Understanding Additional Charges
When hosting an online auction, there are two common optional charges you may apply:
- Credit Card Fees: To cover payment processing costs.
- Shipping Charges: To cover delivery, handling, or postage costs.
Adding these ensures your organization receives the full net proceeds from each transaction.
Step 1: Review Payment Processing Rules
Before charging additional fees, check your local laws and your payment processor’s terms of service.
- In some regions, passing credit card fees to bidders is regulated.
- You may need to disclose these fees upfront in your terms and conditions.
- Shipping charges should be clearly stated in the item description or auction terms.
Step 2: Log In to Your Auction Dashboard
- Log in to your CharityAuctionsToday admin dashboard.
- Select the event where you want to add the fee.
- Go to Event Settings or Invoices & Payments.
Step 3: Add a Credit Card Fee (Optional)
- Look for the option to pass credit card fees to bidders.
- Enable this setting to automatically calculate and add the fee at checkout.
- The amount will appear on the bidder’s invoice.
- If not enabled globally, you can also manually add fees on specific invoices before closing them.
Step 4: Add Shipping Charges
- If your event involves shipping physical items:
- Add flat-rate shipping per invoice or per item.
- Or calculate shipping individually for each winning bidder.
- To do this manually:
- Go to the Invoices section.
- Select the bidder’s invoice.
- Add a shipping fee line item and update the total.
Step 5: Communicate Charges Clearly
- Display shipping or fee details on:
- Item descriptions
- Terms & Conditions
- Bidder notifications and emails
- This prevents disputes and ensures bidders know the full cost before bidding.
Step 6: Invoice and Payment Process
- Once the auction closes:
- Winning bidders receive their invoices with any additional charges included.
- If auto-charge is enabled, their stored credit card will be billed for the total amount.
- If manual payment is required, the bidder will see the updated total at checkout.
Pro Tips for Handling Additional Charges
- Always disclose fees before the auction starts.
- Consider bundling shipping into item pricing for simplicity.
- Keep fees reasonable to avoid discouraging bidders.
- For high-value items, use trackable shipping options to protect your organization and the donor.
- Consider offering local pickup to avoid shipping charges entirely.
Related Guides
- How to Pay Your Invoice
- Require Credit Card Pre-Registration Before Bidding
- How to Enable the Pre-Register Credit Card Option
- What Is a Buyer’s Premium
- How to Add Terms and Conditions to Your Auction
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I charge bidders credit card processing fees?
Yes, you can enable the option to pass credit card fees to bidders. The fee will be added to their total invoice amount at checkout.
Are there legal restrictions on passing credit card fees?
Yes. Some states and countries regulate surcharges. Always check your local laws before enabling this feature.
Can I add shipping charges to individual invoices?
Yes. You can manually add a shipping line item to any invoice after the auction closes and before processing payments.
Can shipping costs be automatically added?
Depending on your setup, you can use flat-rate shipping or add shipping manually for more control.
How do I disclose additional fees to bidders?
Include clear language about credit card and shipping fees in your item descriptions and auction terms before bidding begins.
Do additional fees affect the platform fee?
No. Platform fees are based on the total amount collected, including any additional charges you add to invoices.
Can bidders refuse to pay extra fees?
If fees are clearly disclosed before bidding, bidders agree to them by participating in the auction.
Can I use a Buyer’s Premium instead of separate fees?
Yes. Some organizations use a Buyer’s Premium as an alternative to credit card fees. It’s added automatically to winning bids.
Can I refund shipping or fees if needed?
Yes. Admins can refund part or all of an invoice, including any shipping or credit card fee amounts.
Do these charges show up on bidder invoices?
Yes. All additional charges are itemized on the bidder’s invoice, so the total amount is transparent before payment.
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