Auction Rules are designed to keep auctions fair for both buyers and sellers, while giving auctioneers the freedom to create their own rules. Auction rules apply to any auctions of Animal Crossing in-game items, currency, or villagers, forum collectibles, or artwork. No other items may be auctioned without prior staff approval.
Rules for an auction must be clearly stated and followed by both the bidder and auctioneer. If the auctioneer wishes to reserve special rights, they must be stated prior to the auction starting and must not conflict with the rules listed below.
- All auctions must include: a starting bid, minimum increment (if any), exact start and end dates and times (including time zone), currency, any special rights the auctioneer wishes to reserve, and if applicable, delivery method. Auctioneers must not edit these terms once bidding begins.
- Bidders accept all rules posted by the auctioneer. If a bidder disagrees with any special rights reserved by the auctioneer, they should not participate.
- Auctioneers may only accept bids that are posted publicly in the auction thread. No bids may be accepted in private conversations (DMs), profile posts, other threads, or off-site (e.g., Discord).
- Auctions posted on The Bell Tree must not be cross-posted on another platform. This prevents confusion for bidders, and ensures bidders are not required to check multiple locations.
- The end time of the auction must be clearly stated prior to the auction starting, and should not be increased or decreased after the auction is active.
- All bids must be placed before the specified minute of the end time. For example, in an auction ending at 6:00, only posts that display a timestamp of 5:59 or earlier should be counted. The edit time should be used for bids made on edited posts.
- Bid retractions are not permitted except under extraordinary circumstances (e.g., accidentally adding an extra zero, an unexpected inability to complete the trade). The bidder should edit out the bid immediately, and notify the auctioneer with a brief explanation. Staff may review reported retractions if asked.
- The last person to bid on an auction within the scope of its rules and time limits is the winner. Auctioneers may not select a different winner, even if a higher offer is made after the auction has closed.
- Auctioneers are expected to see their auctions through to the end. Unless there is a valid reason, an auction cannot be canceled. If the auctioneer fails to complete the sale, the auction winner may leave negative feedback.
- Winning bidders are obligated to complete the purchase. If the winner backs out of the transaction, the auctioneer may leave negative feedback.
- "Selling" threads may accept best offers, but they should be made against a higher starting price or be individually accepted or declined in a timely manner. For example, a user cannot state they are open to offers for a forum collectible or event currency and then wait to see how high offers get before responding.
- Staff may ask a seller to change their "selling" thread to an auction, or alternatively to close their thread, if: the seller waits for offers to rise before responding, the seller indicates they will choose the highest offer, or the seller uses language consistent with auctions (e.g., "current offer"). If a selling thread becomes an auction, it must follow all auction rules.