Frequently Asked Questions

All of our auctions run on our own online bidding site, bid.rivercityfurnitureauction.com. Here’s how to get started:

1. Create a free account — Open our bidding site and register with your name, email address, and a valid payment method.
2. Browse our listings — Follow any Bid Now link on this website to see the current auction and everything in it.
3. Place your bid — Once you find an item you love, enter your maximum bid amount. The site bids on your behalf up to that amount, so you don’t have to watch the auction every second.
4. Watch for notifications — You’ll get an email 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 our bidding site’s payment system when you win an auction.

Your card on file with our bidding site 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 on our bidding site 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.

You have 14 days from the auction close date to pick up your items. Items not collected within 14 days are charged a $10 per item per day storage fee, and unclaimed items may eventually be forfeited, 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.

We are currently local pickup only — we do not offer shipping. All items won on our auctions are picked up in person at our Sacramento, CA location by appointment.

Once you win an auction, our team will reach out to help you schedule a convenient pickup time. You have 14 days from the auction close date to collect your items.

If you have any questions about pickup before placing a bid, feel free to reach out to our team.

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 our Sacramento warehouse. 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.

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

Items labeled “New” — You have 7 days from delivery or pickup to contact our Sacramento warehouse with any questions, concerns, or potential issues with the item.

The original box is required. To be eligible for review, you must provide the original box with its identifying number. Items brought in without the original box cannot be reviewed, so please hold onto the packaging until you have inspected your item.

If our review confirms the item is not as described, we will issue a refund or store credit 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 is located in Sacramento, CA. This is our flagship location, offering local pickup by appointment — browse, bid, and pick up your items in person.

Our address is 5400 S Watt Ave, Sacramento, CA 95826. Pickup is by appointment only, Monday through Friday. Check our current auctions regularly to see what’s available this week.

No — we do not accept consignments or items from individual sellers. Everything in our auctions is sourced directly from manufacturers, overstock warehouses, and liquidation sales, which is how we can offer quality furniture, clothing, tools, decor, bedding, and electronics at up to 90% off retail.

If you have another question about how our auctions work, contact us and we’ll be happy to help.