In a webcast auction, a live auctioneer sells in person while online bidders watch, listen and bid in real time against the floor. This article shows the clerk and webcast operator how to run the webcast, from audio and video setup to closing the ring.
Before you start
Make sure these are in place before you go live:
Pre-auction setup is finished.
If you are running audio or video, the webcam or microphone is connected to the computer that runs the webcast. We recommend plugging it in for stability, but a Bluetooth device also works if your web browser can see it consistently.
We also recommend:
At least two people working at the same time:
AuctionFlex360 clerk: Clerks the auction in Auction Day > Clerking, just as for a regular live sale. This person also checks in floor bidders in Auction Day > Check In.
Webcast operator: Works on the MyHiBid.com webcast page. This person runs the webcast interface and relays floor bids to online bidders.
A fast, wired internet connection on the auctioneer's end, with at least 20 Mb per second of upload speed. A weak or wireless connection can cause lag between the floor and online bidders. To check your upload speed, search for “internet speed test” and run one of the free tests.
Important: Clerk every lot in AuctionFlex360 as it sells. Winning bid card numbers and hammer prices are entered manually, and a lot that isn't clerked won't appear on invoices or settlements.
Open the webcast
Log in to MyHiBid.com, then go to Auction > Webcast to see your ring and the Webcast toolbar.
Enter Ring: Starts the live auction.
Audio / Video: Opens the audio and video controls.
Results: Provides a list of auction results. The print button opens a new tab where you can print the results or save them as a PDF. The export button downloads an XLSX file.
Prebids: Provides a list of prebids. As with Results, you can print it, save it as a PDF, or export it as an XLSX file.
Presenter: Opens in a new tab with a larger view of the current lot information, including the current high bid and asking price. You can drag it to a second screen such as a TV or projector, so floor bidders can see the live bid progression.
This page also shows the ring number, its lots, the lot count and the number of open lots. If you have multiple rings, each ring has its own toolbar and its own clerk. Each clerk logs into the correct ring.
Set up audio and video
The computer that runs the webcast does not have to be an AuctionFlex360 computer. You can be logged in to MyHiBid.com on several computers at once.
Select Audio / Video. The Webcast Broadcasting window opens.
Select your microphone in the Audio list.
Select your camera in the Camera list.
Select a resolution in the Resolution list.
Select Click to Start Broadcasting.
Once it is broadcasting correctly, you can minimize the window.
Note: If you are onsite on a hotspot, audio only is generally recommended. The lot picture shows to bidders with or without a video feed.
Troubleshooting
If your camera or microphone does not work
Check your browser permissions. Select the icon at the left of the address bar, then allow the camera and microphone for MyHiBid.com.
If the camera feed does not appear, select a lower resolution in the Resolution list.
Start the auction
Select Enter Ring. The HiBid page changes to Live Webcast and the catalog button flashes Bid Live.
Type the lot number in the Lot # field.
Select Open. The current item shows to online bidders.
Tip: To see both sides of the auction, log in as a bidder on another device.
Manage bids
The webcast operator enters floor bids and sets the asking amount, while online bids are accepted automatically. A dedicated person should operate the webcast and relay floor bids to online bidders.
Floor bids and asking amounts
Select Floor to enter a floor bid for the asking price, or use the New Floor Bid buttons below it to enter a different bid amount.
Adjust the New Floor Bid quick-set buttons with the plus and minus buttons, or select the J button to type in a bid manually.
Use the New Asking buttons to set the next asking amount.
Change the bid increments by selecting one of the Bid Increments quick-set buttons. To adjust the preset amounts, use the plus and minus buttons, or select the pencil icon to type in a different amount.
When an asking or floor amount is set, online bidders see it and can bid on it.
If a floor bid outbids an online bidder, that bidder is notified.
The screen also shows the current bid and the current winner. The Current and Winning boxes are highlighted in yellow when a floor bidder is winning, and in red when an online bidder is winning.
If an online bid shows as winning but you want to give preference to the floor, use the Floor Bidder winning option.
Fair Warning
Select Fair Warning to alert online bidders that a lot is about to sell or pass. Fair Warning then gives you two buttons: Sold and Pass.
If an online bid comes in after Fair Warning, you can accept it and open bidding back up on that lot. Or you can select Sold, which means the bid came too late and the hammer is down.
After you select Sold or Pass, the next lot opens automatically when Auto Open Next Lot is checked. The webcast follows lot-number order by default, and also supports sale order.
Pause and Reset Bidding
Pause stops the auction for a break or a conversation. The webcast operator selects Play to resume.
Reset Bidding clears all bids on a particular lot.
Bidder chat
Bidder chat lets the webcast operator message bidders and shows bids as they come in.
Messages from the operator to bidders can be seen by all bidders.
Messages from bidders can be seen only by the webcast operator.
The chat also lists online and floor bids and shows whether the lot is in Fair Warning.
Disable Bidder Chat removes bidders' ability to message the operator. Bidders can still read messages from the operator.
To change the preset messages, log in to your auctioneer account and go to your username menu > Company Settings. Then review the Auctioneers Canned Chat Message items.
Choice lots and group lots
Choice lots and group lots let you offer several lots at once. Both start from the Lot # field.
Choice lots
Type the lot numbers you want to offer choice on in the Lot # field, separated by commas.
Select Open. Bidders see the lots listed on their screen with a checkbox for each.
The chat then shows that the system is waiting for the winning bidder to select lots. It also reports which lots sold.
Group lots
Type G before the lot numbers in the Lot # field, such as G117, 119, 121.
Select Open. Bidders see the lots listed together and bid a single total for the group.
Close the auction
Mark every lot Sold or Pass.
Select Pause at the bottom.
Select Close Ring.
Closing the ring takes the auction out of Bid Live and changes it to Bidding closed. The auction archives overnight.
Practice and training
We have a Playground account that you can use to practice a mock auction before your next live event. Use it to rehearse the whole flow without real bidders: sell and pass lots, then close the ring when you're done. Contact Support or Sales for the Playground credentials.