Guide · Updated 2026-09-11

How pre-bidding works

Pre-bids on Minute Wars are optional binding commitments that can set the opening leader when a queued item goes live.

Optional, not required

Pre-bids are optional. Queued items may go live with zero pre-bids and open at the platform minimum (typically $1).

Who can pre-bid

Pre-bidding and live bidding require a bidding-ready account — generally a verified email, phone number, verified billing and shipping address on your profile, and a default saved payment method. You cannot pre-bid on your own listings.

Pre-bids are binding commitments you can only raise, not lower or withdraw. Minute Wars may limit abusive or automated bidding patterns; details of those controls are not published.

What a pre-bid does at go-live

When a pre-bid exists, the highest valid pre-bid sets the opening bid and current leader at go-live.

Pre-bids are binding commitments and may win if they remain the valid leader when the auction closes and any reserve is satisfied.