Here you will find answers to frequently
asked questions. For specific instructions on how to prepare
your auction materials, such as your item photographs, please
visit "How do I?"
Before the Auction | During
the Auction | After the Auction
Before the Auction
What is the Auctions a la Carte Web Service?
(back to top)
Auctions a la Carte Web Service is a web-based service that
allows licensed users to hold "virtual auction events"
on the internet, just like eBay, but better. Our auction service
is designed to act as a seamless extension to your company's
existing web site.
Simply put, we bring any auction -- the entire auction or
part of it -- to the internet and put it under your direct
online management.
If you already hold a fundraising auction, you will discover
numerous advantages to moving it online.
How
much does it cost?
(back to top)
Our auction system is rented on a monthly fee or a varying pecentage
basis, with especially friendly terms for non-profit fundraisers or organizations new to web auctions.
Please refer to our pricing information
for details.
How many items can I post and for how long?
(back to top)
The capacity of the online auction system is unlimited, and
your auction may remain open as long as you choose.
Although you may post as many auction items as desired, keep
in mind that since your staff will be posting the items to
your web auction, the only restriction may be the time required
for data entry.
Where is our online auction hosted and do you provide uptime
guarantees?
(back to top)
Your auction is hosted on a secure Windows 2000 server connected
to an OC-3 fiber-optic line in Chicago, IL: 99% uptime guaranteed.
What graphics and colors am I able to customize for my auction?
(back to top)
Since the basis of our service is to provide a web auction
that looks and acts as an extension of your own web site,
your auction graphics and color scheme are usually based
on your existing web site, or related marketing materials
and company branding.
You may therefore choose your own graphics and color scheme,
including text, header area, forms, backgrounds and photographs;
you may even surround your auction with ad banners.
When
can I open and close my auction?
(back to top)
Your
auction may open and close during normal business hours, Monday through Friday.
What
are rules for my auction?
(back to top)
Please
read the basic rules already provided in the "How to Bid" section of
your auction. With a little editing, they may apply to and be sufficient for your
organization. We nevertheless recommend consulting your attorney.
Who
do I contact for help?
(back to top)
support@auctionsalacarte.com
520.647.0315
Can
I install ads and banners hard-coded or dynamically served?
(back
to top)
Yes. You can do both in the screen sizes of your choice.
See example screen shot below, where ads surround auction
content:
Can
I change the Auctions a la Carte Online Auction System itself?
(back
to top)
If you have a request to change our Auctions a la Carte Online
Auction System, please let us know and we may incorporate it permanently into
the system. Ultimately, it's your auction!
Before the Auction | During
the Auction | After the Auction
During the Auction
How do bidders enter the auction?
(back to top)
Previous bidders sign-in using an email address and password. New bidders will be required to fill out a profile, including credit card information, before becoming a registered bidder.
If a bidder forgets her password, a reminder will be emailed
to her registered email address.
Is
my auction safe?
(back to top)
Yes. Your
auction is equipped with both 128-bit SSL encryption, and with password-protected
user-authentication.
How
do I accept credit cards and other forms ofpayment?
(back to top)
You may choose your own collection methods.
By default, our auction service requires bidders to enter
a valid credit card number -- in addition to basic information
such as name, address and email address -- to reserve their
bids. This credit card is not charged, but serves only as
a way to make sure the bidders are seriously interested in
winning.
When the auction closes, for instance, you may choose to offer
the winners the option of using their currently captured credit
card information, or using another form of payment.
What are 'live' items?
(back to top)
"Live" items signify a special auction category, usually items not winnable during
the online auction, rather only winnable during your offline
"live" auction event.
Designating "live" items appeals to organizations
that would like to gain exposure and accept opening bids for
certain "live" items, and later conclude the bidding
process during a selected auction event, often with the assistance
of a professsional auctioneer.
You may choose to disable this feature if it does not apply.
Should we have a privacy policy posted on our auction?
(back to top)
Yes. Privacy of information on
the web is a sensitive topic and should be publicly addressed by your organization
and made available online to your auction customers.
We recommend consulting
your attorney.
How do I download my online reports to Excel or other database programs?
(back to top) Downloading and managing or archiving
your auction data is fast and easy.
It is as simple as choosing "File
> Save As" from your browser's menu. When prompted, select save as "HTML
source," enter a new file name, and save it to a place where you can quickly
access it.
You may now open and view your stored file in a web browser
simply by double-clicking on it, or import it into a program
such as Excel. To import it into Excel, choose "File
> Open" and select the file you saved in the steps above;
the file will open preformatted and ready for your data management
and archiving.
Before the Auction | During
the Auction | After the Auction
After the Auction
How do I notify the winning bidders?
(back to top)
The most convenient and effective method to notify bidders
is via their submitted email addresses.
Please go to the "Tools" menu of and select "Winner
Email" to easily create a message to the winning bidders,
and then automatically batch-email them.
How do I collect the winning bids?
(back to top)
You may choose your own collection methods.
By default, our auction service requires bidders to enter a
valid credit card number -- in addition to basic information
such as name, address and email address -- to reserve their
bids. This credit card is not charged, but serves only as a
way to make sure the bidders are seriously interested in winning.
When the auction closes, for instance, you may choose to offer
the winners the option of using their currently captured credit
card information, or using another form of payment.
Before the Auction | During
the Auction | After the Auction
| 
