Having multiple bidders going after the same item is a good problem, so congratulations to you! You are providing a popular item that can really make your fundraiser profitable and fun!
The way I avoid the problems that you are having is to include in my auction rules that upon closing of the silent auction, some popular silent auction items could be placed in the live auction if there are multiple bidders interested in the item. This forces all interested parties to have their money do the talking....You are guaranteed great results every time.
For people who are unable to attend the event but are interested in bidding for our items, I offer absentee bidding where I have a committee member place bids for the absent parent. You will need their name, phone/cell number, address, credit card info, signature, and date, and maximum bid amount for each item requested.
I need some help regarding auctions. Every year we host a silent auction. We put out bidding sheets, and post rules stating they are not allowed to stand over the bidding sheets. Regardless of the rules, we end up with a crowd standing around the tables, trying to beat the other person out. If bidding ends at say 9, we always get people who start to write a higher bid at 8:59, but takes their sweet time writing. This leads to upset parents, and guests.
This year, we thought of putting a sealed box out, and slips to write their name, phone number (if the person ends up not staying) and their high bid. But now that the date is getting close, I worry this will not work out.
Please share your tips!!!
(we are not in the type of area to hire a company to over see the auction, or hire a private auctioneer)
Does anyone use Bidding for Good? I received a lot of their emails from requesting sponsorship/donations last year and now they are calling me to give me their pitch. Any information on that would be helpful. Thanks!
@Aliciabarefoot...I've been doing an elementary school auction in SW Virginia for 5 years now and am able to get lots of donations from different "tourist" places in NC. I would google the large cities in NC (Charlotte, Winston-Salem, etc) along with "Things to do" and contact all of those places which show up in the search. Most have "contact us" links so you can just email them. Off the top of my head, the Greensboro Children's Museum, Reynolda House, Old Salem, NC Zoo, Carolina Raptor Center are just a few which have been very generous. You're lucky in the fact that you are in NC and will probably have better luck. I would also contact tourist attractions in surrounding states too
I am in the North Carolina area. Are there any tips on good contacts for this area. I have contacted a lot of the post just playing the waiting game now. But most of those are national companies. Our auction is in March so kind of short on time. This is my first year so I was unaware of the long delays in the request so this has been a huge help in case I help again next year. working on local stores and gyms and such but any tips would be great. thanks
