2009 Auction Rules

Overall Auction Rules

1. Winning bidders are expected to pay for their items promptly, at the conclusion of the auction (the Silent Auction ends Saturday afternoon at 1:30 pm; the Live Auction will end Saturday evening at around 8:30 pm). You may pay for items with a major credit card, check, or cash. You may not take possession of the items you purchased until after you pay for them.
2. Auction items will be awarded to the winning bidder who will be responsible for full payment of the item. With the exception of the Dessert Dash, which involves a "private, pooled split" of the cost of your table's dessert, any purchaser who wishes to split the payment for an auction item must collect the contributions from other participants and present the payment in full to the cashier.
3. Unless otherwise noted, all goods, services, or certificates must be claimed and used within one year of the auction date. Restaurant certificates do not include tax, gratuity, or alcohol, and cannot be redeemed for cash.
4. Redemption of services is subject to the purchaser and service provider negotiating a mutual agreeable time and location.
5. Redemption of vacation stays may have additional restrictions based on the donor's standards and practices. For example, communities may only offer no-smoking rooms, may not allow pets, or may have defined quiet hours. There may be other restrictions as well. These items are for a single stay by one or two people, unless otherwise noted. These may also require advance planning based on the schedule of the hosts and the availability space for guests.
6. Coho/US reserves the right to add or withdraw, without notice, items to or from the auction. Reservations for trips and vacation accommodations must be mutually arranged with the donor, unless otherwise noted. No refunds will be allowed on travel packages for canceled tickets and/or accommodations.
7. The Cohousing Association of the United States will attempt to describe and catalog all items correctly. However, in the event of discrepancies, all items are offered on an "as is" and "where is" basis. Coho/US neither warrants nor represents, and in no event shall be responsible for the accuracy of the item descriptions. No statement made in the auction catalog or made orally at the auction or elsewhere shall be deemed a warranty, representation, or assumption of liability. The values listed are estimates only, and are not warranted for tax purposes, fair market value, or otherwise. Items have not been appraised unless specifically noted.
8. Each bidder assumes all risks and hazards related to the auction and items obtained at the auction. Each bidder agrees to hold the Cohousing Association of the United States and its agents and affiliates, appointed officials, members, the auctioneer, event organizers, sponsors and/or volunteers connected with the auction harmless from any liability arising therefrom.
9. All purchases are final and there will be no exchanges or refunds on items unless otherwise noted.
10. All bids must be in whole dollars.

Live Auction Rules

1. The bidding order of items is subject to change.
2. To bid in the Live Auction, raise your bid card (provided at the auction check-in) above your head, with the number oriented toward the auctioneer. A bid acknowledgment by the Auctioneer is a legal contract to purchase the item.
3. Winners are expected to pay for their items promptly at the end of the Live Auction, at the cashier tables provided in the same room where the auction takes place.
4. The purchaser assumes responsibility for locating and removing purchases from the auction premises. Please see volunteers if you need assistance claiming physical items, or need help locating certificates for goods or services to be redeemed later.
5. Unless otherwise noted, all goods, services, or certificates must be claimed and used within one year of the auction date. Restaurant certificates do not include tax, gratuity, or alcohol and cannot be redeemed for cash.

Silent Auction Rules

1. Items will be displayed on tables located in the vicinity of the Conference Bookstore.
2. To make a bid, simply place your name and the amount of your bid on the highest available open line. Your bid must be higher than the previous bid. The winner will be the person who bids last.
3. NOTE: Some silent auction items may be purchased on the spot for a set price. If that option is available, it will be indicated clearly at the bottom of the bidding page by the wording PURCHASE NOW FOR $___ with an amount filled in. If you wish to exercise this option, take the item and its corresponding bidding sheet to the Conference Bookstore for immediate purchase at the stated PURCHASE NOW price.
4. The Silent Auction will end promptly at 1:30 pm Saturday, June 27.
5. Payment for items won at the Silent Auction should be made at the Conference Bookstore (located in Gould Hall). Note that this is different than where Live Auction items will be paid for.