FlipHamilton County runs its own online surplus auction site, where appliances, restaurant equipment, computers and vehicles from county departments are sold. Greater Cincinnati also has an IAA branch in West Chester and long-established auctioneers handling estates and downsizing.
Every link below was checked in October 2026. FlipTheBid is not affiliated with these agencies or companies. Listings change, so confirm terms on each site.
Where to buy at auction in Cincinnati
Government surplus
- Hamilton County online public auction: Hamilton County's own surplus auction site, organized by category (appliances, restaurant equipment, vehicles and more).
Related: Government surplus in our directory · How to Buy Government Surplus on GovDeals
Vehicle and salvage auctions
- IAA Cincinnati branch: Insurance Auto Auctions yard at 10100 Windisch Rd., West Chester. Salvage and repairable vehicles. Public buyers usually bid through a registered broker.
Related: Vehicle and salvage auctions in our directory · How to Buy Cars at Public and Salvage Auctions
Storage unit auctions
- StorageTreasures: Cincinnati storage auctions: Online storage unit auctions from self-storage facilities in and around Cincinnati. Save a search to get alerts on new units.
Related: Storage unit auctions in our directory · How Storage Unit Auctions Work
Estate sales and local auction houses
- Worley Auctioneers: Cincinnati-area auction company (Mason) handling estate and downsizing auctions.
- EstateSales.net: Cincinnati estate sales: Upcoming estate sales in the Cincinnati area, with photos, addresses and the company running each sale.
Related: Estate sales and local auction houses in our directory · How to Price and Resell on eBay
Ohio rules worth knowing
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Check with the agency before you rely on it.
- Sales tax and reselling. Ohio's state sales tax is 5.75%, plus county taxes. If you buy to resell regularly, you generally need to register with the Ohio Department of Revenue. With a vendor's license, you can give qualifying sellers an exemption certificate for items bought for resale. Government auctions may still charge tax unless you provide the paperwork they ask for.
- Vehicles: titles and taxes. Make sure you get a properly assigned title (or the documents the auction specifies). Sales tax on vehicles is generally paid when you title the vehicle at a county clerk of courts title office; registration is through the BMV. Title and register through the state motor vehicle agency. Salvage-branded vehicles need extra steps before they can be driven on the road again.
- Storage auctions. Facilities must follow the state's notice and advertising rules before a lien sale, and tenants can often pay and pull a unit right up to the sale.
- Buying across state lines. The selling state's tax and pickup rules usually apply at the time of sale.
More statewide sources are on our Ohio auctions page.
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- uShip: Marketplace for shipping furniture, equipment and vehicles.
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- SpareFoot: Compare and reserve self-storage units near you.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Hamilton County sell surplus online?
- Yes, through its own online public auction site. Register there to bid.
- Where is the IAA near Cincinnati?
- IAA's Cincinnati branch is in West Chester.
- Are there estate auctions in Cincinnati?
- Yes. Firms like Worley Auctioneers run estate and downsizing auctions, and EstateSales.net lists weekend sales.