Hi KarenVan,

When a coupon is donated I use it as a throw-in. It has no monetary value so I legally can't really sell it. Coupons are not meant to be purchased or sold. When they are sold, you are violating the terms of the coupon.

I can place it in an appropriate package, include it in the auction description sheet, and mention the donor, but I do not add the amount into the value. I am clear in the description that it is included as a "bonus" so that people are not upset when they receive it. Using $50 off your next order, or 10% off braces is a coupon. I have gone back to a few donors who have sent me these and requested an alternative donation, and most have been very accommodating. You never know unless you ask.

But I do think a coupon is a good goody bag or swag bag item. It's also perfect included in small gifts for teachers.

Hope this helps!

Ninja4Good

Try starting the bidding at half the value of the item and a minimum bid amount increase.

You can have a silent auction but not a raffle for Disney

I clicked on the US Airways link and found this info:

Each year, US Airways receives thousands of donation requests from worthy organizations and individuals. To maximize the airline’s philanthropic reach, corporate giving guidelines have been established. Due to the volume of requests, coupled by limited resources, we support nonprofit organizations located in and providing services in the major metropolitan areas of Charlotte (Mecklenburg County), Philadelphia (Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties), Phoenix (Maricopa County) and Washington, D.C. (Alexandria, Arlington, District of Columbia, Fairfax-Falls Church, Loudoun, Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Prince William Counties). These cities represent the communities served by the airline with the greatest number of flights and employees.

I don't think it would be much of a problem as long as you mention what the cost of the item to the winner would be. The bidders would then bid accordingly. It's similar to getting a $25 gift card to a restaurant. I know I could go to the restaurant by myself and just spend $25 but I would more likely go with my family and spend much more.

The Amtrak post brings up a question. What do you do when a "coupon" is donated? We have an auction (not a tricky tray), so she's right, it is hard to put out a bid sheet on these items. We got $50 off a balloon ride (which was $300), $25 off a birthday party (starting at $250), $100 off a photography package (starting at $500). There are more than a dozen of them. These are vendors who are in the area, so if they possibly come to the auction, I can't not use these donations. But to me, they aren't a "donation", they are a "coupon" toward a much bigger purchase. Does anyone have experience with these? Thanks for your help.