Setting Up a Placeholder
Placeholder auctions can be used to allow users to register for an auction without being able to bid on items until a specified date. Follow these steps to set up a placeholder auction:
1. Create the Auction
Create your auction as usual.
Create a placeholder lot with:
Item number set to Lot 0
A title, summary, description, and image that provide an overview of the auction or feature a key item (at your discretion)
Ideally, create this item as a Listing with the purchase option set to None.
This allows users to register for the auction but prevents them from bidding on the placeholder by accident.
Alternatively, some clients use Lot 0 as a test lot to allow bidders to try out the bidding process before the rest of the auction goes live.
Set Lot 0 to LIVE, and approve the auction.
Once approved, the auction will appear in the Auction Calendar, and users will be able to register using the login/registration links on Lot 0:
Adding the Real Items
Once the placeholder (Lot 0) is live:
Add your real items
Leave them in PREVIEW status
Your item list should look like this:
Go Live and Allow Bidding
When you're ready to begin bidding:
Approve all real items
(Select all and press the Approve button)Withdraw the placeholder / Lot 0
After completing these steps
Real items will appear in the auction as normal
Bidders will be able to start bidding and watch items as expected