AUCTION RULES & INFORMATION

Registered guests will receive a bid number. Your bid number will appear on your name tag, catalog label, and bid paddle, and must be used for identification in both the Silent and Live Auctions.

Online Auction

Visit our online bidding site MPAEF Online Auction.  Online guidelines are located at the tab marked bidding rules or see bidding rules. Items purchased online will be available for pick up at the District office on the designated days.  Items not picked up within 30 days are subject to resale.

Silent Auction at the Event:

All items will have an individual clipboard with a bid sheet attached. The bidder must write his/her name, bid number, and bid amount on the uppermost line available. Bids without bid numbers or with unmatched names and numbers are invalid. The bidder’s name on the bid sheet constitutes a binding offer to buy the item. All bids must start with at least the minimum amount indicated on the sheet and must increase by at least the minimum increment stated. The Silent Auction will close by category starting at 7:00  - Getaways, 7:10  - Sports closes and 7:20  - Parties closes.  At the closing time designated for each category, bidding will stop on all items in that category and an Auction official will mark the winning bid on each bid sheet and collect the item clipboards. Winners will be informed at check-out once the Live Auction closes.

For the Parties category only, bidders may put together a bidding group or syndicate to bid on an item together and share the cost of that item. The cost of the item won will be divided equally among the members of the bidding group.  When bidding in syndicates, please designate a managing partner for your bidding group.  That person will use only his/her number in bidding and will check the “syndicate” box to the right of the name on the bid sheet.  Behind the bid sheet will be a place for the managing partner to fill in all of the names and bid numbers of the syndicate.  This sheet needs to be filled out just once per item, regardless of how many times you bid on the particular item.

Live Auction:

The Live Auction will take place at 8 pm. To bid on an item, a guest must raise his/her bid paddle. The highest bidder acknowledged by the Auctioneer will be the winner. This acknowledgement constitutes a binding contract to buy. Bidders may put together a bidding group or syndicate to bid on a Live Auction item together and share the cost of that item. When bidding in syndicates, please designate a managing partner for your bidding group. That person will use only his/her number in bidding. There will be a form  available prior to the Live Auction that asks for the names and bid numbers of those in your group. This form needs to be filled out prior to the start of the bidding so that if you are declared the winner you can immediately hand this form to an Auction official. The cost of the item won will be divided equally among the members of a bidding group.

Payment and Pick Up of Winnings:

Auction day purchases may be paid for by credit card (Visa & MasterCard) or check at the end of the Auction.  To expedite check-out and serve a guarantee, guests must pre-register their credit cards at check-in. Your card will be charged only for the items won. Please expect to take your winnings or certificates home the evening of the Auction or on the designated pick up days at the District Office.  Items not picked up within 30 days are subject to resale.

General Information:

All items are sold “as is” and all sales are final. Please read descriptions of items carefully for information, special conditions, and limitations. Descriptions on item bid sheets may contain important updates not included in this catalog. There will be no exchanges or refunds. Gift certificates are not redeemable for cash. Auction purchases are tax deductible only to the extent that the amount paid exceeds the fair market value of the item(s). Estimated fair market values are stated on the receipt vouchers. Unless otherwise specified, all Auction items and services must be used by May 17, 2009. Buyers of services, vacations, dinners, etc., are responsible for contacting the donor to make arrangements.

In consideration of our generous donors, please observe the specified limit as to the maximum number of participants for an offer, and do not request duplication of an item from a donor. MPCSD Teachers and Staff are not permitted to duplicate their offers unless prior arrangements are made with the Auction Chair.

Successful bidders for Auction items are advised that activities, services, and products are not sponsored by the Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation. The MPAEF cannot guarantee your purchases and accepts no liability or responsibility for any activities, services, or products purchased at the Auction, including but not limited to failure of delivery, failure of performances, and/or claims for personal injury.