RISK-FREE SILENT AUCTION PROGRAM
We recognize that your organization’s paramount objective is to amplify the revenue generated at your events. That’s why we’ve meticulously crafted our risk-free auction service. We’ve eliminated upfront fees entirely. Thus, our success is intertwined with yours – we only profit when your organization does, and we assure you, it will!
BEFORE YOUR EVENT
A dedicated member of our team will consult with you to discern the types of items that will captivate your guests. As our service operates risk-free, we’re fueled by the ambition to offer you an array of items with the highest potential for success.
Once we’ve identified the ideal items for your audience, we’ll present a tailored list, complete with item descriptions, minimum bid prices, and estimated values – everything you need to create your bid sheets. If you prefer, we’ll take on the task of crafting the bid sheets for you, encompassing any donated items you might already have. And if you’re intrigued by mobile bidding, we’ve got you covered.
DURING YOUR EVENT
Depending on the number of our items you wish to feature in your auction, we’ll provide the necessary staff to manage all aspects of the auction setup, including handling your donated items, responding to attendees’ inquiries about the items, and managing the auction breakdown. Any unsold items will be taken back by us, freeing you from the burden of packing and shipping. We also offer complete checkout services for the entire auction if you wish to leverage them. Simply relax, relish your event, and witness the awe on your guests’ faces as your auction earnings skyrocket!
With absolutely no risk involved, the sky’s the limit for your fundraising potential!
AFTER YOUR EVENT
If you choose to handle payments for auction items, we’ll invoice you for the reserve price of all items sold. You pay only for the items bought at your event – there are no risks, no hidden fees! Should you decide to avail our full auction checkout services, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive report detailing all bidding activity and buyer information. This insight allows your organization to connect with auction participants, potentially cultivating lifelong donors. Within a week, we’ll send you a check for all auction proceeds. All you need to do is deposit the check and enjoy the fruits of a successful event!
WHY YOU SHOULD EMBRACE CONSIGNMENT AUCTION ITEMS
1. Risk-Free Profitability
Our consignment approach guarantees zero financial risk to your organization, providing a secure pathway to fundraising success.
2. Foster Donor Relationships
Show-stopping consignment items, especially exclusive travel experiences, incite lively conversations among donors and amplify the buzz around your fundraiser. Seize the opportunity to form connections with new donors and solidify existing bonds, all while igniting anticipation for the extraordinary experiences they could win.
3. High-Return Items
We at Optimal Fundraising are adept at identifying the items and experiences that magnetize high bids from your donors. These high-yield items encompass artwork, autographed sports and celebrity memorabilia, unique event tickets, and luxury travel packages. Even though you won’t retain the entire amount raised from a consignment item, the resulting profit can still surge into hundreds or thousands of dollars per item – often surpassing what you’d garner from donated items.
4. Multiply Your Earnings
Many of our consignment offerings, such as unique experiences and travel packages, can be sold multiple times without limit. This potential to sell the same package to multiple bidders can double or triple your earnings. You can even continue to sell these items post-event to donors who couldn’t attend or did not bid.
Expert tip: Exploit bidding wars. When bidding narrows down to a few competitors, allow them to inflate the price. When one withdraws, offer the item to the remaining bidders. The same strategy can be applied after a silent auction by reaching out to top bidders on consignment items.
5. Elevate Your Event with the ‘WOW’ Factor
Featuring high-end, unique items or experiences significantly enhances the allure of your event. The excitement incited by these extraordinary offerings can create a bidding fervor that drives up bids on all items. This high-energy atmosphere will thrill your attendees and create lasting impressions on your donors.
6. Streamlined Procurement Process
One of the greatest advantages of consignment items is their effortless acquisition for your auction. Instead of issuing hundreds of donation request letters, you simply reserve the items you wish to feature at your event. This efficiency allows you to divert more time and energy towards crucial event planning tasks, including selling sponsorships and tickets.
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CONSIGNMENT
“We already receive an abundance of donated items.”
CONSIDER CONSIGNMENT ITEMS FOR THEIR:
- Superior Quality: These are typically higher-caliber items compared to free, clear donations.
- Greater Bidding Potential: Consignment items usually have a higher bidding ceiling than donated items.
- Target Audience: These items are curated to attract high net worth donors, while also serving as a mechanism to identify new, substantial donors.
“I worry consignment items might detract from the money donors might otherwise spend on free, clear items.”
CONSIGNMENT ITEMS:
- Do not compete with your solicited donations.
- Are often priced higher, appealing to bidders with a more flexible budget. These bidders usually possess the purchasing power to bid on both consignment and donated items.
“Our patrons believe 100% of the proceeds benefit our organization.”
Do your patrons also believe that the entirety of their sponsorship or ticket purchase goes towards the organization? Obviously not. Expenditures on venue, catering, alcohol, decorations, entertainment, printing, etc. are necessary. It indeed takes money to make money! You’re investing in creating an environment that maximizes revenue and offers your attendees a memorable evening.
“It’s not in our budget.”
Consignment companies only earn when their items sell at your event. Given that you receive a generous portion of the minimum bid, there’s no scenario where you lose money on these items. The primary objective of fundraising events is to raise as much money as possible for the organization. Consignment offers a no-risk avenue to achieve this. If an item doesn’t sell, it won’t cost you a penny.