Find the Best Deals on Everyday Household Items at Auction

Household items form a big part of our daily lives. According to Exploding Topics, people spend an average of six hours on their smartphones each day. Laptops come in a close second, not to mention the fact that we spend countless hours on the couch. Needless to say, these everyday household items are essential, and have naturally become a popular choice for auctions.

Along with its popularity for finding affordable items, auctions have become a more sustainable way for households to shop for everyday essentials. From basic pots and pans to high-end electronics, household item auctions offer a huge variety in one place — giving buyers the chance to save money while reducing waste.

While auctions provide so much value for buyers, it’s not always as straightforward as heading to car auctions. These auctions are often in high demand and items, especially electronics like computers, tend to sell quickly, leaving less time to deliberate compared to other auction categories.

If you’re looking to make the most of your next auction, here are a few of our top tips:

Set a Budget and Stick To It

No matter the auction category, whether livestock auctions or property auctions, setting a budget is crucial if you want to get the most out of the experience. While auctions can feel all about winning, especially when you’ve got your eye on that Defy two-door refrigerator, it’s easy to get caught up in the thrill and end up spending more than the item is actually worth.

A general rule of thumb is to research the value of the items you’re interested in, so you don’t overpay or miss out on a good deal. Once you’ve determined the value, set a firm budget and stick to it! It’s always a good idea to factor in additional costs like VAT, buyer’s commission and shipping so there are no surprises.

Understanding Condition Grades

This is a big tip if you’re attending upcoming auctions for electronics or everyday household items. Unlike collectibles or property, these goods can be new, used, refurbished, damaged or not working at all. Not understanding the condition can lead you to overpay — or walk away with something that doesn’t work as expected.

These are the general categories these items will fall under, but keep in mind that auctioneers may not always know the exact condition of electronics or household goods. Therefore, it’s always advised to conduct your own research prior to attending the auction:

Brand New: Unopened, unused item in original packaging. This will sometimes come with a full manufacturer’s warranty.

Like New: Item appears new with no signs of wear. Packaging may be opened, but the product is unused and fully functional.

Refurbished: Professionally restored to working order. May show minimal signs of wear and often includes a limited warranty.

Grade A: Excellent condition with little to no visible wear. Fully functional and tested.

Grade B: Good condition with minor cosmetic imperfections (like light scratches or scuffs). Fully operational. Grade C: Noticeable wear and tear (scratches, dents, faded keys), but item still works as expected.

Used – Fair: Shows significant signs of use. May have functional issues or missing parts. Sold with limited or no guarantees.

Faulty / For Parts or Repair: Not in working condition. Intended for buyers who want to repair or salvage parts.

Sign Up For Auction Alerts & Newsletters

While auctions provide items at competitive prices, tracking down the ones that meet your exact needs can take some strategy. Constantly searching for upcoming auctions can get frustrating, but signing up for auction alerts and newsletters is an easy way to stay in the loop and never miss a good opportunity.

Auction Calendar allows you to create custom alerts based on your interests - whether that’s agricultural machinery or furniture. Along with alerts, subscribing to the Auction Calendar newsletter is a great way to get hand-picked auction highlights, industry news, and tips delivered straight to your inbox.

Find Your Next Auction with Auction Calendar

Finding the best auctions for household items is all about knowing where to look, and Auction Calendar is the ideal solution for finding upcoming auctions. As one of South Africa’s go-to platforms for discovering upcoming auctions, we bring together a wide range of auctions from reputable auctioneers in one seamless place.

No more constantly searching for upcoming auctions! With Auction Calendar, you can easily search, compare, and plan your next auction. Whether you're looking for electronics, office furniture, or even a vehicle to transport your new treasures, you can find relevant auctions with just a few clicks.

Never miss out on a great opportunity! Sign up for our auction alerts using the “Create Alerts” option, and customise notifications for categories like electronics or household furniture. To make sure you really never miss an auction again, subscribe to the Auction Calendar newsletter for hand-picked auction highlights, industry news, and expert tips delivered straight to your inbox.

Find your next auction and start exploring Auction Calendar today!