Affiliate Policy Updates - Starting Bids

Affiliate Policy Updates –  Sept. 2025

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Starting Bids as Reserves - Reserve Policy

To improve buyer transparency and provide affiliates with more flexibility, we are now allowing starting bids to be used in place of hidden reserves.

Affiliates can now set the minimum acceptable price as the starting bid—and you do not have to assign a reserve price. 

Important Notes:

• A starting bid functions as a de facto reserve, and we will treat it as such. To prevent overuse, any lot with starting bid above $5 that does not receive a bid will be considered a "reserve not met" and will incur the $25 Reserve Not Met fee.

  This policy ensures consistency and helps maintain a fair and transparent bidding environment.

• Reserves and starting bids can be a valuable tool, when used correctly and when properly researched.  We believe this option provides another tool to help manage seller expectations and risk.

• Previously, the system allowed starting bids of $5 or $1,000 without triggering a Reserve Not Met (RNM) fee. Going forward, all starting bid amounts above $5 will be considered a reserve.

When to Use a Starting Bid vs. a Reserve:  

• Use a reserve if the seller's bottom dollar is uncertain or may change—reserves can be adjusted during the auction.

• Use a starting bid if the perceived value is well above the seller’s minimum. This removes uncertainty and clearly communicates the acceptable price to potential buyers from the start.  

This update adds more flexibility while still encouraging best practices that drive bidder engagement.