This article provides best practices to follow when setting up your auctions to reduce shipping-related questions and ensure smooth operations.
This article contains the following sections:
Auction Set Up
Onboarding will need to be completed for both LiveShipping and LivePayments, and both will need to be turned on for your auctions.
- Contact your Account Manager or Support at shipping@liveauctioneers.com to enable LiveShipping.
- Contact your Account Manager or Support at support@liveauctioneers.com to enable LivePayments.
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Enable LivePayments on your auction. Once LivePayments is enabled, LiveShipping is enabled by default.
Catalog Requirements
- Include size and weight information for all items.
- When dimensions are uploaded via .CSV using the proper fields, shipping quotes appear immediately on published lot pages.
- If item dimensions are included in Lot Descriptions, you will be contacted by the LiveShipping team within 1-2 business days to confirm the parsing process.
- A .CSV template for catalog upload can be accessed here. Please note, columns can be in any order, however column titles should align with what is displayed in the template:
- Height
- Width
- Depth
- Dimension Unit
- Weight (optional)
- Weight Unit (optional)
- For relatively flat items such as paintings, rugs or posters, height and width measurements will suffice.
- For lots that contain multiple items, record the overall dimensions of the complete set, grouped together.
- Alternatively, you can provide dimensions of the largest item within the lot.
- When bulk uploading via .CSV is not possible, dimensions must be included in Lot Descriptions as Height x Width x Depth, followed by the unit of measurement (preferably inches).
- Example: Height 15 x Width 20 x Depth 4 in.
- If items are shipped from multiple locations, please note the respective location of each lot under the Location Nickname column. For more information, click here.
- Should you have issues uploading your .CSV file, please reach out to our LiveAuctioneers Shipping Operations Team at shipping@liveauctioneers.com.
Clear Bidder Messaging
Having clear and easy-to-read shipping messaging will ensure a smooth check-out experience for bidders.
When LiveShipping is enabled on your auction, we automatically update your Shipping Policy and Invoice Message to align with LiveShipping guidelines.
Example Shipping Policy:
LiveAuctioneers has partnered with vetted providers to offer convenient shipping within the United State, all U.S. Territories, Canada, and select European countries for purchases in this auction. The estimated shipping cost is based on the zip code you provided, the estimated size and weight of the item, and the designated shipping vendor. The cost may also include item pickup, packing, shipping, delivery and insurance. Your actual shipping cost is subject to change based on the final price and insurance value of your item.
If you do not see an estimated shipping cost in your invoice or on the item page, and would like to request a free quote, please contact us at packaging@liveauctioneers.com.
A single shipping fee for all lots won in this auction will be included on your invoice for applicable orders. This fee can be accepted upon checkout, or alternatively, you can opt for Self-Arranged Shipping or Pickup. If you choose to ship via LiveAuctioneers’ shipping partner, you will receive tracking notifications as your package moves through our network.
We encourage you to review and update your Invoice Message during the auction setup process, while your catalog is online, and post-auction. This ensures all messaging regarding shipping is aligned and consistent.
Your Invoice Message can be found in your Seller Dashboard under Your Auction > Auction Details > Policies.
Example Invoice Message:
LiveAuctioneers and their shipping partners are working with us to offer convenient shipping within the United States, all US Territories, Canada, and select European countries for purchases in this auction. The fee to Ship with LiveAuctioneers may include item pickup, packing, shipping, delivery and insurance, based on the shipping address provided. However, if you would like to opt for a different shipping method, you can simply update your shipping method before paying your invoice.