How the Auction Works

Auction tickets are $75 per person.  One auction ticket includes admission, dinner, alcholic beverages, and soft drinks.  Actual admission tickets will not be given; however, pre-registration allows us to assign you a bid number ahead of time.  Charges for tickets and any purchases made at the auction will be reconciled at the end of the evening.    Payments may be made with credit cards (MasterCard, Discover and Visa) or checks.

The 2012 auction is being held at Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club, 3001 Cameron Boulevard, Durham.  Friends and family members are welcome; however, since alcoholic beverages are being served, this is an adults-only event.

 How to Make an Absentee Bid

If you will not be able to come to the auction, you can still bid on live or silent items by completing an Absentee Bid form (see absentee bid tab).  Please put the form in an envelope, clearly marked: Attention, Heidi Chalmers, Auction Absentee Bid and drop it off at the Development Office or mail it to the Duke School Advancement Office.  You may also make an absentee bid by emailing heidi.chalmers@dukeschool.org.

Absentee bids must be received by the end of school on March 8, 2012.  For each item you wish to bid on, you may specify a top bid limit, and an auction volunteer will represent you at the event.  Winning bidders will be notified and invoiced within a few days of the auction.

How to Bid at the Auction

When you arrive, please check in at the registration desk.  You will be given your bid “paddle” which has your confidential bidding number on it.  There are many items available, so plan on enough time to view everything.  To bid on an item, simply write your assigned bidding number on the bid sheet for the item you would like, along with your bid.  Your bid must be higher than the last bid by the increment listed at the top of the bid sheet.  Opening bids must equal or exceed the stated minimum, if there is one.  Minimum bids may not be altered by anyone other than the auction chair.

The Silent Auction will be open throughout the Live Auction. An announcement will be made just before the Silent Auction closes at 10:00 p.m. so that any last-minute bids may be entered.  The Silent Auction will be a staggered close.  The highest bid at closing time is the winner.  If you are the highest bidder for an item, you must check with the table supervisor to confirm this before you take the item home.  If you are unable to stay until the end of the auction, you may pick up the item the following week at the Duke School Advancement Office. 

The Live Auction of big-ticket items and classroom works will begin at 8:00 p.m.  There will be seating available. Your assigned bidding number will be the same one you will use for bidding at the Silent Auction.  You may enter your bid on a particular item by raising your paddle so that the Auctioneer can see your number.  The Auctioneer will determine the highest bidder.  On the Auctioneer’s call, title will pass to the winner.

General Rules and Caveats

Any stated value in this catalog is an estimate.  Neither the Auction Committee nor Duke School will warrant the value for any purpose.  Goods and services are sold in “as is” condition.  Once a bid is made, it cannot be withdrawn.  The Auction chair or the Director of Special Events will resolve any dispute between bidders, and their decision will be final.

Unless you have prearranged post event billing for your items by the Business Office (Duke School parents and staff only), all winning bids must be paid for in full at the close of the auction.  The cashiers will accept the following methods of payment:  MasterCard, Visa, Discover or a check.  Gift certificates for restaurants do not include alcoholic beverages, taxes or gratuities.  All sales are final. There will be no refunds or exchanges, nor may you trade any gift certificate for cash.

The Auction Committee encourages you to use auction purchases such as gift certificates at your earliest convenience due to the changing fortunes of businesses large and small.  Goods and services are subject to limitations specified by the donors.  Unless otherwise stipulated by the donor, all lots must be used by March 10, 2013.  Vacation homes are non-transferable; please respect the owners’ wishes and do not ask for more than they are offering. 

For items and services that are not physically present at the auction, winners must contact the donor, or specified person, to arrange receipt as soon as possible after auction night.  All goods may be claimed and removed at the close of the auction after approval from the table supervisor.  Actual gift certificates will not be displayed but will be sent to winning bidders within a few days of the auction.  Any questions, please contact the Advancement Office at 919.493.9968.

About Taxes

Auction tickets are not tax-deductible.  Purchases made at the 2012 Auction are tax-deductible only to the extent that the sale price exceeds the fair market value of the merchandise.  Queries regarding determination of fair market value of any purchase must be addressed by a professional tax advisor.

What the Auction Supports

The Duke School Auction supports the project-based, integrated curriculum through tangible resources for our faculty and students.  Specifically, funds raised this year will provide the following

• iPads for the preschool, middle school and lower school students
• Technology equipment (Lego Robotics)
• Teacher requested enhancements to the classrooms
• Library furniture
• Tuition Aid Endowment
• PSO activities including:  Fall Festival, End of Year Party, and Teacher Appreciation Events