Live selling glossary / Show mechanics
Starting bid
Definition
The starting bid is the lowest price a host will accept to open a live auction. A low starting bid ($1 is common) draws more bidders and more bids; a high one protects the floor on an expensive item.
Starting low works because the room sets the price and the bidding itself is entertainment. It fails when the room is thin, which is why hosts read viewer count before deciding whether to start a valuable item at $1 or use buy it now instead.
Related terms
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