Proxy Bidding
Enable Proxy bidding? on the auction product. To enable it by default for newly configured auctions, use Set proxy auctions on by default in General settings.
Normal proxy example
Section titled “Normal proxy example”Assume an auction has no reserve, starts at 100, and uses a fixed increment of 5.
Alice submits a maximum of 150. Bob later submits 120. The system can keep Alice in the lead by placing an automatic response above Bob’s offer, within Alice’s limit. The public price and Alice’s maximum are different values.
The final amount depends on competing limits, the increment, and reserve behavior. Do not assume that entering 150 always creates a public bid or immediate payment for 150.
Reverse proxy auctions
Section titled “Reverse proxy auctions”The same principle works in the opposite direction: a customer’s limit represents how low their offer may go. The bidding engine responds downwards against competing offers.
Equal proxy limits
Section titled “Equal proxy limits”If an accepted competing offer equals the existing proxy limit, the existing proxy bidder remains ahead. The engine can record the competing offer and the automatic response at the same amount. This applies to both normal and reverse proxy bidding.
For example, Alice already holds a normal proxy limit of 150. If Bob’s later 150 offer passes the current bid requirements, Alice remains the leader at 150. Bob needs a higher eligible offer to take the lead. In a reverse auction, the competing offer must instead be lower than the existing limit.
Customer questions
Section titled “Customer questions”Why was I outbid immediately? Another customer may already have submitted a stronger proxy limit.
Can the leading bidder bid again? General settings include Allow highest bidder to outbid himself. Review this setting when customers need to adjust a leading limit.
Does a proxy bid charge the customer? A bid is not a payment. Payment occurs through the winner-payment workflow or a separately configured automatic charge.