Is customary to send out Thank you letters within 48 hours after your receive the donation.

To trangel77...

We receive MANY out of area donations. Our buyers are thrilled to bid on new and exciting offers and who doesn't love a trip out of town? That said, there are some cases where an auction item is left unsold. Isn't it better to share that item than to throw it away? And as far as regulations go...I believe it is the donor deciding who gets what, not you. A little goodwill and positive attitude goes a long way.

Trangel77: I didn't mean to upset or offend you in anyway. This is not something I requested. I do follow all rules and regulations that are posted within the donation request forms. With that being said if Pier 39 did not want to send them to people out of state they wouldn't and it would be posted on their site. I went to it and looked just to make sure that it was given to me wrongly. I simply asked if there was someone out there that would like to trade for something they might not get much for (like a $ 20.00 GC that could be used as a giveaway at our Fireman's Dinner) and I would give them this in return. I would rather someone use it then it to go to waste.

Peg: Thank You for your support. I was unaware I would stir the pot by asking such a question. It's good to know that I am not the only one that runs into getting items that will not be used. Thank you again!

I've done our school's auction for several years now and have received donations I didn't think I could use. However, I do, as Tim Gunn would say, 'make it work'. I don't want any business to sour on my school because I traded a donation. The business gave the donation to my school, for whatever reason, and I figure out a way to use it. Sometimes I let it stand on its own, or I will pair it with something else, but I've never had something not go during the auction. Whether or not the winner uses the item is up to them, but the business has at least gotten some advertising.

Obviously the decision to trade a donation is up to you, but I would check with the business or at least put yourself in their shoes...

I've done our school's auction for several years now and have received donations I didn't think I could use. However, I do, as Tim Gunn would say, 'make it work'. I don't want any business to sour on my school because I traded a donation. The business gave the donation to my school, for whatever reason, and I figure out a way to use it. Sometimes I let it stand on its own, or I will pair it with something else, but I've never had something not go during the auction. Whether or not the winner uses the item is up to them, but the business has at least gotten some advertising.

Obviously the decision to trade a donation is up to you, but I would check with the business or at least put yourself in their shoes...

We have let businesses know of trades. They are thrilled with the extra advertising. Any press they would have gotten from our auction, they have already gotten by auction day. So, if we trade and/or give it to another school - the business then gets their press too. It is like they donated twice. Win, win.