Legacy: 🔁 How to Open Your Auction Earlier Than the Scheduled Start Date

⚠️Legacy features will be retired at the beginning of 2026. For more details on this change, click here.

Need to kick off your auction ahead of schedule? No problem! You can open bidding before your official start date so guests can get a head start. Here’s how to do it in just a few steps.

⚙️ Step 1: Set Your Items to Active

Before bidders can start bidding, your items need to be marked as Active.

1. Go to the Items tab. Click Manage Items.

   

2. Locate the Status column and make sure all item statuses are set to Active. If not, change their status:

   • Change the number of entries shown to All.

     
   • Click the top checkbox to Select All.
     
     

   • Scroll to the Batch Update section.

   • Find the Status area and check the box.

   • Select Active from the dropdown.
     
   • Click Update.

⚙️ Step 2: Enable Early Access

Allow bidders to log in and start bidding before your scheduled start date.

1. Go to Software Settings.

2. Click Landing Page Content.

   

3. Select the Log-In/Register tab.

   

4. Find the Open Auction Early? setting and select Yes.

   

📣 Step 3: Notify Your Bidders

Once early access is enabled, let your bidders know the auction is open! You can do this by sharing your landing page URL/QR code, or through mass messaging.

📱 If You Have Mass Messaging

1. Go to Bidders > Text/Email Bidders.

2. Compose your message. For example:
   The auction is now open! Tap here to bid: [u]

3. Add the [u] shortcode for the bidding site link.

4. Optional: Include [b] to show each guest’s bidder number.

5. Set the filter to All Bidders.

6. Click Text Bidders.

📝 If You Do Not Have Mass Messaging

You can notify bidders externally via email, or notify newly registering bidders using custom welcome text or the welcome email.

Option 1: Custom Welcome Text

1. Go to Software Settings > Auction Settings > Butler Settings.

2. Scroll down to the Custom Welcome Text section.

3. Type a message letting guests know the auction is open.

4. Use the [u] shortcode for the bidding link and [b] for bidder numbers.

This message appears when someone registers online or checks in during the event.

Option 2: Welcome Email 

1. Go to Software Settings > Auction Settings > Bidder Settings.

2. Scroll to the Welcome Email section.

3. Amend your message to include language stating the auction is open.

   • Use your landing page link (found on your homepage).

   • Shortcodes like [u] or [b] cannot be used here.