Have added a little bit more to the FAQs, fwiw:

DONATING ITEMS TO THE MUDCAT AUCTION

Thank you for supporting The Mudcat Cafe by participating in the Mudcat Auction. We hope you will have fun with the bidding process! You might want to review some of the active Auction threads.

In all Mudcat auctions, all or some of the proceeds go directly to Mudcat (see "Mudcut" in the chart of active items [link]).


* How do I add an item to the auction?

Click on the Auction link in the menu bar at the top of the page. Then, click on the Add Item to Auction link and follow the instructions.


* How long should my auction last?
Most successful online auctions are 7-10 day auctions. You may choose a longer time period, but it's important to keep people's interest up.


* How much do I have to pay Mudcat?

The choice is yours. When you add your item, you can choose to share from 10% to 100% of the proceeds with the Mudcat.


* Who pays for shipping?

You should be clear in your initial auction posting as to what arrangements are acceptable for shipping and handling. Let folks know if they will have to pay extra for shipping or if the shipping costs will be covered by the final bid. Also, be sure to spell out if the shipping cost comes out of the profit before Mudcat gets its cut. Also, please keep in mind that Mudcat is an international community. Overseas shipping can be very expensive.


* How do I add a picture to my listing?

Be sure you have your picture saved on your computer in the jpeg format. And, remember where you saved it. After you have named your item, chosen the percentage paid to Mudcat after your item has sold, and chosen a closing date for your auction to end, click on Take Me To Describe It.

Click on "Browse" just to the right of "Image File." This will lead you to your computer files. Be sure to choose the right drive, then find your image file. Once you've clicked on it, click on "open" and that will take you back to your auction listing page, with the picture copied onto Mudcat. You will not see the actual picture until you finish your listing.


* How do I set a minimum bid? Do I have to bid on my own item in order to list it?

In your initial listing, the amount you enter in the "Opening Bid" box sets the minimum amount you will accept for your item. A good rule of thumb says "start low" as it tends to encourage bidding. Folks enjoy bidding up; if you start too high, it's just not as much fun!


* Where do I tell folks about my item? What should I include?

You may post as much information as you'd like in the posting box provided under "Create Initial Message for Thread."


* How can I find out if folks have questions about my item?

Just open your auction thread, anytime, to see who has posted a question and/or entered a bid.


* What happens at the end of my auction?

The winner and the seller should contact one another, by PM or email. They should make arrangements for the winner to send payment directly to the seller, to Mudcat, or both-- depending on the split of proceeds.

People often bid for an item they wish to give, as a gift, to someone else. Please be timely in sending the item to the winner, and please let the winner know what shipping method you have chosen so they can estimate how long it will take to arrive.


* I need help with the auction; who should I contact?
      
Post a "help thread" in the Help section of the Mudcat. Someone will answer your question.



BIDDING ON DONATED ITEMS
   
Thank you for supporting The Mudcat Cafe by participating in the Mudcat Auction. We hope you will have fun with the bidding process! You might want to review some of the active Auction threads. In all Mudcat auctions, all or some of the proceeds go directly to Mudcat.


*Who can bid?

The Mudcat Auction is only open to registered members of The Mudcat Cafe.


*What can I expect, if I win?

Everything is offered in "AS IS" condition. Your bid is primarily an offer to donate to the Mudcat, not a purchase. There are no guarantees as to quality, timely shipping, etc.


*How do I bid?

Each time you post in an Auction thread, please note the Bid: $ text-box, where you can enter or change the amount of your bid. You can also leave the box blank if you are only commenting. If you don't adjust the amount in the text box, your post will automatically include a new, higher bid than the last bid.


* If I win the Auction, how do I "pay" for the item I've won?
   
Contact the seller via PM to provide your mailing address, to arrange for how the item will be sent, and for details of payment percentages, etc.

You can send the "Mudcut" (percentage of the proceeds) through the PayPal link on this page. Or, you can go directly to PayPal and pay to max@mudcat.org.

You may also send your donation to:
            The Mudcat Café
            PO Box 3006
            West Chester, PA 19381
            (610) 738 9050

Once your donation has been verified as received, the seller sends you the item as you and the seller have agreed via PM.


* I need help with the auction; whom should I contact?
      
Post a "help thread" in the Help section of the Mudcat. Someone will answer your question.