Online Auction for Solar Rights Instructions

Instructions for Participating in the Online Auction for Solar Rights

Thanks for your interest in the Online Auction for Solar Rights! All proceeds go directly to Solar Rights Alliance to fight back against the Utility Tax and defend everyone’s right to make energy from the sun. Here’s how you can participate in the Online Auction:

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VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS:

How to support Solar Rights Alliance through the Online Auction

WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS:

How to support Solar Rights Alliance through the Online Auction

The online Online Auction for Solar Rights opens on September 29th and ends in the live Zoom event on October 11th from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. (PDT). Here’s the process:

  • Bidding starts on Sept. 29th, and culminates in a statewide Online LIVE Auction for Solar Rights on Oct. 11th at 6:00 p.m. (PDT).
    • During the live event on October 11th, we’ll review all of the items, host a Paddle Raise, and give you an under-the-hood look at how your bids and donations make Solar Rights Alliance possible. We will also announce the winner of our Bike Sweepstakes.
    • We’ll send out the Zoom information for the live event to everyone who participated in the Bike Sweepstakes and/or Online Auction.
  • Here’s how to bid on items between now and the live event on October 11th:
    • Check out all the items and make bids here. 
      • On the auction webpage, scroll down to see all of the items. 
      • Each item has images, details, and a starting bid. 
      • Click on the name of the item to learn more about it and place a bid. 
      • If an item is location-specific, the item’s location is listed below the item’s title (see example below). 
  • Here’s an example of what the screen will look like for each item:
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  • If you want to bid on the item:
    • In the example above, the estimated retail value of the item is listed just below the title: $280. The starting bid is $140. To bid on this item, you would type in the amount you want to bid in the box that reads “Must be at least $140”, and click the blue “Bid” button. That will take you to a screen to enter your payment info and place your bid. 
  • If no one bids higher than you, then you win! If someone does bid higher than you, then you have until the auction closes at 7:00 p.m. on Oct. 11th (the end of the live event) to place a new bid. The highest bidder wins!
    • You can also set a “max bid.” A max bid is the maximum amount you’re willing to pay for the item. The system will bid on your behalf up until that amount.
    • You have the option of receiving notifications from the Auction Platform, BetterWorld, to tell you if someone bid a higher amount. Or, you can simply return to the item’s page to check in and see if anyone has outbid you. You do not have to opt-in to notifications from BetterWorld to participate in the Auction.
      • In case you’re wondering: we chose to work with BetterWorld because their platform is free for nonprofits like ours, so all proceeds go directly to Solar Rights Alliance. They also have a privacy policy that is right in line with ours.
  • Once you’re in the bid checkout page, you’ll have the option to cover the credit card processing fee. Totally up to you!
      • BetterWorld doesn’t store any credit card information. Everything is stored within Stripe (the payment processor), which has Level 1 PCI Compliance (the highest). The credit card entry form on BetterWorld is actually an embedded Stripe form, so it just goes into Stripe. It is impossible for BetterWorld or Solar Rights Alliance to access any card info through BetterWorld.
  • After you’ve entered your payment information, click the blue “Place Bid” button.
    • After you place your bid, you’ll have the option to return to the homepage of the auction, or the item’s page.
    • Please note: if you are bidding on a physical item that will need to be shipped to you, we’ll take care of the shipping cost.

All proceeds from the Online Auction for Solar Rights go directly to Solar Rights Alliance to fight back against the Utility Tax and defend everyone’s right to make energy from the sun.

A huge thank you to our Silent Auction Volunteer Team for getting the items and experiences donated, and to BetterWorld for giving us the software to host this Online Auction for free.

Questions? Please holler at [email protected].

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