• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
    • About RAA
    • Meet Sherry Truhlar
    • What makes us unique
    • Reviews/Clients
    • Press
    • Licensing
  • Contact
  • Client Login

Fundraising gala auctioneer Sherry Truhlar

  • Services
    • Onsite Auction Services
    • Virtual Auction Services
    • Fund a Need Experts
    • Consulting
    • Onsite workshops
  • Products
    • $10 Trainings
    • On Demand Webinars
    • Books
  • Speaking
    • Why Sherry
    • Keynote and Other Topics
    • FAQs
  • Blog
  • Free Resources
    • Webinar: COVID-19
    • Virtual Gala Cheat Sheet
    • Newsletter
    • Auction Item Guide™
    • Recording: Porch Parties
    • Benefit Auction Case Study
    • Blog
  • Store
You are here: Home / Administration / Who should you believe — the benefit auctioneer, the auction software company, the consignor?
Nov 18

Who should you believe — the benefit auctioneer, the auction software company, the consignor?

Sherry Truhlar 2 Comments

Meme about real estate and zillow

Have you seen memes like this?

There are many variations referencing different professions.

It reminded me of a conversation I had with a medical doctor at a fundraiser this summer.

I was working on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  The doctor and I were talking about changes in her job.  Patient consultations are different than just a few years ago.

meme about law degree and googleTo paraphrase, she said:

“People are more informed, but on the flip side, some think that spending a few hours in front of the computer makes them more knowledgeable than my 20 years of  experience, training, and onsite observation.  Yet they need to do what they believe is best, so sometimes that means they pursue their own treatment.”

The internet has made self-education readily available in all professions — including mine.

But with so much conflicting information, how do you know who to trust?

========================

I’ve noticed that the quality of the information about benefit auctions varies widely.

Depending on which stakeholder you ask (benefit auctioneers, auction software companies, event management firms, consignors, etc.), you will hear different answers for these common benefit auction questions:

  • Opening bids in the live auction — should the auctioneer start above value, at value, or below value?
  • Ordering of items — should your first item be a low value “warm up” item or a strong competitive item?
  • Where to put the fund a need — beginning, middle, or end of the live auction?
  • What’s the best way to handle large gifts in the fund a need?
  • Can you have more than one speaker testify during your paddle raiser?
  • Are games appropriate to use in your paddle raiser?
  • What’s the ideal length of a video used to influence giving?
  • Should you use consignment items?  Is it best to “require” that a generous donor buy the consigned item and “gift” it to the nonprofit?
  • Should you reveal to guests which items are consigned, admitting that not all of the sale price will benefit the nonprofit?

Poke around online.  You’ll find different answers for all these questions.

========================

Who should you believe?

My suggestion is that whoever is responsible for executing the activity gets the final say.

========================

Example 1: A school auction client called me earlier this fall to ask about nonprofit auction software. 

The Development Director said, “The company we’re paying to run registration and checkout wants us to switch from auction software A to auction software B.  They said auction software A is having customer service issues.  They advise all clients to transition to this other auction software.  What do YOU think?”

I said, “I’m not running checkout.  They are.  Listen to them; they’ll know best.”

========================

Example 2: A new nonprofit client was considering different activities to include in their event.

The client was using one of my lead auctioneers.  Because I wanted the fundraiser to be successful, I advised them to include certain activities that I knew would play to the strengths of that auctioneer.

It makes no sense to intentionally add a component into an event if it won’t be executed well.

Execution is everything, and not everyone executes the same way.

========================

Example 3: Consider what you want the auctioneer to do and talk about it during the selection process.

During a sales call, the Auction Chair told me they had seen the paddle raise managed a certain way at another event.  “We are thinking we should do that, too,” she said.

“Are you 100% committed to that approach?” I said. “I don’t like running it that way and will refer you to another auctioneer, if so.”

If you have any non-negotiable elements, share them with your benefit auctioneer BEFORE signing the agreement.

(It’s no different than selecting other professionals.  If you want to renovate a mid-century modern home, you probably shouldn’t hire a designer known for his work on Victorian properties.)

========================

In short, if you’re open to alternatives, opt for what your hired professionals suggest.

You’ll have a better event because of it.

 

Share on Facebook Share
Share on TwitterTweet
Share on Pinterest Share
Share on LinkedIn Share
Send email Mail
Copyright © 2019 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.

Reader Interactions

The rise and fall of YP (young professional) post-parties at galas
Use your auction catalog to remind guests about group bidding

Comments

  1. Rick Gallo says

    November 20, 2019 at 5:46 AM

    Sherry,
    Once again you have hit a chord.

    Just last month an organization that was hiring a professional benefit auctioneer for the first time told me they do the “fund the mission” in the middle of the live. They had 6 live auction packages. I shared my thoughts and experience with them suggesting we do it last but they said they “have always done it that way”. When they told me how much it had raised in the past “doing it that way” I was stunned as to how little it was.

    After much conversation back and forth with chairs and committee and staff I convinced them to do it last and helped orchestrate it for them. We tripled their best year.

    Thanks, once again, for some excellent info….feel better!!!

    Rick

    Reply
    • Sherry Truhlar says

      November 20, 2019 at 5:31 PM

      It’s always a balancing act, isn’t it Rick? Depending on how many other elements are already being changed, sometimes I’ll let some pieces remain “as is” and tackle them the following year. One of my upcoming events has ~8 live auction items and they, also, want the appeal in the middle of the live auction, even though the auction isn’t that long.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Connect with Me Here

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 year!… 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 business.… Read The Rest “Cynthia Steele Vance”

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

home | auctioneering | consulting | free item guide | about

 

Red Apple Auctions Co., PO Box 6066, Arlington, VA 22206
Toll free: 888-474-0838 | Email: Info@RedAppleAuctions.com | Copyright © 2005 - 2021

 

Sherry Truhlar • Charity Auctions • School Auctions • Fundraising Auctions • Auction Galas • Benefit Auctions

 

Terms of Use · Privacy Statement