Q: How does the auction system work?
A: Artists create an auction for an artwork piece or commission slot. Buyers place bids during the auction window. The highest bidder at close wins and is obligated to pay. Winning creates a binding commission agreement.
Q: What is snipe protection?
A: If a bid is placed in the final moments of an auction, the end time is automatically extended to prevent last-second sniping. This gives other bidders a fair chance to respond.
Q: Is there a reserve price?
A: Artists can set a reserve price — a minimum the auction must reach for the item to sell. If bidding closes below the reserve, the auction does not result in a sale.
Q: What happens if I win an auction but don’t want to pay?
A: Winning a bid is a binding financial commitment. Refusing to pay after winning is a violation of the Terms of Service and may result in account action.
Q: Can I retract a bid?
A: Bid retraction is not generally supported. Only place bids you intend to honor.
Q: How do I create an auction?
A: Go to /auctions/new. You’ll set the starting bid, optional reserve price, auction duration, and upload your artwork or commission description. You must be an Artist with a verified identity and active store.
Q: How do I know if I’ve been outbid?
A: You’ll receive a notification when another bidder outbids you. Real-time auction updates are powered by Socket.io — bid changes are reflected live without needing to refresh.
Q: What happens at the end of an auction with no bids?
A: If no bids are placed or bidding doesn’t reach the reserve price, the auction closes without a sale. You can re-list the item in a new auction.
Q: Is there a minimum bid increment?
A: Bid increment rules are defined per auction. The auction interface will show you the minimum acceptable bid at any given time.
Q: Can I set a Buy It Now price on an auction?
A: Buy It Now is not currently a feature of the auction system. Auctions run to their end time or until sniping extensions settle.
Q: Are auction commissions covered by escrow?
A: Yes. When the winning bidder pays, funds are held in escrow just like a direct listing order. The same fulfillment obligations, dispute window, and auto-release rules apply.
Q: Can I cancel an auction after it’s started?
A: Canceling an active auction with bids is handled case by case — contact support@fursonasfactory.com. Canceling auctions arbitrarily after receiving bids may result in a content strike.
Q: What is the maximum auction duration I can set?
A: Auction duration limits are set within the auction creation interface. Contact support@fursonasfactory.com if you have questions about specific limits.
Q: Can buyers message an artist during an auction?
A: Yes. The messaging system is available regardless of auction status.
Q: Is the auction system real-time?
A: Yes. Bid placements, outbid notifications, auction extensions, and auction closes are broadcast in real-time via Socket.io. You don’t need to refresh to see new bids.
Q: What happens if two people bid at the exact same time?
A: The auction system uses database transaction locks to prevent race conditions — simultaneous bids are processed sequentially and only one is accepted as the winning bid.
Q: Can I set an NSFW auction?
A: Yes, if you are ID-verified. NSFW auctions follow the same rules as NSFW listings — properly marked and only visible to users with adult content enabled.
Q: Does the artist have to fulfill the commission immediately after the auction closes?
A: The same 90-day maximum deadline applies. The same order pipeline follows auction commissions as direct listing commissions.
Q: What if the winning bidder never completes payment?
A: If payment is not completed, the auction does not result in a confirmed order. Contact support@fursonasfactory.com if you have a specific situation.
Q: Can I see a history of past auctions on the platform?
A: Closed auctions may appear in the auctions browse page at /auctions with their final state. Contact support if you need specific historical auction data.
Q: Can I run multiple auctions at the same time?
A: Yes, as long as you have sufficient commission slots to cover potential wins. Be careful not to create more auction wins than you have bandwidth to fulfill.
Q: What is the minimum starting bid I can set?
A: There’s no platform-enforced minimum, but a starting bid of $0 or very close to it is generally inadvisable — you may end up obligated to complete a commission for less than it’s worth. Set a starting bid that reflects your minimum acceptable rate.
Q: Can I add extra details to my auction after it goes live?
A: Editing auction details after bids have been placed may not be supported, as changes could affect bidders who based their bids on the original listing. Contact support@fursonasfactory.com for unusual situations.
Q: How does the snipe protection extension work exactly?
A: When a bid is placed within a defined window before the auction end time (for example, the last 5 minutes), the end time is automatically pushed forward by that same window. This continues until no bids arrive within the extension window, at which point the auction closes.
Q: Is the auction start time immediate when I create it?
A: Auctions go live when you publish them. There’s no scheduled future start — the auction opens immediately upon creation.
Q: What notifications does the winner receive?
A: The winning bidder receives a notification when the auction closes in their favor. They’ll be prompted to complete payment to create the commission order.
Q: Do I see who is bidding on my auction in real time?
A: Yes. Current bid amounts and the number of bids are visible in real time. Depending on the auction setup, bidder identities may or may not be publicly visible — check the auction listing for specifics.
Q: Is there a maximum starting bid for an auction?
A: No. There’s no platform-enforced cap on starting bids. Set whatever starting price reflects the minimum value of the work being auctioned.
Q: Can I auction a commission slot rather than a specific artwork piece?
A: Yes. Artists frequently auction commission slots — the winning bidder gets a commission from you for a piece TBD, with details agreed after the auction. Make the auction description clear about what the buyer is winning.