What Happens When My Auction Ends
When your auction reaches its scheduled end time, several important actions happen automatically inside CharityAuctions.
Understanding what occurs at the end of your event will help you prepare for collecting payments and wrapping up your auction successfully.
Bidding Automatically Closes
As soon as your auction end time arrives:
- All bidding is immediately stopped
- No new bids can be placed
- The highest bidder on each item becomes the winner
- Buy It Now options are no longer available
This process is completely automatic and requires no action from the auction administrator.
Winning Bidders Are Determined
At the moment the auction ends:
- The system reviews all items in the auction
- The highest valid bid for each item is locked in
- Those bidders are officially marked as winners
- Each winner is assigned the items they won
The results are final based on the bids that were in place at the closing time.
Invoices Are Automatically Created
After the auction closes, CharityAuctions automatically generates invoices for all winning bidders.
This includes:
- A summary of items each bidder won
- The total amount due
- Any applicable taxes or fees
- Payment options based on your auction settings
Bidders can then log in to pay their invoices directly online.
Notification Emails Are Sent
Once the auction ends, the system automatically sends important emails:
- Winning bidders receive invoices and payment instructions
- Non-winning bidders may receive notifications depending on your settings
- Administrators can review results and payment status
These automated messages help keep the checkout process organized and efficient.
What You Should Do After the Auction Ends
Although the closing process is automatic, there are a few important steps for administrators to complete.
After your auction ends, you should:
- Review the auction results and winning bidders
- Monitor incoming payments from bidders
- Follow up with any unpaid invoices if needed
- Arrange pickup, delivery, or fulfillment of items
- Generate reports for your records
These steps will help you complete your event smoothly and collect all funds efficiently.
If You Need More Time
If you decide you want to extend your auction, you can do so before it ends.
Options include:
- Changing the auction end time
- Enabling popcorn bidding
- Adjusting item closing settings
Once the auction has officially ended, bidding cannot be reopened.
If you need help managing payments or reviewing auction results after your event ends, Contact Support is always available to assist.
Frequently asked questions
Can bidders place bids after the auction ends?
No. All bidding stops immediately at the scheduled end time.
Are invoices created automatically?
Yes. CharityAuctions automatically generates invoices for all winning bidders as soon as the auction closes.
Do I need to manually select winners?
No. Winners are determined automatically based on the highest bids.
Can I reopen an auction after it ends?
No. Once an auction has ended, it cannot be restarted. A new auction would need to be created.
Will bidders be notified when the auction ends?
Yes. Winning bidders receive automatic emails with invoice and payment details.
What if a bidder does not pay?
Administrators can send reminders, contact bidders directly, or choose to offer the item to another bidder if necessary.
Related articles
- How to Change the End Time of Your Auction
Change your auction start or end time through Auction Setup > Bid Schedule. Edit the Bidding Window—all assigned items update automatically. No need to edit items individually.
- How to Close Bidding and Finalize Winners
Bidding closes automatically at the scheduled end time, or you can close early via Auction Setup > Bid Schedule > Close Early. Winners and invoices are finalized automatically.
- How to Create a New Auction
Create a new auction from your dashboard or while inside an existing auction. Use the auction dropdown to access View All Auctions, then click Create a New Auction.
- How to Launch Your Auction and Make It Live
Click Publish Auction in the top right to launch. Bidding opens automatically at the scheduled Bid Start Time. You need at least one item to publish. Schedule is in Auction Setup > Bid Schedule.
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