User Base:  

Auction.com does have a handful of items up for auction, but doesn’t get nearly as much traffic as our higher rated online auction sites.

Fees:  

Listing on Auction.com is completely free, and there are no additional final value fees charged after an auction is completed. Registration for buyers and sellers is free.

Attention getters, while not expensive, are higher at Auction.com than at some other auction sites, and may not be worth it in the long run. Bold listing text costs $2 and having your item featured on the homepage costs $20.

Selling:  

Sellers are limited in some of their options. Auction.com does not allow sellers to create a store, cross promote their items, or customize their listings much. Sellers can’t block individual bidders, nor can they cancel bids.

Buying:  

Auction.com does have a pretty strong search feature and several detailed category listings, like parlor games, janitorial supplies, and even American historical collectibles.

However, most of the listings don’t even have thumbnail pictures in the gallery listing and the listings also use a very small font.

Reliability/Security:  

We found that Auction.com does not automatically verify their members. Many similar auction websites require user verification through credit card prior to selling anything. Auction.com however, relies on the members to verify themselves by sending a fax or email to Auction.com with a copy of the seller’s drivers license and utility bill with current address.

Auction.com incorporates a traditional feedback system, but doesn’t allow users to respond to or revise feedback.

Auction.com has received an unsatisfactory rating from the Better Business Bureau due to user complaints with billing and refund issues.

Help/Support:  

Auction.com has email support and even live chat available. In addition, Auction.com has a healthy FAQs section.

Auction.com has the right idea for a good online auction, but fails to execute. The site is missing quite a bit of user-friendly features and doesn’t offer any unique advantages for buyers or sellers.

For the best online auction site, see our review of eBay. Or if you're looking for an eBay alternative, see our reviews of eBid and OnlineAuction.