Buying acrylic frames for your silent auction displays -and my love of eBates

By Sherry · Friday, March 13th, 2009

Absolute Acrylic frames

A client asked me for some advice on where to buy acrylic frames for the silent auction displays in their upcoming fundraiser.

She was looking in all of the usual places. The costs she quoted me seemed a wee high.

In our local Washington, D.C. area, the cheapest I’ve seen has been at the Super Dollar store where 8.5″ x 11″ frames were selling for $1.25.

But I also did a quick search online and was pretty pleased when I could refer her to Absolute Acrylic, which priced the frames under $3.50 each. That purchase resulted in a savings to her school of well over $100.

Another tip: If you’re shopping for silent auction supplies and items online (maybe themed decor, utensils, etc.), consider joining eBates.

I'm awaiting my almost $40 check. As a small business owner, every penny counts.

My advice is to comparison shop online … find the best deal you can … and then log onto eBates and see if that store is represented in the company’s line-up. If so, log into eBates with your account, and enter the retailer to buy your merchandise via the eBates system. This will generate a discount for you. I’ve had additional discounts ranging from 1% – 15% in savings.

What I also love is that this discount is an additional savings beyond whatever you might have already secured.

For instance, you might have found a great price for centerpieces at Retailer XYZ. Then you did a search and found an online promotional code for $20 off your centerpieces. You’ll use that coupon in your shopping cart. Then because you entered Retailer XYZ through eBates, you will automatically receive still another discount.

To be clear, the eBates discount won’t reduce your shopping cart total at the point of purchase. Instead, your savings will show up in the form of a check in your mailbox the following quarter. I love it!

I’m constantly surprised at how many of the online retailers (and brick-and-mortar companies) I use are affiliated with eBates. It’s a great way to save money. Give them a look.

And although I’ve never checked, maybe they have an affiliation with a company selling acrylic frames. Then you could buy them at discount — and still get a Big Fat Check — for your next silent auction.

P.S. Get other ideas for silent auction displays with this free Benefit Auction Ideas ezine.

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