When setting up your auction and adding items, you can have the ability to group them into separate "sets." These sets allow you to categorize your items, making it easier for bidders to find what they're interested in. Additionally, you can configure each set to close automatically on specific dates and times, allowing you to hold multiple auctions throughout your event.
To configure your sets, head to the Items tab within the Auction section of your Event Manager and click the “Add Auction Set” button:
A dialog box will appear, allowing you to configure your settings. First, give your set a name. For example, if your event includes two activities, e.g., golf and tennis, you could create separate sets named "Golf" and "Tennis." You will then have the option to enable the following features: display the auction set on your site, automatically notify winning bidders once the auction has ended, and schedule the auction to end automatically at a specific date and time: Additionally, you can customize the notification settings to ensure participants are informed about the auction's progress and results. Notifications can be sent via email or text message, and these preferences can be adjusted in the Auction > Settings tab.
In the example above, I have scheduled the auction to close on November 26, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. Since I have enabled the system to notify winners when the auction ends, a notification email and/or text message will automatically be sent to the winning bidders. You can customize your notification preferences in the Auction > Settings tab located below Items.
Advanced Options
Minimum Bid Percentage When enabled, the system requires each new bid to be a specific percentage higher than the current lead.
How it works: If a bid is at $50 and your percentage is set to 10%, the next bidder must enter at least $55.
Benefit: Ensures bid increments scale naturally as the item's price increases.
Proxy Bidding This allows the system to bid automatically on behalf of a user up to their specified limit.
How it works: A bidder enters the maximum amount they are willing to pay. The system then places the smallest necessary bids to keep them in the lead, stopping only when their maximum is reached.
Benefit: Saves bidders time and keeps them competitive without needing to manually monitor the auction.
Popcorn Bidding This feature (also known as "Extended Bidding") prevents "bid sniping" by extending the auction's end time if a bid is placed in the final moments.
How it works: If a bid is received within a set window (e.g., the last 5 minutes), the countdown timer resets for that item. The auction only closes when bidding activity has ceased for the full duration of the window.
Benefit: Ensures every bidder has a fair chance to respond and maximizes the final sale price.
NOTE: When adding/editing your items, make sure "Display on Auction Page" is enabled so your item(s) are visible on the site: