2.      All items in the Silent Auction have bid sheets attached or affixed nearby. Bidders will record their bid number and the amount of the bid on the pre-calculated bid sheets.

3.      First bids must equal or exceed the minimum bid recorded on the bid sheets using even dollar amounts.

4.      Each bid increase must equal or exceed the minimum increase figure stated on the bid sheet in order to constitute a valid bid. Silent Auction bids will be disqualified if an increase is insufficient.

5.      A guaranteed bid amount is printed on the bid sheet. If you wish to close the bidding on an item by paying the guaranteed bid amount, simply write your number in the guaranteed purchase box on the bottom right of the bid sheet. You have paid a premium to purchase the item. This will end the bidding on that item and you will immediately become the winning bidder.

6.      Items in the Silent Auction may be bid on until that section is closed. Closing times are listed in the catalog and posted at each section. In the event of a dispute on the winning bid on a particular item, an auction official shall determine which bid should be considered as the winning bid.

7.      The Live Auction will commence at 8:30 p.m. and will continue until all items have been sold.

8.      During the Live Auction, when you wish to bid on an item, raise your bid number above your head at the appropriate time. Only the auctioneer closes bidding. Winning bidders will furnish the “spotters” with their bid number and name.

9.      In the event of a dispute, the auctioneer’s decision is final.

General Rules

1.      Table and bid numbers will be assigned at check-in. Your bid number will identify you as the winning bidder in either the Silent or Live Auction.

2.      Checkout is located in Classroom 210. Cashier will tabulate successful bids in both the Silent and Live Auction throughout the evening. Successful bidders should wait 30 minutes after each section closes before paying for and picking up their merchandise. This allows time for the processing of all bids in each section. Checkout should be done only when you have completed all your purchases. Payment in full is required at the time of checkout. For items purchased by a consortium of bidders, please designate one person to settle in full with the cashier.

3.      Merchandise will be released only upon presentation of a receipt furnished by the cashiers marked paid. All sales are final and there can be no exchanges or refunds for items sold.

4.      All items must be paid and picked up the night of the Auction unless other arrangements have been made with the Auction chairs – Angela and James Dykstal – or the items will be forfeited.

5.      Values assigned to the auction items are “good faith” estimates of the donors and are not warranted by the St. Thomas More Auction for tax or other purposes.

6.      Unless otherwise specified, all auction items and services must be used within one year after December 8, 2007. All arrangements with the donor are to be made by the buyer.

7.      Written substantiation from the tax exempt organization is required for all deductions of $250.00 or more claimed by an individual. Separate payments generally will be treated as separate contributions and will not be aggregated for the purposes of applying the $250.00 threshold. Regulations do not impose an information reporting requirement upon the charity. It is the responsibility of the taxpayer. The deductible amount is the price paid over the designated value of an item.