How auctions work
Some listings sell to the highest bidder instead of at a fixed price. Bids update live, you can set an automatic maximum, and if you win you pay through Wampo5's normal secure checkout.
The lifecycle
From scheduled to sold
Every auction runs on Wampo5's clock — not your browser's — so timing is the same for everyone.
Starts soon
The seller sets a start time and a duration (anywhere from an hour to 30 days). Until it opens the auction shows as "Starting soon".
Goes live
Bidding opens. The current price, bid count and time remaining update in real time as people bid — usually within a second.
Ends
When the clock runs out the highest qualifying bid wins. If a late bid lands in the final seconds, the seller can choose to let the clock extend a little so it stays fair.
Winner pays
The winner is routed into checkout to pay in full within the payment window. Once paid, it's theirs.
For buyers
Placing a bid
Bid manually each time, or set a maximum once and let Wampo5 do the work.
Beat the next minimum
Each bid must clear the current price by at least one increment. The increment scales with value — a few dollars on smaller lots, more on high-value ones — and the listing always shows the exact "next bid from" amount.
Or set an auto-bid
Enter the most you're willing to pay and Wampo5 bids on your behalf, only ever as much as needed to keep you in front — up to your maximum. Two auto-bids collide? The higher maximum leads, ties go to whoever set theirs first.
Get outbid alerts
The moment someone passes you, you get an instant alert so you can decide whether to go higher. Other bidders only ever appear pseudonymously, like "Bidder #7".
Bids are binding and can't be retracted. Placing a bid is a commitment to buy at that price if you win, so bid only what you're ready to pay. Sellers can't bid on their own auctions.
Two things to look for
Reserve price & Buy It Now
Reserve price
Some auctions carry a hidden reserve — the least the seller will accept. You never see the figure, only a "Reserve met" or "Reserve not met" marker. If the auction ends with the reserve unmet, there's no sale and the seller may relist.
Buy It Now
When a seller offers it, "Buy It Now" lets you skip the bidding and win instantly at a set price — available until the first bid that changes the picture. It clears any reserve.
If you win
Paying for your win
Winning is a commitment. You pay in full through Wampo5's secure checkout within the payment window.
The payment window
You have 3 working days to pay in full. Counting starts the day after you win, and Sundays don't count (Saturdays do). The deadline falls at the end of that third working day.
| Win on | Pay by |
|---|---|
| Monday | Thursday |
| Friday | Tuesday |
| Sunday | Wednesday |
If you don't pay in time
Missing the deadline is a default, and it carries escalating penalties on your account so auctions stay fair for everyone:
- 1st a short cooldown before you can bid again.
- 2nd a longer cooldown, and you'll need to pre-authorise funds to bid.
- 3rd bidding is suspended pending review.
If a payment is still processing right at the deadline, it's given a short grace period to clear. If a seller can't fulfil a completed sale, the winner is refunded in full and faces no penalty.
For sellers
Running your own auction
Turn any listing into an auction and let demand set the price.
Choose 'Sell by auction'
When you price a listing, pick auction instead of a fixed price. Set your starting price, duration and bid increment (or take the platform defaults).
Add a reserve or Buy It Now
Optionally set a hidden reserve so you're never forced to sell too low, and a Buy It Now price for buyers who want it immediately. Once the first bid lands, price terms are locked in for fairness.
Get paid
The winner pays Wampo5 directly and the item ships like any order. Auction sales carry a flat auction commission (5% by default) withheld from your payout, with VAT applied at checkout like every sale.
Ready to bid — or to sell to the highest bidder?
Browse what's live right now, or turn one of your listings into an auction.