Priceless Auction Tips and Frequently Asked Questions
Due to the popularity of our high-demand auction items, we encourage cardholders to place their bids early. We anticipate a lively auction, so here are some tips to help you prepare.
Placing your bid: The bidding process involves two steps! First, on the product page in the “Place Your Bid” section enter your bid amount and then click on “Start Your Bid.” Second, complete the checkout by entering your payment information. Please ensure you have enough time to log in, enter all relevant details, and notify your bank about your bids. After placing your bid, priceless will authorize your credit card for the full bid amount. This authorization is held (not charged) until you are no longer one of the top three bidders. Please note that the authorization release may take up to 10 business days, depending on your bank's processing times.
Budget: We also encourage you to let your bank know the budget you are looking to spend on the auction.
Set a reminder: You can use the "Add to Calendar" link in the bidding window to receive an alert before the auction closes.
Place your bid early: To ensure you do not miss out, we encourage all cardholders to submit their bids early. Many of our items are unique or one-of-a-kind, so secure your chance while you can!
Bidding from a mobile phone or tablet: If you are bidding on a mobile device, make sure you are connected to a strong Wi-Fi network, as it can help ensure a stable connection during the bidding process.
Bidding on multiple auctions: Please bid carefully on multiple auctions, as all bids are final. Be sure to read the full listing before placing a bid. By bidding, you agree to a legally binding contract to pay for the auction item if you win.
Bidding on multiple auctions simultaneously: To avoid potential fraud alerts, notify your bank in advance that you will be participating in online auctions. This can help prevent any delays during the bidding process.
Auction FAQs: When the Auction is Live.
The auction is not accepting my Visa card.
Only Mastercard cardholders can participate in auctions on priceless.com.
I want to place a bid on an auction experience, but do not have a Mastercard. Can I still place a bid?
All auctions on priceless.com require a Mastercard to place a bid. If you do not have a Mastercard, click here to find a card that might be right for you.
I attempted to place a bid on an auction experience, but it failed.
Often, this failure is due to a fraud alert placed by your bank which you will need your bank to release. Please contact your bank requesting your auction bid to be authorized. If you are still receiving an error, please make sure your billing address and zip code/postal code are entered correctly.
Can I use multiple cards to place a bid?
You cannot add multiple cards.
On the site, it says I am the highest bidder, but I just received an email stating I have been outbid.
Sometimes, the emails can get to you quicker than the refresh of the site. Please refresh the site and you will see the opportunity to bid again. If you are still experiencing difficulties, please contact our customer support team.
I was prompted to increase my bid even though I was the highest bidder.
We recommend refreshing the site to stay updated on the most recent bid. If you are still experiencing difficulties, please contact our customer support team.
Can I enter my MaxBid and let the system bid for me?
To recreate the feeling of a live auction, we only allow live, incremental bids.
I want to place a bid on an auction experience. What is the highest bid so far?
The highest bid is shown to you on each auction page. It is listed as the “Current Bid.”
Can I retract or cancel the bid I placed for an auction experience?
The auction item is non-refundable, and you cannot retract or cancel a bid once placed. You are responsible for reading the full listing before making a bid. By bidding, you agree that you are entering into a legally binding contract to pay for that auction item (experience) if you are the winner.
I am having trouble connecting to/loading the experience page.
Please give the page a few minutes to load and try again. You can refresh the page from any browser. We recommend you connect to Wi-Fi when using a mobile phone or tablet to bid. If you are still experiencing difficulties, please contact our customer support team.
Is there a reserve price/bid on the auction?
Whoever has the highest bid at the time of the auction close will receive the product for the price they bid.
How will I know if I have been outbid?
You will be notified via email and a pop-up on the auction page indicating you have been outbid. This will also be evident if you visit the experience page on priceless.com. The buy box will reflect the most recent bid. If the auction is still live, you can update your bid.
What if I decide I do not want the experience and am the highest bidder?
All bids are final. You are responsible for reading the full listing and the Terms and Conditions before making any bid. By bidding, you agree that you are entering into a legally binding contract to pay for that auction item if you are the winner.
Is there a minimum bid amount for auctions?
Yes. Each auction requires a minimum starting bid that can vary.
Are there minimum bid increments for auctions?
Yes. When placing a bid on an experience that has already been bid on by another person, any new bid placed on the same experience must be increased by the following specified minimum bid increments:
Current Bid Amount Minimum Bid Increment
$29 - $50: $5 increments
$50 - $100: $10 increments
$100 - $200: $20 increments
$200 - $300: $30 increments
$300 - $500: $50 increments
$500 - $1,000: $100 increments
$1,000 and higher: $200 increments
How are bids debited from my account?
Immediately following your bid, Mastercard will authorize your credit card for the full amount of your bid. We void all the authorizations within 15 minutes of auction close except for the winning bid. Note that your authorization may take up to 10 business days to release depending on your bank’s processing times.
How quickly will the funds be delivered to the charity?
The funds will be delivered within 60 days of auction close.
If I win, will there be any fees taken out of my bid?
No fees will be taken out of a bid. We cover all processing fees.
If I win, is my bid amount tax-deductible?
Auction donations are processed directly by Mastercard. We recommend consulting your tax advisor to determine the appropriate tax treatment for your auction bid.
Is my information going to be shared with third parties?
Please visit our website Terms of US and Privacy Policy to get a better understanding of how your information could be shared with third parties.
Auction FAQs: When the Auction has Closed.
The bid box said I was the highest bidder, but I watched the auction close, and then I received a losing email. What happened?
Unfortunately, another bidder submitted a valid bid right before the close, and the auction page did not update quickly enough. We encourage you to refresh the site often as the auction close is approaching and submit a higher bid prior to the close.
I bid on an experience, but I did not win. I still see the funds have been removed from my account. When will the funds be returned?
We void all the authorizations within 15 minutes of auction close except for the winner's bid. Note that your authorization may take up to 10 business days to release depending on your bank’s processing times.
I have won the auction! What are the next steps?
Congratulations! You will receive an email confirming you won the auction with the next steps shortly after the auction closes.
What time does this auction end?
All open auctions end at the time specified on the experience listing. At that time, the highest bidder whose bid has received credit card authorization wins the auction.
