Keeping auctions fair: why shop names are blocked in chat

In a live auction, the price is whatever the room decides. That's the fun of it. So we've made one small change to chat: messages that name a shop or a price site won't post.

What happens

If a message names a shop or a price site, like Amazon, eBay, Google or Temu, or mentions RRP, it isn't sent. You'll see a short note instead: "No shop names in chat, it gives the price away."

It catches the clever spellings too, so swapping letters for numbers or adding dots and spaces won't sneak a name through. Numbers are still fine, so you can ask about a ring size or a shoe size as normal. The show's host isn't affected.

Why we've done it

It keeps the auction an auction. Sometimes a lot goes for far less than you'd expect. Sometimes a room falls for something and bids it right up. Both are part of the fun. A running commentary of prices from elsewhere turns a live sale into a price check, and takes the excitement out of it for everyone.

It's fair to sellers. Sellers go live in good faith and put their stock in front of a room. Being undercut in their own chat, mid lot, isn't fair on them, and it puts off the very sellers who bring the best finds.

It keeps chat friendly. Chat is for questions, banter and cheering a win. Ask the seller anything you like about the item in front of you: the size, the condition, the box.

New to live shows? Read how live auctions work, or see what we learned from our first live show.

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