Erin Condren is doing the same thing. Last year I got gift certificates from them. Today I got a reply thanking me for my interest, but saying they were not donating at this time due to high volume.
Very interesting post. We don't use coupons of any kind. As I mentioned on a previous post (bottom of page 15), our church does an annual fund raiser each summer where we have 60 items which includes theme baskets and other items (e.g. tickets to Kings Island, canoe trips, etc.). Two years ago we tried a buy me now strategy for 5 items and all were purchased outright. Last summer, we put a buy me now price on EVERY item. Out of 60 items, 40 plus were purchased at the buy me now price. If an item had a value of $75, we put a buy me now price of $50. Again, we don't do the silent auction the traditional way with a bid sheet. See my post on bottom of page 15 to see process. The buy me now price has been very successful for us.
I have tried every where. I have filled out over a hundred forms and locals are really cutting back this year. We are a small preschool and in the past I have been able to bank 10-11k. I am not sure if I'll even come close this year. I was hoping to have luck with the Horseshoe Casino this year but have not heard back. I got denied from every place in Chicago and in Columbus so I have no trips.