When does the bidding begin and end?

The bidding process will begin on June 8, when we will distribute the catalog to classmates for whom we have good e-mail addresses.  The circle of bidders will grow as the rest of the class receives the catalog by mail later that week.  The bidding will end on-site at the reunion at 9:30 pm, Saturday, July 12.

Who can submit a bid?

We welcome bids from anyone who is interested in the items being offered and in supporting the Class of ’68 Memorial Scholarship Fund.  Please share this catalog with family, friends, colleagues at work, or anyone else you think may be interested.  Feel free to print off and copy the catalog, e-mail the digital version of the catalog to others, or direct people to the online version of the catalog.  To have a copy of the catalog mailed to someone, call 1-800-850-7972 and give the name and address to Harry Corpening.

Where do I find the catalog on the Internet?

Go to http://www.piedmontcommunities.us/go/rjr4.  The complete catalog is posted there, along with these guidelines.  We will also post any additional items received up to July 8, so check the site periodically to see what else may be available.  (Many thanks to Harry for managing the site!)

How do I submit a bid prior to July 12?

 You have two options: Send your bid by e-mail to Harry at RJRHighSchool@aol.com or call him at

1-800-850-7972 and give him your bid verbally.  Either way, he will need the following information:

·  Your name and phone number (or e-mail)

·   The Catalog ID number for the item on which you are bidding

·   The dollar amount of your bid for that item (in dollars only, no cents)

If you want to submit bids on several items at the same time, that is fine, as long as it’s clear which bid goes with which ID number.

 How do I find out if there are other bids on the same item?

 Between June 8 and July 8, Harry will periodically update the website with the highest bid he has received for each item.  On July 8, members of the auction committee will contact all those who have submitted bids online or by phone to let them know what the current high bid is for the item(s) in which they are interested.  So if you don’t have access to the web site, you will still find out if someone else has outbid you.

 Can I keep bidding after July 8?

 Yes, by means of an on-site proxy.  Only members of the Class of ’68 and their guests will be attending the reunion party on Saturday, July 12.  In order to let members of the class who are unable to attend the party – and all others interested in the auction – continue to bid for items, members of the auction committee will serve as proxies for anyone at a distance who wants to stay in the game.

 How will the proxy system work?

1)      The auction committee will contact you by e-mail or phone between July 8-10, to see if you want to keep bidding.  You will be asked to indicate what your maximum bid on the item would be. 

 2)      On the evening of July 12, your proxy will monitor the bid sheet for your item and raise the bid the minimum required increment (see below) any time he or she sees a higher bid on the sheet.

 3)      If you wish to check on the “action” during the auction itself, you can call one of two cell phone numbers to find out where the bidding is and, if you want, to authorize your proxy to keep bidding to a higher maximum.  The two cell phone numbers will be: 336-971-8488 and 336-971-8467.

 4)      Near the close of the auction at 9:30, your proxy will check the bid sheet one last time.  If someone else has entered a higher bid, your representative will inform that individual (and only that individual) of the maximum amount you are willing to bid.  The other person will be given the opportunity to top your maximum and win the item.  If they do not do so, then you will win the item not at your maximum price, but at whatever the minimum bid increase would be above the last bid on the sheet.   

People bidding at a distance are subject to the same provisions concerning minimum bid increases and “reserves” as those attending the auction in person.  Please read the rest of these guidelines for an explanation of these procedures.

 How will the silent auction be handled on site?

 The reunion party begins at 6:30 pm on Saturday, July 12, at Forsyth Country Club.  All auction items will be on display when the doors open.  Classmates and their guests can view items and enter their bids during the reception period (approximately 6:30-8:00) and during the buffet dinner (approx. 8:00-9:30). 

 What will be on the bid sheet?

 Each item will have a bid sheet, showing the item’s ID number, the donor, a brief description of the item, the estimated fair market value, and opening bid.  If the auction committee has received a bid by phone or e-mail prior to the auction, the first entry on the bid sheet will show the highest bid received to date.

 The bid sheet will also indicate the minimum amount for any bid increase.  This minimum increment will differ depending on the total value of the item.  For example, an item may be valued at $350, have a opening bid of $100, and a minimum bid increase of $20.  Anyone adding a bid to the sheet for that item must go at least $20 higher than the last bid entered, but he or she can also choose to push the bidding to a higher level.  An item valued at $35 would have a smaller minimum bid amount.  Anyone bidding on an item will simply write his or her name on the bid sheet and the amount of their bid in whole dollars.

 Who finally wins the item?

 An announcement will be made at exactly 9:30 pm, bringing the bidding to a close. At that time, members of the auction committee will circle the highest bid shown on each bid sheet.  The person whose bid is circled wins the item.  In the event of any confusion or disagreement between rival bidders, the decision of the auction chair will be final.       

What is a “reserve” bid?

 In our auction, as in most others, the donors of some “big-ticket” items have indicated a price below which the item cannot be sold.  This may be near or at the level of the full market price.  In the catalog, these items are shown as having “reserve” prices assigned to them.  If that reserve level has not been met by the end of the bidding on July 12, the item will be returned to the donor.

What do I do if my bid is the winning bid?

Winning bidders at the reunion event must pay for their item that evening and take it home.  Please note that the volunteers staffing the check-out table will only be able to accept cash or a personal check – not credit card payments.  So please plan accordingly and bring your checkbook or a single blank check to the party.

If for any reason the winning bidder is unable to take the item that evening, he or she can arrange with the auction committee for shipment, with the winner paying any shipping and insurance costs that may be necessary.

Those who have submitted winning bids from a distance either prior to the auction or through a proxy on site will be contacted by a member of the auction committee on July 13 to arrange for payment and shipping if necessary.

Can I take a tax deduction?

The IRS has strict rules governing deductions for items purchased at a charity auction.  You are only allowed to deduct the portion of your winning bid that is greater than the fair market value of the item.  If your winning bid is less than the fair market value, the IRS does not consider it a charitable deduction because you received “goods or services” for your payment.

All winning bidders will be given a receipt indicating the item purchased, the fair market value estimated by the donor, and the amount received by cash or check from the winning bidder.    

If I don’t want to bid on anything, can I still support the scholarship program?

By all means!  Donations are always gratefully accepted.  The more the fund grows, the more students we can help.  Simply make your check out to RJR Class of ‘68 Fund and mail it to the Winston-Salem Foundation, 860 West Fifth Street, Winston-Salem, NC  27101-2506.  You will receive a letter from the Foundation acknowledging your tax-deductible gift.