Silent Auction Information
It is important to understand that United Way of Southwest Minnesota is not a professional auction company and this site is meant strictly for the amusement of its participants and to generate financial support for UWSWMN’s cause. Although UWSWMN is using software, provided by CausePilot, to build and manage this auction, UWSWMN is solely responsible for all auction content, as well as, features, options, and management.
How Bidding Works
- Incremental Bidding: When bidding on an item, you must first meet the minimum bid requirement. All subsequent bids must be greater than or equal to the current winning bid + the bid increment.
- Maximum Bidding: Users can place a “maximum bid", that is not disclosed to other participants or to auction administrators. Entering a maximum bid authorizes the system to bid on your behalf, up to that amount. By entering a maximum bid, you will maintain the winning bid for as long as another bidder does not enter a bid greater than your maximum bid amount. The maximum bidder will win each bid entered until they are outbid. In the case that someone bids an amount greater than your maximum bid, they will then be the high bidder. In the event another user places a bid at exactly the same amount as your maximum bid, you will have the high bid at that exact amount.
Incremental Bid Example:
Minimum bid is $5 with an incremental bid amount of $3.
First bid must be $5, then next bid at least $8
If $100 is entered into the bid field, the user will have a bid of $100.
Maximum Bid Example:
Minimum bid is $5 with an incremental bid amount of $3.
User #1: Bids $5
User #2: Bids $100. User #2 now has the high bid at $100.
User #1: Is outbid by User #2. They choose to enter a maximum bid of $200. Their next bid is automatically $103 (the next incremental bid).
User #2: Is outbid by User #1 at $103.
User #2: Bids $110. User #2 is immediately outbid by User #1's max bid.
User #1: Has the high bid at $110.
User #2: Sets a max bid of $200. They are outbid immediately by User #1.
User #1: Has the high bid at $200.
User #2: Bids $205. User #2 now has the high bid and User #1 is outbid.
In the bidding activity on the item's catalog page, when a max bid is placed, each bid against the max bid will appear as the same amount. In the scenario above, User #1 and User #2 would show that they both placed a bid of $110; however, User #1 with the max bid will be the high bidder.
NOTIFICATIONS
As a maximum bidder you will not receive a notification until you are outbid or win. If you are outbid, you will receive a text notification so you can bid again or place a higher maximum bid.
When a bidder places a bid against a maximum bid that is less than or equal to the maximum bid, they are outbid IMMEDIATELY, and are notified online IMMEDIATELY. You will only get an outbid text message if you first have the high bid and then get outbid.
