Tony's
Auction Blog
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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