Top-of-category and bidding terms

1. Taking an open spot

When a category's spot is open, the first eligible business to book it gets it for 3 months, paid upfront at $79/month ($237). Your card is saved with our payment processor (Stripe) for renewals. You choose whether to keep the spot if no one bids for the next term; if you do, it renews for 3 months at your rate, charged to the saved card when the term ends. We email you 14 days before, with a one-click link to opt out.

2. Who can bid

Your business must genuinely belong in that category and have a listing in it on Franklin Local. Your card text and link must pass our review and ad policy. We check the first bid from a new advertiser before it counts. The business holding the spot may bid too.

3. Placing a bid

• A bid is a monthly price in whole dollars, at least $79/month and at least $5 above the current top bid.
• When you bid, we charge a deposit of 1 month at your bid rate and save your card. Raising your bid charges the deposit difference.
• You can raise your bid, or withdraw it for a full refund of your deposit, until bidding closes 7 days before the current term ends.
• After bidding closes, your bid is binding and can't be withdrawn.
• The current top bid and the number of bidders are shown publicly on the category page. Bidders' names are not.

4. When the term ends

• The highest bid wins. If two bids are equal, the earlier one wins.
• We charge the winner 6 months at the winning rate, minus the deposit, to the saved card. The winner's card runs for 6 months. Every other bidder's deposit is refunded in full.
• If the winner's card is declined or needs confirmation, we email a payment link. The winner has 72 hours to pay. The current holder keeps showing during that time.
• If the winner doesn't pay within 72 hours, the deposit is kept (it covers the spot being held off the market), and the spot is offered to the next highest bidder the same way.
• If there are no bids, or no bidder completes payment, the current holder keeps the spot if they chose to (renewing 3 months at their rate); otherwise the spot opens to anyone.
• After a 6-month term, the same cycle repeats.

5. Refunds, removal and changes

If we remove an ad for breaking the ad policy or these terms, we may keep payment for time already shown; otherwise refunds for our errors are made to the original card. If a payment is disputed or reversed, the ad comes down. All cards are labeled "Sponsored" and never change the order of the regular directory. We may change these terms for future terms and bids; changes never apply to a bid already placed without your agreement.