In our continuing efforts to simplify the land purchasing transactions, streamline our operations, and reduce our exposure to risk, we are making the following three changes to the land auction delivery process.
First, upon winning a US dollar auction, the winning Resident will be billed within 24 hours using their payment method on file. If no valid payment method is available the winning bid amount will applied to the Resident's balance due.
Upon winning a Linden dollar auctions, regardless of current balance, Residents will have the appropriate number of Lindens deducted from their accounts. Residents may have a resulting negative L$ balance.
Second, the Resident's new total square meter commitment (including the newly won auction land) will be used to determine if the Resident needs to be moved into a new tier. If a new tier is required, the Resident will automatically be moved to the new tier level.
Lastly, the parcel associated with the won auction will be transferred immediately to the new owner. The owner is no longer required to go in-world and purchase the land for L$ 0.
Also, when an auction closes, a summary email is sent to the winner notifying them of the transaction when it occurs.
More information on these changes can be found in the Auction FAQ:
http://secondlife.com/auctions/faq.php
We plan on launching this new system on May 9, 2006, all auctions completed after this time will be held to the new system.