What is Catawiki Live?
Catawiki Live is a live auction format on Catawiki.
It combines the trusted structure of our regular auctions with the energy of a live stream. During a Catawiki Live auction, objects of selected auctions are presented live by the seller as the auction reaches its closing phase. Buyers can watch the items being shown in real time, ask questions, and place bids as the action unfolds.
Catawiki Live is designed to make the final moments of an auction more interactive and engaging, while keeping the same trusted process as a regular Catawiki auction.
How does Catawiki Live work?
A Catawiki Live auction follows the same overall setup as a regular auction on Catawiki.
The auction runs for the usual duration, and the objects are curated by our Experts just like in any other Catawiki auction. The main difference is in the closing phase: instead of ending in the usual way, selected objects close live during a stream hosted by the seller.
During the live stream, the seller presents the objects in real time. Buyers can follow along, ask questions, and bid live. This creates a more dynamic auction experience and gives buyers a closer look at the objects before the lot closes.
What makes Catawiki Live different from a regular auction?
The main difference is how the final moments of the auction work.
In a regular Catawiki auction, objects close according to our standard auction format. In a Catawiki Live auction, objects close sequentially during a live stream.
Catawiki Live also adds an extra level of interaction. Instead of only viewing photos and descriptions, buyers can see the seller present the object live and ask questions during the stream.
Why would I join a Catawiki Live auction?
Catawiki Live gives you a more direct and engaging way to follow an auction.
Joining a Live auction lets you:
- see items presented live by the seller
- get a better real-time impression of the object
- ask questions and engage with the community during the live auction
- experience the excitement of bidding as the auction closes
It brings more energy to the auction while keeping the same trusted Catawiki process behind it.
Are the objects still curated by Catawiki Experts in Catawiki Live?
Yes.
Just like our regular auctions, Catawiki Live auctions feature objects curated by our experts. The live format does not change our curation process.
Who hosts Catawiki Live auctions?
The live stream is hosted by the seller.
During the stream, the seller presents the objects live so buyers can see them more closely and experience the auction in real time.
Where can I find Catawiki Live auctions?
You can find Catawiki Live auctions on the Catawiki Live page.
How can I watch a Catawiki Live auction?
To watch a Catawiki Live auction, you need to have a Catawiki account and be signed in.
If you’re not registered yet, you’ll need to create an account first before you can join a live auction.
If you have an existing Catawiki account but are unable to watch a Catawiki Live auction, you may have certain restrictions on your account. For example, if your account has been restricted from bidding, you won’t be able to watch Catawiki Live auctions until the issue is resolved.
Why does my account have a bidding restriction?
Restrictions can be applied to your account for different reasons. For example:
- you have multiple accounts, and one or more of them already has a buying restriction
- your account is in violation of our policies
- your account is under review for policy violations
If you think there is a mistake, or if you have questions about a restriction on your account, please contact Catawiki Customer Support through this link.
How can I bid during a Catawiki Live auction?
To bid during a Catawiki Live auction, you need to be registered for bidding on Catawiki.
This means your account must be set up with all the information needed for bidding, including your payment and shipping details.
If you haven’t completed this yet, we invite you to do so before joining a live auction, so you’re ready to place bids when the auction starts.
During a live auction, you can bid on showcased items by swiping the blue Bid slider to the right.
You can bid from the auction in the app, from your browser or from the live stream.
All bids from the app, browser and the live auction go into one single bidding flow. Whether you place your bid from the app or during the live stream, it is part of the same auction and affects the same current highest bid.
This means there can only be one winning bidder for each lot. Double winners are not possible.
Is my activity visible to other users in Catawiki Live?
Yes.
Other users can see some of your activity during a Catawiki Live auction. This includes:
- your Catawiki username
- your registration location, shown as a country flag
- your comments during the live event
- Your catawiki username when you win a lot
This helps make the live auction experience more interactive and transparent for everyone taking part.
Why doesn’t my bid swipe work?
If your bid swipe doesn’t go through in Catawiki Live, it usually means another buyer has already placed a higher bid or completed their bid faster than you.
Because bidding happens live and moves quickly, this can happen if:
- another user places a higher bid just before you
- another user confirms their bid faster than you do
If this happens, you can try bidding again if the lot is still open.
Why can’t I bid during a Catawiki Live auction?
If you see an error message, or if the bid button is greyed out during a live event, there may be a problem with your account or bidding setup.
This can happen for a few reasons:
- you don’t have a valid address on file
- you don’t have a valid payment method on file
- you haven’t completed the information needed to register for bidding
Before placing a bid on Catawiki Live, participants must first provide valid payment and shipping details.
Is payment different for Catawiki Live auctions?
No.
Payment works the same way as it does for a regular Catawiki auction.
If you win a lot in a Catawiki Live auction, you complete payment through the usual Catawiki payment flow as stated in this Help Center article.
Is there a different support after I’ve paid for an object in Catawiki Live auctions?
No.
Catawiki support after you have paid for an object in Catawiki Live works the same way as for regular Catawiki auctions.
If you need help after your purchase, the usual Catawiki processes apply.
Do Catawiki Live auctions last longer than normal auctions?
No.
A Catawiki Live auction has the same overall duration as a normal Catawiki auction.
The difference is not the total auction length, but how the objects close at the end.
How do objects close in a Catawiki Live auction?
Objects close sequentially.
There are 3 minutes between the closing of one object and the next. This creates a fast-paced live rhythm and allows buyers to follow the auction object by object during the stream.
How do bid extensions work in Catawiki Live?
Catawiki Live auctions have a faster closing rhythm than regular auctions. The objects close one after another, and the bid extension rules are shorter. This makes the final phase of the auction feel more immediate and exciting.
In a Catawiki Live auction, a lot gets a 10-second extension if a bid is placed within the last 15 seconds before closing.
This gives other bidders a brief chance to respond to a last-moment bid, while keeping the live auction moving quickly.
How is that different from a regular Catawiki auction?
In a regular auction, the extension is usually 1 minute and 30 seconds.
In a Catawiki Live auction, the extension is only 10 seconds, and it only applies when a bid is placed within the final 15 seconds.
Why are the extensions shorter in Catawiki Live auctions?
Shorter extensions help keep the live auction moving at a faster pace.
They also make the closing moments more dynamic, while still giving bidders a fair chance to react to a late bid.
Can I ask questions during the live auction?
Yes.
Catawiki Live is designed to add more interaction to the auction experience, and buyers can ask questions during the live event.
All participants are expected to follow our Catawiki Live Auction Community Guidelines to help keep the experience safe, fair and respectful.
How can I become a seller on Catawiki Live?
At the moment, only selected trusted sellers can participate in Catawiki Live.
We’re currently not accepting new sellers for Catawiki Live. If you’d still like to be considered in the future, you’re welcome to submit an application. We’ll review it and evaluate it again when we reopen Catawiki Live to sellers.
https://share.hsforms.com/1u0uZXQ2QTJCCwYC_ITrbxAxoj0
Does Catawiki Live change how winning objects on Catawiki works?
Not in the parts that matter most after the auction.
Catawiki Live changes the experience of the auction closing by making it live, sequential, and more interactive. But the core parts of winning on Catawiki remain the same:
- the objects are curated by our experts
- bids follow one single auction flow
- payment works as usual
- after-sales works as usual
I can’t find the live auction I saved or got a notification for
If you can’t find a live auction you previously saved, or one you received a notification for, it may be because the auction or live schedule has changed.
If you can no longer find a live auction you previously saved or received a notification for, the auction or live schedule may have changed.
We recommend checking the Catawiki Live page to see which live auctions are currently scheduled and which ones are coming up next.
If the auction has been rescheduled, you’ll find the updated timing there.
In short
Catawiki Live is a live auction experience where selected objects from existing auctions close during a seller-hosted live stream.
It offers:
- the same overall auction duration as a regular auction
- expert-curated objects
- live presentation by the seller
- the ability to ask questions and bid in real time
- one shared bidding flow across the app and the live stream
- the same payment and after-sales process as a normal Catawiki auction
The biggest difference is in the closing phase: objects close sequentially, 3 minutes apart, with shorter 10-second bid extensions when a bid is placed in the final 15 seconds.