House of Bid
How a local pickup-only marketplace works
Local works like Facebook Marketplace for pickup — list a photo, meet in person, pay at the handoff, no shipping. The difference is timed bidding: neighbors bid on a clock and the high bid wins, instead of messaging “Is this available?” or haggling with named offers like OfferUp. San Diego is first; other cities waitlist until enough neighbors join. Listings are not open yet.
How is Local different from Facebook Marketplace?
Same local pickup board — you list, meet, and pay off-platform at the address. Marketplace uses fixed prices and DMs. Local runs a timer: everyone bids, high bid wins when the clock closes. You still inspect before you pay; we still do not ship or hold funds.
Is Local like OfferUp?
No. OfferUp is built around offers and chat. Local is Marketplace logistics with an auction clock — bidding, not counter-offers.
How is Local different from an estate Event?
An Event is a photographed house with rooms, lots, and a pickup window after settle. Local is a single everyday object between neighbors — a couch, a bike, a tool. Same timer idea. Same pickup-at-the-address rule. No shipping cart on either path.
Why pickup only?
The seller and the winner arrange the handoff. We do not validate that the piece shipped, because it never ships through us. If you need a whole-house catalog with a dock or a sale address, use Sell for Event or Yard instead.
When does my city open?
San Diego is first — sign up on Local with a San Diego city or ZIP. Other cities join the coming-soon list. We open a city when enough neighbors want to post and bid. That list is how we see demand before listings go live.
How do I describe a damaged or incomplete item?
Every photo is as-is. If it is broken, record an 8–15 second phone clip — the same job as a Marketplace listing video — and zoom the damaged spots. Name missing parts (a cable, a remote, a brick) and what a replacement costs. The buyer’s real number is the bid plus that part. A host minimum is for pieces that still work; broken and parts lots start at the floor.
What does it cost to list on Local?
Neighbor is free: first five listings, then stay free with up to three live lots and a 30-day clock. If you keep more than three lots live or you list every week, Local Shop is $19 a month (proposed). Optional bump is $3. We never take a percent of what it sells for — we do not hold the cash at pickup.
How does Align Shop Deals Radar fit Local?
Partner with Align Shop: Deals Radar watches other marketplaces for underpriced items near you (buy side). When you list on Local, it can show comps so you start the clock fairly (sell side). Align Communities let you post inside interest circles — vintage audio, neighborhood swaps, hobby boards — so the right neighbors see your lot. If you are in Align Communities and AlignAlgo, Local listing stays free even at volume; optional bumps still cost extra.
How do I not get screwed at pickup?
Meet in public for anything you can carry — a police Safe Exchange Zone if you can. Inspect before you pay. Never send money, gift cards, or codes before you see the piece. Cash or an instant pay app at the handoff only. We do not inspect, ship, or reverse a Venmo. Report no-shows in the app.
Questions
Can I ship a Local win?
- No. Pickup at the seller’s address only. We do not arrange shipping. If you two agree to ship later, that is on you and is not covered.
Do you take a cut when it sells?
- No. Local is like Facebook Marketplace local pickup: we are not in the money. eBay can charge about 13.6% because they process payment. We do not.
Do you inspect the item?
- No. Local lots are neighbor-to-neighbor. We do not inspect or guarantee the piece.
What if a part is missing?
- Name it and put a typical replacement price on the listing. The winner still pays you the hammer, then buys the cable themselves. That all-in is why a high minimum on a TV with no brick usually sits.