Using Silent Auctions

Using Silent Auctions

Introduction:

The Silent Auctions module allows you to create online auctions with multiple items. Here's how to use it:

Accessing Silent Auctions:

1. Go to the admin menu and click on the Website submenu.

2. Look for the Silent Auctions option in the admin area.

3. You will see a list of ongoing, completed, and upcoming auctions. Use the View links to change the displayed auctions.

4. To edit an existing auction, click on the "Edit" icon in the Actions column.

Global Auction Settings:

1. In the Configuration section, click on Silent Auctions.

2. Here, you can set your timezone, determine the plan for non-member bidders, and customize the bid confirmation email.

Creating an Auction:

1. To create a new auction, click the "Add New Auction" button.

2. Give your auction a name and provide custom verbiage. These will appear on the auction landing page.

3. Set the start and end date/time for the auction. You can adjust these while the auction is live.

4. Optionally, you can restrict bids and visibility to members only by selecting the "Members-Only?" checkbox.

5. Enter an email address in the "Auction Notification Field" to receive a summary email after the auction concludes.

Adding Items to the Auction:

1. Click on the gavel icon in the Actions column to manage the auction's items.

2. Items are listed in the order they appear on the auction landing page. You can drag-and-drop to rearrange them.

3. To add a new item, click the "Add New Item" button. To edit an existing item, click on the "Edit" pencil icon.

Item Details:

1. Each item has a name, photo, and description.

2. Up to 600 characters of the description will be displayed on the auction landing page.

3. Bidders can click on the item to view the full description.

4. Set the starting bid amount and the bid increment for the item.

Viewing and Sharing the Auction:

1. Use the "View Auction" magnifying glass icon in the admin area to view the ongoing auctions.

2. Visitors can participate in the auction through this page.

3. If the auction is marked as "members-only," visitors will be prompted to log in.

Auction Results:

1. After the auction ends, you will receive an email with the winning bids and bidder details.

2. Click on the link in the email to access the Results page for your auction.

3. Alternatively, go to the auction admin area and click the "View Results" icon in the Actions column.

Notifying Winners and Collecting Payment:

1. On the Results screen, click on the "$" symbol in the Actions column to generate a non-dues invoice for the winning bidder.

2. You can also send an email requesting payment to the winner by clicking the envelope icon.

3. To view the billing record of a winner, click on their name.

User Experience:

1. Bidders can access your auction using its unique URL.

2. If the auction hasn't started or has already ended, visitors will see a message instead of the auction details.

3. Active auctions display the auction's verbiage and the list of items.

4. Visitors can click on the "More Info/Place Bid" button for each item to view the full description and place a bid.

5. An anonymous list of previous bids is included on the item landing pages.

6. Bidders need to check their email and click the confirmation link to validate their bid.

Currency and Date Settings:

The currency symbol and date formatting in your auctions will reflect the settings you choose in the General Configuration section for Default Date Format, Default Time Format, and

 Currency.