The $1 Start: Why Low Opening Bids Lead to Big Results
When the auction first opened, things looked quiet. Day one closed at just $74 in total sales, with bids on only a handful of items. It’s the kind of start that makes some sellers nervous — after all, every item began at $1. But that’s exactly how it’s supposed to look in the beginning. As the days went on, the bids began to stack up. Watchers turned into bidders. By midweek, momentum was building — and by closing day, it was unstoppable.
The final tally? $16,835 in total sales, 2,045 bids, and 100% of items sold. View Auction
That’s the power of the $1 start — what begins quietly builds into a rush of competition that clears everything out and drives prices far beyond expectations.
The Power of Momentum
Over the years, the founders of BidRush have overseen more than $70 Million in sales in their previous ventures, and one thing has stayed consistent: the power of momentum. Whether it’s collectibles or estate items, markets respond the same way — participation creates demand, and demand drives competition.
A $1 opening bid draws more eyes, builds early engagement, and fuels the energy that turns watchers into bidders. And when bidders compete, prices climb.
One Item, One Lesson: The Yoshitoshi Woodblock Print
Take this Yoshitoshi Framed Woodblock Print.
It started at $1, like everything else in the auction — and for a few days, bidding trickled in slowly.
Then came closing day.
In the final 20 minutes, the listing erupted with 42 bids pouring in.
- The price jumped from $130 to $1,100 — a 750% surge just before the close.
- And the item joined a lineup of lots that all sold.
That’s how the BidRush model works — by turning clearouts into competition and competition into value.
The Auction Ramp: Momentum in Motion
Every auction follows a rhythm, and this one was no exception. Here’s how sales unfolded through the week for this auction:
| Date | Sales ($) | Bids (Daily) | Bids (Total) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | $74 | 62 | 62 |
| Day 2 | $2,941 | 175 | 237 |
| Day 3 | $4,922 | 140 | 377 |
| Day 4 | $5,959 | 275 | 652 |
| Day 5 | $6,692 | 193 | 845 |
| Day 6 | $9,143 | 262 | 1,107 |
| Day 7 (Closing Evening) | $16,835 | 938 | 2,045 |
From $74 on day one to over $16,000 on closing day, the trend is clear: auctions gain momentum as they go. The early days build visibility, the middle builds engagement, and the finish — that’s where it all comes together.
Why It Works
A $1 start builds trust and momentum. It gets more people watching, bidding, and sharing — and ensures that everything sells, not just the highlights.
For sellers, that means two wins:
✅ Often a complete clearout — no unsold leftovers.
✅ Maximum value recovery — competition drives every item and price is based on bidders having to pickup at the stated date, time and place.
Starting low creates competition momentum, and that momentum is what drives prices up.
The Takeaway
Starting at $1 means setting the stage for your items to shine. This auction began quietly and ended with every item sold — including a single print that soared more than 700% in minutes. That’s the BidRush Effect: where every $1 start has the potential to end in a bidding rush. Reclaim space. Recover value. That’s what a BidRush auction delivers!