During a recent school auction committee meeting, I was asked if it was a good idea to put class room projects in the Live auction. Be it room baskets, or a project made by the students.

My comment was one that most Benefit Auctioneers make.   Live Auction=Quality  --Silent Auction= Quantity.  That's not to say that class room baskets, or student projects are not Quality, far from it, I have seen beautiful items put together by class rooms.

Here is where the difference comes in.   I have sold Pillows signed by Seniors, quilts with the Seniors names woven in, signed and framed beautiful Senior Photos in the live auction.   But guess what , only parents and grandparents bid on them. Leaving a very large percentage of money in the room and taking that time selling to a smaller percentage of interested bidders.

So it stands to reason if a class room donation is very "Class room" specific, the only bidders interested will be the ones who have an attachment to that "grade"

Many of the "Class room" projects are better set up in a designated area.  (one idea)-- containers placed in front of each item and tickets sold by the arm length , allowing buyers to place tickets in the container of their choice . (All tickets if it's their child's room).

Another idea could be a "Special" section in the silent auction, ie."Class Room Projects"  Especially (important)  bid sheets with a "own it now" value at the bottom. Let someone buy it quickly, allowing bidders (and time) to move into other areas of the silent auction.

With either example I think closing the bidding or raffle first is very important.  REASON: We want the bidders to "move" their attention and competitive bidding,$$$$$ to other parts of the silent auction, with a larger variety of choices

My thoughts!