We also have 3 closing times. We section off the closing times/items by color and put those color table cloths on the tables. We then announce that the blue section will be closing ... then someone goes and pulls all the bid sheets on those tables. We stagger the closings in 20 minute increments. The trick is to have a good team in the "back room" entering all winners putting the certificate in their folder for check out. The bummer is that the people in the back room don't get to socialize or eat dinner. What we have found is that some people who are new to the school or not extroverts actually prefer being involved that way.
We do it similar to Sara....At least 3 different closing times. I make sure to announce when a section of tables will be closing -- giving a 5 minute warning. I haven't done this, but think it's a good idea, to have your different sections color-coded by the paper/linens you place on the tables..."The blue section will close in 5 minutes"...
Also, by staggering and saving bigger items for last, people who might not have won will be sure to bid again.
We are doing 3 closing times, but only staggered 15 minutes apart- to keep it exciting, our 1st table is our basket/material stuff table, our 2nd table is priceless school stuff (out to lunch with the principal, front row to Christmas Play, Masses, coolest kid in school, etc) our 3rd table is all the class projects
Our auction typically has several closing times, with items grouped by "table" with specified closing times. I'm not sure how the items are split up, but I guess you'd want the "best" items on the last table, so that if people don't win an item at an early-closing table, there will still be things left that they'll be interested in getting. Just be sure to announce when things are closing.
We are toying with the idea of having 2 closing times for our auction but I'm curious to hear how it works for all of you. Our event is with a spaghetti dinner that runs from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.. We usually have the auction close at 4:30 so we have time to get things processed before everyone is gone and we also have a live auction at 1:00.
I'm thinking about having a round of closing around 2:00, after the live auction, so the auctioneer can announce to people to go place their final bids for those items.
How do you determine which items to close when? We have a LOT of gift cards in our auction and some baskets and other items. Do you try to divide up the most popular items into each closing? How do you indicate which items close when? Do you keep them grouped together or spread them out? I'd like to get some details to present to our committee on Wednesday.
