Back bidder: the second-to-last bidder for an item. This donor plays an important role because they help create the competition that supports the auction method.
Bid cards: also called “bid paddles,” these numbered devices are assigned to their respective donor for easy auction recording.
Bid number: the number assigned to a respective donor. We encourage bid number assignments to start at 101, not 1.
Chant: the fast-talking repetition of numbers and filler words employed by auctioneers. Ever auctioneer has their own unique take on this rare skill.
Check-in/check-out: the process by which donors acquire their assigned bid number and card; the process by which donors pay for won lots or pledged funds.
Clerk: Also called a “scribe,” this person is responsible for recording each lot number, the winning bid number, and the winning bid price. Typically, this individual will record manually while also running a live audio recording back-up device.
Commission: a fee structure in which the seller or auctioneer takes a percentage of the total funds raised.
Lot: the price package. A lot may consist of multiple donations that are bundled into one auction item or package.
Minimum bid: the least acceptable increase between bids.
Plant: a pre-arranged individual staged within the crowd who may pose as a donor or act as a donor proxy to help move bidding or pledge activity.
Pledge: also referred to as “raise-the-paddle,” “cash call,” and “appeal,” the auctioneer will call out pre-determined fundraising levels during which individuals can raise their bid card to signal a donation at said level. There is no exchange of goods during this portion of the event.
Reserve: the dollar amount that a lot must secure in order to be sold.
Ringmen: assistants to the auctioneer who skillfully work the crowd during the sale by interacting 1:1 with donors to increase bidding and friendly competition. Ringmen are not mandatory, but can be valuable contributors in especially large settings.
Selling choice: the process by which bidding occurs for the right to choose between two or more items. After the top bidder has selected their preferred item, the balance of the lots are then typically sold independently. This can be helpful when there are similar but not duplicate lots or packages.
Starting bid: the amount at which bidding for a certain item must start.
Value: estimated retail price for an item or lot were someone to purchase it (or an equivalent) outside of the event setting.
Visuals: the on-site materials that market auction lots both before and during the auction. This many include posters, slideshows, and event booklets and should provide the lot number, a description of the lot, and the donor (if applicable).
