How it works

How does the Silent Auction work?

If you have participated in other Silent Auctions before, this is slightly different. During the
online bidding for an event, you will be bidding for ONE SEAT or “spot” at an event. All events have a maximum number of spots available determined by the host of the event. The highest bids will win a spot for the event.

• Register to bid online at www.cslpeninsula.org/gourmetsforgod. You will need to create a username and password in order to bid. You will not be able to place a valid bid without registering. We can assist you with this on Sundays at CSL Peninsula, or if you have questions and are out of the area send them to g4g [at] cslpeninsula.org.
• While you will NOT be required to enter your credit card information to register, your
  BID is financially binding and you will be expected to settle your winning bids within two weeks of the close of the auction. You will be notified by email which events you have won. Preferred payment methods are cash or check, and there will be an option to pay by credit card or PayPal at the close of the auction.
• There are events for every budget. Browse through the events online. Bid early and bid
  often. Be sure to check back close to the Bidding End Date to ensure you have secured a
  spot. You may have to enter a higher bid to secure your spot.
• The week after the auction closes, bidders will be notified of their winning bids and will
  pay for the spots they have won.
• Both hosts and winners will be notified of the final guest list prior to the event.

Bidding Process

• Go to www.cslpeninsula.org/gourmetsforgod. You may browse the events without
  registering.
• In order to place a bid, you must register a username and password. This is unique to
  you, and your username and password are of your choosing. Keep your username and
  password in a safe place, as you will need them to check back on your bids.
• You will receive a registration confirmation email from info [at] clspeninsula.org. Check your spam folder if you don’t receive a confirmation email.
• Once you confirm your registration, you will be free to browse each event and make your bids. Each spot bid upon is its own item and has a separate bid history. You may bid for more than one spot (for example for your spouse or friend).
• Bid online from 6:00pm Saturday, May 20th until 8:00pm on Sunday, June 11th at 6pm. The online bidding software will keep track of the bids.
• Bids for each event will increase by $2 to $5.
• You will be able to see the bidding history of everyone bidding on your chosen events.
  Click on the tab, “Total Bids Placed” to keep track of the bidding. Check back to monitor
  bidding history and assure that you still have a winning bid for your chosen event.
• DON’T BE ALARMED if you receive an email from info [at] clspeninsula.org indicating, “You have been outbid from first position on the Gourmets for God event.” You may still have a winning spot for the event since each event has a number of spots available. The software is set up to inform you when someone has bid higher than you, and this is something we cannot modify. Check back often to ensure you have one of the winning spots. Happy bidding!

Planning/Bidding Strategies

Have your calendar close by when you are bidding. If you win the bid, you will want to be free to attend the event! Once you win the bid for that event, the host will be notified and will be preparing for you to be present for the event.

Keep an eye on your bids. You may want to bid on several events that catch your eye.
Checking the “Total Bids Placed” tab and keeping track of how the bidding is going can give you the chance to get in a winning bid on at least one great event.

Auction Etiquette

Please honor the generous hosts who have planned and organized for weeks to off er you
a fabulous experience! Imagine slicing and dicing, cooking and cleaning for days, setting a striking table for eight, and then two individuals don’t show up. It’s heartbreaking! If you cannot attend an event, please do everything possible to fill your seat by either gifting or selling the spot to a friend or family member. They will thank you for it! All auction events assume handicap accessible (ADA), no smoking, no alcohol served, and no pets, unless otherwise indicated.

Winner and Host Notification

The week after the auction closes bidders will be notifi ed about the spots they have won.
Payment for the events won will be expected within two weeks of notifi cation.

At least two weeks prior to their event, Hosts will be notifi ed by email with a list of winners and contact information. It is strongly recommended that hosts contact winners about particular details and location information at least.

Very Important to Remember

• Registering as a bidder does not obligate you to make a purchase. However, your BID is a contract. Submitting a bid obligates you to pay for the bid should you win an event spot.
• Check your calendar before bidding. If you win an event spot but then fi nd you are unable to attend, honor the host by gifting or selling your spot to a friend or family member.
• Each bidder must bid separately. Bid for yourself and bid separately for a place for your
  spouse or friend.
• Extra spots cannot be added to an event, so bid accordingly (early and high) to win the
  spots you want.
• Event bidding increases by $2 to $5 per event. When you are entering a bid, please note
  the raise increment for that event.
•  Possible cancellation: At the end of the auction, if an event has less than 50% of its spots won, the host has the opportunity to cancel the event. Bidders will not be responsible for the bids made if the event is cancelled.
• Payments: All sales are fi nal. No refunds will be given. All payments must be received
  within two weeks after the close of the auction. No deferred payments.

Thank you to all of our generous hosts and chefs, our big-hearted bidders, and our dedicated and devoted Gourmets for God volunteers!
Happy bidding!