Tony's Auction Blog Tony Elfelt

March 1, 2010
Update

Wow, have things ever changed since my last post! Most noticeably, we now occupy the old grocery store next to the Anoka Drug Store in the Anoka Shopping Center. We have been doing live auctions in that location since August, 2009. This has been a very convenient and comfortable way to conduct auctions. No worries about the weather and no rush to set everything up during the 12 hours before an auction.

But that's not all. We also are online as a K-Bid affiliate. In fact we have two auctions running on K-Bid right now and two more that will go up in the near future. For those of you who are not yet acquainted with K-Bid, it is an auction company in Maple Plain that was one of the first companies to create on-line auctions. Because they have been in the online business for nearly 10 years, they have accumulated over 75,000 registered bidders. So by joining forcers with K-Bid, our on-line auctions have ready-made bidders. In fact, when we posted our first auction a couple of weeks ago, it took only a few minutes before the bids started rolling in.

We still love doing live auctions on site or at our Auction Center, but with K-Bid in our arsenal, we now have more to offer our customers.

Our benefit auction business has been expanding as well. Although times are tough, we have found that generosity still abounds. For example, we recently sold an autographed Adrian Peterson jersey for nearly $4,000! I am told that one of the things that make our benefit business unique is that we bring trained ringmen to assist in the bidding. In my opinion, this is essential to a great benefit because the ringmen not only help persuade folks to bid, but they help make the auction a show as well as a sale.

Tony Elfelt
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October 28, 2008
Simpson Auction

It was AUCTION TIME again last Sunday in Andover. Little did we know when we scheduled the auction in August that we would have 50-mile-an-hour wind gusts, temperatures in the low 30s and snow. Even so, well over 100 bidders attended the Bob Simpson auction and had great buys on collectible farm toys, Elvis memorabilia, tools, guns, and more.  Our food vendors kept everyone warm with hot food and our tents kept everyone out of the wind most of the time. On behalf of our clients and AAA Auction, thank you very much for attending, and we'll see you at the next AUCTION!  

Tony Elfelt
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April 28, 2008
Benefit Auctions

Benefit Auctions are an exciting and fun way to raise money for charitable organizations. From smaller groups such as chapters of Ducks Unlimited to large organizations such as the Heart Fund and major hospitals, everyone at the auction can have fun while achieving worthwhile goals. Galas and fundraisers are quite a bit different though from the typical auctions. For example, at a Benefit Auction, the auctioneer usually sells 10 to 20 items whereas at an estate or antique auction, the auctioneer will sell hundreds of items at one auction.

But, what the benefit auctioneer lacks in quantity, he makes up for in money raised and entertainment provided. In fact, the best benefit auctioneers think of themselves as much as entertainers as they do auctioneers. Since only about 5% of the gala guests bid at live auctions, the auctioneer needs to make the auction fun and entertaining for the other 95% of the people too. The 95% who don't bid need to have fun too so they spread the word about how enjoyable the event was and also so they come back next year ready to spend money.

Not only have I been able to break many records regarding the amount of money raised at live auctions, but many folks have mentioned to me how much they have enjoyed the humor, the excitement, and even the occasional song that I use at the events where I perform.

As one of the first Certified Benefit Auction Specialists in Minnesota, I am available to counsel your group about all phases of the Benefit, or I am available to simply conduct the live auction for you. As always, I am available for unlimited phone conferences and e-mails from all of my clients.

Tony Elfelt
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