Podium Auction Platform — Complete User Guide
For: Auctioneers, Bidders, and Administrators
Platform: US Podium Auction (Multi-Winner Auction)
Last Updated: 2026-05-21
Table of Contents
- What Is a Podium Auction?
- How the Podium Works — Multiple Winners Explained
- Auction Lifecycle
- Bidding Methods
- The Bidding Form
- Auto-Bidding (Podium Auto-Bids)
- Multi Buy Now
- Sealed Bidding
- Unlimited Ticket Mode
- Live Auctions
- Bid Confirmation
- Email Notifications
- Reserve Prices
- Overtime Bidding
- Bid Validation and Limits
- Replacing vs. Adding Bids
- Winners and Post-Auction
- Auction Control Panel (Auctioneers)
- Site Configurations
- Troubleshooting and FAQs
1. What Is a Podium Auction?
A Podium auction is a multi-winner auction format designed primarily for US clients. Unlike a standard auction where the single highest bidder wins, a podium auction allows multiple bidders to win the same lot.
Think of it like stepping up onto a podium: there are a set number of spots (the podium places), and the highest bidders each earn one of those spots. When the auction closes, every bidder on the podium is a winner — each paying their own bid amount.
Key Differences from Standard Auctions
| Feature | Standard Auction | Podium Auction |
|---|---|---|
| Winners per lot | 1 | Multiple (configurable) |
| Losing bidders | Everyone except #1 | Everyone below the last podium spot |
| Winning bid price | Single highest bid | Each winner pays their own bid |
| Bidding competition | Fight for #1 | Compete for any podium position |
Why Use a Podium Auction?
Podium auctions are ideal when the seller has multiple identical items to sell (e.g., golf foursomes, event tickets, membership packages) and wants bidders to compete for a limited number of spots at varying price points.
2. How the Podium Works — Multiple Winners Explained
Total Winner Count
Each lot has a total winner count, which determines how many bidders will win. This is calculated as:
Total Winner Count = 1 (primary winner) + Extra Winner Count
The extra winner count is set by the auction administrator for each lot. For example:
- Extra winner count of 3 means 4 total winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place)
- Extra winner count of 1 means 2 total winners (1st and 2nd place)
- Extra winner count of 0 means 1 winner (standard single-winner behavior)
How Positions Are Determined
Bidders are ranked by their bid amount, highest first. The top N bidders (where N = total winner count) occupy the podium positions. Each bidder pays their own bid amount, not the price of the lowest podium position.
Example: A Foursome Auction
An auctioneer is selling 4 spots on a golf foursome. The lot is configured with extra winner count = 3 (4 total spots).
| Position | Bidder | Bid Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Alice | $5,000 | Winner — pays $5,000 |
| 2nd | Bob | $4,500 | Winner — pays $4,500 |
| 3rd | Carol | $4,000 | Winner — pays $4,000 |
| 4th | Dave | $3,500 | Winner — pays $3,500 |
| 5th | Eve | $3,000 | Outbid |
Alice, Bob, Carol, and Dave are all winners. Each pays what they bid. Eve is not on the podium and does not win.
What Happens When a New Bidder Joins?
If a new bidder Frank bids $4,200, the podium reshuffles:
| Position | Bidder | Bid Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Alice | $5,000 | Winner |
| 2nd | Bob | $4,500 | Winner |
| 3rd | Frank | $4,200 | Winner (moved up) |
| 4th | Carol | $4,000 | Winner |
| 5th | Dave | $3,500 | Outbid (pushed off podium) |
| 6th | Eve | $3,000 | Outbid |
Dave is now off the podium and receives an outbid notification. Frank takes his spot.
3. Auction Lifecycle
Registration
Before bidding, users must register and be approved for the auction. There are two registration modes:
- Manual Approval: Users apply to bid, and the auctioneer must approve each application.
- Self Approval: Users apply and are automatically approved.
Some sites may require a registration fee before bidding is allowed.
Lot Statuses
Lots move through several statuses during an auction:
| Status | Description |
|---|---|
| Published | The lot is visible and available for bidding |
| Archived | The lot is hidden and cannot be bid on |
| Viewing Only | Users can see the lot but cannot place bids (admin setting) |
| Suspended | Bidding is temporarily paused on this lot |
| Sold | The lot has been won and the sale is complete |
Lot Timing
Each lot has a start date and end date:
- Before the start date: The lot is in "preview" mode. Bidding has not yet begun.
- Between start and end: Bidding is open.
- After the end date: The lot closes. Winners are determined and notified.
Bidding Open / Closed Rules
Bidding is considered open when: - The lot is in Published status (not Archived) - The start date has passed - The end date has not yet passed - Bidding is not suspended or paused - The lot is not a Buy Now Only or Sealed Bidding Only type (for incremental bidding)
For live auctions, only the current live lot accepts incremental bids. Other lots may accept pre-bids if pre-bidding is enabled.
4. Bidding Methods
The podium platform supports four bidding methods:
4.1 Incremental Bidding
Place a bid at the next increment above the current bid. This is the standard "forward auction" approach.
How to place an incremental bid: 1. View the lot and see the current bid and next bid amount 2. Click the "Bid" button (pre-fills the next increment amount) 3. Click "Confirm" to confirm your placed bid 4. Your bid appears on the podium, and other bidders are notified
Custom incremental bids: You can also enter a higher amount manually: 1. Type your desired bid amount in the input box next to the "Bid" button 2. Click "Bid" and confirm 3. Your custom amount is placed (must still follow bid increment rules)
4.2 Auto-Bidding (Podium Auto-Bids)
Set a maximum amount you're willing to pay, and the system will bid on your behalf. See the dedicated Auto-Bidding section below for details.
4.3 Sealed Bidding
Sealed bids are like private offers. No one sees other bidders' amounts, and there is no automatic winner determination. The auctioneer manually selects the winner from sealed bids.
Key characteristics: - No cross-validation: one bidder can bid $100 while another bids $10, with no warning - No automatic winner selection — the auctioneer/lot owner decides - Bids are not visible to other participants - Some sites treat sealed bids as "pledges" where users commit to donate the amount they entered
4.4 Buy Now Bidding
If a lot has a Buy Now option, you can purchase it immediately at the Buy Now price. This stops all other forms of bidding on that lot.
Important: If two users attempt to buy at exactly the same time, only the first one succeeds.
For the Multi Buy Now variant (used by clients like ERIC and CNC), see the Multi Buy Now section.
5. The Bidding Form
When you navigate to a lot and are eligible to bid, you see a bidding form with several options.
Form Fields
| Field | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Incremental Bid Amount | The next bid increment amount (pre-filled) |
| Auto-Bid Amount | Your maximum auto-bid amount (you enter this) |
| Sealed Bid Amount | Your private offer amount (sealed bids only) |
| Places | Number of spots to purchase (Multi Buy Only) |
| Terms & Conditions | Checkbox confirming you've read the terms |
Bid Mode Buttons
The form lets you select the type of bid you want to place:
- "Bid" or "Incr" — Place an incremental bid
- "Auto" — Place an auto-bid
- "Sealed" — Place a sealed bid
- "Places" — Purchase spots via Multi Buy Now
Form Validation
The system validates your bid before accepting it:
- Minimum bid validator: Your bid must meet or exceed the opening bid or next increment
- Numeric validator: The bid amount must be a valid number
- Not-empty validator: The bid field cannot be blank
- High bid validator: Prevents bids that are excessively above the current bid (to prevent typos). See Bid Validation for details.
Position Descriptions
The form shows you your current standing:
- "Place a bid" — You have no bids yet
- "1st place" — You are in first position
- "1st and 2nd place" — You hold multiple podium positions
- The form also describes what happens after your new bid:
- After Add: Where you'll be if you add a new bid position
- After Replace: Where you'll be if you replace your existing bid
6. Auto-Bidding (Podium Auto-Bids)
What Is Podium Auto-Bidding?
Podium auto-bidding is a specialized auto-bid mode designed for the multi-winner podium format. Unlike standard auto-bidding (where the system fights for #1), podium auto-bidding tries to keep you on the podium — in any winning position — at the lowest possible price.
How Podium Auto-Bids Work
When you set a podium auto-bid:
-
If there's a vacant podium spot: The system places you at the current bid + increment (or up to your max, whichever is lower).
-
If all podium spots are taken: The system analyzes all competing bids and auto-bids to determine the minimum amount needed to secure a podium position. It then places a bid on your behalf.
-
If you're already on the podium: The system simply updates your auto-bid cap without placing a new bid, keeping your position.
Podium Auto-Bid vs. Standard Auto-Bid
| Aspect | Podium Auto-Bid | Standard Auto-Bid |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Get on podium (any winning position) | Become #1 |
| Initial bid | Current bid + increment (or fill vacant spot) | Current bid + increment |
| When already winning | No new bid placed | Only updates max if higher |
| Competition | Fights against all podium holders | Fights against current #1 |
Podium Auto-Bid Triggers
When a new podium auto-bid is placed, the system may trigger additional automated bids from other bidders who already have auto-bids set:
- Winning auto-bids triggered: If a new bidder's entry pushes a winning auto-bidder below the podium, their auto-bid fires to try to reclaim a spot.
- Losing auto-bids triggered: If the first bid outside the podium has an auto-bid, it fires to try to enter the podium.
This creates dynamic, competitive bidding among all auto-bid participants.
Bid Results for Auto-Bids
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ACCEPTED | Your auto-bid was placed successfully |
| ACCEPTED_BID_UP_TO_RESERVE | Your auto-bid was accepted and taken up to the reserve price |
| ACCEPTED_BID_BUT_BELOW_RESERVE | Your auto-bid was accepted but is below the reserve |
| ACCEPTED_BUT_OUTBID | Your auto-bid was placed, but you're currently not in a winning position |
| REJECTED_TOO_LOW | Your auto-bid amount is below the minimum required |
| REJECTED_OUTBID | Your auto-bid amount is not high enough to beat existing bids |
| REJECTED_LOWER_AUTOBID | Your new auto-bid is lower than your existing auto-bid for this lot |
7. Multi Buy Now
What Is Multi Buy Now?
Multi Buy Now allows multiple users to instantly purchase spots at a fixed price. Unlike regular Buy Now (which ends all bidding), Multi Buy Now continues until all available spots are filled.
This is commonly used for: - Golf foursomes (4 spots at a fixed price) - Event tickets (limited seats) - Membership packages
How It Works
- The auctioneer sets a Buy Now price and a total winner count (number of available spots).
- Bidders select how many spots they want to purchase (1, 2, 3, etc.).
- The system reserves those spots and charges the bidder.
- The display shows how many spots remain: "X spots left".
- When all spots are filled, no more Buy Nows are accepted.
Example
A lot has 12 total spots at $10 each:
| Action | Buyer | Spots Taken | Spots Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buy Now (2 spots) | User A | 2 | 10 |
| Buy Now (6 spots) | User B | 8 | 4 |
| Buy Now (5 spots) | User C | Rejected — only 4 remain | 4 |
| Buy Now (4 spots) | User D | 12 | 0 — Sold Out |
User Limits
The auctioneer can set a per-user limit on how many spots one person can buy. For example, if the limit is 2, a user who has already purchased 2 spots cannot buy more, even if spots are available.
Unlimited Ticket Mode
Some lots use Unlimited Ticket Mode where there is no cap on the total number of spots. Bidders can continue purchasing indefinitely. [NEEDS REVIEW: Exact behavior and UI indicators for unlimited mode may vary by site.]
Failed Bids
If a Multi Buy Now fails (no spots available, user limit reached), the system can be configured to record the failed attempt. This is useful for auditing and for sites that want to track demand.
8. Sealed Bidding
Overview
Sealed bidding is a private bidding method where: - Bidders submit a confidential offer - Other bidders cannot see any bids - There is no automatic winner determination - The auctioneer manually reviews all sealed bids and selects winners
When to Use Sealed Bidding
- Charity auctions where bidders pledge donation amounts
- Procurement auctions where the buyer wants to evaluate offers privately
- Situations where the lot owner wants full control over who wins
How Sealed Bids Work
- The lot is set to "Sealed Bidding Only" mode
- Bidders enter their offer amount in the sealed bid field
- The system validates the minimum bid (opening bid amount)
- No cross-bid validation occurs — bids are independent
- The auctioneer reviews all sealed bids after the lot closes
- Winners are manually selected and notified
Important Notes
- Sealed bids do NOT trigger auto-bids or outbid notifications
- There is no incremental bidding on sealed-bid-only lots
- Some sites may have special buttons/forms for accepting sealed bids in the admin panel
9. Unlimited Ticket Mode
In Unlimited Ticket Mode, there is no limit to the number of spots available for Multi Buy Now purchases. Bidders can buy as many tickets/spots as they want at the fixed Buy Now price.
This mode is useful for: - Charity events where every donation is welcome - Raffle-style lots - Situations where the seller has unlimited supply
10. Live Auctions
What Is a Live Auction?
A live auction is a real-time, auctioneer-led event where lots are presented one at a time. The auctioneer controls which lot is currently being sold.
Live Auction States
| State | Description |
|---|---|
| ACTIVE | The auction is running; the current lot accepts bids |
| PAUSED | The auction is temporarily paused (e.g., for a break) |
| FINISHED | All lots have been presented; the auction is complete |
Pre-Bidding
Before the live auction begins, lots can be in a pre-bidding phase:
- Pre-bidding allows remote bidders to place bids on upcoming lots
- The auctioneer sets a pre-bidding end date
- Once the live auction reaches a lot, pre-bidding closes for that lot
- If pre-bidding is disabled, only the current live lot accepts bids
Live Lot Behavior
- Only the current live lot accepts incremental and auto-bids during a live auction
- Lots that have already been presented are finished — no more bidding
- Lots not yet presented may accept pre-bids if enabled
- When the auctioneer moves to the next lot, the previous lot's bidding closes
- The auctioneer can pause the auction (all bidding stops) or finish it (no more lots)
Messages During Live Auctions
The auctioneer can display custom messages to bidders:
| Message Type | When Displayed |
|---|---|
| Before Live Auction | Before the auction starts |
| Pause Message | When the auction is paused |
| After Live Auction | After the auction finishes |
11. Bid Confirmation
What Is Bid Confirmation?
Some lots require bids to be confirmed by the auctioneer before they count. This is typically used in live auctions where the auctioneer wants to vet each bid before it's accepted.
How It Works
- A bidder places a bid
- The bid appears as "pending" (not active)
- The auctioneer reviews the bid in the control panel
- The auctioneer clicks "Confirm" to accept the bid, or "Delete" to reject it
- Only confirmed bids count toward podium positions
Who Can Confirm Bids?
- Only admin users (the auctioneer and their team) can confirm bids
- Admin-placed bids are automatically confirmed
- Bids placed during a live auction's current lot always need confirming
- Bids placed on past lots or non-live auctions do not need confirming
Confirmation UI
In the auction control panel, the auctioneer sees: - Winning bid: The highest confirmed bid - Pending bid: The highest unconfirmed bid - Web bid: The highest bid from the website - Room bid: The highest bid placed by the auctioneer/room staff
The auctioneer can confirm, unconfirm, or delete individual bids by their ID.
12. Email Notifications
Overview
The podium platform sends automated emails to keep bidders informed about their standing. Email timing and content vary based on the situation.
Email Types
| Sent To | When | |
|---|---|---|
| Bid Accepted | New bidder | When a bid is successfully placed |
| Outbid | Outbid bidder | When a bidder is pushed below the podium |
| Foursome Outbid | Outbid bidder (multi-winner lots) | When pushed off the podium on a multi-winner lot |
| Foursome Outbid (Auto-Bid) | Outbid bidder | When an auto-bid pushes you off the podium |
| Foursome Outbid (Below Reserve) | Outbid bidder | When pushed off podium and all bids are below reserve |
| Auto-Bid Accepted | Auto-bidder | When an auto-bid is placed |
| Auto-Bid Machine Placed | Auto-bidder | When the system automatically places a bid on your behalf |
| Bid Accepted Below Reserve | Bidder | When bid is accepted but below the reserve price |
| Lot Secured | Winner | When a lot closes and you are a winner |
| Foursome Secured | Secondary winner | When a lot closes and you are a secondary winner (2nd, 3rd, etc.) |
| Preview Lot Secured | Winner (preview lots) | When a preview lot closes and you win |
| Lost to Buy Now | All other bidders | When someone buys a lot via Buy Now |
| Bought Lot | Buy Now winner | When a Buy Now is successful |
| Lot Not Sold | Lot owner | When a lot closes with no bids meeting reserve |
Email Timing — The 15-Minute Rule
Bidding emails stop 15 minutes before a lot's end date. This prevents a flood of notifications in the final moments when bids may be placed rapidly.
However, if overtime bidding is activated, emails resume during the overtime period.
Multi-Winner Email Behavior
On lots with extra winners, the system differentiates between:
- Primary winner (1st place): Receives "Lot Secured" email
- Secondary winners (2nd, 3rd, etc.): Receive "Foursome Secured" email
- Outbid bidders: Receive "Foursome Outbid" email when pushed off the podium
When You Push Yourself Off the Podium
If you already hold a podium position and place a new bid that pushes your previous position off the podium, you will still receive a "Foursome Outbid" notification for your displaced bid — even though your new bid is winning. [NEEDS REVIEW: This behavior may vary by site configuration.]
13. Reserve Prices
What Is a Reserve Price?
A reserve price is the minimum amount a lot must reach before it can be sold. If the highest podium bids are all below the reserve, the lot is considered "Below Reserve" and may not be sold.
How Reserves Affect Podium Auctions
- Bidders can place bids below the reserve, but those bidders are not purchasing bidders
- Only bidders whose bid amount meets or exceeds the reserve count as potential winners
- If the lot closes and all bids are below the reserve, no winners are declared
- The lot owner is notified that the lot was not sold
Reserve Indicators
| Condition | Display |
|---|---|
| Bids below reserve | "Below Reserve" indicator shown |
| Reserve not met at close | Lot owner receives "Lot Not Sold" email |
| Reserve met | Lot is marked as "Sold" |
Reserve and Buy Now
A Buy Now price is always considered to meet the reserve (since it's typically set above the reserve by the auctioneer).
14. Overtime Bidding
What Is Overtime?
Overtime bidding extends the auction when bids are placed in the final moments. This prevents "sniping" (last-second bids that other bidders can't respond to).
How Overtime Works
When a bid is placed close to the lot's end time, the system activates overtime mode, extending the deadline to allow other bidders to respond.
Email Behavior During Overtime
During the final 15 minutes before a lot ends, bidding emails are suppressed. However, if overtime is activated, emails resume so bidders are notified of position changes during the extended period.
15. Bid Validation and Limits
High Bid Validator
To prevent accidental over-bidding (e.g., typing an extra zero), the system includes a High Bid Validator that caps how much above the current bid you can place in a single incremental bid.
The cap is determined by two settings:
- Max Bid Multiplier: Limits your bid to a multiple of the current bid (e.g., 3x the current bid)
- Max Bid Allowed: Sets a fixed dollar amount above the current bid
The system uses whichever limit is lower. If you try to bid above the cap, you'll see:
"Your bid exceeds the maximum incremental limit. You may currently bid up to $X,XXX. Wish to place a higher bid? Select Auto-Bid and we'll manage bidding for you! To learn more, visit the How to Bid page."
Workaround for High Bids
If you want to bid above the incremental cap, use Auto-Bid instead. Auto-bids are not subject to the high bid validator because they represent your maximum willingness to pay, not a single incremental step.
16. Replacing vs. Adding Bids
Two Ways to Bid on the Podium
On multi-winner lots, you have two options when placing a new bid:
Replace Previous Bid
Your new bid replaces your existing bid on the podium. You maintain only one position.
When to use: You want to increase your bid to improve your position without holding multiple spots.
Add New Bid
Your new bid is added to the podium alongside your existing bid. You now hold two positions (and will pay for both if you win).
When to use: You want to increase your chances of winning by occupying multiple podium spots.
Bid Override Behavior
| Bid Type | Override Behavior |
|---|---|
| Incremental bid | Default: KEEP_PREVIOUS (adds new position). Can choose REPLACE_PREVIOUS |
| Auto-bid | Always REPLACE_PREVIOUS (maintains one position, doesn't add new ones) |
| Auto-bid from system | Inherits the override from the auto-bid it represents |
Position Descriptions in the Form
The bidding form tells you what will happen:
- showUserReplaceChoice = true: You can choose to replace your existing bid
- showUserAddChoice = true: You can choose to add a new bid position
- userBidPositionsDescription: Your current standing (e.g., "1st and 2nd place")
- userBidPositionsDescriptionAfterReplace: Where you'd be if you replace (e.g., "1st place")
- userBidPositionsDescriptionAfterAdd: Where you'd be if you add (e.g., "1st and 2nd place")
17. Winners and Post-Auction
How Winners Are Determined
When a lot closes (end date passes), the system runs an automated Check for Winners task:
- Identifies all lots that have ended and haven't been notified yet
- For each lot, determines the top bidders (up to the total winner count)
- Only bidders whose bid meets the reserve price are considered winners
- Sends winner notification emails
- Marks the lot as "Winner Notified" to prevent duplicate notifications
Buy Now Lots
Lots that were purchased via Buy Now are handled by a separate Check for Bought Now task:
- Finds lots with active Buy Now bids that haven't been notified
- Sends "Bought Lot" emails to the buyer
- Sends "Lost to Buy Now" emails to all other bidders who had placed bids
- Marks the lot as notified
Preview Lots
Preview lots (where the highest bidder is not automatically the winner) use a different winner email template ("Preview Lot Secured") to indicate the non-standard nature of the win.
Final Sale Price
After a lot closes, the final sale price is recorded for reporting purposes. This is used in lot sale reports and accounting.
Buyers Premium
A buyers premium percentage can be applied to the hammer price. The default is 20%. This is added to the winning bid amount to calculate the total amount owed.
18. Auction Control Panel (Auctioneers)
Access
The auction control panel is accessible only to admin users during live auctions. It provides real-time control over the auction.
Available Actions
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Confirm Bid | Accept a pending bid so it counts toward podium positions |
| Unconfirm Bid | Revoke a previously confirmed bid |
| Delete Bid | Remove an unconfirmed bid entirely |
| Goto Lot | Jump to a specific lot by its label/number |
| Finish Auction | End the auction (only works when on the last lot) |
| Restart Auction | Restart a finished auction |
| Pause Auction | Temporarily stop all bidding |
| Unpause Auction | Resume bidding after a pause |
| Set Increment | Change the bid increment for the current lot |
| Set Asking Price | Set an asking price for the current lot |
Live Auction Control Flow
- The auctioneer starts the auction
- Uses "Goto Lot" to begin with the first lot
- As bids come in, uses "Confirm" to accept valid bids
- Uses "Set Increment" to adjust the pace of bidding
- Moves to the next lot when ready
- Uses "Pause" if a break is needed
- Uses "Finish" when the last lot is complete
19. Site Configurations
Each podium site has a unique configuration. Common settings include:
Auto-Bid Type
| Type | Description | Used By |
|---|---|---|
| Podium | Auto-bids try to secure any podium position | Home Depot Canada |
| Normal | Auto-bids compete for #1 only | Home Depot USA, Lowe's |
Autobidding Enabled
A site-level toggle that enables or disables auto-bidding across all lots.
Confirm All Bids
When enabled, all bids require auctioneer confirmation before they count.
Record Failed Multi-Bid
When enabled, failed Multi Buy Now attempts are recorded in the system for auditing.
Add Extra Bid Enabled
When enabled, bidders can add additional podium positions (rather than just replacing).
Bidding Email Timeout
Configurable timeout (in minutes) before the lot's end date when bidding emails are suppressed. Default behavior is 15 minutes.
Show Additional Bidders
Some sites may show more than just the winning bidders on the podium display. This is controlled at the site level.
Client-Specific Notes
| Client | Configuration Notes |
|---|---|
| Home Depot Canada | Podium autobids; countdown clock; lots uploaded by platform team |
| Home Depot USA | Normal autobids; self-registration with PIN; lots uploaded by client; lots hidden before login |
| Lowe's | Normal autobids; invited users set own passwords; countdown clock; bespoke wording; unbranded login |
20. Troubleshooting and FAQs
Q: Why was my bid rejected?
Possible reasons: - Bid amount is below the minimum (opening bid or next increment) - Bid amount exceeds the maximum incremental limit — try auto-bid instead - Bidding is closed (lot ended, paused, or not yet started) - You haven't been approved to bid on this auction - You've reached your per-user limit on a Multi Buy Now lot - All spots are already filled on a Multi Buy Now lot
Q: I was on the podium but now I'm not. What happened?
Another bidder placed a higher bid, pushing you off the podium. You should receive an "Outbid" or "Foursome Outbid" email notification (unless the lot is within 15 minutes of closing).
Q: Can I hold multiple positions on the podium?
Yes, if the lot and site configuration allow it. You can add a new bid position to hold multiple spots. However, auto-bids always replace your previous position — they do not add new ones.
Q: How much will I pay if I win?
You pay your own bid amount, not the lowest winning bid. If you hold multiple podium positions, you pay the sum of all your winning bid amounts.
Q: What happens if I win but the reserve wasn't met?
If your bid is below the reserve price, you are not a purchasing bidder even if you're on the podium. The lot may not be sold, and the lot owner will be notified.
Q: Why didn't I get an outbid email?
Emails are suppressed during the last 15 minutes before a lot ends. If the lot entered overtime, emails resume. Also check your spam folder.
Q: What's the difference between "Buy Now" and "Multi Buy Now"?
- Buy Now: One person buys the entire lot at the Buy Now price. All other bidding stops.
- Multi Buy Now: Multiple people can buy individual spots at the Buy Now price until all spots are filled.
Q: Can the auctioneer cancel a bid?
During a live auction, the auctioneer can unconfirm a previously confirmed bid or delete an unconfirmed bid from the control panel.
Q: How do I jump to a specific lot during a live auction?
Use the "Goto Lot" action in the auction control panel and enter the lot label. [NEEDS REVIEW: Exact UI workflow may vary by site.]
Appendix: Bid Result Codes Reference
| Code | Description | User-Facing Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ACCEPTED | Bid placed successfully | Your bid has been placed |
| ACCEPTED_BID_UP_TO_RESERVE | Auto-bid accepted and taken to reserve | Your bid was placed and meets the reserve |
| ACCEPTED_BID_BUT_BELOW_RESERVE | Bid accepted but below reserve | Your bid is placed but below the minimum |
| ACCEPTED_BUT_OUTBID | Bid placed but not in winning position | Your bid was placed but you're currently outbid |
| REJECTED_TOO_LOW | Bid amount is below minimum | Your bid is too low |
| REJECTED_OUTBID | Bid not high enough to compete | Someone has already bid higher |
| REJECTED_LOWER_AUTOBID | New auto-bid is below existing auto-bid | Your auto-bid can't be lowered |
| REJECTED_NO_BIDDER_SELECTED | No bidder configured | System error — contact support |
| REJECTED_UNAVAILABLE | Lot or mode unavailable | This bidding option is not available |
This guide is based on analysis of the platform's source code, test files, and existing documentation. Behavior may vary slightly between client sites due to configuration differences. For site-specific questions, contact your platform administrator.