How EasyRegistry Silent Auctions Work

What is an EasyRegistry auction?

An EasyRegistry auction is an online auction page where you can list items, invite bidders, receive bids and collect payment from winning bidders.

It can be used for events such as:

• gala nights
• school fundraisers
• club events
• charity events
• community fundraisers
• private events
• business or sponsor-supported events

Is EasyRegistry the auctioneer?

No. EasyRegistry provides the software platform.

The organiser is responsible for creating and running the auction. The organiser is also responsible for the auction items, auction rules, item descriptions, bidder communications, payments, fulfilment, refunds, disputes and legal compliance.

Who is the organiser?

The organiser is the person, business, school, club, charity, not-for-profit, committee or other organisation that creates and manages the auction.

If you create an auction on behalf of someone else, you must be authorised to do so.

Do I need my own Stripe account?

Yes. To accept online payments for auction items, you must connect your own Stripe account.

Payments from winning bidders are processed for you through your connected Stripe account.

Why does each organiser need their own Stripe account?

This keeps payments connected to the organiser running the auction.

The organiser is responsible for receiving auction payments, handling refunds, responding to payment disputes or chargebacks, and distributing proceeds to any intended recipient, charity, school, club or cause.

Does EasyRegistry hold the auction money?

No. EasyRegistry does not hold auction proceeds.

Payments are processed by Stripe for the organiser through the organiser's connected Stripe account.

Does EasyRegistry charge a fee?

EasyRegistry may charge platform, service or feature fees for use of auction functionality.

Stripe or other payment providers may also charge payment processing fees. Any applicable fees should be displayed or described before you publish your auction or process payments.

How do I create an auction?

The usual process is:

1. Create an auction page.
2. Add the auction name, currency, timezone and start/end times.
3. Add auction details, such as the event description, organiser details and recipient or cause.
4. Connect your Stripe account if online payments are enabled.
5. Add auction items.
6. Review and publish the auction.
7. Share the auction link with bidders.

What details do I need for an auction page?

You will usually need:

• auction name
• currency
• timezone
• auction start time
• auction end time
• organiser name
• event or fundraiser description
• contact details
• recipient or cause details, if applicable
• payment setup
• auction items

What can I list as an auction item?

You can list auction items such as:

• donated goods
• gift vouchers
• services
• experiences
• hampers
• event packages
• sponsor items
• business-donated items
• private donated items

You must only list items you are authorised to offer and that are lawful and permitted by EasyRegistry.

What items are not allowed?

You must not list prohibited, unlawful or restricted items.

This may include:

• illegal goods
• weapons
• firearms
• knives or other restricted weapons
• prescription medicines
• recreational drugs
• counterfeit goods
• stolen goods
• adult or sexually explicit items
• financial products
• personal information lists
• recalled products
• tickets above face value where prohibited
• alcohol unless permitted by law and by EasyRegistry
• any item you are not authorised to sell, transfer or offer

EasyRegistry may remove or suspend any auction or item that it believes is inappropriate, unlawful, risky, misleading or contrary to its terms.

What information should I include for each item?

For each auction item, include clear and accurate information, such as:

• item title
• description
• photos
• estimated value, if relevant
• starting bid
• bid increment
• reserve price, if used
• buy-now price, if used
• donor or sponsor name, if relevant
• expiry date
• age restrictions
• booking restrictions
• blackout dates
• delivery or collection requirements
• transferability restrictions
• any other important terms

Can I add donated items?

Yes. You can add donated items, but you are responsible for ensuring the donor has authorised the item to be listed.

You should also make sure the item description, restrictions, expiry dates and fulfilment details are accurate.

Can I set start and end times?

Yes. Auctions can have default start and end times.

Items may also support item-specific start and end times, depending on the available feature set.

Can I set a starting bid?

Yes. Each item should have a starting bid.

You may also be able to set a bid increment, reserve price or buy-now price.

What is a bid increment?

A bid increment is the minimum amount by which a new bid must exceed the current bid.

For example, if the current bid is $100 and the bid increment is $10, the next bid must usually be at least $110.

What is a buy-now price?

A buy-now price allows a bidder to purchase an item immediately at a fixed price, if that option is enabled.

If a bidder uses the buy-now option, the item may close immediately or be treated as sold, depending on the auction settings.

Can I change an item after bidding starts?

Some item details may be locked once bidding starts.

You should avoid making material changes after bidding begins. Material changes may include changes to:

• item title
• item description
• item inclusions
• item restrictions
• starting price
• reserve price
• buy-now price
• bid increment
• expiry date
• delivery or collection terms

If a material change is necessary, you may need to cancel existing bids, notify bidders, withdraw the item or create a new item.

What happens when the auction ends?

When an auction item ends, the highest bidder is generally treated as the winner, subject to the auction rules and applicable law.

The winner should be notified and asked to complete payment.

How are winners notified?

Winners may receive an email or on-screen notification depending on the available EasyRegistry features and the contact details provided.

Organisers may also be able to view winners in the auction results area.

How do winners pay?

Winners are usually asked to pay online using the payment methods enabled for the auction.

If Stripe is enabled, payment is processed for the organiser through the organiser's connected Stripe account.

Who receives the payment?

The organiser receives the payment through their connected Stripe account.

EasyRegistry does not hold auction proceeds.

Who handles delivery, collection or redemption?

The organiser is responsible for arranging item delivery, collection, redemption or fulfilment.

For vouchers, experiences and services, the organiser should provide clear redemption instructions and any restrictions.

Can winner-only information be shown after payment?

Yes, auction items may support winner-only information that is shown after successful payment.

This can be useful for:

• collection instructions
• voucher codes
• booking details
• contact details
• redemption instructions
• private delivery information

Who handles refunds?

The organiser is responsible for refunds unless EasyRegistry expressly states otherwise.

Refunds may also be subject to the rules and processes of Stripe or any other payment provider used.

Who handles chargebacks and payment disputes?

The organiser is responsible for chargebacks, payment disputes, failed payments and negative balances associated with payments processed through the organiser's connected Stripe account.

Can I run an auction for a charity, school or club?

Yes, but you are responsible for ensuring you are authorised to run the auction and receive payments.

You are also responsible for complying with any fundraising, charitable collection, gaming, lottery, auction, tax, consumer, privacy or other laws that apply.

Does EasyRegistry check whether a recipient is a charity?

Unless EasyRegistry expressly offers a verification feature, EasyRegistry does not verify whether a recipient is a registered charity, school, club, not-for-profit or deductible gift recipient.

Organisers are responsible for making sure their auction page is accurate and lawful.

Are auction purchases or donations tax deductible?

EasyRegistry does not determine whether an auction purchase, donation or contribution is tax deductible.

Bidders, buyers and donors should ask the organiser, recipient or their own adviser.

Organisers and recipients are responsible for issuing any receipts or tax documentation where applicable.

Can I contact bidders or winners?

You may use bidder, buyer, winner and donor information for purposes connected with the auction, including:

• auction administration
• payment
• collection
• delivery
• redemption
• receipts
• refunds
• disputes
• legal compliance

You must not use bidder, buyer, winner or donor information for unrelated marketing unless you have a separate lawful basis and any required consent.

Can I export auction results?

If export functionality is available, organisers may be able to export auction results for administration, reconciliation, fulfilment and record-keeping.

Exported personal information must be handled securely and only used for legitimate auction-related purposes.