Why You Might Need to Manually Assign a Winner
There are times when an item doesn’t sell through the standard bidding process, or the highest bidder can’t complete the purchase. Manual assignment lets you:
- Record live event winners who bid offline
- Assign winners after closing an auction
- Fix technical issues or bidding errors
- Finalize a sale without reopening bidding
Step 1: Log In to Your Event Dashboard
- Log in to your auction dashboard.
- Select the event containing the item.
- Go to the Items tab.
Step 2: Locate the Item
- Find the item you need to update.
- Click Edit Item or Manage Bids.
- Review the existing bid history if applicable.
Step 3: Open the Winner Assignment Option
- Look for a section or button labeled “Assign Winner” or “Manual Winner.”
- If the auction is closed, you can still manually select a winner from the bid history or enter a new winner.
Step 4: Select or Add the Winning Bidder
- If the winner is already a registered bidder, select their name from the list.
- If the winner is not registered, you can add them manually:
- First and last name
- Email address
- Phone (optional)
- Payment details if collected offline
Step 5: Enter Winning Amount
- If needed, adjust or enter the final winning amount.
- This can match the last bid or reflect an offline bid amount.
- Save the changes to assign the item officially.
Step 6: Confirm Assignment and Generate Invoice
- Once the winner is assigned, the system:
- Updates the item status to Sold
- Creates or updates the invoice for the winner
- Reflects the sale in your event reports
Step 7: Notify or Invoice the Winner
- If an email is attached, the winner will receive an automatic invoice.
- If not, you can manually email or print the invoice for offline payment.
Pro Tips for Manual Winner Assignment
- Use this feature to record sales made during paddle raise, live auctions, or post-event negotiations.
- Always double-check the amount before saving.
- Assigning a winner automatically removes the item from active bidding.
- Add notes for future reference or reporting accuracy.
Related Guides
- Adding Auction Items
- How to Pay Your Invoice
- Cancel or Refund a Ticket Purchase
- How to Design Invoices
- Hide Items Before They Go Live
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I manually assign a winner?
You should manually assign a winner for live auction sales, offline bids, or when correcting errors after the auction ends.
Can I assign a winner if the auction is already closed?
Yes. You can assign a winner at any time after the auction closes without reopening bidding.
What if the winner isn’t registered in the system?
You can manually add their name, email, and payment details to complete the assignment.
Can I change the winning amount?
Yes. You can adjust the amount when manually assigning the winner, which is helpful for offline or negotiated sales.
Will the assigned winner get an invoice?
Yes. If their email is included, they’ll automatically receive an invoice with payment instructions.
Can I assign a winner for multiple items at once?
Currently, manual assignment is done per item. You can, however, process multiple items quickly from the dashboard.
Can I reassign the winner later?
Yes. You can remove the original winner and assign a new one if needed, but invoices and reports will update accordingly.
Does this work for paddle raise donations?
Yes. You can use manual assignment to record paddle raise donations made during live events.
Will assigning a winner affect bidding history?
No. The original bid history remains for reference, but the new winner and amount are recorded for reporting.
Can I use this feature if the item had no bids?
Yes. Manual assignment works even when there are no bids, allowing you to record offline or post-event sales.
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