Avito Launches 24-Hour Auctions for Items From Private Sellers

Avito has launched auctions for goods, the company's press office said. Private sellers can now list an item for bidding for 24 hours, while buyers place bids and the highest offer wins.

According to the company, the format lets sellers set a price that reflects real demand. Buyers who spot a listing later than others still have a chance to compete for an item they like.

How the auctions work

A seller can start an auction when creating a listing or later, if the platform detects heightened interest in the item. The seller sets the starting price, and the listing shows the current highest bid.

When bidding ends, the winner has 12 hours to pay through Avito Delivery. If the payment does not arrive in time, the right to buy may pass to the participant with the second-highest bid. If that person does not pay either, the listing reverts to a standard sale.

Limits and eligibility

Auctions will be available in most categories, including clothing, electronics, furniture and collectibles. Only single-copy items priced from 10,000 to 150,000 rubles can be listed.

At the first stage, the feature is open to private sellers who meet a set of conditions, including at least one completed deal through Avito Delivery. Only users who have previously bought goods through Avito Delivery can bid. A buyer can take part in no more than five auctions at once, and a confirmed bid cannot be cancelled.

The launch adds a competitive pricing option to Avito's classifieds model, where sellers have so far mostly set a fixed price. For collectibles and one-off items, whose value is hard to gauge, bidding may help sellers find a market price faster.