Text-to-bid troubleshooting: outbid texts, wrong bids, and bids that do not go through

Not available yet: Text-to-bid is not turned on for events today. This article describes how it will work. Until it is on, guests bid on paper bid sheets. See Paper bid sheets.

Most bid problems are a typo in the text or a weak signal. Some mistakes cannot be undone by the bidder, so plan for them.

Overview

A guest texts BID [code] [amount] to the Redswing number, for example BID 14 350. The reply confirms that they are the high bidder, or says why not. Each item has its own bid code, and codes are unique across events. Bids must beat the current bid by at least the item's increment.

A bid gets no reply or does not go through

1. Check the format: BID, a space, the item code, a space, the amount. These also work: BID14 350, bid 14 $350, b14 350, BID 14 1,200.
2. A reply such as "No auction item with code" means a wrong code. Check the code on the item card.
3. "Bidding isn't open" means the item's status is not open. Click Open on the item or Open all on the Auction page.
4. "Bid must be at least" gives the minimum. The guest raises the bid.
5. No reply at all, for everyone: weak signal, or a carrier delay. Texts can arrive late. If it lasts, open Ask AI. On event day it hands the issue to Redswing support.

Too many outbid texts

Each time someone is outbid, the previous high bidder gets a text. There is no setting to slow these down. During busy bidding the texts can feel constant. Tell guests that this is the sign the auction is working. Replying STOP ends all texts from that number, including bid confirmations. See Texting STOP and HELP.

A guest wants to cancel a bid, or a bid has a typo

Redswing has no cancel-bid or retract-bid button, for guests or for organizers, and no maximum bid. A bid of $50,000 on a $200 basket stays on the item until someone outbids it. At settlement, the high bid is the amount charged.

1. Talk to the bidder right away and decide with your committee what to do.
2. Do not close the auction while the typo is still the high bid.
3. Open Ask AI and explain. A person at Redswing can review the item. Removing a single bid is handled by hand today.
4. If a bid was placed on the wrong item (for example 14 instead of 41), place the right bid on the right item. The wrong bid stays until someone outbids it or support removes it.

International guests

A guest with a non-US number may not be able to text a US number, or may be charged by their carrier. This is not tested. [unverified] Have them use a paper bid sheet. See Paper bid sheets.

Remind everyone the auction is closing

Communications texts only registered players who opted in. Bidders who only texted a bid are not in that list. Make the announcement in the room, on the microphone, and on the leaderboard TV.

Edit or pull an item after bids

• Edit lets you change the title, description, photo, minimum bid, and bid increment. Existing bids stay. A new increment applies to the next bid only. Tell bidders about a change in the description.
• If the item turned out different (for example, a replica instead of an authentic jersey), update the description. Then tell the current bidders directly and let them withdraw by bidding no more or ask your committee to void the item.
• The X button deletes the item and all of its bids. This cannot be undone. Use it only when you want the item gone.

Related articles

• Text-to-bid
• Paper bid sheets
• Auction close and settlement