Timed Lots and Listings – Setting up Buy Now or Make Offer options
Estimated reading: 9 minutes
Before we begin, if you haven’t read out overviews for the Buy Now and Make Offer Purchase Options, and Purchase Cut-Off, we heavily recommend doing so. Both guides provide vital context for how these Purchase Options work and for how long they will appear on your Portal.
This guide covers how to enable the Buy Now or Make Offer option via the Item Import CSV Spreadsheet, New Item menu and Bulk Edit menu, with our recommended method being the New Item or Bulk Edit menu.
Before we begin:
We recommend having already created your Timed Auction before proceeding with this guide, as the Create New Items menu requires your Auction be in at least Preview status to be selectable for New Item creation or Item Imports.
Method 1: Setting a Buy Now or Make Offer option via the New Item menu
Step 1: Open the Webtron Dashboard and navigate to the Create New Items menu
Once you’ve logged into the Webtron Dashboard, click on the Auctions & Items dropdown inside the Dashboard sidebar, then click Create New Items:
Inside the Ghost Items panel, click on the Select an Auction dropdown and choose your Timed Auction:
After selecting an Auction, click on the Start Creating Items button:
Step 2: Setting the Purchase Option
After clicking Start Creating Items, the New Items menu will load. Inside the New Items table, click on the Plus sign under the first column to create a new Ghost Item:
We recommend clicking any of the empty space around the table, as this will then trigger the Dashboard’s Instruction Mode, and will highlight each of the Required Fields with a red triangle (Required) flag:
Once that’s done, use the End Switcher button at the top-right of the New Items menu to switch to the opposite end of the New Items table:
Here you’ll find the Purchase Option column towards the left-hand side of your screen. If you can’t see it, use the sidescroll bar at the bottom of the New Items table to scroll slightly to the left:
Under the Purchase Option column, click on the blank cell for this Ghost Item, then click on the dropdown labelled “blank“. This will expose the list of Purchase Options, from which you can choose either BUY_NOW or MAKE_OFFER:
Step 3A: Setting Purchase Option: Buy Now
If you are selecting BUY_NOW, the Purchase Price field will now be highlighted with the Required flag:
Fill in the Purchase Price field (as a whole amount, no decimals) and this will set the outright Buy Now price for that Item:
The Purchase Price can be updated at any time via Bulk Edit.
Step 3B: Setting Purchase Option: Make Offer
If you are selecting MAKE_OFFER, the Purchase Price field will be enabled but is not required:
The Purchase Price column for Make Offer Items can be used to set a hidden Minimum Acceptable Offer amount, meaning that any offers received below the amount you set will be auto-rejected:
This Minimum Acceptable Offer amount is hidden from your bidders, and is also optional.
Make Offer Limit:
By default, your bidders can make up to 3 offers on a per-Item basis, but this cap can be increased via your Auctioneer Profile settings.
Step 4: Convert your Items
Click on the Plus sign at the left-hand end of the New Items table to continue creating ghost items as needed. Once you have finished filling out all of the Required Fields for at least one Item, the Convert button will enable at the top-left of the New Items menu:
Select your Items, then click Convert to move your Items from Ghost to Preview status:
Method 2: Setting a Buy Now or Make Offer option via the Bulk Edit menu
This method is largely the same as Method 1, but requires that you move your Items to Draft status first.
Step 1: Open the Webtron Dashboard and navigate to the Items menu
Once you’ve logged into the Webtron Dashboard, click on the Auctions & Items dropdown inside the Dashboard sidebar, then click View Auctions:
As a quick reminder, if your Auction is in Preview status, click Modify Filter and, under the Status section, tick the Preview checkbox and click Apply:
Inside the Auctions table and under the Items column, click on the # Items shortcut:
Step 2: Move your Items to Draft status (if needed)
If your Items are not already in Draft or Preview status, use the Select All checkbox at the top-left of the Item List table, then click the Draft action above the table, and click Confirm:
Step 3: Select your Items and open them in Bulk Edit
Once in Draft or Preview status, select your Items and then click the Bulk Edit shortcut above the Item List table:
Depending on the number of Items selected, it may take a few seconds to load.
Step 4: Scroll to the right or use the End Switcher to access the Purchase Option column
Once Bulk Edit menu loads, use the End Switcher button at the top-right of the menu to switch to the opposite end of the Bulk Edit table:
Here you’ll find the Purchase Option column towards the left-hand side of your screen. If you can’t see it, use the sidescroll bar at the bottom of the Bulk Edit table to scroll slightly to the left:
Under the Purchase Option column, click on the cell for an Item, then click on the dropdown. This will expose the list of Purchase Options, from which you can choose either BUY_NOW or MAKE_OFFER:
Step 5A: Setting Purchase Option: Buy Now
If you are selecting BUY_NOW, the Purchase Price field will now be highlighted with the Required flag:
Fill in the Purchase Price field (as a whole amount, no decimals) and this will set the outright Buy Now price for that Item:
The Purchase Price can be updated at any time via Bulk Edit.
Step 5B: Setting Purchase Option: Make Offer
If you are selecting MAKE_OFFER, the Purchase Price field will be enabled but is not required:
The Purchase Price column for Make Offer Items can be used to set a hidden Minimum Acceptable Offer amount, meaning that any offers received below the amount you set will be auto-rejected:
This Minimum Acceptable Offer amount is hidden from your bidders, and is also optional.
Make Offer Limit:
By default, your bidders can make up to 3 offers on a per-Item basis, but this cap can be increased via your Auctioneer Profile settings.
Step 6: Select your Items and click Save and Finish
Once you have applied any further changes to your Items, scroll back to the left-hand side of the Bulk Edit table and tick the Select All checkbox at the top-left of the Bulk Edit table:
Then click the Save and Finish button above the top-left of the Bulk Edit table, then click Confirm:
You’ll now be returned to the Item List menu, from which you can Approve your Items back to Live status:
Method 3: Setting a Buy Now or Make Offer option in the Item Import Spreadsheet
If you are using our Item Import Spreadsheet, the Purchase Options for your Items can be set under Column Q:
To set Buy Now, type in BUY_NOW into the cells under Column Q:
To set Make Offer, type in MAKE_OFFER into the cells under Column Q:
Don’t forget, you can shortcut copy-pasting content under the same column by selecting a relevant cell, floating cursor over the bottom-right of the selected cell. When your cursor switches from a White Plus sign to a Black Plus sign, hold left-click and drag downwards to apply the same cell content to all selected cells:
FAQ: Setting up Buy Now or Make Offer on Timed Lots and Listings
Q: Can I use both Buy Now and Make Offer on the same Item? A: No, you can only pick either Buy Now or Make Offer. However, we do recommend using the Display Price option if you are using Make Offer on Timed Listings. This will display an RRP (Recommended Retail Price) on your Listings.
Q: How do I accept or reject Offers? A: Offers can be viewed and managed through both the Offer Table and Bid Table in the Webtron Dashboard.
Q: Can an Item sold via Buy Now be restored? A: No, all purchases via Buy Now or accepted offers are final. If you need to re-open the Item for purchase or bidding, you’ll have to export the Item data from the Item List, re-import and re-upload the photos and attachments for that Item (in essence, re-create the Item).
Q: Can I renege on an accepted offer? A: No, all accepted offers are final. The Item will remain sold to that bidder, but for Invoicing purposes (our invoice to you) let us know if their purchase falls through.
Q: Can I negotiate an offer amount with a bidder? A: Technically yes, but the final offer amount will need to be submitted by the bidder. Offer amounts cannot be edited by either bidders or admins, a new offer will have to be placed with the agreed amount.
Q: Can I increase the number of offers a bidder can make on individual Items? A: Yes, by default the Portal can accept 3 offers from a bidder on a per-item basis, but this number can be increased (or decreased) via your Auctioneer Profile settings.
Q: What’s the difference between Buy Now and Make Offer on a Listing vs a Lot? A: No major differences, Lots will retain their Bidding Options (Bid and Auto Bid) in addition to the Buy Now or Make Offer option you choose, whereas Listings use only the Purchase Option you choose, either Buy Now or Make Offer.
Q: Can a bidder withdraw an offer? A: No, all offers submitted must be processed by one of your Dashboard Admins.
Q: Do admins receive a notification if someone purchases an item or submits an offer? A: Yes, Admins added to your Purchases notification list will receive an email notifying them of any purchases made or offers received. Your Notification lists can be edited via the Notifications tab in your Auctioneer Profile settings.
Timed Lots and Listings – Setting up Buy Now or Make Offer options
Before we begin, if you haven’t read out overviews for the Buy Now and Make Offer Purchase Options, and Purchase Cut-Off, we heavily recommend doing so. Both guides provide vital context for how these Purchase Options work and for how long they will appear on your Portal.
This guide covers how to enable the Buy Now or Make Offer option via the Item Import CSV Spreadsheet, New Item menu and Bulk Edit menu, with our recommended method being the New Item or Bulk Edit menu.
Before we begin:
We recommend having already created your Timed Auction before proceeding with this guide, as the Create New Items menu requires your Auction be in at least Preview status to be selectable for New Item creation or Item Imports.
Method 1: Setting a Buy Now or Make Offer option via the New Item menu
Step 1: Open the Webtron Dashboard and navigate to the Create New Items menu
Once you’ve logged into the Webtron Dashboard, click on the Auctions & Items dropdown inside the Dashboard sidebar, then click Create New Items:
Inside the Ghost Items panel, click on the Select an Auction dropdown and choose your Timed Auction:
After selecting an Auction, click on the Start Creating Items button:
Step 2: Setting the Purchase Option
After clicking Start Creating Items, the New Items menu will load. Inside the New Items table, click on the Plus sign under the first column to create a new Ghost Item:
We recommend clicking any of the empty space around the table, as this will then trigger the Dashboard’s Instruction Mode, and will highlight each of the Required Fields with a red triangle (Required) flag:
Once that’s done, use the End Switcher button at the top-right of the New Items menu to switch to the opposite end of the New Items table:
Here you’ll find the Purchase Option column towards the left-hand side of your screen. If you can’t see it, use the sidescroll bar at the bottom of the New Items table to scroll slightly to the left:
Under the Purchase Option column, click on the blank cell for this Ghost Item, then click on the dropdown labelled “blank“. This will expose the list of Purchase Options, from which you can choose either BUY_NOW or MAKE_OFFER:
Step 3A: Setting Purchase Option: Buy Now
If you are selecting BUY_NOW, the Purchase Price field will now be highlighted with the Required flag:
Fill in the Purchase Price field (as a whole amount, no decimals) and this will set the outright Buy Now price for that Item:
The Purchase Price can be updated at any time via Bulk Edit.
Step 3B: Setting Purchase Option: Make Offer
If you are selecting MAKE_OFFER, the Purchase Price field will be enabled but is not required:
The Purchase Price column for Make Offer Items can be used to set a hidden Minimum Acceptable Offer amount, meaning that any offers received below the amount you set will be auto-rejected:
This Minimum Acceptable Offer amount is hidden from your bidders, and is also optional.
Make Offer Limit:
By default, your bidders can make up to 3 offers on a per-Item basis, but this cap can be increased via your Auctioneer Profile settings.
Step 4: Convert your Items
Click on the Plus sign at the left-hand end of the New Items table to continue creating ghost items as needed. Once you have finished filling out all of the Required Fields for at least one Item, the Convert button will enable at the top-left of the New Items menu:
Select your Items, then click Convert to move your Items from Ghost to Preview status:
Method 2: Setting a Buy Now or Make Offer option via the Bulk Edit menu
This method is largely the same as Method 1, but requires that you move your Items to Draft status first.
Step 1: Open the Webtron Dashboard and navigate to the Items menu
Once you’ve logged into the Webtron Dashboard, click on the Auctions & Items dropdown inside the Dashboard sidebar, then click View Auctions:
As a quick reminder, if your Auction is in Preview status, click Modify Filter and, under the Status section, tick the Preview checkbox and click Apply:
Inside the Auctions table and under the Items column, click on the # Items shortcut:
Step 2: Move your Items to Draft status (if needed)
If your Items are not already in Draft or Preview status, use the Select All checkbox at the top-left of the Item List table, then click the Draft action above the table, and click Confirm:
Step 3: Select your Items and open them in Bulk Edit
Once in Draft or Preview status, select your Items and then click the Bulk Edit shortcut above the Item List table:
Depending on the number of Items selected, it may take a few seconds to load.
Step 4: Scroll to the right or use the End Switcher to access the Purchase Option column
Once Bulk Edit menu loads, use the End Switcher button at the top-right of the menu to switch to the opposite end of the Bulk Edit table:
Here you’ll find the Purchase Option column towards the left-hand side of your screen. If you can’t see it, use the sidescroll bar at the bottom of the Bulk Edit table to scroll slightly to the left:
Under the Purchase Option column, click on the cell for an Item, then click on the dropdown. This will expose the list of Purchase Options, from which you can choose either BUY_NOW or MAKE_OFFER:
Step 5A: Setting Purchase Option: Buy Now
If you are selecting BUY_NOW, the Purchase Price field will now be highlighted with the Required flag:
Fill in the Purchase Price field (as a whole amount, no decimals) and this will set the outright Buy Now price for that Item:
The Purchase Price can be updated at any time via Bulk Edit.
Step 5B: Setting Purchase Option: Make Offer
If you are selecting MAKE_OFFER, the Purchase Price field will be enabled but is not required:
The Purchase Price column for Make Offer Items can be used to set a hidden Minimum Acceptable Offer amount, meaning that any offers received below the amount you set will be auto-rejected:
This Minimum Acceptable Offer amount is hidden from your bidders, and is also optional.
Make Offer Limit:
By default, your bidders can make up to 3 offers on a per-Item basis, but this cap can be increased via your Auctioneer Profile settings.
Step 6: Select your Items and click Save and Finish
Once you have applied any further changes to your Items, scroll back to the left-hand side of the Bulk Edit table and tick the Select All checkbox at the top-left of the Bulk Edit table:
Then click the Save and Finish button above the top-left of the Bulk Edit table, then click Confirm:
You’ll now be returned to the Item List menu, from which you can Approve your Items back to Live status:
Method 3: Setting a Buy Now or Make Offer option in the Item Import Spreadsheet
If you are using our Item Import Spreadsheet, the Purchase Options for your Items can be set under Column Q:
To set Buy Now, type in BUY_NOW into the cells under Column Q:
To set Make Offer, type in MAKE_OFFER into the cells under Column Q:
Don’t forget, you can shortcut copy-pasting content under the same column by selecting a relevant cell, floating cursor over the bottom-right of the selected cell. When your cursor switches from a White Plus sign to a Black Plus sign, hold left-click and drag downwards to apply the same cell content to all selected cells:
FAQ: Setting up Buy Now or Make Offer on Timed Lots and Listings
Q: Can I use both Buy Now and Make Offer on the same Item?
A: No, you can only pick either Buy Now or Make Offer. However, we do recommend using the Display Price option if you are using Make Offer on Timed Listings. This will display an RRP (Recommended Retail Price) on your Listings.
Q: How do I accept or reject Offers?
A: Offers can be viewed and managed through both the Offer Table and Bid Table in the Webtron Dashboard.
Q: Can an Item sold via Buy Now be restored?
A: No, all purchases via Buy Now or accepted offers are final. If you need to re-open the Item for purchase or bidding, you’ll have to export the Item data from the Item List, re-import and re-upload the photos and attachments for that Item (in essence, re-create the Item).
Q: Can I renege on an accepted offer?
A: No, all accepted offers are final. The Item will remain sold to that bidder, but for Invoicing purposes (our invoice to you) let us know if their purchase falls through.
Q: Can I negotiate an offer amount with a bidder?
A: Technically yes, but the final offer amount will need to be submitted by the bidder. Offer amounts cannot be edited by either bidders or admins, a new offer will have to be placed with the agreed amount.
Q: Can I increase the number of offers a bidder can make on individual Items?
A: Yes, by default the Portal can accept 3 offers from a bidder on a per-item basis, but this number can be increased (or decreased) via your Auctioneer Profile settings.
Q: What’s the difference between Buy Now and Make Offer on a Listing vs a Lot?
A: No major differences, Lots will retain their Bidding Options (Bid and Auto Bid) in addition to the Buy Now or Make Offer option you choose, whereas Listings use only the Purchase Option you choose, either Buy Now or Make Offer.
Q: Can a bidder withdraw an offer?
A: No, all offers submitted must be processed by one of your Dashboard Admins.
Q: Do admins receive a notification if someone purchases an item or submits an offer?
A: Yes, Admins added to your Purchases notification list will receive an email notifying them of any purchases made or offers received. Your Notification lists can be edited via the Notifications tab in your Auctioneer Profile settings.