Auctionpay terminals or card readers streamline the cashiering process at benefit events for staff, guests and volunteers. Whether you are holding a gala, auction, luncheon or golf tournament, Auctionpay creates a better event experience for guests, staff, and volunteers.
Your guests can chose to pre-register their card at check-in and truly relax for the rest of the evening, knowing that their check-out and item pick-up will be fast and easy. Staff and volunteers know that many of their check-in and check-out tasks are automated with Auctionpay, so they can be more welcoming and relaxed with event guests.
You can chose between two types of Auctionpay equipment—terminals or credit card readers. Both create a positive first impression and help your organization project a professional image.
Since the Auctionpay card readers directly integrate with Greater Giving Event Software PC, they must be connected to a PC that has Event Software PC installed to be used for check-in and check-out. Terminals are used at check-in and check-out as stand-alone equipment after syncing event data with Event Software PC.
Our secured terminals and card readers and their payment systems are designed exclusively for charity auctions. Registration, cashiering and the tedious and lengthy reconciliation processes that go along with a benefit auction are all automated with Auctionpay.
For more information, download the datasheet.
Auctionpay Features
| FEATURE |
Terminal |
Card Reader |
| Guests swipe credit cards at registration; information is securely stored in the terminals |
X |
X |
| Guests can pre-register credit cards at registration; Card readers are connected directly to computer(s), so credit card information is encrypted and securely stored in the software as part of the database |
|
X |
| Credit card data is linked to the guest’s bidder number for easy tracking during the event |
X |
X |
| At the end of the event, guests verify successful bids and pick up their purchases—skipping the cashier and dramatically reducing lines |
X |
X |
| Settlement reports are password-protected and printed directly from the terminals for review |
X |
|
| Banking reports can be printed on networked printers in the check-out area |
|
X |
| After the event, using the terminals, batch payments are transmitted via a analog phone line |
X |
|
| After the event, using the card readers, funds are transmitted to bank via an Internet connection |
|
X |
| Funds are transmitted to your account within five business days after payments are submitted |
X |
X |
| The terminal easily integrates with Greater Giving Event Software PC and other event management software to save you time and effort |
X |
|
| The card reader is used in conjunction with Greater Giving Event Software PC, allowing direct integration for a more streamlined process |
|
X |
For specifics on the Auctionpay credit card reader option, click here.
Special Note for MacIntosh Users
Greater Giving Event Software PC is validated and supported to work with PC Windows environments. We do not recommend using Windows-based software that runs on a MacIntosh in conjunction with Greater Giving solutions as some of our clients have experienced issues with such a configuration.
If you are a MacIntosh user, you can successfully use Greater Giving Event Software Online for all of your pre-event data management, including data entry, guest and item reporting, table assignments and post-event wrap up. Greater Giving Event Software Online is fully supported on MacIntosh OS X with Safari 3.x or Firefox 2.x Internet browsers.
"As the fifth largest charity wine auction in America, and with annual proceeds exceeding $1 million, Greater Giving has proven to be both a time and money saver for us. Not one problem. Not one glitch. Everything was perfect!"
— Judy Anderson, Classic Wines Auction, OR
"One of our past event challenges were items left over after the auction due to guests not picking them up or having incomplete contact information to contact the high bidder. After using Greater Giving, all of our items were sold the night of the event. And our attendees have been really happy with the streamlined process - much shorter checkout lines."
— Debye Whelchel, San Francisco 49ers Foundation, CA
“Prior to deciding about which credit card processing to use, we compared Greater Giving to the local banks. Most of them did not want to even discuss a one-time event. It turned out that the banks’ equipment rental, add-on charges etc., made Greater Giving no more expensive and much less hassle for us than any other alternative. We are so glad that we chose Greater Giving to help with this event, and are looking forward to next year already.”
— Karen Unger, All Saints’ Episcopal Church, FL
Free Software Trials
Free Trial Download of Greater Giving Event Software PC
We invite you to download a free 14-day trial of Greater Giving Event Software PC.
Free Trial of Greater Giving Event Software Online
Access a free trial of Greater Giving Event Software Online.
Tips
Auction Math
Regardless of the size of your auction, you should operate from a logical plan that follows a proven process.
Hiring a Professional Benefit Auctioneer
Engaging a professional benefit auctioneer can maximize your resources and help your event—and your cause—to shine.
See our Fundraising Tips page for more how-to’s.
Guides
Auction Planner
From twelve months prior all the way up to event day, the Auction Planner offers a detailed timeline for planning an auction fundraiser.
White Paper: Event Infrastructure
Similar to a remodeling a home, investing in quality “materials and labor” is critical to the success of your benefit fundraiser. This white paper will cover how investment in high-quality venues and professionals will solve problems, help you deliver a first-class event with less stress, and save you money in the long term.
White Paper: Tricks and Tips for School Auctions
This white paper provides details on managing a school auction, including committee assignments and responsibilities, item packaging tips, and items and packages that sell well at school auctions.
See our Guides page for more white papers.
On-Demand Seminars
Mastering Auction Challenges - Optimizing Your Event
This 60 minute, on-demand webinar offers tips on event setup and timing, live and silent auction best practices, volunteer management, and registration, checkout, pickup and post-event activities.
Procurement - Strategy
This 90-minute, on-demand webinar will help you understand how to approach procurement from a strategic perspective, including timing, audience development, and item placement.
See our Web seminars page for more webinars.
What is the difference between the credit card readers and the terminals?
The Auctionpay credit card reader is an alternative to the terminals for taking credit card payments. The card reader is used in conjunction with Greater Giving Event Software PC at check-in and check-out, eliminating the data exchange (sync) processes and improving the efficiency and speed of guest registration and check-out. To use Auctionpay card readers, you must also have Greater Giving Event Software PC installed on the PC used for check-in and check-out at the event.
How many Auctionpay card readers or terminals do I get?
At a minimum Greater Giving will ship 2 card readers or terminals to your event. The number of machines beyond that is based on the number of bidders you anticipate for your event.
Do I rent card readers or terminals, or do I own them?
Rather than paying the cost of purchasing card readers or terminals, Greater Giving sends the readers or terminals and training materials to you before your event. Then your group can ship them back within four business days after your event.
What training is provided?
In addition to the training DVD and videos already posted on our Website, the packing box also includes paper documentation showing how to set up either the card reader or terminal system and details of use. Greater Giving’s Support team is also available to assist you with any questions.
What happens if the guests don’t pre-register their credit card?
If a guest chooses not to pre-register their card, they can still pay via a credit card at the end of the event.
Do I need to have my own merchant account set up already?
Once you have signed up for the Auctionpay service, Greater Giving will set up a merchant account for you. No need to create one on your own, or use an existing account if you have one.
Is it necessary to have a phone line or Internet connection at the event?
No. A phone line is not needed during the event. If you’ve used card readers at your event, final charges are sent from the PC used at the event in conjunction with the card readers to the bank for processing via any Internet connection. If you’ve used terminals at your event, final charges are sent from the Master terminal to the bank for processing via an analog phone line. This process takes place when you are done reconciling all charges after the event.
What if the power goes out during the event?
In the event of a power loss, if the PCs you are using with the card readers have stored battery power, your data is retained and saved. The Auctionpay terminals will also retain the application and the data in the event of power loss. For the terminals, as soon as power is restored, run a Credit Report as a paper backup of all data stored on the Master terminal.
Flash Movie for Auctionpay
For a closer look at how Auctionpay works on the day of your event, view the Flash Movie.
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Macromedia Flash is required to view this demo.
Download Flash from the Macromedia website.