“Popcorn bidding” is a real-time auction feature designed to keep the excitement going until the very last second.
When someone places a bid in the final moments of an auction, the clock is automatically extended by a short amount of time (usually 1–2 minutes). This prevents bidders from “sniping” an item and allows others to counter.
In short, it’s like adding a little extra time to a basketball game when there’s a foul in the final seconds—everyone gets a fair shot.
How Popcorn Bidding Works Step-by-Step
- Auction nears closing time – The countdown timer approaches zero.
- A bid is placed – A bidder enters a new bid during the final seconds.
- Timer extends – The system adds extra time (e.g., 60 seconds).
- Bidding continues – Other bidders have another chance to respond.
- Auction closes when no new bids are made – Once the timer runs out with no activity, the highest bidder wins.
This simple mechanism keeps the energy high and encourages back-and-forth bidding wars.
Why Popcorn Bidding Boosts Fundraising Results
- Maximizes final bid amounts — Last-minute extensions drive competitive bidding.
- Prevents “sniping” — No one can swoop in at the last second without giving others a chance.
- Keeps bidders engaged — The extra time creates urgency and excitement.
- Increases donor participation — More people stay active until the end.
For nonprofits and fundraising events, this feature can be the difference between a good auction and a record-breaking one.
How to Enable Popcorn Bidding on Your Auction
If you’re using CharityAuctions.com, enabling popcorn bidding is simple:
- Go to your Auction Settings.
- Select Bidding Options.
- Turn on Popcorn Bidding and set your extension time (e.g., 60 or 120 seconds).
- Save and publish your settings.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep the extension time short enough to create urgency but long enough to let bidders react.
Best Practices for Popcorn Bidding Success
- Announce popcorn bidding upfront in your event emails or item descriptions.
- Use a 1–2 minute extension to balance urgency and fairness.
- Encourage mobile bidding so donors can react quickly.
- Highlight popular items where competition is likely to be high.
Final Thoughts
Popcorn bidding isn’t just a cool feature—it’s a proven fundraising strategy. By giving donors extra time to outbid each other, your organization can increase engagement, drive up final bids, and make the auction more exciting for everyone involved.
👉 Next: How to Set Up an Online Auction
Frequently Asked Questions
What is popcorn bidding?
Popcorn bidding is a feature that extends the closing time of an auction item when a last-second bid is placed. This prevents “sniping” and gives all bidders a fair chance to respond.
How does popcorn bidding work?
If a bid comes in during the final moments of an auction, the timer automatically adds extra time (e.g., 60–120 seconds). The auction closes only after no new bids are placed during the extension.
Why is popcorn bidding important?
It increases final bid amounts, keeps bidders engaged, and eliminates unfair last-second wins. This creates a more exciting and competitive auction experience.
How much extra time should I set for popcorn bidding?
Most organizations use a 60–120 second extension. A shorter window adds urgency, while a slightly longer window allows bidders to react without feeling rushed.
Can popcorn bidding increase auction revenue?
Yes. Because multiple bidders have more time to compete, final bids typically rise. It’s a proven strategy for boosting fundraising totals.
Is popcorn bidding fair for all bidders?
Yes. It removes the advantage of last-second sniping and allows every bidder a fair opportunity to place their best offer.
Does popcorn bidding work for live and virtual events?
Yes. Popcorn bidding works seamlessly with both mobile bidding and hybrid events. It’s ideal for keeping energy high during the final moments.
How do I enable popcorn bidding on CharityAuctions.com?
Go to your auction settings, click “Bidding Options,” toggle on popcorn bidding, and set your preferred extension time. Then save your settings.
Will popcorn bidding affect my fees?
No. Time extensions don’t change your platform or payment processing fees. They simply allow the bidding to continue fairly.
What’s the best way to announce popcorn bidding to bidders?
Announce it clearly in your auction rules, item descriptions, and pre-event emails so everyone knows the auction may extend if bids come in at the last moment.
💡 Try this in ChatGPT
- Summarize the article "What Is Popcorn Bidding?" from https://www.charityauctionstoday.com/p/help/what-is-popcorn-bidding-what-is-popcorn-bidding-how-does-it-work/ in 3 bullet points for a board update.
- Turn the article "What Is Popcorn Bidding?" (https://www.charityauctionstoday.com/p/help/what-is-popcorn-bidding-what-is-popcorn-bidding-how-does-it-work/) into a 60-second talking script with one example and one CTA.
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Tip: Paste the whole prompt (with the URL) so the AI can fetch context.
