Live Auctions allow you to run real-time auctions directly inside your CommentSold mobile app and webstore during a live show. You can launch auctions mid-stream, accept bids in real time, and automatically charge the winning shopper when the auction ends. Here is some information you must know before you start an auction.
Auction Modes
Shops can adjust how auctions behave during a live sale using the Auction Mode setting.
Auction modes can be changed while live.
| Mode | Description |
| None | Auction functionality is hidden during the live sale. |
| Mixed | Shops can sell products normally and selectively launch auctions using the Start Auction button. |
| Auction-only | Every product shown automatically launches as an auction item. |
The selected auction mode is automatically saved and applied to future live sales.
Shopper Bidding Experience
When an auction begins, shoppers in your app or webstore automatically see a bidding overlay on their screen. Below are examples of how the auction experience appears for shoppers across the app and webstore.
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The overlay includes:
- Current high bid
- High bidder name
- Countdown timer
- Custom bid amount field
If a shopper is outbid:
- Their device vibrates
- Their bidding box changes from green to red
- The bidding overlay flashes
- A push notification is sent if the app is running in the background
When a shopper wins the auction, they see a Sold to you confirmation message and receive an order confirmation automatically.
| Note: Shoppers must have a card on file to place bids. Guests who are not signed in can only view the auction and will be prompted to log in before bidding. |
Know more about customer experience here.
Handle a Charge Failure
If the winning shopper's payment fails after the auction closes, CommentSold displays several recovery options directly in your dashboard.
| Option | What Happens |
| Shift to runner-up | Automatically offers the item to the next-highest bidder and immediately attempts payment. If that payment also fails, the system continues down the bidder list. |
| Put it in the winner's cart | Places the item into the original winner's cart and gives them 15 minutes to complete payment manually. |
| Continue the auction | Reopens the auction with the previous runner-up as the current high bidder so bidding can continue. You can also add additional time to the auction. |
| Important! Charge-failure decisions should be handled quickly while your live show is still active. These options are designed to help you resolve payment issues in just a few clicks without disrupting the flow of your stream. |
Reporting and Tracking
Live History Summary
Auction revenue for a live sale can be viewed in the Live History Summary for that specific live stream. This allows shops to review auction performance and track sales generated during the event.
Order Indicators
Orders created through auctions display an Auction indicator within the order details under the shop's Orders tab. This helps shops quickly identify which orders originated from a live auction.
Auction Logs
Auction-related actions are recorded in the Shop Log tab from the side menu of your CommentSold dashboard. These logs help shops track auction activity and review actions taken during a live sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to configure products as auction items before going live?
No. Auctions can be launched on-demand from your Live Dashboard using any available inventory variant.
What happens if no one places a bid?
If an auction ends without any bids, it closes without a sale. You can relaunch the same item with a lower starting bid if needed.
Can I run Live Auctions on Facebook or Instagram Live?
Not in the current version. Live Auctions currently works only inside your CommentSold-branded mobile app and webstore. Your social streams can still display your video feed, but bidding takes place exclusively on your owned channels.
Can shoppers be prevented from bidding?
Yes. Using the Block Customer tool prevents a shopper from placing bids. Muting a shopper in chat also prevents them from participating in auctions.
Which team members can launch auctions?
Any team member with the manage-auctions permission can launch and manage auctions from the Live Dashboard. You can update team permissions under the Team tab from the side menu of your Commentsold dashboard.