Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
ABOUT THE AUCTION
1. Why does the MN IFT Section hold the auction?
For the past seven years, the Minnesota Section of the IFT has been conducting the auction to raise funds to support the IFT Foundation Education Fund. Fifty percent of the revenues from the auction are utilized locally to support student scholarships in the MN IFT Section. The other half are donated to the IFT Foundation to support scholarships, assisting the IFT Student Association, and educational programs at the IFT Annual Meetings. In its seventh year, the Minnesota Section of IFT Silent Auction will continue to raise money to benefit the IFT Foundation Scholarship fund.
2. How many auctions are being held?
There is only one auction every year. However, the auction is conducted in two parts - the On-line Auction and the Live Silent Auction.
3. When is the On-line Auction?
The On-line Auction will be open for bidding on Feb 2, 2014, starting at 8:00 AM (Central). The auction will close on Feb 7, 2014 at 8:00 PM (Central). However, starting on Jan 27, you can preview all the items available for bidding!.
4. When is the Silent Auction?
The Silent, Live Auction will take place on Feb 10, 2014 prior to the Feb Dinner Meeting at the Metropolitan Club.
REGISTRATION AND USERID/PASSWORD RETRIEVAL
1. Do I have to be a member of the IFT or MN-IFT to participate in the Auction?
No. You do not have to be a dues-paying member to participate in the Auction. We do invite you to become a member of the Minnesota Section. Whether you are a member or not, you need a UserID on the MN IFT web site to participate in the auction. This unique UserID helps you identify as a partipant during the online auction.
2. I am already a member of IFT. Do I need to register again?
IFT membership does not automatically provide a UserID for the MN IFT Auction. Everybody who wants to bid on items in the auction will need a UserID, which will be displayed to others. If you already have a UserID to login to the MN IFT web site (top-right corner of the web page), you do not need a new one. If not, you will need to register for a UserID.
3. How do I register to participate in the Online Auction?
To participate in the Online Auction, you will need a UserID on the MN IFT web site. Easy and Free Registration available now!
4. I already registered last year, but forgot my UserId and/or Password... how can I retrieve it?
Your UserID and Password can be automatically emailed to the email address that you used during registration. If you no longer remember that email address, we can not help you -- you will have to register again! Retreive your UserID and/or password from here.
5. I want to change the email address used for my Auction notifications... how can I do that?
You can change your account information online. Go ahead and login to the MN IFT web site using your UserID (Top Right corner of this page). After logging in, click on "My Account" on the top right corner to update your personal information.
ONLINE AUCTION PROCESS
1. Do I need a credit card for bidding in the Online Auction?
We will not require a credit card before or during the bidding process. However, we encourage the final winning bidders, after notification, to pay online using a secure server with credit card payments. Of course, you will also have the choice of paying by cash or check when you pick up the item.
2. How do I get notified during bidding?
When you register for a user ID, you will be asked for your email address (will not be displayed to anyone). This email address will be used to confirm your bids, and also to notify you when you are out-bid.
Please be sure to enter the correct email address! Also, please double check your "spam or junk mail" folder, just in case our email notifications end up there... we don't want you to lose your bid!
3. How do I know if I am the high bidder during the on-line auction?Please be sure to enter the correct email address! Also, please double check your "spam or junk mail" folder, just in case our email notifications end up there... we don't want you to lose your bid!
Every time you bid or are out bid, you should receive an email at the email address you provided when you created your userid. If you are not receiving this email, please check your junk mail folder. The email will be coming from info@mnift.org and will have the subject, "MN IFT Bid Notice" or "MN IFT Out bid Notice" depending on the type of notice.
If you use Outlook, you can open your Junk Mail folder and right click on the email to set the "Add Sender's Domain (@example.com) to Safe Sender's List)" You have to do it only once -- all future emails will go directly into your In Box.
If you use Outlook, you can open your Junk Mail folder and right click on the email to set the "Add Sender's Domain (@example.com) to Safe Sender's List)" You have to do it only once -- all future emails will go directly into your In Box.
AFTER THE AUCTION ENDS...
1. Where can I pick up an item that I won during the On-line Auction?
All final winners of the On-Line Auction will be notified via email. Clear instructions will be provided for the amount of payment and payment methods. All items from the On-Line Auction will be available for pickup during the MNIFT Dinner Meeting on Feb 10.
Optionally, you can make arrangements to pick up items during normal working hours from the General Mills offices, by making prior arrangements with an Auction Committee member (Lisa Pannell). Items will be held only for a limited time! You might forfeit your bid if the item is not picked up within 30 days after the auction ends!
2. Do I have to attend the Dinner Meeting to pick up an item won during the On-line Auction?Optionally, you can make arrangements to pick up items during normal working hours from the General Mills offices, by making prior arrangements with an Auction Committee member (Lisa Pannell). Items will be held only for a limited time! You might forfeit your bid if the item is not picked up within 30 days after the auction ends!
No, you do not have to register and attend the February Dinner Meeting to pick up an item that you have won during the Online Auction. You may authorize a colleague to pay and/or pick up the item on your behalf. However, you must notify the Auction Committee Chair of any such authorized pickup. Winning bids are not transferable and therefore will not be given to another person without proper authorization.
3. What if I win an item, but can not pick it up? Will you ship, if I pay for shipment?
Only some items designated for shipment (gift certificates, non-perishables, small items, etc.) can be shipped for a nominal shipping charge. These items will be clearly noted on the web site during the auction. The shipping charges will also be displayed during the auction. If you can not attend the Dinner Meeting or can not designate an authorized person, please do not bid on a non-shippable item. We can not accommodate any special requests to ship, even if you are willing to pay for the shipment!
4. How long can you hold an item for me?
If you are unable to pick up an item at the Dinner Meeting or make special arrangement to pick up, or if the item is a non-shippable item, you will forfeit the winning bid after 30 days of closing the auction!
More questions?
If you have any questions, clickHere
or send an email to Joel Reiman