What is the one item at your auction that gets guests talking? If you haven't found one yet, I have a great suggestion for you which would work in either the silent auction or possibly the live.
Today I drove past a chain link fence with a large sign that read HEAVY EQUIPMENT TRAINING ACADEMY. Bulldozers, dump trucks and other construction equipment sat behind the fence. On the other side of the street was another chain link fence with even more equipment.
A search on Google told me what I already knew -- the Academy was a training school for those interested in learning how to operate heavy equipment. A bit more internet digging revealed there are many of these heavy equipment schools across the country.
Although the individual training courses offered by most of the academies appeared to be several weeks long, it got me to thinking. I wonder if an academy might be persuaded to donate a one hour hands-on lesson (with an instructor) to operate a bulldozer? Or a backhoe? Or an excavator?
Imagine the potential of this idea ...
If Tonka dump trucks were your husband's favorite sandbox toy, you could buy him the real deal experience at your charity function!
He will get to experience a one-hour dump truck lesson on his special day while you support your favorite charity. On his big day, send a buddy with him to take (hilarious) photos. By the time they both return from their afternoon adventure, you'll have his surprise birthday party arranged, with guests ready to sing when they enter. This sounds like such a riot that it almost makes me wish I had a husband. (Almost.)
When you drive through the construction work zone on the highway, do you find your young son fascinated with the bulldozer operator who is digging along the ditch? Perhaps the Academy would donate the opportunity to sit in a *real* bulldozer at the academy and learn a little about the equipment. Your son would be so happy!
It's been written that men are just little boys who never really grow up. If that is true, then these big boys toys would be a perfect fit for the man in your life. I wouldn't be surprised if even a few adventurous females bid on this item at your auction. (I know I would.) Remember that unique, one-of-a-kind items sell well at auctions, and this would certainly fit the bill.
Brrrm. Brrrrrrmm. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrmm. The sound of that dozer will be music to your ears.
Author Resource:
Award-winning auctioneer Sherry Truhlar regularly writes about ways to improve the bottom line at charity auctions. If you're looking for other procurement ideas, she invites you to download her FREE Auction Item Guide available at Red Apple Auctions The Guide lists 100 of the best-selling items currently selling well in auction fundraisers.
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