How-To Guide for the Online Silent Auction

The silent auction during the Cocktail Party on Saturday, March 4 will be conducted online again this year. Follow this guide to learn how to purchase tickets, set up your online account, navigate the online auction, bid on and purchase auction items, donate and more.

How to Register Online:

  • Click the Register Button in the upper right corner and you will be directed to the Registration Page. You do not have to purchase a ticket to participate in the online auction.
  • You will be prompted to enter a credit card for use in the event. While you can skip this step, you will be required to add a credit card in order to purchase, donate or place a bid.
  • If you purchase tickets for an event, you will be prompted to register after you complete your purchase. You will create an account with your phone number and a chosen password. In this case, you have already entered your credit card information and will not need to re-enter it.

How to Log In:

  • To sign back into your account click the Login Button on the upper right corner. Enter your registered phone number and chosen password.
  • If you have forgotten your password, click the Forgot Password Link on the Login page. You will be sent a text message that will direct you to a page to reset your password and allow you back into the event.
  • You will know you are logged in if the Profile Icon is in the right corner.

Navigating the Auction:

Click on the Auction Tab and you will be directed to viewing all auction items.

  • Items will automatically be displayed in numerical order based on catalog number.
  • As items are sold, they will drop to the bottom of the list.
  • Items individually marked with a “Preview Only” flag are items that are not open for bid until a later date.
  • There are a few ways to filter and sort the items for your viewing ease.
    • Items Button: This shows all items available in the auction. If you navigate away from all items simply click the Items Button and you will return to the all items view.
    • My Bids: This shows all items you have placed a bid on. When the event closes, this will change to My Items and will display all items clearly labeled with ‘You Won’ or ‘You Lost.’
    • My Favorites: Keeping track of your favorite items is easy! When you find an item you like, simply click the heart in the right corner of the image. You can do this both on the browsing page and in the item details page. To find your favorite items, simply click on the My Favorites Button on the top of the Auction Page.
    • Category List: You can use this feature to sort items by the items characteristics, eg. Entertainment, Food, sports, etc. To use this click, on Category and choose the category you would like to view from the drop down menu. If you would like to go back to viewing all items, simply click the Items Button at the top of the page or click the “X” next to the category you have chosen to remove that sort.
    • Filter Funnel: You can use this feature to sort items by their auction type. To use this, click on Filter and choose the auction type you would like to view from the drop down menu. From here you can also choose to see only items with no bids. If you would like to go back to viewing all items, simply click the Items Button at the top of the page or click the “X” next to the auction type you have chosen to remove that sort.

How to Bid:

Once you find the item or items you want to bid on, click on the item to open the Item Details page. On this page, you will see all the item details including images, videos, description, donor name, fair market value, restrictions and bid history. Before the auction is live, be sure you have a credit card on file so you are ready to place bids.

There are three ways to place bids:

  1. Bid Now: Clicking on Bid Now will instantly place the amount displayed. If you wish to increase your bid, simply click Bid Now Button again. You will be prompted with a notification to accept that you recognize you are the leading bidder, but would like to raise your bid. Click Raise My Bid to confirm. Note: you will be notified by text if you are outbid, with a link to quickly place a new bid.
  2. Auto Bid: Auto bidding allows you to place a maximum bid, and the system will bid on your behalf as you are outbid up until your pre-set maximum. If a duplicate matching auto bid maximum is set, the first bid placed will hold precedence. An auto bid will always take precedence over a regular bid.
    • To place an autobid: Select your max bid from the drop down. Click START to activate.
    • If you decide you would like to turn off a previously set autobid, simply return to that item’s page and click on STOP. Note: you will not be able to place regular bids using the Bid Now Button while you have an active autobid. You will, however, be able to use the Buy Now Button, if desired.
  3. Buy Now: This means you are placing a guaranteed bid and taking the item off the market.  You will have purchased/won the item if you select this option.  Not all items will have the option to Buy Now.

How to Donate:

  • On the donation page, select one of the suggested donation amounts or enter a custom amount.
  • You will then choose how you would like to be recognized in the donation history, eg. as yourself, anonymous, or with a custom entry.
  • Once completed, click Submit.

How to Purchase Items:

The Buy Now Tab is where you can view any items that are available for a set purchase price. Many items in this section may have a restricted quantity available. Before the auction, some items may be available for purchase and they will be flagged as “Items Available Now.” Once the Auction opens, these items will be available unless they are marked as “Preview Only.” If you see items as preview only, check the event homepage for instructions on when they may be available.

  • Select a quantity from the dropdown and click Buy Now.
  • You will receive a pop-up confirming that the item was added to your statement.
  • At this point, you can choose to view your statement and pay your balance or return to the items page.

How to Access Your Personal Profile:

  • To access your profile, click on the user icon in the top right hand corner of the page. The drop down menu options are My Information, My Statement, Payment Methods, Change Password, and Log Out.
  • My Information:
    • Displays your personal information used at registration including name, email, and phone number.
      • If you entered any of our information incorrectly at registration, please contact the Huntsville Museum of Art directly to submit changes.
    • Displays your bid number.
  • Guest Details
    • Displays the event tickets associated with your account.
    • Displays any guests you may have associated with your account.
    • Displays any table assignments that have been set up for your account.
    • Displays any entrée selections you made at the time you purchased your tickets.
  • My Statement:
    • Displays your financial contributions from the event. This is split up based on items won, donations, and items purchased. Any necessary fees or taxes will be included in this statement.
    • From here, you will be able to process a payment towards your balance due. You can make full or partial payments and use multiple payment methods. To add additional credit cards, visit the Payment Methods section.
    • To pay your bill, click on Process Payment. Select the payment method you would like to use. Select whether you would like to pay the full amount of make a partial payment. If partial is selected, you will need to update the amount you would like to pay. Once complete, click Pay Now.
  • Payment Methods:
    • This section will display your default card on file for the event and any other cards you may add. If you do not manually submit a payment, the organization will charge your default card when ready to close out the event. Online auctions will autocharge all outstanding balances due 12 hours after the close of the auction. It is also possible your card may be charged directly by the non-profit as your balance accumulates over the duration of the time the event is open.
    • To add a new card, click on the Add New Card button and then fill out the Credit Card Information page.
    • A green check mark will indicate your default card. If you wish to change the default card, click on the check mark for an alternate card.
    • To delete a card, click on the Delete Card button and the card will instantly be removed. If you only have one card on file, you will be required to add a new one before you can delete it. You will not be allowed to remove all cards. You must have a card on file to make bids, donate, or purchase items.
  • Change Password:
    • First enter your current password.
    • Next, enter your desired new password.
    • Confirm the password by entering a second time, and click Save.

Forgot/Reset Password:

  • Click on the Login button in the top right corner of the page.
  • Select Forgot Password.
  • Enter your phone number and click Send.
  • Open the text message that was sent to your mobile device and click on the link to reset your password.

Go back to the Gala main page.