How to Register for the Auction?
It’s Easy & Secure! Use any one of the following two ways:
- Register on MET’s Auction Homepage
- Text right to 76278
Register on MET’s Auction Homepage
- Go to our Auction Homepage
- Click on the "Register Now" button on the homepage of this website
- Create an account by entering your first name, last name and email address
- Check the terms and conditions box
- Check the text messages box and enter your mobile number - this is how you can receive notifications on bids, purchases and the event
- Click the "Create my GiveSmart account button"
- Click the OK within the All Set Message to complete registration
Text right to 76278
The easiest way to get started is to text RIGHT to 76278 and follow the prompts. Don’t worry if you don’t autosave your account information you can ask to reset your password via your mobile phone number or email. Sometimes when you refresh your browser or turn off your phone the automatic log-in becomes inactive.
After Registering
- You can bid on our plates and will begin receiving updates via e-mail and text messages about auction items and the virtual programming.
- You will be able to use your smartphone, tablet, or computer to set your account preferences, keep up with the status of your bids, and continue bidding until the auction closes. You can be the winning bidder wherever you are!
- You can browse the auction items.
- When the Auction goes live, you can start bidding on your special low-number whale plate, set a maximum bid if desired, and GiveSmart will continue to keep you in the running until you reach your maximum bid.
- Credit card information is required to place a bid and can be added when you are ready to bid or donate
If you already have one of MET’s license plates please consider donating. You can donate easily and securely anytime here.
What is the Timeline for the Online Auction?
The Drive with Purpose |Protect Right Whales low number whale plate auction will begin on December 1st through 15th, 2025. Over the next 2-3 years we will auction more low-number whale plates (RW and RT plates 1-999) by holding online bidding opportunities every 3-6 months.
How to Place a Bid
After registering with the steps above, you can place a bid one of two ways:
Via Text
- Once the auction is live, you will receive a text message with a blue link directing you to the auction page
- Select on the item of interest to view the description and the current bid
- Choose to bid at the system's set amount or type in a higher amount and click the "Bid" button
- If your bid was accepted, a box will appear congratulating you on the leading bid
- If it was not accepted, someone else may have entered the same bid right before you. Simply hit the back button and enter a higher bid
Via Auction Homepage
- Select the Items tab at the top of the homepage for this website. Once there, you can search by item name or category
- Select the item of interest to view the description and the current bid
- Choose to bid at the system's set amount or type in a higher amount and click the "Bid" button
- If your bid was accepted, a box will appear congratulating you on the leading bid
- If it was not accepted, someone else may have entered the same bid right before you. Simply hit the back button and enter a higher bid
How Bidding Works
Single bid v autobid
- A single bid can be placed as a one-time bid for any amount.
- An autobid can be placed and set at your maximum amount you are willing to spend.
- With autobid, our system will place your bid at the minimum amount needed to lead. When you are outbid, our system will bid automatically for you until your maximum is reached.
Who wins?
- When two bids are placed for the same amount, the bid placed first based on the timestamp wins.
- Timestamps are set when the initial bid is placed, for autobids this is when a maximum was set not when the system prompted the bid to win.
Why are there bids with the same amount?
We list competing bids of the same amount to indicate what prompted an autobid to be placed. Otherwise, it would be unclear as to why an autobid was increased. For Example, Item 100 has a current amount of $100 and a bid increment of $50. John placed an autobid at 7:00pm with a maximum amount of $200. John is winning at $150. Jill placed a bid for $200 at 7:30pm. John's bid is increased to $200 by our system. John wins because he committed to the amount earlier than Jill. The list shows both John and Jill at $200 so we can see what prompted John's bid to increase.
Autobids
You also have the option to place an autobid. This will automatically place a bid for you up to a certain level when someone outbids you.
- Select the "Autobid" tab.
- Input the maximum amount you are willing to pay for that item and hit bid.
- If you are outbid, another bid will be made on your behalf up to the maximum amount that you entered.
- If you are outbid at any time, you will receive a text message notification and a "Losing" banner will appear across the item.
Can I Bid on Multiple Plates, Even Though I Only Want to Purchase One?
At the end of the auction, we will process payments on all winning bids, so you will be responsible for purchasing any plates that you have the winning bid on. If you only want one plate, we suggest choosing your top priority plate. If it seems like you are losing that plate in the final auction countdown, you can make a bid on your second preferred plate at that time.
How to Check Out When Auction Closes
When you win an auction item, you will receive a text message congratulating you on your win! There are a few different ways to pay for your winnings and check out:
Via Text
- You will receive a text message congratulating you on your winnings. Click the blue link within this text message to be directed to your personal payment page
- Review your cart and select the "Click Here to Pay" button
- You can either use the credit card information you added upon registration or enter new card information
- Once payment is complete, a red paid stamp will be placed on your order summary. You can email the receipt to the email address on file or download it
Via Auction Home Page
- Select the Pay Tab at the top of the event website
- Review your purchase summary and select the "Click Here to Pay" button
- You can either use the credit card information you added upon registration or enter new card information
- Once payment is complete, a red paid stamp will be placed on your order summary. You can email the receipt to the email on file or download it
After the Auction closes and you have paid for your item, a representative from MET will be in contact with you to coordinate receiving your new set of whale license plates. For this reason, please make sure that your contact information when you register is correct.