Frequently Asked Questions

All of our auctions are hosted on HiBid, one of the most trusted online auction platforms in the country. Here’s how to get started:

1. Create a HiBid account — Visit HiBid.com and register with your name, email address, and a valid payment method.
2. Browse our listings — Search for “River City Furniture Auction” on HiBid or follow the direct links on our website to view current and upcoming auctions.
3. Place your bid — Once you find an item you love, enter your maximum bid amount. HiBid will automatically bid on your behalf up to that amount, so you don’t have to watch the auction every second.
4. Watch for notifications — HiBid will email you if you’ve been outbid, giving you a chance to place a higher bid before the auction closes.

Bidding is open 24/7 while an auction is live, so you can participate from the comfort of your home at any time. If you’re new to online auctions, don’t worry — the process is simple, and our team is happy to walk you through it.

We accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover credit and debit cards. We do not accept American Express. Payment is processed securely through HiBid’s payment system when you win an auction.

Your card on file with HiBid will be charged automatically after the auction closes and your winning bids are confirmed. You’ll receive an invoice by email with a full breakdown of your purchases, including the item price and any applicable buyer’s premium.

If you have questions about a charge or need to update your payment information, you can manage your account directly through HiBid or contact our team for assistance.

A buyer’s premium is a standard fee in the auction industry that is added to the winning bid price. At River City Furniture Auction, the buyer’s premium is 16% of your winning bid.

Here’s how it works:

If you win an item with a bid of $100, your total cost for that item would be $116 (the $100 hammer price plus a $16 buyer’s premium at 16%).

The buyer’s premium helps cover the costs of sourcing, inspecting, cataloging, photographing, and listing each item, as well as maintaining our auction platform and facilities.

We encourage all bidders to factor in the 16% premium when setting their maximum bid amount.

Pickup is available at our Sacramento, CA location. After an auction closes, winning bidders will receive an email with specific pickup dates and times, typically within 3–5 business days of the auction ending.

Our standard pickup window is:

• Sacramento — Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM (by appointment only). If you show up without an appointment, expect a wait.

First-time buyers, please bring a valid photo ID and your winning bidder confirmation when you arrive. We recommend bringing help or appropriate vehicles for larger items like sofas, dining tables, and bed frames.

Items not picked up within the designated window may be subject to storage fees or forfeiture, so please plan accordingly. If you need to arrange an alternative pickup time, contact us as soon as possible and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

Yes! Our Dallas, TX location is shipping-only — all items won from Dallas auctions are shipped directly to you. There is no local pickup option in Dallas.

Shipping costs vary depending on the size and weight of the item and your delivery address. Shipping is billed separately from your auction invoice — your card on file is charged first for the winning bid total and buyer’s premium, and then charged again for the shipping cost once it’s calculated.

For our Sacramento, CA location, items are available for local pickup only. We do not currently offer shipping from Sacramento.

If you have specific questions about shipping costs or delivery timelines for Dallas auctions, feel free to reach out to our team before placing your bid.

Our Dallas, TX location operates exclusively as a shipping-only auction site. Here’s what to expect when you win items from Dallas:

1. Auction closes — Once the auction ends and your winning bids are confirmed, you’ll receive an invoice by email.
2. Auction invoice is charged — Your card on file is charged first for the winning bid total and buyer’s premium.
3. Shipping is calculated — After the auction invoice is paid, our team calculates shipping based on the item’s size, weight, and your delivery zip code.
4. Shipping is charged separately — The shipping cost is then charged to your card as a separate payment.
5. Items are packed and shipped — Our team carefully packages each item for safe transit. Larger items are palletized and shipped via freight carrier, while smaller items may go through standard parcel shipping.
6. Tracking information sent — You’ll receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking details so you can follow your delivery.
7. Delivery — Most items arrive within 7–14 business days, depending on your location and the size of the shipment. Freight deliveries will require someone to be home to receive the item.

If you’re bidding on multiple items in the same auction, we’ll do our best to consolidate shipments and reduce your overall shipping costs.

We auction a wide variety of items across many categories. Our inventory changes weekly, but you’ll regularly find:

• Furniture — Sofas, sectionals, dining tables, bedroom sets, dressers, office desks, bookshelves, and patio furniture
• Clothing & Apparel — Brand-name clothing, shoes, and accessories for men, women, and children
• Tools & Hardware — Power tools, hand tools, tool sets, and workshop accessories
• Home Decor — Rugs, wall art, mirrors, lamps, candles, and decorative accents
• Bedding & Linens — Comforter sets, sheets, pillows, towels, and blankets
• Electronics — TVs, speakers, headphones, smart home devices, and gadgets
• Kitchen & Small Appliances — Cookware, utensils, food storage, and countertop appliances
• Outdoor Gear — Patio sets, grills, garden tools, camping equipment, and sporting goods

Our items come from a range of sources, including overstock from major retailers, store closures, and return merchandise. Each item is listed as New, Like New, or Used/Store Return so you know exactly what condition to expect. Please read descriptions carefully, as approximately 98% of listing photos are stock images. Check our current auctions to see what’s available this week.

In-person previews are not available at any of our locations. Please note that approximately 98% of our listing photos are stock images, not live photos of the actual item.

We strongly recommend reading the full item description carefully before placing a bid. Descriptions include condition details, dimensions, and any known flaws. Each item is listed as New, Like New, or Used/Store Return so you know what to expect.

If you have specific questions about an item that aren’t covered in the listing, don’t hesitate to reach out to us before placing your bid.

Our items are listed in one of three conditions: New, Like New, or Used/Store Return.

Used/Store Return items — All sales are final. These items are sold as-is with no returns or refunds.

New and Like New items — If an item is not as described, you have 5 days from delivery or pickup to contact us. We will issue a refund for that item.

Important: Approximately 98% of our listing photos are stock images, not live photos of the actual item. We strongly recommend reading the full item description carefully before placing a bid, as the description reflects the actual condition of the item you will receive.

If you have questions about a specific item, reach out to us before bidding.

River City Furniture Auction operates in two cities:

• Sacramento, CA — Our flagship location offering local pickup by appointment. Browse, bid, and pick up your items in person.
• Dallas, TX — A shipping-only location. All items won from Dallas auctions are shipped directly to your door anywhere in the United States.

Whether you’re nearby Sacramento and want to pick up in person or you’re across the country and prefer the convenience of shipping from Dallas, we’ve got you covered. Each location runs its own auction schedule, so check our HiBid page regularly to see what’s available.