Pre-bid on an item before an auction

Pre-bidding lets you place a bid before an auction starts. When the seller runs the item, Whatnot will automatically bid for you, up to a maximum amount you set. 

You don’t need to be watching the seller's show for your pre-bid to count.

On this page: 

• How pre-bidding works
• Before you pre-bid
• How to place a pre-bid
• Pre-bid expiration
• Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How pre-bidding works 

When you place a pre-bid, you'll set your Max Bid, which is the highest amount you're willing to pay for the item. 

When the seller starts the auction: 

• Whatnot will bid for you automatically. 

• Your bid increases in increments, but only when another buyer bids against you. 

• This continues until you win the auction at or below your Max Bid, or another buyer bids higher than your Max Bid.

You don’t need to be present during the seller’s show or the auction for your pre-bid to count. It stays active until:

• The auction for that item ends, or
• Your pre-bid expires (see Pre-bid expiration below).

You'll get a notification when the seller pins the item you pre-bid on. You can open it to jump into the show if you want to follow the auction, or bid again if your Max is outbid. Make sure notifications are turned on so you don't miss the alert.

Learn more about Max Bids and bid increments.

Before you pre-bid

Keep in mind: 

• You can only pre-bid on items the seller lists for auction before their show with pre-bidding turned on.

• All pre-bids are binding. If you’re the highest bidder when the auction ends, your payment will process automatically.

• Review the item’s description, condition, and attributes if you won’t be watching the auction live, so you know what you’re bidding on.

How to place a pre-bid 

Before a show, you can pre-bid on auction-style listings from the Whatnot app (iOS or Android): 

1. Open the seller’s upcoming show. 
2. Tap the Store icon in the bottom-right corner.
3. Select the Auction filter to view auction listings that haven’t run yet.  
4. Select the Pre-Bid button.  
5. Enter your Max Bid (the most you’re willing to pay for the item). 
6. Tap Submit to confirm your pre-bid. 

If you’re the highest pre-bidder, you’ll see “Winning” next to the bid count in the listing.

Pre-bid Expiration

Pre-bids automatically expire 24 hours from the scheduled livestart time you saw when you placed your pre-bid.

This helps ensure your money isn’t tied up indefinitely if a seller reschedules their show.

Your pre-bid will expire if:

• The seller moves the show to more than 24 hours past its originally scheduled start time, or
• The show never starts within 24 hours of its scheduled time, or
• The listing is deleted or ends without being run.

When your pre-bid expires:

• Any payment holds or Account Controls limits tied to that pre-bid are released.
• You’ll receive a notification allowing you to update your bid.

Why pre-bids expire after 24 hours

This gives sellers flexibility to adjust show timing within the same day while ensuring buyers aren’t left uncertain about when (or if) an item will be auctioned. It also prevents pre-bids from being held for long periods when a show has been moved far into the future.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Do I need to watch the seller’s show if I pre-bid? 

No. Your pre-bid will participate in the auction automatically. 

Are pre-bids binding?

Yes. If you’re the highest bidder when the auction ends, your order will be processed automatically and we’ll charge your saved payment method.

Can I cancel a pre-bid?

No. Pre-bids can’t be canceled or reduced.

If you win an item, you can request a cancellation from the seller within 24 hours. The seller may approve or deny the request.

Why do pre-bids expire?

This update ensures:

• Your funds aren’t held longer than 24 hours past the scheduled show time you originally saw.
• You aren’t left waiting for shows that are delayed, abandoned, or never run the item.
• Increased transparency and trust when placing pre-bids.

Is there a minimum or maximum pre-bid amount?

Pre-bids start at the seller’s starting price, and there’s no maximum limit.

If the seller decides to start the auction at a higher amount than all existing pre-bids, those pre-bids are cleared and won’t apply.

What if the item I pre-bid on never gets auctioned? 

If the seller doesn’t run the auction, your pre-bid won’t apply and you won't be charged. 

If an item has multiple quantities, does my pre-bid apply to all of them?

No. Your pre-bid applies only to the first item that goes up for auction after you place it.

Related resources

• How to bid in an auction
• Add and manage payment methods