Auctions are a buy format on Whatnot that let buyers compete for your products by placing bids. While hosting a show, you can start an auction from the app or from whanot.com.
If you’ve listed an item for auction before your show begins, buyers can place pre-bids. Pre-bid are automatically applied once you start the auction.
Running auctions during shows encourages engagement and can help you get the best prices for your products, especially high-interest or unique items.
On this page:
What to expect during your auction
When you start an auction, you’ll set:
- Starting bid: the opening price.
- Auction time: the minimum amount of time the auction will run. Counter-bids can extend the auction's duration.
- Counter-bid time: when fewer than 10 seconds remain, any new bid resets the timer to this amount.
- Sudden death (optional): sells the item to the last bidder when the timer hits 00:01, without time extensions.
Tip: Most auctions on Whatnot are fast-paced, with many set for 30 seconds or less.
Buyers can place bids in increments or custom amounts as the auction clock counts down. You’ll see the total number of bids, who’s bidding, and the current winning bid in real time.
The highest bidder wins. If no one bids, the item isn’t sold. You can re-run the item or move to another one.
After you start an auction, you can’t cancel or stop it.
How to start an auction
Before you start, make sure your item is listed and added to your show, so it appears in your Shop. Select Auction as the purchase format when you list the product.
Start an auction on the app
- During your show, tap the Shop icon in the bottom-right corner.
- Go to the Auction tab.
- Select the product you want to auction.
- Tap Start Auction.
- Set your auction details.
- Tap Start.
Start an auction on whatnot.com
- During your show, open the Auction tab in the top-left panel.
- Find the product you want to auction.
- Click Product Actions, then Start Auction.
- Set your auction details.
- Click Start.