Books & Beyond Gala 2026 Auction Rules

  1. You will be able to set a maximum bid, which enables the system to auto-bid for you in increments up to the maximum bid you set. You can set your maximum bid by selecting any amount higher than the current possible bid amount.
  2. If you have won an item, you will be notified. You will then be able to pay for your item using the payment method you have entered; otherwise, Read Ahead will process your payment for you within 15 minutes of auction close (using the payment method on file). If you wish to use a different payment method, please speak with a Read Ahead staff member within 10 minutes of auction close.
  3. Experiences cannot be resold or re-auctioned.
  4. Experiences cannot be transferred.
  5. Blackout dates may apply.
  6. Travel and accommodations are not included unless otherwise indicated in the item description.
  7. We expect all winning bidders and their guests to conduct themselves appropriately when attending an experience won at our auction. Decorum and adherence to all rules and guidelines are a must.
  8. Unless otherwise noted in the item description, seat location will not be known in advance.
  9. Unless specific dates are indicated in the item description, experiences are to be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon date, based on the experience provider’s availability. Unless otherwise stated in item description, experiences must be redeemed within one year of winning.
  10. All auction winners are required to comply with current government, venue, and event requirements associated with the redemption of this lot. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of the experience and final purchase price.
  11. Should redemption of all or a portion of this lot be prevented or postponed beyond the dates of redemption explicitly stated on this lot page due to force majeure (i.e. weather, act of God, state of war, terrorism, strike, pandemic, etc.) or any other condition beyond reasonable control, the winner may be eligible for a refund of the total purchase price.
  12. Some auction items may have a reserve price. In the event the reserve price is not met, the item will not be sold to the highest bidder.