This year, as last, all bidding will be done on-line. Follow these instructions carefully to make sure you have registered the bid that you wanted. The auction software has some unexpected quirks, and it may take a little patience to learn if you have not done it before, but the website will give you instant feedback and additional help if you make a mistake.  If you have trouble, volunteers can assist you at the in-person Auction Party on Saturday, Dec 3 (4:00 – 6:30 pm.)     You can also contact the Auction Committee before December 3.

Bidding will open at 6:00 pm on Thursday, December 1, and close at 9:00 pm on Saturday, December 3.

COVID Guidelines

This year, the Auction Committee is not making specific restrictions related to COVID.   However, we ask that hosts and guests of in-person events follow the CDC Guidelines in place at the time of the event.   The hosts may also add further requirements if they choose, possibly at the request of the guests (such as requiring a negative COVID test on the day of the event.)

Finding or Obtaining a Bidder Number (or Paddle Number)

Note: You do not need a Paddle Number (Bidder Number) to browse the catalog or to enter a donation, but you will need one to enter bids. If you have participated in previous TVUUC auctions, you will have a Bidder Number, but you do not need to remember it!  The auction program should recognize you when you log on and it will automatically use the number you were assigned in the past. To find your Bidder Number, log into the Auction website (as described below), click on My Statement at the top of the screen. Then look for Items Purchased. If you have a Bidder Number, it will be shown here. If you do not have one, you must request a number from the Auction Committee. To avoid delays during the auction, we strongly recommend that you contact the Auction Committee to request a Bidder Number before December 1, if you need one. If you attempt to enter a bid and you do not have a Bidder Number, the website will prompt you to ask for one by email. After you have received your number, you may enter your bid. In the future, the website will use the same Bidder Number when you log in under your phone number and name.   (Hint:   Make sure you log in using the same phone number you used last year.   If you want to use a different phone number, you may need a different Bidder Number.  In this case, contact the Auction Committee before the auction opens.)

How to Enter a Bid

IMPORTANT: If you are bidding on an item or event which allows for more than one winning bid, make sure you read lines 16-19 below.   (The number of winners will be listed under Qty in the item listing.)

1. Using your browser (such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Internet Explorer), go to the auction site. (Or go to the TVUUC website; then click  on “TVUUC  On-line Auction Website” or find it under the Give Pull-down Menu).
2. Click on the Login button at the upper right corner of the home screen. This will take you to the following screen:
   
3. To log in, enter your phone number (using example on the screen.) Use the last four digits of your phone number as your PIN unless you have another PIN. If there is more than one name listed, click your name, or add it if not already there . If you have problems, try using another phone number you may have used in the past. [Note: You can change your PIN in the Edit Profile Screen if you want. Find this on the My Statement ]
4. The next screen is the Home Page. Under the Heading “TVUUC Online Auction” you will see four large blue rectangles.  Click on the one on the left which is labeled “Catalog: Browse and bid on items and events (You can see past catalogs here too” (Or click on Catalog Grid at the top of the page.)
5. On the next screen you will see the categories listed at the left. Click on a category on the left side of the screen to browse items in that category. This takes you to another screen showing all items in that category. (See screenshot below)

The description of the item should include the number of winning bidders allowed under Qty (which will be 1 for most items), the minimum bid, and (if relevant) the date of an event.

Example:

If Item Allows Only One Winning Buyer (Description Lists Qty 1) Instructions Lines 6-15

For instructions on bidding for multiple-buyer items, read this section and also lines 16-19.

6. Below the description you will see a box which shows if anyone has bid on this and what amount was bid.
7. If you wish to bid on the item, click on Place Bid. This will take you to the following screen:
   
8. Next to Qty leave this at 1 (if this is a single-buyer item).
9. Next to Bid Price ea, write the amount that you wish to bid for this item. Make sure it is higher than the highest bid already made (see previous screen). Also see information below about Pre-set increments.
10. Next to Hidden Max Price ea, write the highest price you would be willing to pay if others are bidding on this item.
11. Check the information you have entered to be sure that it is what you want to do. Then click on Save.
12. This takes you to the next screen which will tell you if your bid is accepted. If it is too low, it will then tell you what your minimum bid would be.
13. Note: Because the Hidden Max amount is hidden, you will not know immediately what the original bidder has given as a “Hidden Max.” But when you enter your bid, you may be told that your bid must be higher.
14. Also, the program has pre-set increments for the bidding increase, based on the price of the item. If the pre-set increment requires a bid which is higher than the amount you have entered, the program will tell you what the minimum bid will be, but it only tells you this after you have tried to enter your bid. So pay close attention to the message you get after you enter your bid so you can go back and enter a higher bid if necessary.
15. If you come back later, you can check to see if you have been outbid. If your bid is still the winning bid, it will be listed as “You.” If you have been outbid, it will show “Others” and show what that person has bid. (You will not know who it is.)

WARNING:  Once you have entered your bid, you cannot withdraw it!   So be SURE you want to bid on an item before clicking on SAVE.

If Event Allows More Than One Buyer (Description lists Qty 2 or more) Instruction Lines 16- 19

16. Read Instruction Lines 1-15 above.
17. If an item (such as a Dinner or Party) is designed for more than one winning bidder, things are slightly more complicated, and may be confusing until you get used to it. The box below the description will show how many bids have been accepted for this item. Enter the quantity you want to buy next to Qty and price you want to bid for each item or place. (Example: A quantity of 2 with price $15 means you will pay $30.) The bidding price must be at least the minimum stated in the description. Enter a Hidden Max Bid if you want to (See explanation above.) Then click on
18. This takes you to the next screen which will tell you if your bid is accepted. If it is too low, it will then tell you what your minimum bid would be.
19. IMPORTANT: The program will register only one bid per person. If you bid on an item a second time, the new bid will replace and cancel your first one. If you want to have two places in an event, you should make sure your initial bid is for two. For example:

You bid for one place at a party at $10. Later you decide to take a friend. By this time, the minimum bid has increased to $21. If you enter one bid at $21, it will erase your first bid and you still only have one place. But if you enter a bid for two places at $21, you will have two places, but they will both be at $21. If you must add an extra person after your initial bid, we suggest that bid be placed under a different name. (Log out and log in as another person, using that person’s name and paddle number.)

And, again: Once you have entered your bid, you cannot withdraw it!

If you are having inexplicable problems with the bidding process, try logging out and logging in again.

Questions?

We hope these instructions have helped. We know this bidding process is different from an in-person auction and may be confusing, but the Auction Committee is here to help if you need it. If you have questions, contact the Auction Committee.   You can also meet with an Auction Volunteer at the in-person party at TVUUC on Saturday, Dec 3 from 4:00 to 6:30 pm.  The Volunteer will show you how to bid or help you enter your bid.    (Note:  On-line assistance from the Auction Committee during the party may be limited as we will be at the party!)

After the Auction

After the auction closes at 9:00 pm on December 3, you can see which of your bids have been accepted. After you have logged into the Auction website with your phone number and PIN, on any page in the auction website, click on My Statement at the top of the page. This will list all items you have won and will be charged for.   You can then pay for your purchases in one of the following ways:

• Go to the TVUUC website and find the Give Menu.   Click on Give Today.  Enter the amount you owe.  On the Fund line, choose the Auction.   Under Memo write your Bidder Number.  Continue for further payment instructions.
• Write a check to TVUUC for the amount owed. On the memo line, write “Auction Bidder # [Your Bidder Number].  Check can be mailed or brought to TVUUC.

If you have bought a physical item (other than Food), you can either:

• Pick up the item at TVUUC at one of the following times:

Tuesday, December 6 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm

Tuesday, December 13 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm

IMPORTANT: Check with the donor before coming, to find out if she/he will be taking the item to the church.

OR

• Make arrangements directly with the Donor of the item to pick up the item or have it delivered to you.

NOTE: We are asking Donors of Food items in the Goodies to Eat Category NOT to bring them to the church to be picked up unless you have made specific arrangements to meet them there, as we do not want food items sitting in the church for several days.

To find out who donated your item:

1. Log into the Auction website.
2. Go to the My Statement Screen
3. Scroll down to Items Purchased. The Donor’s name will be listed with a phone number. Click on Donor’s name to send an e-mail.

If you need help finding the names of the donor, contact the Auction Committee.

Unsold Auction Items

If an item is not sold during the auction, or if there are any unsold places left in an event, you can still bid on it! Starting at 3:00 pm on Sunday, December 4, any unsold items will be available on the auction site at fixed price. You will be able to purchase them instantly by bidding the minimum price. Your bid will be accepted and no one else can outbid you. Late bids can be entered until Sunday, December 11 at 9:00 pm.