Auction Help Please

[sarahbear]

Too high. Half that amount. It's just an amount to get people started.

[lilibet]

I like your $10 for $50 value. I think that works well. And if they don't like it they should have given you numbers.

And omg that's the dumbest thing ever. 1. What school doesn't need money? and 2. Why did they think the fundraiser was being done? geez.

[tulip]

At DDs school auction it was a 10.00 starting bid for G/C and misc things. A 50.00 stating bid for class baskets and donations that was over 200.00 retail price point. The class crafts and baskets where valued as 'priceless'. I think you're doing great and should stick to your system.

[underwaterrhymes]

Your startng bid is fine. I would even go a bit higher.

Do they have people to pull the sheets right as bidding ends? People get vicious and sneaky when it's something they want. You will need all hands on deck to pull sheets.

[underwaterrhymes]

Feb 26, 2015 22:07:23 GMT -5 @smace said:

Yes, the teachers will. If not, I'll regulate their asses.

Make it very clear. I would even have people standing next to particular sections and instruct them to swoop in and get the sheets they're responsible for. At my last school auction I worked we almost had two parents get in a fistfight over a chair the kids had hand painted.

Parents don't play.

[sewpinkgal]

For the church auction, opening bid is 1/3 the retail value. Preschool auction is next month, so not sure what the opening bids are there. I think $10 for $50 is fine though.

And ditto underwaterrhymes to make sure folks are there to pull bid sheets as soon as it's over.

Good luck!

[sewpinkgal]

Feb 26, 2015 22:57:43 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

Feb 26, 2015 22:32:08 GMT -5 @smace said:

No, no alcohol. H did suggest slashing minimums if things don't move.

My fear is this: with these families, though they can afford it, it's like pulling teeth to even get a little bit (like snack basket stuff) from them. Maybe they'll surprise me but I'm afraid of having it too high and they'll be like 'fuck it'.

Then, trust your gut but maybe up the starting bid on the handmade class art project shit.
Parents love that. I think we used, "Estimated value = priceless" and required $10 to $15 bid increments. 

We use the same shtick for class gifts at the church auction, too.