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You are here: Home / Auctioneers / How to Find a Benefit Auctioneer
Jan 05

How to Find a Benefit Auctioneer

Sherry Truhlar Leave a Comment

benefit auctioneer Virginia Sherry Truhlar

If you’re new to charity auctions or new to working with auctioneers, you might be unsure of how to go about finding and selecting a benefit auctioneer.

Here are six steps auction planners can use to not just survive the selection process, but actually enjoy the conversations.

 

#1: Locate some benefit auctioneers

If you’re starting from a blank slate, visit the National Auctioneers Association website and use their “Find an Auctioneer” search tool. Auctioneers with a “BAS” (Benefit Auctioneer Specialist) credential indicates that he or she has had specific benefit auction training.

A BAS designation should not be your deciding criteria, but at least it gives you  good place to start when weeding through the masses.

Similarly, if you research your state auctioneers association, many states also have a similar search tool for finding area auctioneers.

benefit auctioneer Virginia Sherry Truhlar with team members

Another great option is to call other nonprofit leaders whom you respect and which are conducting their own charity auctions. Ask them who they use and why.

#2: Research and compare auctioneers by studying websites

If a business doesn’t have a website, they aren’t doing much business.

You can glean a lot from how serious a company is simply by reading what they have posted online.

  • Is the content fresh?
  • Do they showcase videos?
  • Are they active in their communities?
  • Are they relevant?

I regularly  have auctioneers contacting my company, inquiring as to whether I’m hiring contract auctioneers. Before calling them back, the first action I take is to Google them and see if I can find their website. If I can’t find a website …and/or a photo … and/or a video … I’m not interested. It tells me a lot about their presentation!  You’ll be able to pick up on similar cues.

Here’s something else to watch: If an auction firm’s home page seems less focused on benefit auctions than it is on real estate auctions (or auto auctions, consignment auctions, antique auctions, etc.), then the firm probably is more knowledgeable about real estate.

TIP: Do a Google search on “name” and “auctioneer.”  Do not search on “name” and “fundraising auctioneer.” 

The reason being is that some auctioneers will have two websites — a large one for their primary business (selling real estate, livestock, etc) and a smaller website for their charity auction work.

It’s your decision, but when I’m hiring a professional, I want someone who is doing what I’m paying them to do, day in and day out.

I don’t want to hire someone who is marketing real estate and other assets by day and ‘fitting in’ my job at night.  I want them an expert in what I’m paying them to do 24 X 7 — and no one is an expert in everything.

 

#3: Create a form with standard questions and call some auctioneers

I tend to think it’s best if you can talk with all of your candidates within the same time period so you can compare them in one swoop.

Key questions to ask:

benefit auctioneer Virginia Sherry Truhlar 2012

  • Are you available on our gala date?
  • How many events do you conduct per year?
  • How many events have you overseen with our guest count?
  • Could you describe the way you work with clients?
  • Do you have a video? (If they don’t, be leery.  But then ask when you can watch them next perform.)
  • Can I speak with some of your clients who hold events similar to ours?
  • Could you explain your service offerings and pricing structure?
  • Whatever else is relevant for your event (emceeing, for instance).

benefit auctioneer virginia - school team

HINT #1:

Don’t begin by asking, “How much do you cost.”

In most cases,the auctioneer will need to know a bit about your event before quoting a price.

HINT #2:

If you’re familiar with the Kepner-Tregoe ranking and weighting method for making decisions, it might be fun to use that process to help you decide.  If not, don’t worry about it.

#4: If the auctioneer has given you referrals, call them.

When you call the referral, ask if he or she is – in any way, shape or form – related to the auctioneer.

If they aren’t, ask about the auctioneer’s communication and performance style.  We already assume the group liked the auctioneer (they are a referral, after all), but we want to find out if the auctioneer’s style would fit in with our guests and organization. Ask questions focused on that.

benefit auctioneer virginia

#5: If you want a proposal or need a final interview, set it up.

Request a proposal only if you’re serious about the auctioneer. If you need the auctioneer to meet key decision-makers face-to-face, set up the meeting.

Keep in mind that meeting face-to-face isn’t always an option, but early on, I did conduct a lot of in-person sales calls, especially if the Board was responsible for approving the hire.

#6: Ladies, it’s OK to say no.

If you’re not into an auctioneer or know that you definitely don’t need his or her services, don’t ask for a proposal. Know that it’s completely fine to say “no thank you.” You won’t burn bridges or hurt feelings unless you drop the ball.

But if you’ve moved along in the process and you’ve received a proposal, it’s only polite to let the auctioneer know when you opt for someone else. Give them a call to thank them for their proposal.  Let them know you’ve opted for another candidate but will keep them in mind for next year.

When I worked as an event planner at GE, I always called my vendors to deliver the bad news. It seemed to be the polite thing to do. And besides, I might want to work with them later!  I knew my courtesy would be remembered.

Good luck on your search!

And if you feel Red Apple Auctions might be a fit for you, I’d enjoy chatting.  Set up a meeting here.

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Copyright © 2010 Red Apple Auctions Co. All Rights Reserved

About Sherry Truhlar

Fundraising auctioneer and educator, helping schools and nonprofits plan more profitable benefit auctions. A prolific writer for her own blog and other fundraising sites, she’s been covered in The Beacon-News, Town & Country Magazine, The Washington Post Magazine, Northern Virginia Magazine, Wiley's Special Events Galore!, AUCTIONEER, and other publications.

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What auction planners say

Sherry, oh, Sherry! You were an invaluable asset to this year’s gala. With your assistance we were able to add so many new elements that truly made a difference in taking our event to another level. This year was the most successful yet! Everyone loved you and the amazing energy that you brought to the event. We look forward to having you again in 2018!

Krystal Fenwick

Thank you so much for the outstanding job you did for us on April 1! I have received so much positive feedback from so many who attended. You even earned Sister Suzan’s (our Vice-Principal) seal of approval! Safe travels to all your many events and thank you for making our biggest fundraiser of the year our best ever!

Diane Albano, Director of Development
St. Joseph Academy Catholic High School (St. Augustine, FL)

Sherry is flexible and easy to work with. She gives honest feedback and advice throughout the planning and implementation process. Without a doubt, Sherry and Red Apple Auctions has helped take our annual fundraising event to the next level.

Beckie Middendorf, Development Director and Janet Gulla, Development Coordinator
St. Henry District High School (Erlanger, KY)

Sherry is “on board” from day one of auction planning, works closely with our steering committee and is only just a phone call away. The night of the auction, we toss her the keys and let her drive the event! We are never disappointed!

Charly Ryan, Director of Institutional Advancement
The Academy of the Holy Cross (Kensington, MD)

I was very fortunate to have Red Apple on board for my first auction. Working with Sherry was invaluable. She provided guidance at every phase of planning, from procurement on forward – and she challenged us to make our event more ambitious and more successful at every stage. Thank you, Sherry!

Pete Goldlust, Director of Development
Oak Hill School (Eugene, OR)

If your auction needs to upgrade, call any auctioneer you find on Google. But if you want your auction to be impressive, meaningful, and profitable, you need to call Sherry.

Erin Banda
2016 NYUMBANI Board member

The auction was entertaining .. proactive … the crowd was involved and felt a part of it,” he said, emphasizing, “The entertainment value was huge.

Darrell, a long-time attendee

We plan on booking Red Apple Auctions much earlier for our next event so we can take advantage of more of the pre-event offerings.

Nicole Carr, Director of Grants and Special Events
The Ivymount School (Rockville, MD)

2012 Oakcrest Anne and CarolinaSherry, personally, I can’t even begin to tell you the immense amount of positive feedback that I received having YOU (and Darby) there with is this… Read The Rest “Anne Livaudais Knudsen, 5th year gala co-chair”

Aren’t KK and Michael a cute couple? PHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiIHNyYz0iaHR0cDovL3JlZGFwcGxlLmV2c3VpdGUuY29tL3BsYXllci9NakF4TWkxSGRXVnpkSE10UW5Wc2JHbHpMVXRMTFdGdVpDMU5hV05vWVdWc0xVcHZjMlZ3YUM1dGNEUT0vP2NvbnRhaW5lcj1ldnAtV0JBVTkwTlVBUyI+PC9zY3JpcHQ+PGRpdiBpZD0iZXZwLVdCQVU5ME5VQVMiIGRhdGEtcm9sZT0iZXZwLXZpZGVvIiBkYXRhLWV2cC1pZD0iTWpBeE1pMUhkV1Z6ZEhNdFFuVnNiR2x6TFV0TExXRnVaQzFOYVdOb1lXVnNMVXB2YzJWd2FDNXRjRFE9Ij48L2Rpdj4= They liked that I “moved the crowd along … kept the crowd engaged but wasn’t obtrusive or invasive. We were able to talk but still keep track of what was going on.”

Staci Meruvia 150 ptYou have NO idea of how many people came up to me (I know Julie as well) and said, ‘That auctioneer was incredible … she engaged the crowd, … Read The Rest “Staci Meruvia”

Geri said: “Great job of getting potential donors in the room to step up to the plate and not feel guilty or bad about it. They actually wanted to give more … and that’s not something I’ve seen in many other auctioneers.” 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 The following… Read The Rest “Geri”

Irene attended one of my New Hampshire auctions and assumed I must be a radio personality — until I started to chant that fast talk. PHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiIHNyYz0iaHR0cDovL3JlZGFwcGxlLmV2c3VpdGUuY29tL3BsYXllci9SM1ZsYzNRdE1qQXhNUzFPU0ZOUVEwRXRTWEpsYm1VdWJYQTBMVEU9Lz9jb250YWluZXI9ZXZwLTVHMlVHQlFGN1YiPjwvc2NyaXB0PjxkaXYgaWQ9ImV2cC01RzJVR0JRRjdWIiBkYXRhLXJvbGU9ImV2cC12aWRlbyIgZGF0YS1ldnAtaWQ9IlIzVmxjM1F0TWpBeE1TMU9TRk5RUTBFdFNYSmxibVV1YlhBMExURT0iPjwvZGl2Pg== “I’ve been to this event before with a couple of other auctioneers,” she said, “Your ability to get personal… Read The Rest “Irene”

Most product & consulting remarks are found on their respective webpages, but I’ve listed two below so you’re assured my products are as spot-on as my auctioneering.   Not only was our 2013 auction a blast, but our Washington, D.C. public school raised $67,000 — that’s $25,000 more than last year! The evening went… Read The Rest “Carolyn Kahn-Hall and Andrea Del Vecchio”

Cynthia Steele Vance_150X180As a former Fox News Anchorwoman, I am often called on to perform at auctions. So, I know first-hand that auctioneering can be a difficult job. Sherry Truhlar is one of the best in the… Read The Rest “Cynthia Steele Vance”

Cynthia Steele Vance
Guest at The Potomac School 2014 auction (McLean, VA)

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