Become a Bidder via the SIRE website and start bidding as early as Tuesday, April 29th. ANYONE CAN BID. The auction closes at 9:30 p.m. on May 3rd.
Registering on the mobile bidding site BEFORE the gala will also speed up your gala check-in. You must register with a credit card, but can change payment methods when you check out (at the gala only) if preferred.
Some items are available only at the gala: the Build a Cellar wine raffle, Horse Hugs, Build a Barn grab bag items, SIRE Necklaces, and the live auction items. You can view live auction items online. If you are interested in bidding on any LIVE auction items but you are not able to attend the gala, please email to arrange for a maximum bid to be placed for you by a proxy bidder in attendance.
At the Gala, use your smartphone and wifi to bid –
select the “SIRE WiFi” network,
enter password “sire2014”
and it will take you to “bforg.com/sire”
Need Help?
Any volunteer in the silent auction area can help you bid. Experts are located at the registration tables and at the Build a Cellar table just outside of the ballroom.
Don’t have a smartphone? We have volunteers with ipods waiting to help you place a bid. They will be in the silent auction area and also in the ballroom.
Be SURE to check your bids as we get close to 9:30 – texts and emails can get delayed!
Auction Close Out
When you are ready to leave the gala, just go to the registration/checkout tables to collect all of your items. If you want to pay by cash or check, you may do so at that time.
Checkout will be ready within 15 minutes of the auction close. Receipts will be mailed the week after the gala.
You do not need to be present to win, however a $25 delivery fee will be added to any items not taken home at the close of the Gala.
Bidding FAQ’s
Q: What is the My Items page?
A: Your “My Items” page acts as your personalized bid tracker, shopping list and shopping cart, all in one. Note: removing an item from your My Items page does not remove bids you may have placed on that item.
Q: How do I turn off bid alert emails/texts?
You can stop receiving bid alert emails/texts at your “My Items” page. Just uncheck the items for which you no longer want to receive alerts.
Q: What is a maximum bid?
A: A maximum bid is the highest price a bidder agrees to bid on an item via a proxy bidding scenario. BiddingForGood’s bidding engine allows you to bid “by proxy,” or at the lowest possible increment needed – up to your specified maximum bid – enabling you to become the leading bidder. Bidders can always choose to increase the amount of their maximum bid on an item.
Q: What is a straight bid?
A: A straight bid is placed when a bidder decides to bid a specified amount, outside the proxy bidding scenario. The objective of placing a straight bid could be to avoid the time-intensive process of a “bidding war,” or simply to make a charitable (and oftentimes generous!) donation towards a good cause in return for a highly desired item.
Q: Why is my bid not showing?
A: Be sure that you click the “Confirm Bid” button. Once your bid value is entered, you are asked to confirm your bid. Bids are not placed if they are not confirmed. Someone else may have outbid you before you clicked the Confirm Bid button. In this case, the next minimum bid has changed while you were bidding. You may enter a higher bid.
Q: What is the best way to search or browse for items?
A: Simply browse through categories you’re interested in to find items to bid on.
In addition to using the browse features, you can enter specific search terms using the search box found at the top of every page.
Need Help?
Any volunteer in the silent auction area can help you bid. Experts are located at the registration tables and at the Build a Cellar table just outside of the ballroom.