eBay Live Auctions: Real-time bidding in the world’s greatest auction houses
Live Auctions is a specialty area within eBay that transports you to the competitive action of the auction floor. International auction houses carefully screened by eBay post “lots” (items) on Live Auctions. You can search or browse for specific lots, then place bids to compete with in-person bidders on the auction house floor and Internet bidders from around the world.

What you’ll find on Live Auctions

Because well-known, worldwide auction houses are posting “lots” (items) on Live Auctions, the items you’ll see here are typically rare, antique, collectible, and of significant personal or cultural value. Original works of art, furnishings, jewelry, stamps, wine, coins, and vehicles are just some of the product categories. Learn more from the Help pages on eBay Live Auctions.

How Live Auctions Differs from eBay

On Live Auctions, international auction houses carefully screened by eBay post “lots” (items) to the Live Auctions for people to search, browse and bid on. Lots typically consist of rare, antique, new or collectible items such as art, jewelry, furnishings, stamps, wine, coins, etc. Worldwide online bidders join those on the actual auction floor in a real-time bidding competition—or, you can merely “observe” the action for fun. The auction event occurs on a specific date and time and, if there are participants, concludes with a highest bidding winner who pays the auction house directly. Learn more about bidding for lots on Live Auctions.

On eBay, individuals or business owners with an eBay account post items for sale. Items are new and used, as well as antique, and are organized in dozens of product categories. The seller chooses how long the auction period will be—thee to seven days in general. The auction may or may not conclude with a highest bidding winner, depending on whether or not there are participants and if the reserve, if any, is met. Winners pay the seller through eBay.

How live auctions works

• The auction house lists their "lots" (items) on Live Auctions. You can browse the auctions or search for particular lots.

• To participate, you must be a registered eBay user. In addition, you need to sign up for each auction you want to join by accepting the auction's terms and conditions.

• Before the event, all approved users can place absentee bids on any Live Auctions lot.

• During the event, you can follow everything that is happening in the auction house on the Live Auctions site—place bids against others on the Internet or on the auction house floor, or just watch the live bidding.

• After the event, you pay the auction house directly for any lots won. They will ship your guaranteed item directly to you. Learn more about paying for items on Live Auctions.

Learn more about how Live Auctions work.

Getting started with eBay Live Auctions

You must be an eBay registered user to participate in eBay Live Auctions. If you are new to eBay, register now—it's fast and free.

To get started with eBay Live Auctions, sign up to participate in an eBay Live Auction and check out current auctions.

Need advice before using eBay Live Auctions?

If you are a first-time user of eBay Live Auctions, take advantage of the eBay Community expertise to answer your questions or discuss buying/selling strategies. Learn more about eBay Live Auctions in the eBay Discussion Boards.

If you're looking for more help or have a question to ask, please contact us.