Seller Guide: Traditional Auctions

Sellers can list auctions allowing buyers to place bids on specific listings. MorphMarket offers two types of auctions: Traditional Auctions and Live Auctions.

• Traditional Auctions run for a set period of time, with buyers placing bids until it ends.
• Live Auctions take place in real time during a seller-hosted Live Event, with buyers placing bids as it happens.

This article will discuss how to create a Traditional Auction listing.

• To learn how to create a Live Auction, click here.
• If you are a buyer wanting to bid on an auction, click here.

Article Contents

• Creating a Traditional Auction
• Key Terms
• Auction Credits
• Collecting Payment for Auctions
• Auction Notifications
• Auction Rules

How to List a Traditional Auction

Using auctions on MorphMarket is a straightforward process. Sellers can enable auctions by following these steps:

Creating an auction:

• Head over to the Edit page of an individual listing (or Add a new listing).
  • Note: Auctions can not be enabled using bulk actions at this time.
• Enter the listing information as usual.
• In the "Auction" section, click the toggle button to "Yes."

• Select the Auction Type:
  • No Reserve (Default): We highly recommend this option to ensure a more successful option.
  • Reserve Price: This is the minimum amount the seller is willing to accept. The auction will only have a winner if the reserve price is met. If the reserve price is not reached, the auction concludes, and the seller has the option to relist the listing as a regular ad.
    • Selling Tips: A lower reserve price will result in a more successful auction.
  • Starting Bid: This is the lowest bid that the auction will start at.
    • PLEASE NOTE: Only one of these options can be selected, and they can not be combined.
• Enter the Duration.
  • Enter the auction duration in hours. Auctions can be between 2 and 120 hours.
• Sellers can schedule auctions by clicking on the "Schedule for Later" checkbox.
  • Select the day/time for the auction to be live.
  • You can view/adjust your time zone via your General settings page.
  • Note: Listings will not be publicly visible until the auction begins. Once started, it can take up to an hour for the auction to be visible in all places for all users.
• Sellers may enable messages on their auctions using the "Enable Messages" checkbox.
  • Messages are for questions and clarification only and may not be used to negotiate or arrange a sale for the animal listed in that auction outside of the auction process. Misuse may result in account action, including loss of auction privileges.
• Sellers may limit who can bid on their auctions by checking/unchecking the "Disable International Bidding" and "Limit Bidding to Users with Purchases" options.
• Auctions can only be enabled with free or flat-rate shipping.
  • Sellers cannot charge more than the winning bid plus the listed domestic shipping amount, even if a higher amount is mentioned in the ad description, unless the winning bidder is located outside the seller’s region.
    • The amount entered in the Shipping field on an auction listing is the maximum domestic shipping amount a seller can charge the winning.
      • Sellers are responsible for estimating the highest possible domestic shipping rate in the Shipping field.
      • The shipping costs shown on auction listings apply to domestic shipping within the same country only. Regions or territories outside the mainland or standard geographic boundaries of the country are not included in domestic shipping and may incur additional charges.
      • Local and expo pick-up should be free unless otherwise stated in the Seller’s store policy.
      • If a seller chooses to charge a fee for pickup, or if pickup is not available on certain ads, this must be clearly indicated in both the ad’s description and the store policy.
• Finish editing the ad and Save.
• You will receive a system notification confirming the auction has started.

PLEASE NOTE: Auctions can NOT be enabled on wholesale ads, the "inquire for price" button checked, offers, "Buy Now," or ads with an active sale. Ensure that these features are disabled before listing an item for auction to avoid any complications.

Key Terms

Bid Sniping Prevention

To discourage bid sniping, MorphMarket employs a dynamic bidding system. If a bid is placed within the last 3 minutes of the auction, the auction will automatically reset to 3 minutes. This ensures a fair opportunity for all participants.

Bid Increments

Bid increments are the minimum dollar amount you can increase the current highest bid by to place a new bid. The required increment depends on the current high bid for that specific auction. Bid increments are as follows:

• Auctions under $250 – $5 increments
• Auctions from $250 to $499 – $10 increments
• Auctions $500 and up – $20 increments

Auction Credits

Auctions are available for approved sellers with paid advertising plans.

• The number of traditional auctions available varies depending on your advertising plan.
• Additional auctions can be purchased for a fee of $25 per auction, with a maximum of 20 additional auctions per month.
  • These fees are non-refundable.
  • We may disable or change this feature at our discretion.

Auction allotments vary by advertising plan type and are reset at the start of each calendar month. The new calendar month begins the first day of the new month at midnight GMT. Please be aware of your time zone if listing an auction at the end of the month; otherwise, it may count towards the following month's allotment. Please email [email protected] if you have questions or issues.

Locating Auction Credits

Your auction credit count can be found in the "Auctions Stats" section on your seller Dashboard.

• On mobile: Tap your profile photo or the "View Stats" link at the top of the Dashboard, then scroll to the bottom of the page.
• On desktop: This is located at the bottom of the right-hand column (the column with your store logo at the top).

You can see step-by-step instructions on accessing this information here.

You can also find your available auction count in the blue message on the Add/Edit Animal page, when you use the "Auction" switch to enable an auction. Please be sure to be extra cautious when checking this way, and ensure you do not accidentally enable the auction by mistake.

Collecting Payment for Auctions

When an auction ends with a winner, an onsite message thread will automatically open between you and the buyer.  You will use this collect payment from them directly, using your preferred payment method(s). Auctions must be paid in full, unless otherwise stated in your store policy.

• All successful Auction bids must be paid in full within one (1) business day of the Auction ending, unless a longer timeframe is explicitly stated in the seller’s store policy or mutually agreed upon by both parties.
  • Buyers are required to respond within twenty-four (24) hours of the Auction ending. Failure to respond within this timeframe constitutes non-payment and may be reported by the seller without further notice.
  • If a buyer responds within the initial twenty-four (24) hour window, they are then granted one (1) full business day to submit payment in full. If payment is not received within that business day, the Auction may be reported for non-payment.
  • This payment timeframe cannot be shortened
  • Weekends and holidays do not count as business days.
• If a seller offers payment plans for Auctions, they must clearly state this in their store policy. Any general references to payment plans in the seller’s policy do not apply to Auctions unless specifically mentioned. Otherwise, full payment is required within one (1) business day of the Auction’s end.
• If an auction ends without a winner, sellers will not receive a credit to replace the failed auction.
• Sellers cannot charge more than the winning bid plus the listed domestic shipping amount, even if a higher amount is mentioned in the ad description, unless the winning bidder is located outside the seller’s region.
  • The amount entered in the Shipping field on an auction listing is the maximum domestic shipping amount a seller can charge the winning.
    • Sellers are responsible for estimating the highest possible domestic shipping rate in the Shipping field. Alternatively, sellers may choose to offer Free Shipping.
    • The shipping costs shown on auction listings apply to domestic shipping within the same country only. Regions or territories outside the mainland or standard geographic boundaries of the country are not included in domestic shipping and may incur additional charges.
  • Local and expo pick-up should be free unless otherwise stated in the Seller’s store policy.
    • If a seller chooses to charge a fee for pickup, or if pickup is not available on certain ads, this must be clearly indicated in both the ad’s description and the store policy.

Reporting an Auction for Nonpayment

As a courtesy, if a buyer fails to follow through on an auction and the auction is reported to us, we will allow the seller to offer it to the second-highest bidder or assist the seller by providing a new auction credit.

• If the buyer has failed to arrange payment after (1) business day, has not replied with (24) twenty-four hours, or has indicated that they do not plan to proceed with the auction, you can report the auction.
  • To do this, click the "Report Auction" button in the messenger actions menu (the + icon) in the lower-left corner of the individual message thread on MorphMarket.
  • After you report the auction, you’ll receive an automated system message in a new thread. If there was a second-highest bidder, you can offer the animal to them if you wish. You can do this using the message actions menu on that specific thread. Please remember that the runner-up is not obligated to make the purchase.
  • After our team receives and reviews your report, we will follow up with you via email and may, as a courtesy, issue a new auction credit for you to use in the future.

Notifications

Buyers and sellers can enable/disable auction notifications and set their notification preferences.

• Start by accessing the Notifications page.
  • This can be found by opening your user profile menu. Click "Account Settings" then "Notifications."
• Scroll down to the bottom section of this page and find the "Auctions" header.
• Check/Uncheck the notifications you would like to receive.
• Save your changes.

Rules

MorphMarket permits approved sellers to list auctions. All the rules stated for normal ads apply. Auctions are available in two formats: Traditional Auctions and Live Auctions. Flash Sales conducted during Live Events are considered part of Live Auctions. Except where expressly stated otherwise, the rules in this section apply to all formats, collectively referred to as “Auctions.”

1. All Auctions are final. Failure by either party to comply with or complete an Auction in accordance with these rules may result in corrective action, including account restrictions.
2. MorphMarket reserves the right to void auction results at its sole discretion in cases involving rule violations, fraud, technical errors, or other circumstances that compromise the integrity of the auction.
3. All successful Auction bids must be paid in full within one (1) business day of the Auction ending, unless a longer timeframe is explicitly stated in the seller’s store policy or mutually agreed upon by both parties.
   1. Buyers are required to respond within twenty-four (24) hours of the Auction ending. Failure to respond within this timeframe constitutes non-payment and may be reported by the seller without further notice.
   2. If a buyer responds within the initial twenty-four (24) hour window, they are then granted one (1) full business day to submit payment in full. If payment is not received within that business day, the Auction may be reported for non-payment.
   3. This payment timeframe cannot be shortened
   4. Weekends and holidays do not count as business days.
4. Winning bids must be paid in full unless otherwise stated in the seller's store policy.
   1. Payment in full includes the final auction price and all costs shown on the auction, including shipping.
5. Buyers must arrange payment for the Living Item with the seller directly.
6. Payment must be made using lawful payment methods accepted by the seller, as outlined in the seller’s store policy or otherwise agreed upon between the buyer and seller.
7. If a seller offers payment plans for Auctions, they must clearly state this in their store policy. Any general references to payment plans in the seller’s policy do not apply to Auctions unless specifically mentioned. Otherwise, full payment is required within one (1) business day of the Auction’s end.
8. By bidding on a Living Item, a buyer agrees to be bound by the seller’s store policy or the Default Store Policy. The seller can delete a bid if the buyer does not comply with the applicable store policy.
9. Sellers are not required to sell or ship auctions internationally.

• Sellers may restrict sales based on destination, carrier availability, permits, or personal policy.
• Buyers are responsible for reviewing listing descriptions, Store Policies and shipping limitations before committing to a purchase or placing a bid.

9. Sellers cannot charge more than the winning bid plus the listed domestic shipping amount, even if a higher amount is mentioned in the ad description, unless the winning bidder is located outside the seller’s region.
   • The amount entered in the Shipping field on an auction listing is the maximum domestic shipping amount a seller can charge the winning buyer.
     • Sellers are responsible for entering the highest possible domestic shipping cost in the Shipping field.
     • The shipping costs shown on auction listings apply to domestic shipping within the same country only. Regions or territories outside the mainland or standard geographic boundaries of the country are not included in domestic shipping and may incur additional charges.
   • Local and expo pick-up should be free unless otherwise stated in the Seller’s store policy.
     • If a seller chooses to charge a fee for pickup, or if pickup is not available on certain ads, this must be clearly indicated in both the ad’s description and the store policy.
10. It is the responsibility of the seller to be aware of and comply with all international, federal, state, and local laws related to or governing Auctions.
11. If a buyer fails to complete an auction transaction for any reason, the seller may cancel the buyer’s winning bid. The seller may relist the same Living Item for Auction at the next opportunity available under the seller’s advertising plan, or list the Living Item as a regular sale listing immediately following the incomplete transaction.
    1. The seller may also report the auction in accordance with MorphMarket’s auction reporting requirements.
       1. Traditional Auctions: MorphMarket may issue an auction credit or allow the seller to offer the item to the next highest bidder.
       2. Live Auctions/Flash Sales: MorphMarket may reimburse the cost of the individual live auction listing, as applicable.
12. If an auction ends without a winner, the seller may relist the same Living Item for auction at the next opportunity available under the seller’s advertising plan, or list the Living Item as a regular sale listing immediately following the incomplete transaction.
    1. Traditional Auctions: The seller will not receive a credit to replace the failed auction.
    2. Live Auctions/Flash Sales: The seller will not be charged for that individual live auction listing.
13. Auction messages and live chat may be used for questions and clarification only. Any attempt to negotiate pricing, arrange a sale outside of the Auction process, or otherwise circumvent the Auction is prohibited and may result in corrective action, including loss of Auction privileges. 
14. All Auction listings must abide the photo policies for regular ads. Placeholder images are not permitted.
15. Live Auctions must comply with the media standards outlined in Section 4 of these rules.
    1. All participants are responsible for ensuring that photos, videos, and live chat content adhere to these standards. 
    2. Violations may result in corrective action, including removal of content, suspension of auction privileges, or account restrictions.
16. ID-verified users may place Max Bids on Traditional Auctions only. 
    1. By submitting a Max Bid, you authorize MorphMarket to automatically place incremental bids on your behalf up to the maximum amount entered. If you win the Auction, you are responsible for the final winning bid amount plus the listed shipping cost.
17. Auctions can not be enabled for crocodilians, Not-Ready animals, and Pet Only animals.
18. Example photos and placeholder listings are not permitted in Live Auctions. All Live Auction listings must represent the exact individual animal being sold. Any substitution, swapping, or misrepresentation at any point during a Live Auction may result in immediate enforcement action, including suspension of auction or selling privileges.