# Create a new auction

### ✅ Before you start

* Make sure **Tipo Product Auction** is installed in your Shopify store.
* Prepare the product(s) you want to auction (title, images, inventory, etc.).

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### 🛠️ Step-by-step: Create your first auction

1. Open the app > click **Auctions** > click **Create auction** button

<figure><img src="/files/fqho25kKev79mRIaZ4jX" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. Enter Auction name&#x20;

Example: `New Auction, December Auction`

3. Choose the product(s) for this auction

<figure><img src="/files/DF3BUoTfMjuwPrG4rUvL" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. Set your auction time (start & end)

* Choose **Start time**
* Choose **End time**

When the end time is reached, the auction widget will close automatically.&#x20;

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5. Set the basic bidding rules

Fill in the key fields (names may vary slightly depending on your plan/settings):

* **Starting price**: the first price of the auction product
* **Bid increment**: how much each new bid must increase by
* **Buyout price (optional)**: let customers instantly win by paying a fixed price
* **Reserve price (optional)**: minimum price required for a winning bid

<figure><img src="/files/IVk14HX8ipWJlw4osr8p" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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6\. Click **Save**

Now a new auction is created.&#x20;

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### ✅ How the auction widget works on your store

Once an auction is created and published, the auction widget appears directly on the product page. This widget replaces the normal buying flow and guides customers through the bidding process.

#### 1. Auction widget appears on the product page

On the product page, customers will see the auction widget instead of (or alongside) the regular product price.

The widget usually shows:

* Countdown timer (time left until the auction ends)
* Current bid price
* Number of bids
* Start price
* Start and end time
* Bid input and **Place bid** button

This allows customers to understand the auction status at a glance.

> 💡 You can customize what is shown (price, Add to cart button, colors, text) in **Auction Widget Settings**.

<figure><img src="/files/wciX6tMYMKFdt1BixLCs" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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#### 2. Customer login is required to bid

Before placing a bid:

* Customers must log in to their store account
* If they are not logged in, they will be prompted to log in or create an account

This helps ensure bids are linked to a real customer and prevents anonymous bidding.

<figure><img src="/files/LYrpkq6Fx0Wd0T2TCTqX" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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#### 3. Customer places a bid

To place a bid, the customer:

1. Enters a bid amount (or uses the + / – buttons)
2. Clicks **Place bid**

<figure><img src="/files/j3hAMdTVS0G5CQCxrmMg" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Rules applied automatically:

* The bid must be higher than the current bid
* The bid must follow the **bid increment** you set
* If a **buyout price** is used, bidding can stop once it is reached

After bidding:

* The current bid updates instantly
* The bidder sees confirmation that their bid was placed

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#### 4. Auction countdown and live updates

While the auction is active:

* The countdown timer updates in real time
* New bids update automatically
* Customers can return to the product page to place higher bids before the auction ends

This creates urgency and encourages competitive bidding.

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#### 5. Auction ends and widget closes automatically

When the end time is reached:

* The auction ends automatically
* The auction widget is hidden
* The highest valid bidder becomes the **winner**
* A checkout link is generated for the winner to complete payment within the allowed time. [Learn more](https://docs.tipo.io/tipo-auction/winner-configuration/order-for-winner)

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### ▶️ Tutorial video

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7inYbAgOo4>" %}

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**🙋 Still need support?**

If you still need help, please feel free to contact us at <hi@tipo.io>. We’ll be happy to assist you further.


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