This article describes processes and tips for creating and managing a Timed Event in AuctionBuilder. Events that are not cross-listed are managed differently from those that are. For information on cross-listed Timed auctions, click here.
This article contains the following sections:
Event Setup
Select Timed as the Event Type to set up an online-only auction in which 100% of the bidding will take place online. A timed auction typically runs approximately two weeks. The subsections below align to fields that are only visible when creating a Timed event.
Number of Items
when creating a Timed Event, enter the approximate number of lots into the Number of Items field. This number will change automatically as lots are added or removed from the catalog.
Start Time
Select the Bidding Start Time. This is the date and time that bidders can begin bidding on items in the event. This must be a date in the future.
- For cross-listed events, the Set Bidding Start Time needs to be at least two hours in the future. This allows enough time for data to transfer from Proxibid to the receiving marketplaces before bidding begins.
End Times
Select the First Item's End Time. This will be when the lots start closing.
There are two options for automating lot end times:
- Timed: All lots end/close at the same time. To use this option, select the Set Last Item's End Time radio button and select a date/time.
- Staggered: Lots will end sequentially in regular time increments. To use this option, select the Set Time Increment Between Items radio button and use the drop-downs to select the increment. This estimated Last Item End time will update as lots are added or removed or the closing increment is changed. Staggered events times cannot span more than 12 hours.
Changes to an event's end time cannot be made once the status is changed to 'Online'. To change the time after the event is online, contact Seller Support.
Event Status
Timed and Live & Pre-Bid events should be set to an 'Online' status prior to the Bidding Start Time. The catalog will not open for pre-bids until the Bidding Start Time. If the event is still in a 'Pending' status at the Bidding Start Time, the catalog will not open for pre-bidding- the status must be changed to 'Online' first.
For events being cross-listed, the auction’s status must be changed in a specific order for the sync to work properly between platforms. The correct status progression in AuctionBuilder is:
Timed Auctions: Disabled > Pending > Online
Live Auctions: Disabled > Pending > Online > Live
Managing a Timed Event
Catalogs should be finalized prior to changing the status of a Timed Event to 'Online'. Once the status is changed to 'Online' in Timed (and Live & Pre-Bid) events, the following options will not be available:
- Editing the Start Time/Date and End Time/Date of the auction
- Adding lots
- Editing Starting Bids and Reserves
- Bulk Loader tools
To have changes made to any of the above after the Event Status has been changed to 'Online', please contact Seller Support.
Additionally, certain edits will be restricted on lots with pre-bids. If a lot already has pre-bids, a message will appear at the top of the lot on Catalog Generator page. For more information on editing or deleting lots, see Edit Lots.
Extended Bidding
When bids are placed in the last few minutes before timed bidding closes on a lot, the end time will automatically be extended. Bidding will extend as many times as needed until all the other lots in the auction are closed, at which point then extension should only occur once more. The default extended bidding time is two minutes. To change the extended bidding window, please contact Seller Support.
Extended bidding is available for cross-listed events, and will continue until bidding on a particular item ends. If you wish to change your Extended Bidding time from its current selection, it must be done before lots start closing.
Post-Sale
Once the auction is over and all bidding is complete, the Status of the auction should automatically change to Closed.
Once the event is closed, users can reconcile their lots. For more information, see Reconcile Lots.
Once reconciliation is complete, invoices can be sent. For more information, see Invoicing or atgPay: Invoicing, if the auction is using atgPay.
Online payments can be accepted via the Auction Payment Network (APN) or atgPay.
Invoice Reviews can be submitted for non-paying bidders. For more information, see Invoice Reviews (Disputes) and atgPay: Disputes if the auction is using atgPay.
Cross-Listed Auctions
For more information on managing auctions being cross-listed from Proxibid to BidSpotter and/or ATG White Label, click here.
For more information on managing auctions being cross-listed from Proxibid to LiveAuctioneers, click here.