Auction terms

1. What is being auctioned

Every item is donated to the organization by a supporter. We hold no purchased inventory. Each lot page shows a description, photographs, the item’s fair market value as declared by the donor, the current bid, and the closing time.

2. Who can bid

You must have an account, be at least 18 years old, and have a valid payment card saved to your account before placing a bid. To bid on a lot that ships, you must also have a shipping address in the United States saved to your account.

3. Bidding

A bid is a binding commitment to pay that amount if you win. You may enter a maximum bid; the system bids on your behalf up to that maximum in the increments shown. If a bid is placed in the final minutes, the closing time may extend so that every bidder has a fair chance to respond. All times are set by our server, not by your device.

4. Closing and payment

When a lot closes, the highest valid bid wins. We charge the saved card of the winning bidder for the winning bid amount plus the lot’s shipping cost, if any. There is no buyer’s premium.

If the charge fails, we email the winner a link to update the card and pay from their account, and we try the card again once, 24 hours after the first attempt. If payment is not completed within 48 hours of the first attempt, the winning bid is released and the winner no longer has any claim to the lot.

We may then offer the lot to the next highest bidder at that bidder’s own last bid, not at the winning bid, plus shipping. That bidder has 48 hours to accept, and we never charge them unless they accept. If they decline, do not answer in time, or there is no other bid at or above the reserve, the lot is not sold. A lot is offered to a next bidder only once.

5. Delivery

Each lot page states, before you bid, how the lot is delivered.

Lots that ship. Shipping is paid by the winner. The lot page shows the shipping cost, a fixed amount charged together with the winning bid. We ship within the United States only, to the shipping address saved in the winner’s account. We ship 48 hours after payment; until then the winner can correct the address from their account.

Vouchers. Experiences and services are delivered as a voucher sent by email within 7 days of the lot’s closing. Dates are arranged with the donor of the item and agreed by both parties.

6. Refunds and problems

If an item you won is not delivered, arrives damaged, or does not match its description, contact us within 14 days of receiving it and we will refund the full amount paid, shipping included, or, where possible, replace the item. The same applies to a voucher that does not arrive within 7 days of closing or cannot be redeemed as described. Otherwise auction purchases are final.

7. Taxes

Only the portion of your winning bid above the item’s declared fair market value may be tax deductible. Shipping is not tax deductible. Your receipt states the amount paid for the item, its fair market value, the deductible amount, and shipping on a separate line. We do not provide tax advice.

8. Our rights

We may withdraw a lot before it closes, cancel a bid we reasonably believe is mistaken or made in bad faith, or suspend an account that abuses the auction. Where we withdraw a lot after it closes, we refund the winner in full.

9. Contact

Questions about an auction: contact us.