A day out, a workshop or a wine tasting at home: experiences often make an impression, but shop prices can be quite high. Those who buy smartly through an online auction often pay a fraction of the regular price. In this article, we'll explain how to buy experiences far below retail price, what to look out for and how to arrange a gift without breaking your budget.
Why experiences at an auction are cheaper
In an online auction, demand determines the price, not a fixed suggested retail price. Many experiences start with a low opening bid, which sometimes means that you end up tens of percent below the going retail price. Providers also use auctions to fill extra spots or reach new customers, which makes competitive prices possible.
The offer is wide: from dinners and wellness packages to workshops and tastings. Would you like an overview of the current offer? View all Experiences auctions and filter on what suits you.
Determine the real retail price in advance
To know whether you are really doing advantageous, it is smart to look up the regular price in advance. Look up the experience with the original provider or compare similar packages. This way you know exactly what a realistic saving is and you avoid getting carried away in the fire of bidding.
- Make a note of the retailer's retail price or suggested retail price.
- Set your own maximum amount including any auction fees.
- Check what exactly is included: number of people, snacks, material or guidance.
Smart bidding: this is how you get the best deal
An online auction is not about the highest bid, but about the smartest. A few practical strategies will help you further:
1. Wait until the end
Many lots only become exciting in the last minutes. By not bidding too early, you keep an eye on the actual price and avoid unnecessarily encouraging others to overbid.
2. Set a maximum and stick to it
Determine in advance the amount above which the deal is no longer advantageous for you. This way you stay below the retail price, even if the bidding gets heated.
3. Look at less popular times
Auctions that end late at night or during the week sometimes attract fewer bidders. It is precisely then that the best prices are within reach.
Examples of experiences to bid on
Wine tastings at home are a popular example of an experience that lends itself perfectly to an auction. You bring the atmosphere of a tasting to your own living room, often including guidance and a selection of wines.
For example, take a look at the Ultimate Rioja Wine Tasting at Home, ideal for lovers of Spanish wines. Those who prefer to go in the direction of Portugal will find in the exclusive wine tasting at home for 6 people with the most beautiful Portuguese wines A great option for an evening with friends or family.
Pay attention to the conditions and validity
A low price is only really advantageous if the experience is also usable. Therefore, always read the plot description carefully. Pay particular attention to:
- Period of validity: Until when can you book or redeem the experience?
- Region and availability: Does the offer apply throughout the Netherlands or only in certain places?
- Number of people: Is the package for you alone or for a group?
- Additional costs: Are travel expenses, materials or refreshments included?
By checking these points in advance, you avoid surprises and you can be sure that your purchase is really worth it.
Experiences as an original gift
An experience bought through an auction is also a smart gift idea. You give someone an experience instead of stuff, while you yourself stay below the retail price. Think of a birthday, anniversary or just as a surprise. Make sure that the validity period is sufficiently long so that the recipient can schedule the experience at a suitable time.
In a nutshell
Buying experiences far below the retail price is easy to do if you work in a structured way: compare the retail price in advance, set a maximum bid, bid smartly at the end of the auction and check the conditions. This way, you can enjoy a beautiful experience without paying too much. Feel free to take a look at the current offer and discover which experience suits you.