FlipPhiladelphia's most distinctive auction is run by the Philadelphia Parking Authority, which sells towed and abandoned vehicles online, often cheaply but with no keys, no live preview and same-day removal. The region also has two IAA branches, two Copart yards, and some of the oldest estate auction houses in the country in Bucks and Montgomery counties.
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 Philadelphia
Vehicle and salvage auctions
- Philadelphia Parking Authority: auctions: Official PPA page for its online vehicle auctions. Strict rules: no live preview or keys, payment online, and vehicles must be removed by 8 p.m. on sale day.
- IAA Philadelphia branch: Insurance Auto Auctions yard at 100 Industrial Way, Conshohocken. Salvage and repairable vehicles. Public buyers usually bid through a registered broker.
- IAA Bridgeport branch: Insurance Auto Auctions yard at 396 E. Schuylkill River Rd., Bridgeport. Salvage and repairable vehicles. Public buyers usually bid through a registered broker.
- Copart Philadelphia (via A Better Bid): Run lists for the Copart yard in Pennsburg. A Better Bid is a Copart broker that lets public buyers bid without a dealer license (broker fees apply).
- Copart Chalfont (via A Better Bid): Run lists for the Copart yard in Chalfont. A Better Bid is a Copart broker that lets public buyers bid without a dealer license (broker fees apply).
Related: Vehicle and salvage auctions in our directory · How to Buy Cars at Public and Salvage Auctions
Storage unit auctions
- StorageTreasures: Philadelphia storage auctions: Online storage unit auctions from self-storage facilities in and around Philadelphia. 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
- Alderfer Auction: Long-running auction house in Hatfield, Montgomery County, with estate services.
- Stephenson's Auction & Appraisers: Southampton, Bucks County auction house handling on-site and online estate auctions.
- EstateSales.net: Philadelphia estate sales: Upcoming estate sales in the Philadelphia 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
Pennsylvania rules worth knowing
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Check with the agency before you rely on it.
- Sales tax and reselling. Pennsylvania's sales tax is 6%, with an extra 1% in Allegheny County and 2% in Philadelphia. If you buy to resell regularly, you generally need to register with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. Licensed sellers can give qualifying sellers a PA exemption certificate (REV-1220) 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 the vehicle is titled through PennDOT. 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 Pennsylvania auctions page.
Haul it, store it, ship it
Some of these are affiliate links; see our disclosure.
- Pirate Ship: Free shipping-label software with discounted USPS and UPS rates. No subscription.
- uShip: Marketplace for shipping furniture, equipment and vehicles.
- Montway Auto Transport: Door-to-door car shipping quotes.
- Neighbor: Rent garages and spare space from locals, often cheaper than a storage unit. You can also list your own space.
- SpareFoot: Compare and reserve self-storage units near you.
Frequently asked questions
- How do Philadelphia Parking Authority auctions work?
- The PPA sells vehicles online. There is no live preview and no keys, payment (including sales tax and title fees) is online only, and vehicles must be removed by 8 p.m. on auction day.
- Where are the salvage yards near Philadelphia?
- IAA has branches in Conshohocken and Bridgeport; Copart has yards in Pennsburg and Chalfont.
- What is the sales tax on auction purchases in Philadelphia?
- 8% (6% state plus 2% local) on taxable purchases.