Introduction To Auctions
Events (sometimes referred to as auctions) are central to Auctria. All activities take place during events associated with your organization.
Several different types of auctions are generally referred to by the types of bidding used at the event.
Auction Types
Auctria can be used to run several different auction types and events. You can mix and match different styles, creating a varied fundraising approach. This page gives a brief overview of the terms we use so you can see which type of event best fits your goals.
The most commonly used Item Types are Paper, Live, and Online, which also often translates to the type of auction being held.
| Auction Type | Most Significant Trait | Most Common Item Type |
|---|---|---|
| Paper Auctions | Paper Bid Sheets | Paper Bidding Type |
| Live Auctions | Auctioneer/Emcee/Host directed | Live Bidding Type |
| Online Auctions | Electronic/Website based | Online Bidding Type |
INFORMATION
Although some auctions might be strictly one type or another, it is also widespread to have multiple auction types combined into the same event.
Paper Auctions
Paper Auctions traditionally uses paper Bid Sheets to let bidders record their bids. The bidding may occur on a single evening or over several days. With Auctria, you can produce the Bid Sheets you need for Paper Auctions.
Optionally, with Paper Auctions, you can enable online pre-bidding. This will allow you to collect bids online via the event website before the event. The highest online bid is then rolled over to be the first bid on the printed bid sheet for the paper auction portion of the event.
Live Auctions
Live Auctions have items being bid on one after the other, generally with an auctioneer running the auction process. Live Bidding Type bids are recorded in the same way as paper auction bids.
You can print a Live Reporting Sheet to help you capture the winning live bids on paper before entering them into the system.
Online Auctions
Online Auctions are run entirely electronically on the event website. There are no paper bid sheets or auctioneers involved.
The items are offered for bidding over a pre-selected period, extending over multiple days or weeks or focusing on a few hours at an event. Bidders place their bids via the event Websites, Bidder Mobile App, or by Text Messages (if enabled).
Recommended Reading
There is sometimes confusion between a fully "Online Auction" and "Online Pre-Bidding" for a Paper auction; see Online Bidding Type for more details.
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Last reviewed: July 2024