Miedema OrbitBid Review 2026: How to Buy & Sell at Online Industrial Auctions
OrbitBid is an online auction company headquartered in Byron Center, Michigan, operating under the Miedema Asset Management Group (MAMG) — a family of auction and appraisal businesses founded by Sid Miedema in 1984. Since its launch in 2002, OrbitBid has recorded over $650 million in cumulative sales and built a nationwide bidder base of nearly 750,000 registered users, making it one of the largest industrial asset auction platforms in the United States.
This guide covers everything you need to know: auction schedules, how to participate as a buyer or seller, fee structures, payment timelines, item pickup procedures, and the types of assets that regularly come up for auction.
About Miedema's OrbitBid
What sets OrbitBid apart from traditional auction houses is its on-site online auction model. Rather than requiring sellers to transport equipment to a central facility, OrbitBid sends its own team directly to the seller's location. Staff photograph and catalog every item, publish a detailed listing on the platform, and run the auction online — attracting competitive bids from buyers across the country. Once the auction closes, winning bidders travel to the seller's site to collect their purchases.
This approach is especially valuable for businesses liquidating large-scale assets such as CNC machinery, construction fleets, or entire factory floors, where moving inventory simply isn't practical or cost-effective. The platform's built-in marketing infrastructure — including email campaigns, social media, and industry-specific outreach — ensures strong exposure for every sale.
OrbitBid is one of eight specialized companies within the Miedema Asset Management Group umbrella, alongside Miedema Auctioneering (live auctions), Repocast (repossessed assets), Rangerbid, LASTBIDrealestate, SSL Firearms, Online-Auction Software, and Miedema Appraisals. Together, the group has earned more than 150 advertising excellence awards over its 40-plus-year history.
Phone: 616-261-4987 | Email: info@orbitbid.com
Office Hours: Mon–Wed 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Thu–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Auction Schedule & Locations (June – December 2026)
OrbitBid runs over 300 auctions annually, with new listings added every week. The June-through-December window is one of the busiest periods on the calendar, driven by agricultural harvest season wrap-ups, year-end business closures, and a surge in equipment liquidations before the new fiscal year.
Auctions are conducted on a truly nationwide basis. The states where OrbitBid has held auctions include:
In Michigan, OrbitBid maintains four permanent warehouse facilities: the Grand Rapids Metro location in Byron Center, the Southwest Michigan location in Wayland, and additional sites in the Flint Metro region. In-warehouse auctions run regularly at these locations, in addition to the on-site auctions held across the country.
To stay current, the best approach is to subscribe to email alerts on OrbitBid's website, where you can filter by state, equipment category, or auction type. New auctions are typically announced several weeks in advance, giving buyers ample time to review listings and arrange site inspections.
How to Participate — Buyers & Sellers
Whether you're looking to purchase equipment or liquidate assets, participating in an OrbitBid auction is straightforward. Account registration is free for both buyers and sellers. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of each process.
- Create a Free Account
Register at bid.orbitbid.com with your email address and a valid credit card on file. - Browse & Search Listings
Filter by location, category, or lot number. Review photos, condition notes, and bidding terms for each item. - Attend the Preview (Optional)
Most auctions offer an in-person inspection period before bidding opens. Highly recommended for high-value purchases. - Place Your Bid
Set a maximum bid and the system automatically bids on your behalf. You'll receive an email if you're outbid. - Pay Your Invoice
All payment must be completed within 2 business days of the auction closing. Online payment is strongly encouraged. - Pick Up Your Items
Collect your purchases from the auction site within the specified removal period (typically 3 days).
- Contact OrbitBid
Reach out via phone or the website. A dedicated team member will assess your assets and recommend the right approach. - On-Site Assessment
OrbitBid staff visit your facility to photograph and catalog all items, creating a full auction listing at no transport cost to you. - Marketing Campaign
Your auction is promoted through email campaigns, social media, and industry-targeted advertising to maximize bidder reach. - Auction Day
Online bidding typically runs for one day. Buyers across the country compete in real time for your assets. - Buyer Removal
After the auction, buyers have a short window to visit your location and collect their purchases, minimizing disruption to you. - Settlement & Payment
Once buyers pay, OrbitBid deducts applicable fees and transfers the net proceeds to you.
OrbitBid uses a dynamic, anti-sniping auction format. If a new bid is placed within the final 10 minutes of an auction, the closing time automatically extends by 10 minutes. This continues until a full 10-minute period passes with no new bids — ensuring every participant has a fair opportunity to respond, regardless of internet speed.
Auction Fees & Commission Structure
OrbitBid's fee structure applies to both buyers and sellers, and the specifics can vary by auction. Always review the terms listed on the individual auction page before bidding or consigning. Below is a general overview based on standard OrbitBid terms.
| Party | Fee Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer | Buyer's Premium | An additional fee charged on top of the hammer price. Typically 13% of the winning bid. Reduced to 10% when the invoice is paid in full by cash, cashier's check, or wire transfer. Varies by auction |
| Buyer | Sales Tax | Calculated on the total invoice amount (hammer price + buyer's premium) in accordance with applicable state tax regulations. |
| Buyer | Liquidated Damages Fee | If payment is not received within 2 business days of the auction closing, a fee of 20% to 100% of the total purchase price (minimum $25) is automatically charged to the card on file. |
| Buyer | Storage Fee | Charged on a per-day, per-item basis if purchased items are not removed within the specified pickup window. |
| Seller | Seller's Commission | Listed at 0% commission when items are sold absolute (no minimum bid). If a reserve/minimum is set, commission ranges from 3% to 10% depending on the sale price per lot. Optional marketing packages are available at additional cost. |
| Seller | Title Processing Fee | For titled assets (vehicles, trailers, campers), a $125 Broker Title Processing Fee applies, plus Michigan state sales tax of 6% for in-state transactions. |
When Do Sellers Receive Payment?
For sellers, understanding the payment timeline is essential for financial planning. OrbitBid's settlement process follows a clear sequence from auction close to funds in hand. Here is how the typical timeline unfolds.
How to Collect Your Purchased Items
All items purchased through OrbitBid must be collected in person from the auction location — whether that is the seller's facility or one of OrbitBid's warehouse sites. OrbitBid does not offer direct shipping services. Buyers who need items shipped are responsible for arranging third-party logistics entirely on their own.
The following summarizes the key pickup rules and procedures that apply to most OrbitBid auctions.
Authorized Pickup by a Third Party: Someone else may collect your items on your behalf. However, they must present a government-issued photo ID, which will be scanned, and provide a thumbprint at the time of pickup.
Titled Assets (Vehicles, Trailers, Campers): If a third party is picking up a titled item for you, call OrbitBid at 616-261-4987 in advance. Additional paperwork and authorization forms are required.
International Buyers: If you plan to take a titled item out of the country, contact the title department immediately after winning. Cross-border title transfers can take 3 to 5 weeks to process.
Failure to Remove: Items not collected within the stated removal period may be resold, discarded, or placed in paid storage at the buyer's sole expense. OrbitBid reserves the right to take any of these actions without further notice.
What Types of Assets Come Up for Auction?
OrbitBid specializes primarily in B2B industrial and commercial assets, though complete business liquidations often include a wide range of items from office furniture to specialty equipment. The platform has successfully auctioned assets across an impressive breadth of industries — here is a look at the main categories.
Beyond these core categories, OrbitBid's auction calendar regularly features a number of specialized asset types:
A notable feature of OrbitBid's model is that entire business closures are handled as a single auction event — meaning bidders can find everything from production-line equipment to the office coffee maker all in one sale. This attracts a broad mix of buyers: industrial dealers, plant managers, contractors, farmers, and individual collectors alike.
If you have assets to sell and are unsure whether OrbitBid is the right fit, the company also offers a referral incentive — contact OrbitBid at 616-538-0367 and if a referred seller's assets are successfully auctioned, you'll receive a referral fee.
Get in Touch with OrbitBid
For auction registration, consignment inquiries, or any questions about the process, reach out through any of the channels below.
댓글
댓글 쓰기