Adding Auction Items

Add auction items to your event by entering item details, images, pricing, and settings.

Open Auction Items Page

1. Go to Auction in the dashboard
2. Select Auction Items
3. Click Add Item

Enter Item Details

1. Enter Item Name: Enter the name of the item (maximum 40 characters).

💡 Good to Know: Keep names short and clear for bid sheets and mobile bidding

2. Add Catalog Number (Optional): Enter a catalog number if desired, or leave blank to assign later.

💡 Good to Know: Catalog numbers can be added later using the Auction Item Grid View

3. Select Auction Type

• Choose an auction type from the dropdown
• Or click Add Auction Type to create a new one

4. Choose Item Category:

• Select an existing category
• Or add a new category

5. Upload Item Images: You can upload up to five images using:

• Upload from your computer
• Image Search
• Dropbox
• My Files
• Camera

6. Add Item Description: Enter a detailed description of the item.

💡 Good to Know: MySimpleAuction platform does not support formatting, all other platforms allow formatting (bold, italic, etc.)

7. Add Restrictions: Enter any restrictions (for example: expiration dates or exclusions).

8. Set Fair Market Value: Enter the fair market value of the item.

💡 Good to Know: An item can have a value and still be marked as Priceless by checking the priceless box.

9. Enter Bidding Details: Enter:

• Starting Bid
• Bid Raise Amount
• Buy Now Price

💡 Good to Know: These values can be set automatically using Set Bid Percentages

10. Add Donor Contact:

• Search for an existing contact
• If not found, click Add Contact
• Select Business or Individual and enter details

💡 Good to Know: The Donor Display Name will auto populate with the Donor contact but it can be changes if the donor want to be recognized differently.

11. Specify Item Solicitor: Track who secured the item for reporting and future reference.

12. Add Certificate Redemption Instructions: Enter instructions for how the winner redeems the item.

💡 Good to Know: This prints on the certificate if Certificate Needed is selected In the Certificate Status dropdown.

13. Charity Cost & Buyer’s Premium (Optional): Enable if a buyer’s premium applies to this item.

• Charity Cost: You can use this if there is a cost to be paid back if sold, like a consignment item.
• Buyer’s Premium: Additional percentage-based fee charged by an auction house on top of the winning bid this would have been set under general settings.

14. Manage Item Visibility (Optional):

• Hide – Use for items not yet received
• Preview Only – Use for live auction items

15. Feature Item (Optional): Enable to highlight the item at the top of the mobile bidding page.

16. Item Available In-Person Only (Optional): Enable this option if the item is only available for bidding or purchase at the in-person event. These will not show or be available for online bidding

💡 Good to Know: This is typically used for items not available in mobile or online bidding, you can also check the preview if you want guests to pre-view but not bid on this item.

17. Remove Auto-Bid for Item (Optional): Enable this option to prevent guests from placing auto-bids on this item.

💡 Good to Know

• When enabled, bidders must place each bid manually
• Useful for items where you want more controlled or competitive bidding, or will be moving these to paper bidding.

18. Apply Sales Tax (Optional): Select a tax rate if applicable.

💡 Good to Know: Sales tax must be set up in General Settings before it can be selected

Save the Item

• Click Save to finish
• Click Save and Next to continue adding items

💡 Good to Know

• You can edit items at any time after saving
• Images and details can be updated later
• While not all fields are required, some settings can impact how the event functions (for example, missing bid increments).

⚠️ Important

Always click Save or Save and Next before leaving the page to avoid losing your work.

Printable Quick Help Guide:

(see  below for printing instructions)

How to Print This Guide

1. Right-click on the image of the guide
2. Select Save Image As…
3. Save the file to your computer
4. Open the saved image
5. Click Print (or use Ctrl + P / Command + P)

💡 Good to Know

For best results, print using Full Page or Fit to Page settings to ensure proper sizing and clarity.