Want to keep auction items private until your guests arrive? You can control item visibility so that only checked-in bidders can view and bid. This is great for in-person events, VIP access, or pre-registration gating.
❗ Important: This setting is applied individually to each item and cannot be updated in bulk.
🛠️ How to Enable “Checked-In Bidders Only” Viewing
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Go to the Items tab in your admin dashboard.
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Click Manage Items.
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Select the item you want to restrict, and click to open its Edit Item screen.
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Scroll to the Availability dropdown.
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Change the setting from All Bidders to Checked-In Bidders.
💡 Tip: A bidder is considered “checked in” once they’ve been marked as such in the Butler or Bidders tab. If they’re not checked in, they won’t see the item at all.
👁️ How to View and Adjust Item Availability Settings
To check or display which items are limited to checked-in bidders:
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Go to Items > Manage Items.
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Click the Show/Hide Columns button at the top of the item list.
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Toggle the Availability column to show it.
This will help you confirm which items are restricted and make changes easily.
ℹ️ Info (HubSpot callout): By default, the Availability column is hidden. Turning it on is a great way to double-check visibility across your auction items.
✅ Best Practices
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Use this feature for early access perks, VIP packages, or exclusive experiences.
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Be sure your volunteers/staff know how to check in guests using the Butler to activate their access.
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If you're testing, create a dummy bidder and check them in to see the difference in item visibility.