Inventory vs. Auction: What's the Difference?

QuickAuction offers two ways to sell your items: Inventory and Auction.

Both options allow buyers to purchase your item, but they provide different selling experiences. Understanding how each works can help you decide which option best fits your needs.

Inventory

Inventory is an always-available marketplace where buyers can browse listings, submit offers, and purchase items without waiting for a live auction.

Any seller can create Inventory listings. A QuickAuction Unlimited subscription is not required.

While your item is in Inventory:

Buyers can browse and view your listing.
Buyers can submit offers at any time.
Buyers can purchase your item using Buy It Now (if available).
You can review and accept offers whenever you're ready.
You can edit your listing before it sells or enters a live auction.

Unlike an auction, Inventory listings do not have a countdown timer, allowing your item to remain available until it sells, is removed, or is entered into a live auction.

Auction

An Auction is a live, competitive selling event designed to increase visibility and encourage bidding.

When your item is in an Auction:

A 7-day auction countdown begins.
Buyers compete by placing bids.
Buyers may still purchase the item using Buy It Now, if available.
You can monitor bidding activity throughout the auction.

To help maintain a fair bidding experience for all buyers, listings cannot be edited while an auction is active.

If changes are needed after an auction has started, please contact QuickAuction Support.

What Happens When an Auction Ends?

There are several possible outcomes when an auction ends.

Your Item Sells

If you accept the winning bid:

QuickAuction collects the applicable buyer and seller platform fees.
Buyer and seller contact information is securely shared.
The buyer and seller work directly together to arrange payment for the item.
The buyer and seller coordinate pickup.
If an issue occurs before pickup, either party may submit a dispute for review.

Important: QuickAuction facilitates the marketplace and collects applicable platform fees, but payment for the item itself is arranged directly between the buyer and seller.

Your Item Sells Using Buy It Now

If a buyer purchases your item using Buy It Now, the sale proceeds immediately without waiting for the auction to end.

The same post-sale process applies:

Platform fees are collected.
Contact information is securely shared.
Payment and pickup are arranged directly between the buyer and seller.

Your Auction Ends Without Receiving Any Bids

If your listing includes a Buy It Now price and your auction ends without receiving any bids, your listing will automatically return to Inventory.

This allows buyers to continue viewing your listing, submitting offers, or purchasing it using Buy It Now without requiring you to create a new listing.

Which Selling Option Should I Choose?

Both Inventory and Auctions help connect you with buyers, but they serve different purposes.

Choose Inventory if you want to:

Keep your listing available without a time limit.
Receive offers at any time.
Allow buyers to purchase using Buy It Now.
Continue editing your listing while it remains active.

Choose Auction if you want to:

Create urgency with a 7-day countdown.
Encourage competitive bidding.
Increase visibility during a live auction event.

Many sellers use both selling options. If your auction ends without receiving any bids and your listing includes a Buy It Now price, it will automatically return to Inventory so buyers can continue making offers without requiring you to relist the item.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can buyers see Inventory listings?

Yes. Inventory listings are fully visible to buyers.

Buyers can browse your listing, submit offers, or purchase your item using Buy It Now (if available).

Can buyers make offers while my item is in Inventory?

Yes. Buyers can submit offers at any time while your item remains in Inventory.

Can I edit my listing?

Yes, while your listing is in Inventory.

Once your listing enters a live auction, it can no longer be edited. If changes are required during an active auction, please contact QuickAuction Support.

What happens if my auction doesn't receive any bids?

If your listing includes a Buy It Now price, it will automatically return to Inventory after the auction ends. Buyers can continue submitting offers or purchase your item using Buy It Now without requiring you to create a new listing.

Do I need QuickAuction Unlimited to create an Inventory listing?

No. Inventory listings are available to all sellers.

QuickAuction Unlimited waives your seller completion fee when your item sells, but it is not required to use Inventory.

Can I switch my listing from Inventory to Auction?

Yes. Eligible listings can be entered into a live auction, giving your item additional exposure through a 7-day competitive bidding event.

Do I pay different seller fees for Inventory and Auction sales?

No. The applicable seller completion fee is based on the final sale price, regardless of whether your item sells from Inventory or through an Auction. If you have an active QuickAuction Unlimited subscription when your sale is completed, your seller completion fee is waived.