Frequently asked questions
For buyers
Is my bid binding?
Only if a seller accepts and you confirm. You can withdraw any bid before a seller responds. Once you confirm a match, you're committing to purchase.
Will the seller know who I am?
Not at first. Through the whole bidding process, sellers see only the SKU, your bid price, and the expiration date. They never see your name or contact details. Your name is shared with a seller only after that seller accepts your price and you confirm you want to go ahead, because completing the purchase directly with them requires it.
How much can I expect to save?
That depends on the seller, the specific piece, and current inventory — QuietBid is new, so we won't quote made-up averages. Bids 5 to 15 percent below the listed price are the kind sellers most often have room to accept.
What should I bid?
Name the one price you'd genuinely be happy to pay. Bids 5 to 18 percent below list give you the best odds; deeper asks are worth trying on slower-moving pieces, but expect more no's. The bid form shows you live guidance as you type.
What furniture qualifies?
Any furniture piece listed at $1,000 or more from a retailer that carries standard manufacturer SKUs. Sofas, sectionals, dining sets, bedroom furniture: anything with a brand SKU qualifies. Custom or one-of-a-kind pieces typically don't.
Do I get the exact item I picked?
Yes. You bid on the exact item by its SKU, and you buy that same item directly from the seller who accepts. Warranty and returns come from that seller, on their normal terms. We connect you to a seller who carries the piece; we do not claim authorized-dealer status on their behalf.
Is my bid the all-in price?
Your bid is the item price. Sales tax, delivery, and setup are arranged directly with the seller at their normal rates and confirmed before you pay, so you know the full delivered cost before you commit.
What protects me after a seller accepts?
You pay the seller directly through their own secure checkout. QuietBid never takes your payment and never asks for a deposit. Warranty and returns come from the seller. If a connected deal is not honored, contact us and we will help.
Why not just ask the store myself?
Stores cannot openly discount below their advertised price or quote a private number over the counter. QuietBid gives them a discreet way to say yes, and it reaches every seller who carries the piece, without your name attached.
Can I bid on multiple pieces?
Yes. Send your list through the Contact page and we will handle them together.
How does QuietBid make money?
We earn a commission from the seller, only when a deal closes. You never pay us anything.
What if no seller accepts my bid?
You owe nothing. We'll notify you within 48 hours either way so you can keep shopping. There's no obligation to bid again.
Is QuietBid legitimate? How do I know this is real?
QuietBid is a private marketplace that matches furniture buyers with sellers. We are based in Colorado and we are new, so we are upfront about that. You never pay QuietBid anything, and you never send us a deposit. When a seller accepts your price, you buy directly from that seller through their own secure checkout, and QuietBid is paid a commission by the seller only if the deal closes.
What retailers does QuietBid work with?
We privately ask sellers who carry the exact piece you want. We don't publish a seller list publicly, and a seller's identity is shown only to the one buyer they accept.
What happens after a seller accepts?
We connect you directly with the seller to complete the purchase. The transaction happens between you and that seller. Your warranty, delivery, and after-sale support come directly from them.
What's the difference between a bid and an offer?
We use "bid" because it's more precise. You're stating the price you'll pay, not opening a negotiation. Sellers either accept your bid or they don't. There's no back-and-forth, and you never compete with other buyers.
How do I know the SKU?
The SKU is usually listed on the retailer's product page, sometimes in the product specs or URL. It's optional. If you can't find it, paste the product URL and we'll identify it.
For sellers
Do I have to respond to every bid?
No. Every bid is optional. You can pass on any bid without penalty, and your response rate doesn't affect your standing on QuietBid.
Does accepting a bid violate my agreement?
Manufacturer advertised-price rules govern how a price is advertised, not the price at which a unit transacts privately. QuietBid never advertises, posts, or publishes any price, and a seller's identity is shown only to the one buyer they accept. We recommend confirming your specific manufacturer policy.
What protects me as a seller?
Buyers confirm a commitment to purchase before a seller's identity is shared. Commission is only ever charged on a closed deal. A seller's name and accepted price are shared only with that one buyer, never published or shown to other buyers or sellers.
Will this create channel conflict with other stores?
No. Each bid is routed privately to relevant sellers, and seller identities are never disclosed to one another. You are responding to a buyer's private price, not bidding against other stores.
What commission does QuietBid take?
QuietBid earns a commission from the seller, charged only on a completed deal, on terms agreed when a seller joins. No fee to join, no per-bid fee, nothing unless a deal closes.
How do I receive bids?
We contact you directly by email or phone when we have a bid that matches your inventory. You don't need to monitor a dashboard.
Still have questions?
Read how QuietBid works for buyers, or see what we offer sellers. We're a small team, so reach out directly anytime.
Contact us