What Makes Auction Checkout A Bad Experience? Answer = Long Time to Check Out.
Auction checkout includes two primary elements, Payment and Receipt of Items.
If your organization decides to have everyone pay for the items before picking up the items, this will certainly result in a longer time to check out. While this is a matter of security and to ensure that payment is made prior to receipt, I think what your are really saying is that you do not "TRUST" the members of your organization In my opinion, perhaps you should re-think this…..After all you have the winning bidder’s name and contact information from the auction registration.
So, if you do not require proof of payment prior to item pick up, you will reduce some time from the check out.
Now let’s talk about how to reduce the Payment Lines. The Number One method for making this more time efficient is to have the attendees sign for a credit car payment at the time of registration (or you could have them sign a blank check)…..then they do not even have to stand in line to pay. Now, this requires the "TRUST" of the attendees.
Now, if you don’t use credit cards, and you insist on everyone to pay prior to checkout……then the only alternative is to add many more check out people, and hope for the best.
Norman O’Neal
Now Past President, Auctioneers Association of Maryland
