Anyone who’s ever walked through an estate sale knows the feeling: you spot a vintage lamp or a mid-century chair, but the price tag and the crowd make it hard to decide. Everything but the House (EBTH) promises to take that experience online, with auctions that start at $1 and items from entire estates.

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Founded: 2013 (CNBC) ·
Starting bid: $1 (EBTH buyer guides) ·
Buyer’s premium: 20-30% (Distractify) ·
Years in operation: since 2013 (CNBC)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Total user satisfaction varies widely across reviews (SmartCustomer)
  • Long-term impact of lawsuits on fee structure (BBB complaints)
  • Whether EBTH’s shipping costs are competitive with marketplace alternatives (PissedConsumer)
  • How pending litigation will affect buyer-premium transparency (BBB)
3Timeline signal
  • Founded in 2013 (CNBC)
  • Class-action lawsuits filed in 2023 (BBB complaints)
4What’s next
  • Watch for fee structure changes pending lawsuits (BBB)
  • Alternatives like eBay and Facebook Marketplace gaining traction (industry context)

Five key facts about EBTH, one pattern: the platform’s fees are its most significant factor for both buyers and sellers.

Fact Value
Founded 2013 in Cincinnati, Ohio (CNBC)
Number of weekly auctions 100+ (EBTH buyer guides)
Starting bid price $1 (EBTH)
Buyer’s premium Typically 20-30% (Distractify)
Trustpilot score (April 2025) 3.8 / 5 (Trustpilot)

The implication: fees are modest for buyers but can add up quickly, especially when storage and shipping costs are factored in.

What does Everything but the House do?

EBTH is an online estate sale marketplace that auctions items from entire estates, ranging from furniture to collectibles, starting at $1 (EBTH). The company handles pickup, photography, and listing of items, making it a full-service consignment platform.

How does EBTH differ from traditional estate sales?

Traditional estate sales are held in person over a weekend, with prices set by the family. EBTH runs timed online auctions that last several days, and the marketplace sets the starting bid at $1. The company also takes a cut of the final sale — typically 35-40% for sellers, according to a CNBC report.

What types of items does EBTH sell?

  • Furniture and home decor
  • Collectibles and antiques
  • Electronics and appliances
  • Jewelry and art

The implication: EBTH is a broad marketplace, but its strength is in estate liquidations rather than niche collectibles.

TL;DR: EBTH serves as an online middleman for estate sales — it handles pickup, cataloging, and auctions starting at $1, but takes 35-40% of the final sale from sellers.

How does Everything but the House work?

Buyers register for free, place bids during timed auctions, and winners pay a buyer’s premium on top of the winning bid (EBTH Terms & Conditions). Sellers arrange for EBTH to pick up items; EBTH takes a commission on sold items.

How do I bid on EBTH?

  1. Create a free account on EBTH.com.
  2. Browse live auctions or search for specific items.
  3. Place bids during the auction window. You can set a maximum bid and the system will auto-bid up to that amount.
  4. If you win, pay the final amount (winning bid + buyer’s premium + shipping if applicable).

The buyer’s premium is typically 20-30% of the winning bid, as reported by Distractify. For example, on a $100 winning bid, you could pay an extra $20-$30 in premium.

How do I sell through EBTH?

EBTH offers a consignment service. According to a Business of Home report, the commission rates are: 50% for items sold up to $75, 40% for $76-$250, 35% for $251-$750, 30% for $751-$2,500, 25% for $2,501-$5,000, and 15% above $5,001. The company also charges a home service fee, as seen in a BBB complaint that mentioned a $2,200 fee for a project contract signed in 2025 (BBB).

The trade-off: sellers get a full-service solution but lose a significant portion of the sale price to commissions.

TL;DR: Buyers pay a 20-30% premium on winning bids; sellers lose 15-50% in commissions, plus potential fees. EBTH handles logistics for both sides.

Is Everything but the House a legitimate site?

Yes, EBTH is a legally registered business accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). However, user satisfaction is mixed, and the company faces class-action lawsuits over its fee disclosure.

What do Trustpilot reviews say about EBTH?

Trustpilot reviews give EBTH a rating of 3.8 out of 5 as of April 2025 (Trustpilot). Positive reviews praise the variety of items and the ease of bidding. Negative reviews frequently cite shipping delays, high costs, and poor customer service. A SmartCustomer review aggregate notes that many users report inflated shipping costs and authenticity concerns.

Is there a lawsuit against Everything but the House?

Class-action lawsuits have been filed regarding the buyer’s premium and shipping fees, according to BBB complaint records (BBB). The lawsuits allege that EBTH did not clearly disclose the full cost of the buyer’s premium and shipping charges before bidding. The long-term impact on EBTH’s fee structure remains unclear.

The catch: while EBTH is legitimate, the fee structure and customer service record mean it’s not the right choice for every buyer or seller.

The upshot

EBTH is a legitimate business, but its fee structure — including the buyer’s premium and potential storage fees — can turn a bargain into a costly purchase. Buyers should read the full terms before placing a bid.

What are the best alternatives to EBTH?

If EBTH’s fees give you pause, several alternatives offer similar or better value. The table below compares four major platforms.

Platform Listing fee Commission (seller) Buyer’s premium Best for
EBTH Free (consignment) 15-50% 20-30% Full-service estate sales
eBay Free for up to 250 listings/month 13.25% (final value fee) None General auction & fixed-price
LiveAuctioneers Free (consignment) Varies by auction house 20-25% Fine art & antiques
Facebook Marketplace Free None None Local free sales

The pattern: EBTH is the most expensive option for buyers due to the premium, while eBay and Facebook Marketplace are free for buyers but require more seller effort.

What is the best free auction site?

For most users, eBay is the best free auction site because it charges no listing fee for the first 250 items per month, and there is no buyer’s premium. Facebook Marketplace is also free but is not an auction site — it’s a fixed-price local marketplace. Consumer advocates generally recommend avoiding penny auction sites, where bids cost money and the risk of losing the bid is high (industry guidance).

What is the most trusted auction site?

eBay, LiveAuctioneers, and Invaluable are widely considered trusted auction sites. eBay has been operating since 1995 and has robust buyer protection. LiveAuctioneers and Invaluable specialize in high-value items and work with established auction houses. EBTH, while legitimate, has a higher rate of customer complaints compared to these platforms.

Upsides

  • Full-service: EBTH handles pickup, photography, and listing.
  • Items start at $1, attracting bargain hunters.
  • Free to browse and register.
  • Wide variety of items from estates across the U.S.

Downsides

  • Buyer’s premium of 20-30% adds significant cost.
  • Shipping costs are often high and not clearly disclosed upfront.
  • Storage fees apply if items are not picked up within 7 days (EBTH Terms).
  • Class-action lawsuits raise concerns about fee transparency.

What is the etiquette for a silent auction?

Silent auctions are common at charity events. Bidders write their bids on a sheet next to an item; the highest bid at the close wins. The key rules are simple: respect the starting bid, don’t drive up prices against friends, and understand that the 80/20 rule often applies — 80% of funds typically come from 20% of donors (fundraising best practices).

How do you win a silent auction?

Winning a silent auction is straightforward: be the highest bidder when the bidding period ends. Bidding increments are usually set by the organizer (e.g., $5 or $10). To win without overpaying, set a maximum bid in your mind and stick to it.

What is the 80/20 rule in fundraising?

The 80/20 rule suggests that 80% of a fundraising event’s revenue comes from 20% of its donors. This principle is often used to prioritize major donors and high-value auction items. For silent auctions, it means that a few high-ticket items will generate most of the revenue, so organizers should focus on securing those items.

The implication: silent auction etiquette is about fairness and maximizing fundraising, not about competition.

TL;DR: Silent auction etiquette demands respect for starting bids and avoiding price manipulation. The 80/20 rule reminds organizers to prioritize high-value items for maximum revenue.

What’s clear and what’s not

Confirmed facts

  • EBTH is a legally registered business (BBB).
  • Buyer’s premium is added to the winning bid (EBTH Terms).
  • Free to browse and register (EBTH).
  • Storage fees apply after 7 days (EBTH Terms).

What’s unclear

  • Total user satisfaction varies widely across reviews (SmartCustomer).
  • Long-term impact of lawsuits on EBTH’s fee structure (BBB).
  • Whether EBTH’s shipping costs are competitive with alternatives (PissedConsumer).
  • How pending litigation will affect buyer-premium disclosure practices (BBB).

What to watch

Buyers should watch for the total cost before bidding: add the premium, shipping, and potential storage fees. Sellers should compare EBTH’s commission rates with local estate sale companies, which may offer lower fees.

What users and experts say

“EBTH is a full-service selling solution for home or business-minded consignors.”

— EBTH website

“I bought a $50 item and the shipping was more than the item itself. Plus they charged a weekly storage fee when I couldn’t pick it up right away.”

— Anonymous Trustpilot reviewer, reported on PissedConsumer

“EBTH made money by taking 40% of the total sale and also charging buyers for shipping.”

— CNBC

“Our rates are competitive within the industry for services such as cataloging, marketing, photography, and related logistics.”

— EBTH company response on BBB

The takeaway from these voices: EBTH works well for some, but the cost structure is a recurring pain point for many users.

Summary

Everything but the House is a legitimate online estate sale marketplace that offers a convenient, full-service experience for both buyers and sellers. However, its fee structure — including the buyer’s premium, shipping costs, and storage fees — can make it more expensive than alternatives like eBay or Facebook Marketplace. For buyers in the U.S. who want the thrill of an online auction without the hassle of pickup, EBTH can be a good option — but only if they read the fine print. For sellers, the high commission rates (up to 50%) mean EBTH is best for those who want a hands-off consignment solution, not for maximizing profit. Buyers should choose EBTH for convenience, or a free platform for better value.

Related reading: Does Target Price Match? 2025 Policy Changes Explained

Additional sources

bbb.org, senioradvisor.com, reddit.com

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Frequently asked questions

Can I return an item bought on EBTH?

EBTH’s terms state that all sales are final. Items are sold as-is, and returns are not accepted unless the item was misrepresented. Check the item description carefully before bidding.

Does EBTH charge a fee to sell items?

Yes, EBTH takes a commission on sold items. The commission ranges from 15% to 50% depending on the final sale price, as detailed in the Business of Home report.

How do I pick up my winning bid from EBTH?

Winners can pick up items at the EBTH location specified in the auction listing. If you cannot pick up within 7 days, storage fees may apply. You can also arrange for shipping through EBTH’s fulfillment service.

Is EBTH available in Canada?

As of 2025, EBTH primarily operates in the United States. Some auctions may ship to Canada, but shipping costs and customs fees are the buyer’s responsibility.

What happens if an item does not sell on EBTH?

If an item does not sell, the seller may be offered the option to relist it or have the item returned. EBTH’s terms allow for the item to be donated or disposed of if not claimed within a certain period.

What is the buyer’s premium on EBTH?

The buyer’s premium is typically 20-30% of the winning bid. This is added to the final amount you pay. Check the auction listing for the exact premium percentage.

How does EBTH shipping work?

EBTH offers shipping through its fulfillment service. Shipment protection is free for items up to $99, and costs $2.52 for items between $100 and $199, plus $0.84 per additional $100 (EBTH Terms).

Is EBTH a penny auction site?

No, EBTH is not a penny auction. Penny auctions require you to pay for each bid, and the price increases by small increments. EBTH uses standard timed auctions with free bidding.