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What is live shopping and how does it work | BIDEA

Live shopping is a way of buying where a seller shows products in a live video stream and buyers can ask questions in chat, bid in auctions or buy directly while they watch. It combines the real-time explanation of a physical store with the convenience of shopping from your phone.

BIDEA editorial team ·

What a live purchase looks like

A seller opens a stream, presents each item on camera and answers questions from the chat. Depending on the format, the item may go up for auction with a time limit, sell at a fixed price or be part of a card Break. The buyer sees the actual item, its condition and how other participants react before deciding.

The difference from a traditional online store is the conversation. You can ask the seller to turn a card, show a corner or confirm a measurement, and the answer arrives within seconds. That reduces uncertainty for products where condition matters, such as collectibles, pre-owned clothing or limited editions.

How it works on BIDEA

On BIDEA you can watch public Lives without creating an account. To bid, buy or post in chat you need to sign in. Each seller sets the shipping or pickup options for their show, and these vary by seller and country. Before you confirm, the checkout screen shows the final price you will pay.

BIDEA operates in markets across eight countries: Panama, Mexico, Colombia, the United States, Chile, Peru, Costa Rica and Argentina. We do not offer delivery worldwide, so check the seller's market and delivery options before bidding. Sellers need platform approval or an invitation to host a Live.

What to check before you buy

Look at the seller's profile, read the item description and ask in chat about anything that is unclear. Check whether the show offers shipping, pickup or both, and whether it applies to your country. In an auction, decide your maximum price before it starts so the pace of the stream does not decide for you.

If it is your first time, the BIDEA help center walks through auctions, payments and shipping step by step with the platform's current rules.

Common questions

Do I need an account to watch a Live?

No. Public Lives can be watched without an account. To bid, buy or take part in chat you need to sign in.

Does BIDEA ship to any country?

No. BIDEA operates in eight markets, and shipping or pickup options depend on the seller, the show and the country. Delivery is not available worldwide.

When do I know how much I will pay?

Before you confirm payment you will see the final price of your purchase for the available delivery option.

Can anyone stream as a seller?

No. Hosting a Live as a seller requires platform approval or an invitation.

Sources and resources

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