Why I set up www.bidonthis.co.uk
Bid on This was launched in December 2014 out of a passion for auction houses and what they have to offer. It was apparent that this was an untapped market for many consumers, who had never before given thought to auctions for every day products such as furniture and electrical goods.
In this article, Helen Parker, founder and Chief Exec of Bid on This explores the eye-opening world of auction houses and why anyone could and should buy at auction:-
Auction Houses… you imagine walking into one is slightly like going into a village pub? You walk in thinking you might want a cider, suddenly the 5 regulars turn and stare at you, the landlord offers you a confusing number of local brews, the resident dog starts humping your leg, and you throw a fiver at the bar, grab whatever you agreed to drink and sit quietly in the corner counting the seconds until it is socially acceptable to leave?
That is what I thought before visiting auction houses and meeting many many friendly and talented auctioneers. This is because no-one talks about going to an auction, because the pre-conception is that they are for the older generation to buy ceramic cats and cut glass bowls. Any media coverage of auctions is also concerned with amping up the tension and the ability to lose money.
The first time I visited an auction house was an eye-opener, I was shown round from the delivery drop off point the night before an auction was due to run. The team were setting up the goods for viewing and it was like walking into a homeware version of TK Max. My excitement was first built by spotting an ex-John Lewis Phillips Wine fridge, fully functioning, packaging still on the plug with a £25 start price sticker on it, and the trip resulted in me leaving a bid for £30 (which I won!). 1 year after discovering the world of auction houses I now have an Armani watch (£90), Gazebo (£20), a collection of vases (all £1 each), a bed (£40), a mattress (£30), new head board (£10), TomTom GPS Watch (£75) and the crowning glory of a sofa for £12.50.
This is why I set up bidonthis.co.uk – the world of auctions is fascinating and diverse. You can buy anything if you keep your eyes open… the quality is great if that’s what you’re looking for, and wonderful if like me you’ve got to the stage where you were fed up of walking into other people’s houses and seeing your pre-pack IKEA wardrobe and shelves. I have always loved the concept of auctions but also got fed up of scrolling through pages and pages of Chinese junk on eBay, or finding a gem and being beaten by someone’s sniping script. That’s because those auctions aren’t run by auction houses with the expertise and access to low price, unique products.
What I also wanted to do is offer the ability to access this world from anywhere - smartphones, ipads, pc etc etc – there’s no reason why the auction world shouldn’t sell through the internet like all other industries. It’s truly exciting to be in an industry that hasn’t flipped the switch on online yet, and be helping consumers get amazing products whilst offering auction houses access to the entire world.
Helen Parker
Founder and Chief Exec
Bid on This
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