What is a reserve price on a government auction?
| Applies to U.S. government auctions
A reserve is a hidden minimum the seller will accept. If bidding ends below it, the item does not sell, so being the high bidder does not always mean you won.
Many government surplus lots are absolute auctions, with no reserve and no minimum: the highest bid wins whatever the price. Some real estate and high-value equipment lots do carry a reserve, and the listing usually says so.
One variation to know: PropertyRoom's "Bid to be Approved" lots let the seller accept the high bid within one business day even if the reserve was not met. If the seller accepts, you are committed to buy.
Related questions
GovAuctions.app is a free search engine over official government auction platforms. We do not sell items or take bids; each listing links to the platform running the sale, whose terms apply. Rules vary by platform and seller, so check the listing before you bid.