How BidBolt Works
Everything you need to know to browse, bid, buy, and get your items — whether through auctions, our marketplace, or livestream events.
Find What You Want
Explore inventory across three distinct shopping channels, each designed for a different buying style.
Browse Daily Auctions
We release curated batches of items each day. Auctions are scheduled into evening bidding windows with clear start and end times. Each listing shows MSRP, condition tags, multiple photos, and current bid activity so you can prioritize what matters.
Shop the Marketplace
The marketplace is our fixed-price storefront — no bidding required. Browse, filter by category or condition, and add items to your cart. Each item gets a 15-minute reservation hold once added, so you won't lose it while you keep shopping.
Join Livestream Sales
Livestream events are hosted by our team via live video. Watch items presented in real time, chat with other viewers, ask questions, and place bids as items are shown. It's the energy of an in-person auction, from wherever you are.
Get Personalized Picks
Our AI builds a profile of your interests based on what you browse, bid on, search for, and buy. Visit your Picks page for personalized picks tailored to your taste.
How Auction Bidding Works
Understand proxy bids, anti-sniping, and how winners are determined.
Place Your Maximum Bid
When you bid on an auction, you enter the maximum you're willing to pay. The system places only the minimum necessary visible bid to keep you in the lead — this is proxy bidding. Your actual max stays hidden.
If another bidder sets a higher max, you'll see you've been outbid and can decide to raise your limit. Only actual increments appear in the bid history.
Swipe-to-Bid (Mobile)
On mobile, you can use our swipe-to-bid gesture right from the auction feed. Swipe and confirm — no page navigation needed. It's the fastest way to stay competitive.
Anti-Sniping Extensions
Near the final moments of an auction, if a last-second bid arrives, the end time automatically extends to prevent unfair sniping. This creates a fair, competitive finish — if demand is still there, the clock briefly extends.
Winning & Closing
When the timer expires (after any extensions), the current high bidder wins. The auction locks and your pricing breakdown becomes visible: winning bid amount, buyer's premium (percentage fee), sales tax, and total.
If no bids were placed, the item ends with no winner and may be relisted or moved to the marketplace at a later date.
Payment & Pricing
How authorization, charges, fees, and billing work across all channels.
Pre-Bid Authorization
Before your first auction bid of the day, we perform a quick $1 authorization on your default saved payment method to verify it's valid. This is not a charge — it releases immediately. It protects the marketplace from abandoned wins.
Manage your cards in Payment Methods. At least one valid default method must be on file to bid.
Fees, Tax & Final Price
Auctions: Your final total = Winning Bid + Buyer's Premium + Sales Tax. We show this full breakdown in auction details and your won items view.
Marketplace: You pay the listed price + applicable sales tax. If shipping is selected, shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on item weight, dimensions, and distance.
Automatic Charging
Auctions: After close, won items enter a pending basket. Your saved payment method is charged during our nightly billing run or shortly after close. Once paid, items move to fulfillment status.
Marketplace: Payment is processed immediately at checkout. Your items are reserved as soon as you complete the purchase.
If a payment fails, you'll see a Payment Failed indicator and can update your card. The system retries automatically. Persistent failures may forfeit the win.
Getting Your Items
Choose local pickup with real-time tracking, or nationwide shipping right to your door.
Local Pickup
Free • Fastest option
- Select paid items and book a pickup slot that fits your calendar
- Check in on arrival so our team begins pulling your order
- Watch real-time progress bars as each item is retrieved and staged
- Complete handover with digital signature confirmation
Shipping
Calculated rates • Nationwide
- Rates calculated by weight, dimensions, and distance with tiered breakpoints
- Address validation via Google Address Verification ensures accurate delivery
- Labels generated and tracking numbers provided once shipped
- Track shipment status from your order dashboard
Track Your Order
Every purchase — whether won at auction, bought from the marketplace, or claimed in a livestream — creates an order in your Orders dashboard. Track status from payment confirmation through fulfillment, with step-by-step progress visible for both pickup and shipping.
Notifications & Alerts
Never miss a moment — choose how and when you hear from us.
Delivery Channels
- Push notifications (web & mobile)
- Email (branded templates)
- SMS text messages
- WhatsApp messages
Alert Types
- Outbid alerts
- Ending soon (watchlist items)
- Won auction confirmation
- Payment status & pickup ready
- Shipping updates & tracking
- Livestream going live
Account Features
Everything you need to manage your activity, orders, and preferences.
Active Bids
Track all your current bids in one place with real-time status updates.
Won Items
View pricing breakdowns and payment status for all won auctions.
Orders
Full order history with step-by-step tracking for pickup and shipping.
Watchlist
Save items and get ending-soon notifications without keeping the page open.
Payment Methods
Manage saved cards and set your default payment method.
Notification Preferences
Per-event, per-channel controls for push, email, SMS, and WhatsApp.
Refunds, Returns & Relisting
What happens if something goes wrong, or if an item doesn't sell.
Refund Requests
If there's an issue with your purchase, you can submit a refund request from your account. Our team reviews each request and processes approved refunds back to your original payment method.
Review our published Return Policy for full details on eligibility and timelines.
Relisting & Forfeits
If an auction ends with no bids, or a winner fails to complete payment within the allowed window, the item may be relisted in a future auction or moved to the marketplace. Relisted items are clearly marked.
Missed pickup windows may also result in forfeiture per our terms. Once an item has a legitimate paid winner and has been picked up or shipped, it cannot be relisted.
Common Questions
Why did the timer extend on an auction?
Anti-sniping detected a last-second bid and extended the clock to ensure fair competition.
Why was there no winner?
No bids were placed before the auction ended. The item may be relisted or moved to the marketplace.
Can I retract a bid?
Bids are binding. Contact support only for obvious mistakes — retractions are handled on a case-by-case basis.
When is my card charged?
For auctions, during the nightly billing run after close. For marketplace, immediately at checkout.
Can I get items shipped instead of picking up?
Yes. Select shipping at checkout. Rates are calculated based on weight, dimensions, and your distance from the warehouse.
How do marketplace cart reservations work?
When you add a marketplace item to your cart, it's held for 15 minutes. If you don't complete checkout, the reservation expires and the item returns to availability.
What notification channels are available?
Push notifications, email, SMS, and WhatsApp. Configure per-event preferences in your account settings.
How do I sell items through BidBolt?
We accept consignment submissions. Contact us to learn about our consignment program and get started.
Where is my invoice?
View totals in your Won Auctions view and full order details in the Orders section of your account.
Is there a mobile app?
Yes — BidBolt is available as a native app on iOS and Android, in addition to the full mobile web experience.
Ready to Get Started?
Browse today's auctions, shop the marketplace, or check the livestream schedule.
Still have questions? Visit Support or review the Terms & Conditions.