I'll close out this thread with the conclusion of bid winners and open it for evaluation, considerations, tweaks / adjustment thoughts to dial in this process.
All bid winners and runner up members donated. It bumped up a fraction more due to my error with
@Clarq . Crisis averted and thankful / appreciative for a few member's tolerance. Behind the scenes it went relatively smooth with a few PM confused settings that I confused further - ultimately all on the same page.
This was an
off the cuff thought as I had annual leave "
use it or lose it" time and a sore throat. Basically, time on my hands unable to go out and play - figured what the heck? I'll see if Randy will permit - great!
Onward. A bit of foundation building blocks. Obvious with the current need for $ for Colorado's "No on 127" though concerned it may be a bit too late. Turns out, a valuable push for funds.
Momentum needed to present auction potential. Encouragement for people to donate.
@Big Fin hopped in with his line of Gerber knives, RMEF stepped up with a fantastic Eberlestock backpack, a thread for people interested (
https://www.hunttalk.com/threads/hunt-talk-member-auction-donations-for-colorados-no-on-127.326532/ ), and then yes, some
begging PM's that were instantly answered with a "
Sure! Let me see what I have!". The more people in, the more momentum gained.
That's the background.
A bit of an after action report for what worked and did not for future auctions online. Be rough, be tough, though be constructive. I'll toss on my flame retardant fire-suit.
1. The rules operated well. (Post #1 and 2) I can over think and in this case, it's helpful to avoid "what if's".
- Ultimately, the goal is to raise $ so I would change the format that leads to an item withdrawn from further consideration.
- The time frame would be better served before general hunting seasons. The opportunity to use items for an upcoming hunt would inspire more interest.
- People need time for the duration of the bidding. I think the three days worked out reasonably well.
- Member join dates: Set as six months prior. We know the fiasco with scams, bots, etc. Reducing the chance some scam is pulled (false donations, shipping value scam, Yes on 127 people winning bids then not paying, etc. I felt for @Schutzhund as it appears a stand up person though I believe overall, it worked to reduce potential mishaps.I create enough alone! Haha!
- Time frame to complete auction. This one was pinched to maximize the donations flowing in knowing it was in the final stretch. Looking back with time, maybe increase it? I believe in this setting during hunting, this was a bit challenging for some though they overcame. I fear that is where I lost @HSi-ESi . Always enjoy his posts though I imagine he was hunting and didn't realize the close donation timeframe. Sorry buddy. However, for sake of getting the $ in with Nov 5th looming, I felt it vital to press for a 24 hour time frame. Thinking on this further, had it not been hunting season, I think 24 hours is adaquate to move the process along. Had this not been a rush for funds, and during hunt season, it may have been fine to have dues collected by Monday eve.
- Regarding times: for me, feeling ill and wrapping up at 12:30 am (0030) eastern, where work has me temp stationed in the eastern time zone, Nyquil as my drink of choice, that was a bit rough. I think a closing bid time for eastern maybe 10pm (2200)?
- Layout for the bids. I felt too many bids and it may be too much to handle especially when this was off the cuff, how do I do this to make that work thought process. I felt comfortable working the the 30+ items.
- Keeping items grouped per person kept it organized and keeping it within the first page (twenty posts on my computer) made it simple to reference the items available.
- Time to collect donations. I believe this was open for three days. I had PMs from people who wanted to offer items though unable to within the time frame so we lost several item that would have added some great fun value - knowing those involved. Maybe a two week notice?
- Format for bid accuracy. Excel, excel, excel - This worked fantastic for transparent bidding. @ignorethefringes helped with PMs of missed bids and / or updates. It was VERY helpful having two sets of eyes! Thank you! The post # works great for timing of bid placement. I'd like to have the first post of each page with an excel sheet and reference all bids on that sheet then update the first post of the next page with another excel sheet though that's a crap shoot so, it worked as best as possible. Whomever ( @Forkyfinder ?) suggested listing the incremental bids - that was a huge relief on bidding. I don't think the date of bid was really necessary - the post # performed that job.
- Here's where it became a challenge: Bid winners and organization. I would strongly recommend any future auctions have an excel dedicated to donations and bid winners to monitor and ensure the specific item is linked to the specific winner. I did not create an excel. I worked off the PM's though what I found was I was inundated with PM's! discussions, questions, requests, etc. I tried to "star" the donation PMs and this, I believe led to me archiving @Clarq 's donation thus when reviewing PMs for donations, I did not have his visible. An excel sheet with a means to note the title of the PM with donation or something along that line would reduce potential issues. Also, I confused myself and shared incorrect info in a couple PM's where, had I had an excel listing the items, I believe my focus would be dialed in on the specifics. This is a definite MUST!
- Lastly, two screens, time, and many open tabs editing like crazy.
Anyhow, overall, this went very smooth *luckily, considering the various aspects to close this out as a SUCCESS due to the amazing donations by so many members and members stepping up to the plat to donate money to a cause such as this one - the fun facotr!
@Ben Lamb and his pottery skills! The ability to own a personally, well crafted, usable item is fantastic!
@VikingsGuy for not only sharing an amazing scope though his fun throttling of pottery bids! We need some candy bars for donation sake or something along this line! Humor and light hearted banted made this a great auction! Many people played a great factor in this success! Thanks to all as
@LuketheDog shared among others before him, great all around auction for a great cause!
Thanks again for tolerating my little blunders here and there and for keeping this fun, as
@Hunting Wife shared, everyone followed the rules for bidding, etc and I think this was instrumental towards it's success!
To end:
$4,746 raised and all confirmed donated! Great all around!
And for chits n grins, my desk food:
Second bottle. I feel better.
Best to all!
![giphy-downsized-large[1].gif](https://www.hunttalk.com/data/attachments/316/316288-2b4f2a51fc50db8f1fcbaed421206975.jpg?hash=K08qUfxQ24 "giphy-downsized-large[1].gif")
