How does the auction work?

  • Our first auctions were conducted via email. Between 2002 and 2004 we used eBay. Beginning in the spring of 2005, we are using our own homegrown auction application in order to reduce the cost and make it accessible to people who do not want to use eBay. It does not have all the bells and whistles of eBay but will be gradually improved as I receive feedback from you.
  • If you have any feedback or problems please email me at maureenlamb-SOS-rogers.com (replace -SOS- with @).
  • Click here for the current auction. When the auction is not on, it shows the results from the previous auction.
  • You can register as a bidder or login by clicking on this link: Friends of SOS-SRF Login
  • You can view the list of items on auction or their details but you have to be a registered member of our team to place bids.
  • Items are listed and bids are posted in US dollars.
  • After payment has been received, the auctioneer will put the bidders and donators in touch with each other to arrange for delivery. Payment can be made through PayPal (our account is info@sos-srf.org) or by cheque or money order. Our address is:

    SOS-Siberspace Rescue Fund
    c/o 2633 S Bascom Ave
    Campbell CA 95008
    U.S.A.
  • Once the bidder has received the item from the donator, they should contact the auctioneer and she will close the books on the item.
  • If the high bidder does not make payment for an item within 30 days, the item will be offered to the next highest bidder, or will be auctioned at the next auction.

How does the bidding work?

  • Each item has a starting bid. The first bid must be greater than or equal to the starting bid. Subsequent bids must then be greater than the current bid.
  • The minimum increments are:
    $.25 - for items under $10
    $.50 - for items between $10 and $20
    $1.00 - for items over $20
    Bids will be rejected if they are less than the minimums.
  • A bid is considered good if it is greater than the current bid by at least the minimum increment, and, if a maximum bid is in effect, is greater than that maximum bid.
  • You may either place a single bid or indicate that it is a maximum bid. A single bid takes effect immediately - the new bid is set to the single bid. If you place a maximum bid on an item, the new bid is the value of the current bid plus the minimum increment. If someone else submits a bid that is less than or equal to the maximum bid, the bid is incremented by the default increment and assigned to the person who holds the maximum bid. If the increment would put the bid over the current maximum, the new bid becomes the current maximum and is assigned to the person who holds the maximum bid.

What about items with a reserve price?

  • Some donators have indicated that their items are not to go for less than a certain price - the reserve. These items are marked as having a reserve. If the reserve is met, it will be noted in the description.
  • If the maximum bid a person makes is greater than or equal to the reserve, the bid will be manually adjusted to the reserve price and the item description changed to indicate the reserve has been met.
  • If the reserve has not been met at the end of the auction, the donator will be asked if they are willing to let the item go for the highest bid that was received.

How do I make a donation to the auction?

  • Contact Maureen Lamb at maureenlamb-SOS-rogers.com (replace -SOS- with @ sign). Send a brief description of the item you wish to donate as well as a suggested starting price. Pictures generate interest so if you can, please send one.
  • We ask that you retain the item and mail it to the highest bidder at the end of the auction, after notification by the auctioneer. That way, the item is only mailed once. Shipping costs are indicated if the donator would like to recover them. Shipping costs may be donated or recouped from SOS-SRF.

Auction - Frequently asked Questions