Boost recurring donations this giving season with the upsell prompt!With the Auctions app, bidders automatically receive email notifications at key moments during an auction. Bidders who opt in to SMS during registration also receive text message alerts. These notifications keep participants informed of their bidding status and prompt them to return and act before the auction closes.
Email notifications
Registration confirmation
When a bidder registers for an auction, they receive a confirmation email with the subject You're registered to bid - [Auction Name]. The email includes the auction's start time and a View Auction button linking back to the auction home page.
Highest bidder confirmation
After placing a bid that makes them the current highest bidder, the bidder receives an email with the subject You're currently the highest bidder for [item name]. The email includes:
- A photo of the item
- The item title
- The current high bid amount
- The bidder's maximum bid
- A View Item button
- The auction's close time
Outbid alert
When another bidder surpasses a bidder's maximum and takes the highest bid position, the original bidder receives an email with the subject You were outbid. Increase your bid for {item name}. The email includes the current high bid, the bidder's previous maximum bid, and a View Item button.
Pre-close reminder
[NEEDS REVIEW: The timing of the pre-close email reminder was under active revision as of the Jira export date. Confirm the final send time (originally noted as 30 minutes before auction close) and subject line before publishing this article.]
SMS notifications
Bidders who check the SMS opt-in checkbox during registration receive the following text message alerts. SMS notifications are sent only to bidders who have opted in.
Bid placed confirmation
After placing a bid, the bidder receives an SMS: "You've made a bid on {item_name}. We'll notify you if you're outbid. {item_url}"
Outbid alert
When a bidder is outbid, they receive an SMS: "You've been outbid on {item_name}. Raise your bid: {item_url}." A new outbid SMS is sent only after the bidder places another bid and is outbid again — repeat alerts are not sent for the same outbid event.
Pre-close reminder
Approximately 30 minutes before the auction ends, opted-in bidders receive an SMS: "{auction_name} auction ends in 30 mins at {HH:MM AMPM TZ}! Place final bids now. {auction_url}"
Won item alert
When a silent auction item closes and the bidder is the winner, they receive an SMS: "You've won {item_name}! Check your email for more details. {item_url}"
Note: The won item SMS is sent for silent bidding items only and does not apply to fixed-price (Buy Now) purchases.
Managing notification preferences
Bidders can review their SMS opt-in status on the My Preferences page, accessible via the avatar menu after signing in. The page title reads My Preferences and the subtitle confirms that settings apply only to the current auction. For details on payment settings available on this page, see Winning an item and completing payment.
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