Online Auctions is now available with Event Caddy PRO! Auctions, combined with the new Event Caddy Tournament App allows your players to make bids on items via mobile phone. You can now manage your event by logging in as an organizer via the app.
Download the Event Caddy Tournament App via the App Store.
Auction Setup
You can easily setup your auction under the Silent Auction tab. Enable your auction and setup your time zone under Silent Auction -> Settings. The contact you add to this page will be the one that appears when the winners are sent a text message - so if someone other than the main organizer is managing the auction - add them here.
Before you add your items - you will want to create your auction categories first under Silent Auction -> Item Categories. If you have multiple categories (Trips, Memorabilia, Art, etc), this will allow your players to easily filter by category via the app.
You can now go to Silent Auction -> Items to add your items. Follow all the fields on this page to add your item, add images, add a starting price and minimum bids - and finally when you would like the bidding for that specific item to open and close.
After Auction Items are Setup
Once your items all are set up - how do you and your players view and bid on them? This is all done via the Event Caddy App (for players) or by accessing the item list on your tournament website via the Menu at the top right (for players & non-players). Players and non-players can both access the items by using the link in the menu and upon bidding, will be asked to login or create an account with their phone number.
It's best to communicate with golfers as early as possible (especially if auction opens before tournament day). We suggest creating email blasts, or even creating a custom email that goes out to golfers when they register, and add information about the auction and to download the app.
After bidding closes - a text will be sent out to the winner. Under Silent Auction -> Winners Report, you can also see a list of winners, and you can send an email with invoice to them. Once you have received payment, this is where you can also mark the items as PAID.
With our current release of Silent Auctions - payments will not be collected via the app by default. You can reach out to your winners to arrange payment. If you need to collect through your event, you can contact our team to enable payments for your auctions, but please note this is still in testing. A linked and active Stripe account would need to be used to collect payments.
PRO TIPS
Start Auction Early: To create the best possible outcome for your auction - we suggest starting the auction well before your tournament day. Since you can set the time and date of auction opening and closing - there is no limit. Give your players the best chance to make their bids and contribute to your charity!
Communication: Because players will need to use the Event Caddy app to view items and place bids - it's best to communicate to them as much as possible. Create email blasts with our Communication Tools to tell them about the auction and let them know to download the app. You can also create a custom email that goes out to every golfer at registration.
Players Login: The way your players will log in to the app is with the phone number attached to the player / used when they registered. To eliminate confusion, you can instruct your golfers to get you names/contact info well in advance for you to edit - or they can edit this themselves via your tournament website. In the menu, there is an option "Manage Order" where all they need is the receipt number and email used when registering. If a player comes up to you the day of - you can easily add their phone number with the app with the Player Manager feature.
Tournament Website: Currently - items you add to your auction are available by accessing the Menu at the top right of your website. Once items have been added, you will see a link to 'Auction' which can be used. Upon request, we can also set up a custom button on your homepage, under the banner.
Non-Players: As of our most recent update, non-players can now place bids! When they go to submit a bid, it will ask for their phone number and if it doesn't exist as a player it will ask for their information so they can place their own bids without needing to sign up as a player.
Outside of North America: If you are holding an event outside of North America, please contact us via the chat - there may be a special country code that needs to be added to all phone numbers for login access.
Additional Information (Q&A)
Additional Information (Q&A)
How do prospective entrants see that the auction is available?
When your auction is enabled with items, there will be a link on your website within the top right Menu. A link can also be added to your homepage using Event Website -> Website Editor -> Home Page, or reach out to our support team for assistance.