Auction Policies
Bidding
All bids – whether made in person, in writing, or electronically – are considered a binding agreement to purchase. Bids must meet or exceed the minimum bidding increment to be considered valid. Please bid thoughtfully.
Fair Market Value
Item values are provided by the donor or based on an appraised fair market value. Any amount paid above the fair market value may qualify as a charitable contribution for tax purposes. Please consult your tax advisor for guidance.
Payment
Payment is due at the time of sale and must be made to auction staff by the winning bidder. If a winning bidder leaves before completing checkout, the American Heart Association will contact them following the event to arrange payment and item pickup. Accepted payment methods include cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
Items Sold As-Is
All auction items/packages are offered by the American Heart Association on an “as-is” basis. The American Heart Association assumes no responsibility for defects, injuries, damages, or other issues related to any item or package and disclaims all warranties, including any warranty of fitness for a particular purpose.
Unless otherwise stated in the package description, winners are responsible for all additional costs associated with their prize, including but not limited to transportation, airfare-related fees, checked baggage charges, ground transportation, hotel incidentals, meals, and other personal expenses.
No substitutions, exchanges, or exceptions will be permitted.
Expiration Dates
Unless otherwise noted in the item’s restrictions, all auction items and certificates must be redeemed within one year of the event date.
Unclaimed Items
Items must be paid for and picked up within seven (7) business days of the event unless otherwise arranged. Any item not claimed within that timeframe may be offered to the next highest bidder.
Sports and Celebrity Experiences
If a featured athlete, celebrity, or personality becomes unavailable due to retirement, trade, strike, scheduling conflicts, or other unforeseen circumstances, the American Heart Association will work with the applicable team or organization to provide a comparable substitute experience when possible.
Oversized Items
Arrangements for the pickup or delivery of oversized items must be made with auction staff at checkout.