WE have found that so many folks who come to our Bazaar/silent auction are looking of bargains. For several years we would reduce items in silent auction during final half hour of so of bidding. Last year we did not do any reducing, but rather held all left over items in hopes they would all "sell". WE first offered the to our workers at a reduced rate--then to others who were interested. We are disappointed that rather than considering the good cause many folks are looking to get something for nothing. In the past we have started bidding at 1/3 to 1/2 half of the value of an item--now we may look at raising the minimum bid on items. Our bazaar is November 21, so we are hard at work getting letters, e-mails, faxes, etc. out. The is the time when we begin to get discouraged each year. the is our 28th annual Holiday Bazaar and about the 6th year to have the silent auction. Each year we find some of our "old faithfulls" are no longer giving, but we do add new ones each year...so maybe all will end well again this year!
I love this site, I have been using it for two years now.
Anyway, I am at a private high school in San Antonio and this year we have had a great deal of success garnering hotel stays on the famous Riverwalk.
I have already created two "staycations", I was wondering if any body/organization would be interested in trading a hotel stay with a great restaurant (both on the Riverwalk) for a hotel stay/restuaurant in your city.
I have the blessing of the person donating to make it happen.
Email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. can give you more details.
That's true, but it also depends on the group you are selling to. Some parents can be....cheap, I guess is the nicest way to put it. And will bid as low as they can. We sold a package to Disney world for not even half the price they would have paid normally. It made me sad, especially when the profits are for such a good cause.
Seems to me that you could be loosing out on a lot of money by doing a buy it now price, especially one that is less than the value of the item. In our previous silent auctions, people get so into it, they drive each other's prices up. We had a $50 kid's bike that sold for $200 once. So even if things are selling at a high rate that way, it seems like you've given yourself a ceiling on what you can make?
