How it works

Simple, fair auctions run by local businesses

Each auction has one fixed close time, free bidding, and clear rules shown before you register.

For bidders

1

Read the offer

The auction page shows the prize, what's included and excluded, the starting price, the close time and the business running it.

2

Register and verify

Enter your name, mobile number, ZIP code and email, and tick the consent box. We text you a one-time code to confirm your number.

3

Bid or name your price

Place a bid, or make a free, non-binding "I'm in at $___" pledge that doesn't affect the leaderboard. We text you if you're outbid.

4

Win and pay

The highest valid bid at the close wins. The winner pays the business through Stripe within 24 hours, or the prize passes to the runner-up.

For businesses

Businesses are onboarded by the Nearbidly team.

1

Set up the auction

Choose the prize, terms, exclusions, service area and close time. The business approves everything before launch.

2

Run it live

Nearbidly handles registration, verification codes, live bidding, alerts and the hard close.

3

Get paid directly

Winners pay the business through its own Stripe account. The business is the seller and delivers the prize.

4

Follow up

People who agreed to hear from the business receive its follow-up from its own phone number and email.

The two message programs

When you register, you agree to messages from two separate senders. Each one can be stopped on its own by replying STOP.

Nearbidly Auction AlertsThe business's follow-up
Sent fromNearbidly's toll-free number (+1 (888) 542-6037) and emailThe business's own phone number and email
What it sendsSign-up codes, registration confirmation, outbid, closing soon, winner and runner-up notices, extensions, cancellations and resultsYour free participation gift, offers related to the auction, and scheduling
Marketing?No. Transactional auction notices only.Yes, it may include offers, possibly sent with automated technology.
How oftenUp to 10 messages per auction, plus sign-up codesVaries, typically a few messages around each auction

Full details: SMS opt-in and Auction Alerts and SMS Messaging Terms.