Auction Procedures
Silent Auction Procedures
1. Each item in the silent auction has a corresponding bid sheet, usually found on the auction table in front of each respective item. Persons desiring to bid may do so by writing his or her name, bid number, and the amount bid on the bid sheet.
2. Use only the bid number assigned to you. Couples may choose to be assigned one bid number, or one for each person. If you choose to have two bid numbers, please make your request at the check-in tables found at the entrance to the museum.
3. The opening bid on each item must equal or exceed the minimum bid stated at the top of each bid sheet. Each new bid must be written on the next blank line available on the bid sheet. Each increase in bid must equal or exceed the minimum raise stated on the sheet in order to constitute a valid bid. Silent auction bids will be disqualified if minimum bid and/or minimum raise are not sufficient.
4. An auction official may disqualify your bid on behalf of the Brooks, if you are blocking any silent auction table prior to close of that table.
5. Only an auction official may nullify a bid. Authorized persons will be chosen by a Brooks staff member.
6. Under no circumstances may an auction bid form be removed or altered unless by an auction official.
7. The silent auction tables will be open for bidding during the cocktail hour (5-6:30 pm) on the evening of the auction. Closing times are posted in this catalogue and will be announced during the evening. Note: closing times may be after the commencement of the live auction, as determined by Brooks staff. The closing bid circled by the auction official constitutes the winning bid. Winning bidders who placed their bids at the beginning of the evening and are not in attendance at the close of the silent auction will be notified the first business day after the auction. It will be their responsibility to return with full payment to pick up their purchase.
8. In the event of a dispute, an auction official shall act as the final authority and shall determine the winning bidder. In the event that two bidders are in the process of bidding on the same item when the official attempts to circle the winning bid, the official may conduct a miniature live auction between the bidders. The auction official will determine the winning bidder. His or her decision is final.
9. Unless otherwise specified, all auction items and services must be used by May 1, 2009.
10. Any bidder not making arrangements for payment in full at the auction's check-out area by close of business the night of the auction may forfeit the right to purchase the item at the discretion of The Art of Good Taste committee and Memphis Brooks Museum of Art auction staff.
11. All sales are final and no exchange or refund will be honored unless specifically indicated in the auction catalogue.
12. We accept cash, Visa, Master Card, American Express, and personal or corporate checks as payment for auction items.
Live Auction Procedures
Each lot will be offered in catalogue sequence. Any variation from the catalogue description will be announced by the auctioneer at the time the lot is offered. Please listen carefully as the auctioneer announces each lot number, and bidding will commence at the auctioneer’s discretion. Each lot will be sold to the highest bidder. Bidding will advance in increments determined by the auctioneer. All sales are final. Indication of a bid should be made by a positive display of your numbered bid paddle and may be made directly to the auctioneer or any of the auction spotters nearby.
1. The auction will begin promptly at 6:45 p.m., Saturday, May 10, 2008 and continue without interruption until all items have been auctioned. Doors will open at 5 pm on May 10, for preview in order to give you an opportunity to view the various items prior to bidding.
2. In order to enter a bid, a bidder must raise his or her bid paddle high and attract the attention of the auctioneer or of one or more of the auction spotters. This must be repeated each time you initiate or increase a bid. Each bid legally obligates the bidder to pay his bid price in full if his or her bid is deemed the high bid at the fall of the auctioneer's hammer. The auction will be fast paced so the bids must be made quickly!
3. Payment by the successful bidder must be made at the end of the auction. Please wait until you are finished bidding on all desired items before making payment. Payment may be made with cash, check, Visa, Master Card or American Express. Checks should be made payable to Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. Payment in full is mandatory immediately following the auction May 10. Bidders are encouraged to use express checkout (available at auction registration). If express checkout is the preferred method of payment, a credit card will be swiped for $0.00. At the conclusion of the auction, the respective credit card will be charged for all items purchased by the bidder. There is no need to pay again at checkout, and the bidder may simply pick up his or her purchases at the designated checkout location. All purchases will include a receipt with tax identification for your records.
4. All sales are final. There will be no exchanges or refunds for items by the donors or this institution except where specified, unless donor is unable to fulfill obligation as described. Please do not ask the donors for exchanges or refunds!
5. The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art has endeavored to catalogue and describe the items and services correctly; however, all lots are sold "as is." Certain auction items and/or services may have restrictive use or other qualifications which may affect value, application, or use thereof to bidder. Many items such as the vacation packages are non-transferable (see Trip Guidelines for complete details). Purchasers are bound by the precise restrictions specified by the donors. The terms are non-negotiable. Please read each lot carefully for specifications and limitations.
6. The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art makes no express or implied warranties of any kind or nature with respect to the property or services, and in no event shall it be responsible for the correctness of description, nor deemed to have made any representation or warranty of description, genuineness, authenticity, or condition of the property or services and no statement made in the catalogue or in the bill of sale or elsewhere shall be deemed such a warranty or representation or an assumption of liability. By his or her purchase, the buyer waives any claims for liability against either The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art or the donor of the property or services, and neither The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art nor the donor is responsible for any personal injuries or damages to property that may result from the utilization of property or services sold.
7. Items may be picked up at the claim area by exhibiting a paid receipt or, if bidder has utilized express checkout, by showing proof of identification. When an item has not been displayed, the purchaser will receive a certificate for the promised item. Items may be removed from the premises only by exhibiting a paid receipt at the door at the time of departure.
8. Values set forth for listed items being auctioned are donor's estimates and are not warranted by the auction committee for tax purposes or for general value.
9. Unless otherwise specified, all auction items and services must be used within one year from the date of the auction, and unless otherwise specified, dates and times are to be arranged at the mutual convenience of the donor and buyer. To avoid disappointment please make all vacation reservations well in advance. Security and cleaning deposits, when required by the donor, must be paid directly to the donor and are not included in your bid.
10. All auction items must be removed from these premises no later than June 1, 2008, at the purchaser's own risk. The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art cannot assume responsibility for items left after that time. Special arrangement for pick-up or delivery of large items must be made at the time of payment.
11. The winning bidder will be acknowledged by the auctioneer. If the auctioneer determines that an opening bid or any subsequent bid is not commensurate with the value of the item(s) offered, he may reject the same and withdraw the item(s) from sale, and if having acknowledged an opening bid, he decides that an advance thereafter is not of sufficient amount, he may reject the advance. The auctioneer retains the right to add or delete any item. The auctioneer reserves the right to announce conditions of sale at any time. In the event of any dispute, the auctioneer will have sole and final discretion in these matters.
12. On the fall of the auctioneer's hammer, title to the item and/or service will pass to the highest bidder who, thereupon, assumes full risk and responsibility therefore.
13. Use only the paddle number assigned to you for bidding purposes. Your number is your identification.
Dutch Auction Procedures
Some of the lots in the Live Auction will be sold as Dutch Auction lots. Dutch lots refer to those consisting of identical items sold multiple times to different bidders. Unlike the individual bidding of a regular auction lot, a Dutch Auction works by process of elimination. The auctioneer will suggest an opening bid. Anyone willing to pay the opening bid price is asked to stand. Everyone present may stand. As the price for the lot rises, anyone willing to pay the new amount remains standing; others are asked to take their seats. This continues until the number of people standing matches the number of items available in the lot. Each bidder standing when the hammer falls receives one item, paying the last (highest) bid named. Please listen carefully to the auctioneer’s description of the seat”for Dutch Auction items. Some seats are for one person, and some “seats” are for a couple.
Dinners & Tastings
1. All dinners and tastings purchased during 2008 auctions must be completed by April 1, 2009.
2. If only one seat at a dinner or tasting is purchased, and the bidder wishes to share the pour of wine with a guest, a $100 surcharge will be applied to that purchase to cover the cost of the extra meal provided.
3. Dates and number of attendees will be strictly adhered to. When purchasing dinners please note the number of guests and specific date.
Trip Guidelines
1. Features and Amenities: Trips are usually made up of donated components, many of which have limitations and restrictions. Deviations from the trip description that incur additional costs will be at bidder’s own expense.
2. Trip Components: Trips are sold as a package. Accommodations, dinners, air transportation, rental cars, venue tickets, rail passes, scheduled visits, or any other features which are included in the catalogue lot description must be used only in conjunction with the specific trip described in the catalog.
3. Scheduling: Unless stated otherwise in the catalogue description, all trips must be completed within one year from the first of the month of the auction (May 1, 2009). Trips not taken within this or the expressly stated time limits will be forfeited with no refund made, without regard for the reason trip was not taken. If a specific date for a trip is stated in the catalogue, the trip is limited to that date only and must be taken on that specific date without exception. Scheduling of donated features is subject to availability.
4. Airline Inventory: Airlines maintain a limited inventory of donated seats on any flight. Every effort will be made to fulfill your desired travel dates. Once your flight(s) has been ticketed, changes in the schedule are rarely attainable and all require a change-in-schedule fee which the Brooks cannot be responsible for. Airline schedules are subject to change and are beyond the control of the Brooks. For Northwest Airlines packages, please confirm your reservations at least three weeks in advance. All travel must be completed by May 1, 2009. To redeem complimentary vouchers, please contact Daphine Tate at the local office of Pinnacle Airlines Corp at 901.348.4100.
Click here to Purchase Tickets