Bidclever auctions on Twitter or arrange to be emailed on the status of your bids in ongoing reverse auctions. Had it not been for the limited number of unique low bid auctions running on the site, Bidclever would have easily been the recipient of a five star review.

Click here to bid with Bid Clever

Ten-Pence, a penny bid auction site, apparently recognizes this more than other online auctions and promotes itself as having the most attractive bid bonuses on the market. First, simply upon registering, without even buying bid credits, you are given 5 free bids. And, when you are ready to buy bids, Ten-Pence rewards new members with an unprecedented 100% bonus upon your first bid purchase! So, if you purchase a package of 50 bids, you are given 50 more bids at no additional charge.

Additionally, like many other penny bid, low bid and reverse auctions, Ten-Pence gives members an opportunity to earn even more free bids by inviting other friends and family to join in on the fun. When your referral signs up to participate in Ten-Pence’s penny auctions and purchases their first bid pack, you are rewarded another 100% bonus of whatever amount they purchased.

NUMBER OF AUCTIONS: We have yet to see more than five ongoing penny auctions running at once on Ten-Pence. There also seems to be an influx of vouchers or free bids being auctioned off rather than top-notch products. However, that isn’t to say that the vouchers aren’t of value, and we also aren’t saying that you won’t find some superb products in Ten-Pence’s penny bid auctions. There have been winners of Nintendo Wii systems for £4.2, iPod docking stations for £0.2 and iPod shuffles for £8.

EASE OF NAVIGATION: The site design allows for simple navigation. The home page is comprised mostly of current auctions with a header banner that displays past auctions with winning bid amounts. Information on Bid Bonuses is nicely outlined and briefed and the top navigation bar links you to FAQ, News and Auction Winners pages. The FAQ section hosts a very nice section on how to win penny bid auctions on Ten-Pence that explains the use of Bid Agents, etc.

OVERALL RATING: Ten-Pence is a nice penny auction site that is comfortable and uncomplicated. They offer members the cheapest bid packs of any penny bid, low bid and reverse auction site online with online bid prices ranging from 45p to 60p. Ten-Pence would benefit from having more simultaneous ongoing auctions and a more desirable product selection. That said, if you check the site frequently, you can still make out with bargains on some great items. We did regrettably encounter some technical issues with the site. At times, the bid timer runs slow due to a JavaScript issue, the page displays jumbled on the Google Chrome browser and we received several error messages when trying to login. It’s hard to establish whether or not these were just “wrong place/wrong time” issues but this penny auction site is still relatively new and they could still be working out some kinks here and there. One nice thing about Ten-Pence is there are times of the day when it’s not particularly busy. This has made it somewhat easier to score some great deals through Ten-Pence penny auctions.

Click here to bid with Ten-Pence

Members of Swoopo purchase bids in advance at 50p per bid. BidPacks are sold in packs of 20 at £10, 55 at £25 (save £2.50), 115 at £50 (save £7.50), 170 at £75 (save £10.00) and 560 at £250 (save £30.00).

You do receive 5 FreeBids for every invited friend that purchases a BidPack and joins in on Swoopo’s low bid and penny auctions. Free bids for Swoopo are valid for seven days and must be used within that time frame.

NUMBER OF AUCTIONS: Swoopo has their low bid auctions and penny bid auctions categorized in easy to follow categories.

They have close to 50 Beginner’s Auctions running at a time. These are special auctions that are exclusive to members of Swoopo that have yet to win an auction. Your competition is limited and no more skilled or experienced than you are. This evens out the playing field and gives newbies an opportunity to perfect their bid strategies before taking on pro bidders.

They then have close to 200 Live Auctions running. Items up for grabs in these low bid or penny auctions range from Consoles and Video Games, Home & Garden materials, Watches and Jewelry, iPods and mp3 players, laptop and notebook computers and many other surprises.

In the majority of Swoopo auctions, each bid increases the amount by 10 pence. But there are also penny bid auctions on Swoopo where the amount only goes up 1 pence – just like MadBid’s penny bid setup.

Swoopo has 20-second auctions, 15-second auctions and 10-second auctions. These time intervals are actually how many seconds the clock increases each time a low bid or penny bid is placed. When the clock ticks down to 0:00 – the person holding the last bid has earned the right to buy that item at the bargain price bidding ended at.

You can either place single bids or select how many bids you’d like the BidButler to execute within a given range. The BidButler will wait until the final 10 seconds of the auction’s countdown clock to execute the bidding.

EASE OF NAVIGATION: There is plenty of good content and information on the site that can be easily located. Navigation is simple as the Home Page serves as the portal to everything; accomplishing everything a Home Page is supposed to.

Scroll down menus let you view the auction categories and your current ongoing auctions. You see current Swoopo promotions; you can read about the latest low bid or penny bid auction winner on Swoopo; auctions that are down to their final hours and minutes and other live ongoing auctions. You can see for yourself the contrast between what the item’s current bid is in relation to its actual market value.

The “My Swoopo” section connects you to all pertinent information regarding your account. You see all of your current and past auction activity; you can purchase BidPacks; and edit details regarding your account.

The Help section of Swoopo is full of relevant information for anyone new to low bid and penny bid auctions. You can find details regarding delivery, shipping, defective products, and properly managing your account in the left side navigation menu.

OVERALL RATING: Swoopo has been labeled the originator of “Entertainment Shopping” and it’s impossible to argue that. While there is a gamble to participating in these low bid and penny bid auction sites, it can be incredibly fun and rewarding for those that develop a knack for it. Swoopo is one of the best online auction sites out there right now. It’s just too bad that they don’t offer many free or bonus credits. More people would likely give these low bid and penny bid auctions a try if there wasn’t such great potential for losing money. Free or Bonus credits – with great incentives to earn more – would seemingly get more people joining and bidding.

Click here to bid with Swoopo

It should also be noted that you can save money on bidding when you purchase online bid packages. Bids on MadBid can cost anywhere from £0.75 to £1.50. You can bring the price of your bids down by purchasing packages of 100 or more bids. For example, £100.00 gets you 100 bids for £1.00 each. £375.00 gets you 500 bids at £0.75 per bid.

NUMBER OF AUCTIONS: These penny bid auctions run at hourly intervals with anywhere from 6 – 12 live low bid auctions running at a time. Auctioned items can include a Fiat 500 car, a Samsung 40” TV, a 3G iPhone, Nintendo Wiis, laptops and digital cameras.

There are also MadBid “Rookie Auctions” – free auctions that are exclusive to new users, designed to help beginners understand how penny bid auctions work. Most of these auctions are for MadBid bids at a discounted cost.

One common complaint about MadBid auctions is the number of items like cash, auction bids, vouchers and scratch cards that sometimes flood out the higher end items in live auctions. Granted, there are many people that enjoy bidding on such items, many people prefer to see high valued items up for grabs.

To MadBid’s credit, their online surveys do frequently ask members what specific products they want to see auctioned off on the site. And it’s not like there is a shortage of top quality products on MadBid.

Another nice feature of MadBid is you are able to see what penny bid auctions are coming up in the days to come. You can review item details, see the time bidding starts and remember to monitor the clock and strategize your bidding. Many members choose to set up AutoBids in the “Member Controls” section of the site when they see something in “Future Auctions” that appeals to them.

EASE OF NAVIGATION: MadBid is a very “busy” site. There is a lot going on. It may actually be a little intimidating at first for low bid auction novices because there is so much on the site. However, in the “Member Controls” section of the site, there is a button for “Easy View”. This quiets down the page a little, breaking up the Rookie Auctions, Current Auctions and Future Auctions into a list format that is a little easier on the eyes.

All of the most relevant and pertinent information is readily available on the site. There is a solid “How It Works” and “FAQ section. There is both email and phone support available in the event that you run into any problems or issues.

OVERALL RATING: It’s important to remember that MadBid is a penny bid auction that differs from reverse auctions or unique low bid auctions where you’re bidding a specific amount. All your bid does on MadBid is increase the current bid amount by an increment of 1p while resetting the auction’s time clock. Each time someone bids, the current bid on display increases by 1p and the time clock is again reset. The auction is over when the clock finally hits 0.00, nobody counter bids and the last person to bid wins the right to purchase the item for the final low bid amount showing at the clock’s expiration.

So, yes, you can obtain goods at bargain prices, however, you must keep in mind that you’re spending £0.75 to £1.30 on penny bids. It’s very easy to become addicted to penny bid auctions and not realize how much money you’re spending and the likelihood that you’ll walk away with nothing. That said; check out MadBid to see if it’s a gamble you want to take. Take advantage of the free bids and perhaps you’ll be one of the fortunate ones that win goods at a fraction of their actual costs without frivolously throwing away a lot of money.

Click here to bid with Mad Bid

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