I’m currently running a small, one man custom woodwork shop; built-ins, bookcases, trim and crown-molding make up most of my work. Most of my customers are either in my neighborhood or friends of the family.
Well a neighbor is organizing a dinner with a silent auction to raise money for our grade school. She asked if I would like to donate something for the auction.
I did something similar for our church last year and donated the labor for a one-room crown molding project. Well the winning bid got it for $100. I don’t mind doing the work but to be honest, I would rather donate $200 directly to the church and skip the day spent at someone’s house. The church would be better off too. All said and done, the winner is looking for a bookcase in the near future, so luckily I can write this one off as a sales tool. But there’s no guarantee that this will happen the next time.
I’ve also thought about donating a coupon for $x.xx off of a project but this could look like a gimmick. If someone wants a big project, the winner, who is not familiar with my pricing, might just think I’m absorbing the price into the quote.
I could also make a piece of furniture or a bookcase, but there’s no guarantee that someone will like what I make and it won’t go for what it’s really worth. Again, I would be better off spending my time to make money from a full paying customer and donating a portion of that time to the school.
Anyone have any thoughts or ideas on this subject?
thanks
Joe
Replies
make a real small bookcase or maybe a toliet paper holder, paper towel holder, and let it be.
.
Our old church used to have a fall festival auctuion, and the range of items was amazing. i would usually do a nice quilt rack or a simple jelly cupboard in a rustic but nice style, and it would sell for a decent price.
What about making a plate shelf with cup hooks? Something that can be easily carried home.
I think it would bebetter to donate an item rather than cash, cuz it contributes to the auction event. When people get enthused, the prices can be far greater than they should. Our pastor used to bulk up the bidding by saying "come on folks, it's for a good cause" and it worked.
You also need to realize that not everything needs to be of grand size. There are lots of people who would like to have a custom made something that doesn't overpower their home, and are willing to pay a bit more for it.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Edited 1/25/2007 4:51 pm ET by FastEddie
Been there. I ended up making a simple, medium to small bookcase every year. Always sold, people started to look for it, cost was affordable for me.
people started to look for it
Exactly. We had a commercial artist who always did a water color, about 18x24 with a rough barnboard frame. He said it took him about 30-60 minutes to paint, and it was always one of the best sellers.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
What bothers me is that I make a ginger cheese cake for another auction every year and it brings in more $'s . ;-)
I often do consulting work such as going to look at a construction problem and giving my advice on how to fix it and who to use for the work. I do this work on weekends or after work and it is not a regular source of income for me. I usually send a bill and request that the person make a donation in this amount to a charity that I am interested in. Not only does this raise money at a fair rate for my time but it also may interest the customer/donor in making further contributions on their own.
You will never hear a complaint about the amount of the bill either.
We sponsor the printing cost of our charities outreach brochure, a few hundred bucks every other year, and they list us as the sponsor on the brochure and also in their newsletter with the name of the company and the website. That way I don't have to contribute to the auction, I do bring a sound system for their community festival though. Good advertising and a tax write-off and good will booster either way. (ie you can write it off as a business expense or as a charitable deduction.)
M
Maybe you just need to tell her you would rather donate the $$,
J Madson,
you have an opportunity here-one you want to think through pretty carefully.
your situation is quite similar to mine-and this can be a good long term marketing opportunity for you-depending on the neighborhood.
historically-the majority of my work has come from about a 12 block radius of where I live, grew up, my sons attended school, my wife still teaches, etc.
take a look at YOUR situation. Can you spare money more-or can you spare time??????
what I have usually done--is give money-but give it in a way that is litterally advertising. I buy an adv. on the back of the parish bulletin, I buy an adv. in every fundraising program I am approached about( our fund raiser is a "night at the races" type of thing.( the ADV. charges on those programs are part of the profit making opportunities for the fundraiser)- when I have given time-instead of money-it's a little differently.-for example---a few years ago our parish( again within the 12 block radius)---was replacing a church building. I made arrangements to personally shingle the building at a grotesquely reduced rate-basically I worked 13 days at laborers wages during the busyiest part of my year----etc.
so-if you are fully booked throughout the year and your business is enthusiastically supported by the neighborhood- I would kind of feel that you kind of OWE the neighborhood a certain amount of donations.
If-on the other hand-you have a certain amount of "downtime" to fill------- If I had your skills-I would look at making a few items to donate at your discretion-and I would do that regularly. I don't think I would donate the same thing every time- but would mix it up a bit to show a variety of skills-who knows-some people might begin to "collect' your work-and bidding wars could ensue-----------
Exactly how and what you do-will likely depend on the economic affluence of your neighborhood-and the discretionary income within it.-you want your participation to be a beneift to the organization AND to you.- If you give an item you would normally sell for $1400-and it auctions at $350-that is gonna come back to gite you down the road. On the other hand-if you give an item you would sell at $450-and it auctions at $700-that's good news for you!!!!!!
all in all I would congratulate you-because you have a good opportunity here---------- the pay off may be down the road a ways though--------
( I did a roof last summer for someone here in the neighborhood--I haven't had personal contact with them in over 4 years-------but they made a point of mentioning that they apreciated that I had always tried to be good for the neighborhood-and they were not even going to get competing prices.BTw-they also referred me to their neighbor across the street and I did THAT roof as well a few weeks later)
Very best wishes to you, Stephen
Thanks for everyone's help,
I defenitely feel that I should give and I truly want to. This is my son's school and soon my other two will go there too. I also see the potential as a marketing tool, but I don't want to give away the farm.
I guess I'm in a lucky situtation - I actually have the time and the money to do it either way. If I build a bookcase or do a crown molding job, I'm looking to "donate" about 6-8 hours of my time. It doesn't make sense to do this if I'm only going to get a $100 winning bid though. Again, both the school and I would be better off if I found a paying customer and made a full day's pay and then donated the cash to the school. Of course, I miss out on the marketing potential. So there is an opportunity cost associated with this choice.
I guess I'm just looking for advice on the most "sellable" item that I could put up for auction. “The richest genius, like the most fertile soil, when uncultivated, shoots up into the rankest weeds..” – Hume
I guess I'm just looking for advice on the most "sellable" item that I could put up for auction.
Think cheap, large.
My modest experience was offering something that sold for a fraction of market value (PBS auction). And Stephen pegged the outcome. Won't make that mistake again.
Most auctions have folks looking for a bargain.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Most auctions have folks looking for a bargain.
Tom, I'd agree with you if this was an auction for used shop equipment or house hold goods. I attend anywhere from 2 to 20 antique auctions a months and the last thing I or most of the other people there are expecting is a bargin. Not that we dont want the bargin but we know that thats probably not going to happen at a antique auction.
The other reason that I disagree with you is that this is a charity auction. My nephew held a charity auction for a little girl that is suffering from some rare disease, medical cost are out of sight.
The comunity donated all the stuff for this auction, cakes, cookies, used cars, tickets to baseball games........you name it, it was there.
I dont know of one item that brought its face value, not one single item. One particular cake brought $100, many more similar to that. Two tickets to the Chicago Cubs Vs St Louis Cardinals brought $250, face value of those tickets are $18 each, I know cause there sitting right here in front of me.
This auction was for a cause, a community that needed help for one of theirs, same as the original posters.
People will give more then face value for stuff at these auctions, happens all the time. There usually arnt any bargin shoppers at these events!
Doug
Edited 1/26/2007 7:31 pm ET by DougU
People will give more then face value for stuff at these auctions, happens all the time. There usually arnt any bargin shoppers at these events!
You clearly don't live around here. And I must question your universal statement for there. None? I've been to church auctions here too. People are people.
I mentioned charity experience, not a tool auction.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Edited 1/26/2007 8:53 pm ET by VaTom
You clearly don't live around here.
Then I'll thank God for that! I'm glad that when theres a charity auction that people realize the need and pony up, maybe it is a regional thing, who knows.
Doug
doug,
I would guess it largely depends on the economic circumstances of the auction goers---but at charity auctions( I have never been to any other kind)---------- things can get out of hand quickly.
At my local parish- i once watched my neighbor( landscape contractor), a neighborhood cement contractor, and a neighborhood plumbing contractor screw each other to the wall ALL night long-they had all been drinking-and what ever one wanted-the other 2 would bid up out of sight.
Across town-at a catholic high school auction-it's a silent auction--------------a week in a time share in ireland went for about 3or4 times it's market value---so ya just never know.
Stephen
Stephen, that's the behavior Doug was talking about. I've seen it too.
Where we differ is his assertion that there are no bargain hunters at charity auctions, that those large bids are always present. I've been to several where there were few, if any, bids along the lines you mention. It's fun to see, when it happens.
But to state that it will always happen when you're advising someone on what project to contribute goes against what I've experienced, here in the bible-belt. It also seems questionable in light of the OP's stated reluctance. I have no idea where that vitriol originated.
so ya just never know
Exactly.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Tom
his assertion that there are no bargain hunters at charity auctions
There usually arnt any bargin shoppers at these events!
See the difference! I never said that there are NONE, thats the second time you quoted me on that and its the second time you are wrong.
My experience with chairty auctions is just as I stated - dont have any reason to make up some cock and bull story to impress ya. I try to refrain from the blanket statements for this very reason. Maybe there are bargin hunters at them (chairity auctions) but I dont see them winning any of the bids because there are others out there that will run the price up for the good of the chairity.
The particular auction that I mentioned in my previous post raised over 80K for this young girl, my guess is there wasnt 25K in goods sitting on the tables.
Doug
I believe the reason my original donation of a crown molding project went so cheap wasn't because of bargain hunters. I think I was being too specific in my project description. That's why I started this post.
Most items at the auction went for their expected value. Some a little higher, some a little lower, but most right on target. I think I just missed the mark with what I offered. There were only two people out of 100-150 people bidding on my item. I just happen to hit a crowd that didn't need crown molding done.
Hence the reason I'm looking for advice for the next opportunity. “The richest genius, like the most fertile soil, when uncultivated, shoots up into the rankest weeds..” – Hume
J
I'd assume your right in your assertion on the crown job....... its something that isnt visable to the public as they bid. There may have been a lot more people there that would have liked the crown job but its not sitting there on the table in full view. Some people can not visualize.
I like these events and its a good chance for you to showcase your talents and help the community in one fell swoop.
Doug
Get a grip, you're really trying here. Looking for a difference between "usually aren't any" and "none". Read it again. If there aren't any, as usual, there are NONE.
Now you say bargain hunters actually do exist there, just not successful. That's entirely different. And easy to accept.
I've seen the same things, but to suggest to the OP that it will always occur is irresponsible. Unless you would like to guarantee a bid of say... 3x his market value? In which case I'll consider offering a $15k table. <G> Maybe those charitable bidders will save you.
Which is getting toward something useful to the thread. Appropriateness of the offered item. I suggested cheap and large. It works, by my experience.
And thanks for refraining from more Bible-thumping.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Get a grip, you're really trying here.
Tom are you that bored that your going to hit on all the semantics of the post?
The reason that I didnt include the all inclusive "none" that you suggested is that I dont know the mind set of all the attendees, didnt have the time to go out amongst them and do a little one on one physco analisis, not that I'm capable of that!
There usually arnt any bargin shoppers at these events!
The word "none" is not in this sentence. Thats not an accident. I dont know how everybody there was thinking, but I know that I saw people bidding on stuff that they wouldnt normally have been doing so if they were standing at your typical household sale.
I've seen the same things, but to suggest to the OP that it will always occur is irresponsible.
Irresponsible, come on Tom, I wasnt suggesting that the guy hook his furnace up and run it with the flu unattached, and I never suggested to the guy that "all" items will bring 10 times their face value. You trying for a little shock and awe with the "irresponsible" crack! LOL
I related my experiences at these types of events, I left the door slightly ajar to the fact that there may be bargin hunters out there but they arnt successful or that I just plain didnt/dont see them, OR, perhaps they just arnt there! Obviously that was just my take on the less then half dozen or so of these type of events.
I dont care if the OPer gives a damn thing, dont care if he gives a $15K table, I related my experience with the type of event that the thread was about. Obviously the behaviour at these events differ just like the opinions on BT.
I suggested cheap and large. It works, by my experience.
There you go Tom, thats what your experience tells you works and who am I to suggest to you that you are wrong. I have different experiences and I think I'll go with them.
I'm done with this conversation, I've got a grip and I'm moving on.
Later
Doug
I suggested cheap and large.
Reminds me of my Dad's 2nd wife. I think I'll go with a small table/console instead. I have some cherry left over from another bookcase. Simple finish like tung oil so I don't have to spend a lot of time on it. I'll let everyone know how it goes.
Thanks to everyone for the help but I've got to go, my kids are fighting upstairs - can't stand when the kids get in a pi$$ing match. “The richest genius, like the most fertile soil, when uncultivated, shoots up into the rankest weeds..” – Hume
Send the money. Too many charities waste time and energy raising money by selling stuff people make for less that the stuff is worth. Bake sales, quilt auctions, etc. No one really benefits if you donate a piece that took you 10 hours to make and it sells for $100.
This isn't a true charity. This is my kid's school. Everyone is a volunteer, there are no overhead costs, every penny raised goes to the Home & School Association (just like the old fashioned PTA)
It's my goal to balance the advertising, the donation and the bang for the buck. I think I'm going to go with a small table/console. Set it up and hope for the best. “The richest genius, like the most fertile soil, when uncultivated, shoots up into the rankest weeds..” – Hume
Since you have the time and the money, why not give them both? A modest piece like a nice cutting board, bowl, set of spoons...and a cash donation. You get some advertising, and the school gets the money it needs? Next year maybe go bigger on one or the other... "But to be honest some folks here have been pushing the envelope quite a bit with their unnecessary use if swear words. They just put a character in to replace a letter. But everyone knows what they're saying." Sancho
I like your thinking. It would be nice to get a feel for the interest. Then next year, I can plan accordingly.
thanks“The richest genius, like the most fertile soil, when uncultivated, shoots up into the rankest weeds..” – Hume
Combining your post #14 and Snorts #16, auction the table and a matching check to the school as one piece.
Knowing that whatever they "pay" for the table will include even more money to the school may drive the bidding wars crazy.
'Course, paying the matching funds may drive you crazy too.SamT
Guys that don't do things correctly the first time.....then argue that they did nothing wrong.....if made to agree to fix the problem, rarely put the time and effort into truely doing it properly. they'll just look for the quickest fix to appease you and get their money. JDRHI <!----><!----> 84310.51
your solution may be as simple as stipulating what the starting bid must be
or, make the first bid yourself
or, donate the crown moulding for a 16x16 room and offer your services for a fixed rate
or, work up a design that you can knock off year after year with minimal effort/mat'l
it be easier to just say " No thank you, too busy this year".