Questions & Answers about Bidding Online

How do I register before I'm ready to bid?

1. Register by using the registration link from either the auction's "Home Page" or from any of the "Auction Items."  Registration is only for first time bidders. Go to:  "REGISTER (You are only required to register once.  New bidders please register)"   Follow the instructions on the registration page. Please make certain your email address is correct or you will not receive the automatic notices regarding your bidding.  Your password can be saved for further bidding but please write it down.  If you forget your password, e-mail ais@wiu.edu.  This is only step one before you are able to bid.  See below to "sign in" for bidding. 

I am now registered and I'm ready to bid!  What do I do?

1. You must now "SIGN IN" in order for the system to recognize your account (Your registration information was only the first step).  Go to the "Home Page" and start by "signing in."  You are only ready to bid when you see at the top of the page "Logged in as (your email address)."  If you do not see that message, you must "SIGN IN" from the home page.
2. Go to the full-page description of the item listed in the various categories (found at Quick Links or Auction Items), fill in the amount you wish to bid (remember only bids in whole dollar amounts are accepted) and hit "submit."  Hit "continue" to advance through the steps of bidding.  A message will appear that indicates you have successfully completed the bid or not.

I'm a return bidder, what do I do?

1. Start by "signing in" from the Home Page.  This will give you the ease of bidding on multiple items without signing in each time.  If you forget to sign in from the "Home Page" you can sign in from the "Auction Items" pages too.
2. Note:  If you do not see a message at the top of each page that shows your e-mail address [Example:  Logged in as (your e-mail)], you will be asked to sign in when you are ready to bid.  Watch for the "Logged in as" message to know that you are properly logged into the system.  If you are not "logged in" you will not be able to bid.    

How was the starting bid amount calculated?

1. It is approximately 65% of the estimated value of the item.

What is the "I can't live without this" option?

1. This allows you to purchase the item at a fixed price without going through the bidding process.
2. Once someone has picked this option, all bidding on the item ceases.
3. NOTE:  The "I can't live without this" option is not available for the autographed Sports Memorabilia Category.

How do I know that the bid has been received?

1. You will receive an automatic bid notification through your e-mail account.

I'm outbid.  What happens and what should I do?

1. You will receive an automatic outbid notification through your e-mail account.
2. Feel free to place another bid!  Remember to "sign in!"

I want to review what I've bid on.  What do I do?

1. After you have placed a bid, you will have the option to go to "View Current Bids."  This page details the item number, the name of the item and your bid amount.  Bold listings indicate you are currently the high bidder.  Non-bold listings indicate you have been outbid.

What if I bid an incorrect amount?  What do I do?

1. Contact Carol Dennhardt or Ken Zahnle at (309) 298-2403 or e-mail: ais@wiu.edu. Your incorrect bid will be deleted and you will be able to re-bid in the correct amount.   

What happens on Saturday, October 2 when bidding ends?

1. All bidding closes at noon.  You should have received e-mail notifications throughout the auction if you were the high bidder or if you were outbid.  If you have any questions, the staff will also have a listing of high bidders.  Do not hesitate to call (309) 298-2403 or e-mail: ais@wiu.edu.

What is the timeframe for picking up the item(s)?

1. The AIS will be open from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2 for pick up of your item(s).  If you are unable to pick up the item(s) on Oct. 2, please attempt to do so within a week during regular work day hours of 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. or by appointment.  Call (309) 298-2403 for details.  The address for Tri-States Audio Information Services is University Services Building, 320 West University Drive (across from Cinema I & II Theatres - our front doors face east).  The front door sign reads:  Tri States Public Radio and Audio Information Services.  The office number is 504 University Services Building.
2. If shipping is required, the cost/method of shipping will be arranged on an individual basis with the winning bidder.  The winning bidder will pay actual shipping costs which will be added to the total.  We will ship within the United States only.

What are the methods of making this donation?

1. Personal checks made out to the Radio Information Service or Audio Information Services
2. Money orders (US currency only)
3. Cash (US currency only)
4. Visa, MasterCard, Discover & American Express (your credit card number will only be accepted over the phone or at the AIS office to ensure the safety of the credit card transaction)

Send or deliver the donation to:
Audio Information Services/Radio Information Service
1 University Circle
504 University Services Building
Macomb, IL  61455

Other Key Components of this Online Auction are as follows:

1. You must be 18 years of age to participate.
2. There are no warranties provided by the AIS on these auction items.
3. Your winning bid amount is tax deductible to the extent it exceeds the fair market value of the item.

All proceeds from this auction benefit Tri-States Audio Information Services (Radio Information Service, Personal Reader Service, Call-RIS and Web-Streaming).

I still have questions regarding this Online Auction.  What should I do?

Please contact Carol Dennhardt or Ken Zahnle at (309) 298-2403 M-F from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. or e-mail: ais@wiu.edu

Thank you.