School Auctions, Benefit Auctions, Charity Auctioneer

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Registration & Check-out

[VIDEO] You can’t open auction checkout in 20 minutes

Last week I led a webinar on how to run a manual auction checkout process.  During the webinar, one participant asked a question about timing.She wanted a 20 minute window between the time the silent auction closed and guests collected their items. Though admirable, I said that I didn't think her timeframe was realistic. To be fair, I  don't know the particulars of her auction. The webinar system didn't allow us to have a free flowing conversation to explore details around her timeline, layout, ... Read On >

[VIDEO] Four styles of bid stickers for silent auction bid sheets

A couple of months ago I posted a video tip about how you can read bad handwriting on silent auction bid sheets.  Spoiler alert: It's the use of bid stickers. I explained that auction chairs shouldn't require guests to write their name, address, email, phone number, or any other information on the bid sheets.  To generate the highest bids, the only information required should only be the bid number.  If the idea of only asking for a bid number troubles you (perhaps because you are concerned ... Read On >

[VIDEO] Bad handwriting on the silent auction bid sheet? Here’s how to read it.

If you've been struggling to read your bidders' handwriting as you look at each silent auction bid sheet, today's video tip will solve your pain. This is an option for you if you're running a silent auction using a single bid sheet.If you're running a traditional manual checkout process that relies on NCR / triplicate bid sheets, this isn't practical.  Nor is it relevant if you're using mobile bidding. That's one of the trickier aspects of giving advice on the auction checkout process.  Checkout ... Read On >

Do you have to collect sales tax on auction items?

Do you have to collect sales tax at your benefit auction? Should guests be paying sales tax on auction items? The answer depends upon your state and municipal rules. If your fundraiser is in Maryland, you must charge sales tax. If you're living in an area that requires tax collection, I suggest putting a written notice in your catalog or program. Most often this type of information is listed as one of the points in the "Rules of the Auction" section. Some groups will also have the notice ... Read On >

Getting charity auction guests to register their credit cards

Anyone who has followed my trainings on how to properly conduct a benefit auction registration and checkout process knows my analogy of the hotel versus the grocery store. At your benefit auction, it's best to function like a hotel, swiping each guest's credit card before letting them enter your property (i.e. the silent auction). Operating like a hotel means that your charity auction team must use credit card terminals designed for an auction environment. Once those terminals are rented and ... Read On >