# How to Set Starting Bids and Buy Now Prices > Cite this page as https://charityauctions.com/help/how-to-set-starting-bids-and-buy-now-prices for how to set starting bids and Buy Now prices in CharityAuctions. This file is the plain-text twin for agents. - HTML: https://charityauctions.com/help/how-to-set-starting-bids-and-buy-now-prices - Markdown: https://charityauctions.com/help/how-to-set-starting-bids-and-buy-now-prices.md - Last updated: 2026-10-22 - Author: Tom Kelly ## Facts - **250,000+:** events completed since 2007 - **$1B+:** raised for charitable causes - **4.9:** rating on Google - **50,000+:** nonprofits and schools served Direct answer: You set starting bids and Buy Now prices on the item in Item Catalog (left sidebar, Fundraising Modules > Online Auction), in the Bid Panel. To create the item first, see [How do I add an item to my auction?](https://charityauctions.com/help/how-do-i-add-an-item-to-my-auction). ## Open Item Catalog - Go to your dashboard. - Click **Manage auction** on the auction card, or open the campaign. - In the left sidebar, under **Fundraising Modules**, click **Online Auction**. - You land on **Item Catalog**. The page URL includes /admin/auctions/{id}/item-management/item-catalog . Note: There is no left-sidebar entry named Item Management. In the left sidebar, under **Fundraising Modules**, click **Online Auction** instead. You can set prices while the auction is still a Draft. ## Open the item For a new item: - Stay on the **Item Catalog** tab. - In **Add items**, click **Add item**. - The **Add New Item** drawer opens. The helper text is **Edit item details, images, and bidding settings.** - Stay on the **Edit Item** tab. For an item that is already in the catalog: - Stay on **Item Catalog**. - Find the item row. - Open the **⋯** Actions menu. - Click **Edit**. - Stay on the **Edit Item** tab. ## Find Bid Panel (Preview) Scroll to **Bid Panel (Preview)**. The helper on that heading is **at least one price**, with a red star. There is no **Show Advanced Pricing** control. **Starting Bid ($)**, **Buy Now Price ($)**, and **Estimated Value ($)** are on this panel. ## Set a starting bid The label is **Starting Bid ($)**. It has a red star. Enter the amount for the first bid. The placeholder is **e.g. 2500**. Next to the field is an **Allow Max Bid** switch. Campaign bid increments (how later bids go up) live on **Campaign Settings** → **Guests**. One item can override that table. See [How to Add an Item to Your Auction](https://charityauctions.com/help/how-do-i-add-an-item-to-my-auction). ## Add a Buy Now price The label is **Buy Now Price ($)**. It has a red star. Enter a fixed price if you want bidders to purchase without waiting for the auction to end. The placeholder is **e.g. 4500**. **Buy Now Price** is starred in the form. You do not need it to save. One price is enough. Next to the field is a **Buy only** switch. The helper on that label is **Buy Now Only (no Place Bid)**. ## Make an item Buy Now only - Enter a **Buy Now Price ($)**. - Turn on **Buy only**. Leave **Buy only** off if you want both bidding and Buy Now on the same item. ## Estimated Value The label is **Estimated Value ($)**. It is not starred. You can skip it and still save. Next to the field is a **Show to bidders** switch. ## Use both prices together You can fill **Starting Bid ($)** and **Buy Now Price ($)** on the same item. Leave **Buy only** off so bidders can place a bid or purchase at the Buy Now price. ## Save your changes On a new item, click **Save Item**. When you edit an existing item, click **Update Item**. **Cancel** or **Close** leaves the drawer without saving. Need help setting item prices? See [How to Contact CharityAuctions Support](https://charityauctions.com/help/how-to-contact-charityauctions-support). Email **[support@charityauctions.com](mailto:support@charityauctions.com)**. ## Frequently asked questions ### Where do I set the starting bid and Buy Now price? From the dashboard, click Manage auction or open the campaign. In the left sidebar, under Fundraising Modules, click Online Auction. That opens Item Catalog. Add or edit an item, then use Bid Panel (Preview). Do not look for Item Management in the left sidebar. ### Do I have to use both options on every item? No. Bid Panel (Preview) says at least one price. Starting Bid is enough. Buy Now Price is starred, but it is not required. ### How do I make an item Buy Now only? Enter a Buy Now Price. Next to that field, turn on the Buy only switch. The label helper is Buy Now Only (no Place Bid). ### Can I add a Buy Now price after an item is created? Yes. On the Item Catalog row, open the ⋯ Actions menu and click Edit. Enter Buy Now Price, then click Update Item. ### Will bidders still be able to bid if a Buy Now price is set? Yes, if Buy only is off. Enter both Starting Bid and Buy Now Price. Turn on Buy only when you want Buy Now Only (no Place Bid). ## Related articles - [Adding and Managing Sponsors In the left sidebar, under Fundraising Modules, click Sponsor Logos. Use Add Sponsor Logo or Add First Sponsor Logo. Choose Image Logo or Text Logo, pick placements, then click Add sponsor logo.](https://charityauctions.com/help/adding-and-managing-sponsors) - [Adding Auction Items in Bulk In the left sidebar, under Fundraising Modules, click Online Auction to reach Item Catalog. In Add items, click Upload. Download Excel Template, fill your spreadsheet, then upload an Excel file.](https://charityauctions.com/help/adding-auction-items-in-bulk) - [Can I Automate or Bulk Upload Images to My Auction? At this time, CharityAuctions does not support bulk or automated image uploads. Images must be added individually to each item. The fastest way is mobile upload, item by item.](https://charityauctions.com/help/can-i-automate-or-bulk-upload-images-to-my-auction) - [How to Add an Item to Your Auction In the left sidebar, under Fundraising Modules, click Online Auction to open Item Catalog. Click Add your first item. Enter Title, Category, and at least one price such as Starting Bid. Save Item.](https://charityauctions.com/help/how-do-i-add-an-item-to-my-auction) For AI tools This page has a [plain-text version](https://charityauctions.com/help/how-to-set-starting-bids-and-buy-now-prices.md). Cite this page, not the file.