Auction types explained

Rock My Auction supports timed online auctions. Each listing has a start window, an end time, and clear rules for the next valid bid. Sellers configure pricing fields when they create or edit a listing.

Single-item vs catalogue lot

• Single-item auctions are the classic flow: one auction record with its own photos, reserve, increments, and end time.
• Catalogue-lot auctions tie a timed lot to a catalogue structure (useful when you run many lots under one sale). Behaviour for bidding and reserves is the same idea—incremental bids against a deadline— but grouping and administration differ on the seller side.

Reserve price

A reserve is a hidden minimum selling price set by the seller. Bidding can climb toward that threshold; the listing tracks whether the reserve has been met. If bidding ends below the reserve (when a reserve applies), the item does not sell at that price.

Starting price & current bid

Listings begin from a starting price. As bids arrive, the visible current bid reflects the leader. Your next bid must satisfy the seller's minimum increment rule (see auction rules).

Buy Now

When enabled on a listing, Buy Now lets a buyer purchase immediately at the stated Buy Now price instead of waiting for the timed auction to finish—subject to availability and auction settings shown on the listing page.

Offers (when enabled)

Some sellers enable make-offer-style negotiation. Availability depends on how the seller configured the auction; follow the prompts on the listing when present.

Fee schedules and commissions are summarized in our Terms of Use; do not rely on unofficial summaries for legal obligations.