Anonymous wrote:One item up for bid at our schools silent auction was the "opportunity" to host a Stella and dot party at your home - and you can even invite 10-12 friends. The starting bid was $80

Ha!!! I've seen someone put a bunch of S&D bracelets and cutesy stuff in a basket up for auction, but that takes the cake!

Anonymous wrote:Our school allows you to bid remotely, even while sitting at home. But the auction is actually fun -- I like the other parents and look forward to the event.

Ours is offering remote bidding this year and I'm grateful for the option! My in-laws who live far away are bidding on items to use when they come visit us!

Anonymous wrote:One item up for bid at our schools silent auction was the "opportunity" to host a Stella and dot party at your home - and you can even invite 10-12 friends. The starting bid was $80

That is the worst auction item I've ever heard of.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ours was a silent auction/casino night, and it was a blast. We didn't win anything, though we tried. We got outbid on all 6 items by people with far deeper pockets than our. Time to write a check, I guess!

Casino night is a great idea! How did it work, without violating anti-gambling laws?

It's legal as long as you don't win real money.

It's a huge pain. You have to go through DC Gaming Commission and you have to use licensed gaming operators. Even if you only sell raffle tickets. That's why we stopped at the Cluster schools - all that cost way more money than it was worth, for a very modest return. Straight auctions are a better return.

One item up for bid at our schools silent auction was the "opportunity" to host a Stella and dot party at your home - and you can even invite 10-12 friends. The starting bid was $80

Anonymous wrote:I've already given the recommended contribution for the year (a whopping $650) so I don't feel any need to come to the auction. I agree with PP- 5 days a week (plus seeing the same families on Saturday for sports) is enough.

Are you seriously hanging out with parents at school 5 days a week? How do you have time for that? Don't most people drop off & go on their way? Is everyone a SAHP?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ours was a silent auction/casino night, and it was a blast. We didn't win anything, though we tried. We got outbid on all 6 items by people with far deeper pockets than our. Time to write a check, I guess!

Casino night is a great idea! How did it work, without violating anti-gambling laws?

It's legal as long as you don't win real money.

Anonymous wrote:Ours was a silent auction/casino night, and it was a blast. We didn't win anything, though we tried. We got outbid on all 6 items by people with far deeper pockets than our. Time to write a check, I guess!

Casino night is a great idea! How did it work, without violating anti-gambling laws?

Ours was a silent auction/casino night, and it was a blast. We didn't win anything, though we tried. We got outbid on all 6 items by people with far deeper pockets than our. Time to write a check, I guess!

I've already given the recommended contribution for the year (a whopping $650) so I don't feel any need to come to the auction. I agree with PP- 5 days a week (plus seeing the same families on Saturday for sports) is enough.

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:My favorite was the anger management class offered at the auction. No one will bid on that, thought I. I mean, who'd write their names on the paper for all to see? Plenty of people, turns out.

Our school offered a botox treatment once. No one bid on it.

Botox does well at our school.

The vasectomy was a hot item at our auction a few years ago...

pics or it didn't happen!

Had our last night and it was a blast! I'm thankful for the parents who volunteered many many hours to pull off such a great event.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My favorite was the anger management class offered at the auction. No one will bid on that, thought I. I mean, who'd write their names on the paper for all to see? Plenty of people, turns out.

Our school offered a botox treatment once. No one bid on it.

Botox does well at our school.

The vasectomy was a hot item at our auction a few years ago...

Our preschool auction is a fun time. And I say that as someone who limits my alcohol to one drink. Kicking back and watching a bidding war between drunk people for the 3 year old class's handprint tree is pretty good entertainment.

what schools have auctions? at our EOTP charter school, I can't imagine an auction being successful. so few people contribute, and some who do only contribute a few dollars at a time.