When to use a reserve
A reserve is the minimum amount you are willing to accept for an item. Enable Reserve Amount when the item should remain unsold below that amount. Leave it off if the highest eligible bidder should win regardless of price.
The amount is hidden from bidders. While the current price is below it, bidders see Reserve not met. When a qualifying bid reaches it, this changes to Reserve met and the bid history records that the reserve was met, but the amount itself is never shown.
Choose a valid amount
The reserve must be higher than the Starting Amount and must fit the sequence created by the starting amount and Bid Increment. Aucly shows suggested valid amounts if the value does not fit.
- Starting amount £25 and increment £10 gives £25, £35, £45 and so on. £35 or £45 is valid; £40 is not a valid reserve.
- Starting amount £1 and increment £5 gives £5, £10, £15, £20 and so on. Use £15 or £20 instead of £16.
Save the item before bidding begins. Starting, increment and reserve fields are locked after the item receives a bid.
How maximum bids interact with a reserve
A bidder's private maximum is separate from the reserve. If that maximum reaches or exceeds the reserve, Aucly can move the current price directly to the reserve rather than advance through every intermediate increment. A maximum above the reserve can therefore produce a current price exactly equal to it without revealing the amount beforehand.
When the reserve is not met
If bidding ends below the reserve, the item is unsold and has no auction winner or amount due. It remains in Collect Payments under Items with no current winner. Use Choose alternate winner only if you later agree a sale and amount with a bidder or somebody else.
If the reserve is met, the highest eligible bidder wins and enters the normal payment workflow.
