How the Silent Auction Works

1. Each item will be placed on the auction table with a bidding sheet. On the top of the sheet will be a short description of that item and the starting bid price.
2. To bid on any item, write your name, contact number and bid amount on the bid sheet for that item, noting the starting opening bid and making a higher bid. Please bid in whole dollars only.
3. Your bid must be higher than the bid in the line above where you enter your bid. If someone outbids you, and you still want to bid on the item, enter a higher bid on the next line.
4. Bidding continues until 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, when an announcement will be made that bidding has closed. The highest bidder at that time is declared the winner, and their name will be circled on the bid slip.
5. It is not necessary to be present to win. However, it’s a good idea to check back periodically to see where you are in the bidding.
6. The winners may pick up the winning ticket from the auction coordinator or auction volunteers at the table any time after the auction closes at 12:30 p.m. They will be directed where to pay. Payment may be made by cash or credit card only. Once their ticket is stamped “paid,” the winner will bring the ticket back to the table to pick up their item.
7. Winners should pay for/pick up their items from 12:30 p.m. through 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Items not claimed by 10:00 a.m. on Thursday will be sold outright to another participant or donated to charity. The A.R.E., including staff, volunteers, and attendees, are not responsible for lost or missing items after the auction ends.
8. Please note: The A.R.E. is not responsible for incorrect or missing bids, or lost or missing items. Any dispute between bidding parties must be settled by the bidding parties themselves. A.R.E. will not resolve issues among bidders.

Rules for the A.R.E. Congress Silent Auction

1. The Auction is open to registered Congress attendees, A.R.E. staff, AU and C/R students, and volunteers only.
2. Donations will be accepted by the auction coordinator, Karen Bolognese, from Wednesday, May 1 through Friday, May 31st.
3. Silent Auction bidding will begin Monday morning, June 10th. The Silent Auction closes at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12th, before the start of the afternoon sessions.
4. A.R.E. reserves the option to remove an item from the silent auction at any time. Some items donated may not be placed in the auction due to space, condition, wear, or other factors.

By participating in this auction, you acknowledge that you understand these rules and agree to comply with them.

Thank You for Your Donation and Your Support of Our Annual Members Congress