How the Auction Works - Rules and Regs

Registration

Upon entry, each guest will be given a bid card with a unique bid number. Keep your number with you at all times; your bid number is necessary for both th silent and live auctions. Bids are not valid without the correct bidder number. By bidding in the live or silent auctions, each bidder agrees to these auction rules.

Express Checkout

To avoid lengthy checkout lines at the close of the evening, sign up for Express Checkout at registration. Here's what you do:

* The registration personnel will take one imprint of your VISA or MasterCard and you will sign it. Or, you may provide a signed, blank check made out to “Gatewood PTA.”

* During the live auction, runners will bring you copies of any bid sheets on which you have been the successful bidder for both the silent and live auctions.

* You may then pick up your items when you leave the Auction, using your bid sheet as proof of purchase.

* Within the next week, you will be mailed a copy of your completed credit card slip. If you make no purchases, your original voided check or credit card form will be returned to you by mail.

* If you choose not to use Express Checkout, you MUST check out and pay for your items prior to collecting them.

Silent Auction

Items offered in the silent auction will have bid forms on the table nearby with their catalog number on the bid form. You may bid by writing your BID NUMBER and your BIDDING AMOUNT on the form. If the minimum bid is not observed, the bid is void.

There may be a “buy it now” price on a silent auction item. In this case, the item may be purchased for the “buy it now” price by placing your bid number in the box provided. If you choose to put your bid number beside the “buy it now” price, you own the item and bidding for that item ends.

You may bid on any item in the silent auction until the section is closed at the time posted. A silent official will circle the top bid number and amount, which will constitute the final bid. You can see if you are the successful purchaser by looking at a copy (pink) of the silent bid form, which is left in its place after the section is closed. Certificates and receipts will be delivered to purchaser upon payment, if purchaser has Express Checkout, or made available for pick up. Auction officials will assist you in removing items from the display tables. The bid acknowledged by the official is legal contract to purchase that item.


Live Auction

You may preview the live auction items throughout the evening until the live auction begins. Please not any restrictions, limitations, sizes, etc.

When bidding, hold your bid card toward the Auctioneer. The highest bidder acknowledged by the Auctioneer shall be the purchaser. The Auctioneer's decision is FINAL. A bid acknowledged by the Auctioneer is a legal contract to purchase the item. The Auctioneer reserves the right to reject any bid which is a minimal fractional advance over the prior bid.


Payment

All sales are final and there are no exchanges or refunds. We will gladly accept your payment by currency, check, VISA or MasterCard. Payment in full is mandatory at the auction. Checks should be made payable to “Gatewood PTA.” Winning bidders can pay for their purchases with the cashier at the close of the live auction or sign up for Express Checkout at registration. All Auction items will be awarded to one purchaser only. The top bid for an auction item will not be split among bidders who may have agreed to pay a portion of the top bid amount. A purchaser who wishes to split the payment for an auction item must collect the individual payments from the other bidder(s).


Limitations

All items and services must be claimed and used within one year of the auction date unless otherwise noted. Reservations for trips, accommodations and tickets must be mutually agreed upon with the donor unless otherwise noted. Tickets in travel packages are for coach class unless otherwise noted. No refunds will be allowed on travel packages for canceled tickets and/or accommodations. Restaurant items DO NOT include liquor, gratuity or Washington State Sales Tax unless otherwise noted. Other restrictions may be noted on individual gift certificates. Gatewood PTA reserves the right to withdraw any items from the auction prior to bid.


Removal

The purchaser assumes the responsibility to locate and remove purchases from the auction premises. Purchasers must show paid receipt to receive the certificate or item. All items not removed from the auction premises this evening may be claimed during the week following the auction at Gatewood Elementary by appointment. Please contact Nicole Sipila at Gatewood Elementary to arrange a mutual pickup time.


Warrantees

Gatewood PTA has attempted to catalog and describe the property correctly, but all items are sold “as is.” Gatewood PTA neither warrants nor represents, and shall in no event be responsible for the correctness of description, genuineness, authorship, provenance or condition of the property. No statement contained in the catalog or made verbally at the auction or elsewhere shall be deemed to be such a warranty, representation or assumption or liability for tax purposes or fair market value. Items have not been appraised unless otherwise noted. Fair market value is an estimate of the retail value. Generally, we depend on the donor to give us a reasonable estimate of the item's retail value. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. Each person issued a bid number assumes all risks and hazards related to the auction.

Each bidder agrees to hold harmless from any liability arising therefrom the Gatewood PTA, its elected and appointed officials, members, employees and auctioneer(s), the event organizers, sponsors and/or volunteers connected with the auction.


Tax Information

In 1989, the IRS granted Gatewood PTA charitable organization status, under 501(c)3. Any deductibility of monies spent are governed by IRS regulations. Please consult your tax advisor for any further information.