Opening your auction early


  • First, go to Items > Manage Items and make sure the status of your items is set "Active" with a closing time in the future. You can change your item status and closing times all at once by clicking on the top button to select all (Highlighted below) Make sure your number of entries to show is "All" then scroll down to the bottom of the page to batch update.




  • Go to Software Settings > Landing Page Content > Login/Register Area, scroll down to "Open Auction Early?" > Yes. This will allow your bidders to log into your landing page and start bidding on items via the bidding site.




NOTIFY YOUR BIDDERS THAT YOUR AUCTION IS OPEN!


If you have Mass Messaging


  • Go to Bidders > Text/Email Bidders, compose a message saying that your auction is open! Be sure to add the bidding link [u] in your message so your bidders can get right into your bidding site and the [b] link to include their bidder number. Set your message filter to All Bidders.


If you do not have Mass Messaging


  • First, go to Software Settings > Auction Settings > Butler Settings, scroll down to the Custom Welcome Text section. Here you can compose a message to let your bidders know that your auction is open! Be sure to add the bidding link [u] in your message so your bidders can get right into your bidding site and the [b] link to include their bidder number. * * This message will be sent when someone registers online and at check-in during the event. 

  • Now go to Event Central > Butler, use the section labeled "Bidder Lookup" to type in each bidder's name or number. Once you have a bidder pulled up click on their name and click Complete, this will send them the welcome text that you customized.


  • You can also change the content in the Welcome Email to send to guests that do not have a phone number on file. This can be found under Software Settings > Landing Page Content > Login/Register Area, Scroll down to Welcome Email. Keep in mind no shortcodes can be used in this area so use your landing page link found on your homepage.


Pro Tip: 

  • Send texts or emails to yourself first to see what your guests will receive.