7 Websites to Find Amazing Raffle or Auction Items

July 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Getting prizes for a raffle or charity auction can be a challenge! Of course it is best to get prizes for free – donations from local businesses, friends or other supporters of your cause. But sometimes you run out of options. Or maybe you want to get a really BIG prize which are sometimes tough to get donated.

There are quite a few great websites that can help you with sourcing items that are at least half off the retail price.

1. BiddingForGood.com is an online auction service for non-profits. You can find all sorts of items up for bid from all over the country and browse dozens of different auctions right from the comfort of your own couch. Check out their auction boards for ideas or even bid on one to use in your raffle. Another great service that BiddingforGood provides is what they call “instant items.” They can get great prizes for you!

2. Woot.com offers great deals on one item per day (New, not used). That’s right, they only sell one item per day from their site. They have a limited number available, but great deals can be had, if you check in with them every day. Often they feature electronics, but there are other channels including a “KidsWoot” with childrens merchandise.

3. Groupon.com focuses on deals from a particular city or metro area. They typically feature restaurants, hair salons, day spas, and other local services. You can find items at up to 70% off retail.

4. LivingSocial.com also features deals from a city or metro area. They typically feature restaurants, hair salons, and other services. Deals are often at 50-70% off retail. Like with other deal sites though, watch the fine print.

5. Mamapedia is another deals site. They are different though because you will mostly find deals that are of interest to parents such as amusement park passes, house cleaning, dental, summer camps, kid’s gyms and much more. I’ve been on their email list for several months and they have a wide variety of offerings, usually at least 50% off retail.

6. Post your request on Craigslist.com. Most large cities have a section on Craigslist for their own classifieds. You can post your request and/or events in the Community Activities section. Also view the items for sale section. Most of the items on this site are used, and you definitely don’t want to raffle off used stuff. But you may just stumble upon a great new item on this site.

7. eBay. Yes of course, eBay! There are many different categories of merchandise to browse. Many professional eBay sellers just sell new merchandise too. You may find some interesting items here at a great price.

Filed Under: Prizes, Strategies

Adding the “wow factor” to your gift card prizes

July 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Gift cards are great prizes for raffles, especially as a secondary prize.  They are easy to get businesses to donate, easy to transport and you can even mail the prize to the recipient if you need to.

Gift cards in values of $20, $50, $100 are nearly as good as cash, right?  But they look kind of boring just sitting on a table.

Here is a way to add some “wow factor” to your gift card prizes.  I saw these gift baskets at my local grocery store and this idea just struck me.  Create your own gift baskets using boxed candy to create a fun prize that displays the gift cards well.

What you need:

  • Boxed candy (4)
  • Extra packaged candy
  • Plastic stick card holders like florists use
  • Styrofoam for bottom of the box
  • Scissors or xacto knife to cut foam
  • Hot glue gun
  • Clear plastic gift wrap and a bow
  • Colored plastic gift wrap
  • Gift cards
  • Using the hot glue gun, glue the four boxes of candy together.
  • Cut the foam to the size of the inside of the box and put inside
  • Put candy on to the plastic card holders and stick into foam
  • Put gift cards onto plastic card holders and stick into foam
  • Add colored gift wrap for decoration (like the yellow smiley face wrap in this basket)
  • (Optional) Wrap the entire box with clear plastic wrap and tie with a bow

 

Planning a Raffle in 2012

Visit Raffle Secrets for more information on planning and holding your raffle.

 

Filed Under: Prizes

Car raffles go full speed with ticket buying incentives

July 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Cars are one of the hottest prizes when it comes to raffles.  Since it’s such a big prize, organizations can justify charging larger than average ticket prices.  Most car raffles that I’ve seen are $20-100 each.  Whether you charge $20 a ticket and aim for a larger volume of ticket sales, or go for the higher price and sell fewer tickets, that is up to you.  It’s important to do the math when planning the raffle and decide if you’ll have an easier time selling tickets at the lower price, or if you have a lot of supporters that will be happy to pay $100 a ticket.

No matter what base price you decide on, you can sell more tickets by using incentives.

Here is an example of one group using this strategy.  The Kiwanis of Cape May are raffling off a 2011 Ford Mustang.  Here’s the terms “Only 500 tickets will be available at $100 each. If you buy five you get a sixth free.”

See what they did?  First, a limited amount of tickets creates scarcity.  It says to the potential ticket buyer “there are only so many, you better get yours now before they are gone!”

Then, they give an incentive for people to buy 5 tickets.  If you are willing to donate $500 you’ll get six tickets instead of just five.  So if someone wants to give more, they have an extra push to go to the $500.

These ticket buying incentives can make a big difference in the outcome of your raffle!

Car Raffle from Kiwanis

In the Raffle Secrets ebook we have a whole chapter on strategies for boosting ticket sales. Plus there is a special report just on car raffles with several other examples of car giveaways.

Filed Under: Prizes, Strategies Tagged With: , , ,

Top 5 Best Raffle Prizes

June 16, 2011 By 2 Comments

The best raffle prizes appeal to the widest possible audience.  The more people who are attracted to the prize, the more tickets you can sell. The more tickets you sell, the more money is raised for your cause.  It’s that simple.  So having the best prize possible is of utmost importantce.

With that in mind, here is a list of the top five best raffle prizes.

1. Cars – One of the most popular raffles prizes is an automobile. A convertible, an SUV, truck, sedan or even a classic car… people love the idea that they could win a new car.

2. Cash – Cash is always a great motivator for people to buy a raffle ticket! Just be careful on this one, many states and local areas prohibit cash as a prize because it overlaps with the lottery and gambling regulations. If your area does allow a cash prize, also be sure that you get some donations or underwriters to offset the cost of the prize.

3. Travel – Who wouldn’t want to win a vacation? Roundtrip airfare, a package deal, a cruise, hotel stays, even airline miles all make some of the best prizes. The larger trips, such as week-long cruises or packages with airfare and hotel, may draw more ticket buyers.

4. Electronic Equipment – Big screen TVs, iPads, smart phones, and MP3 players are also attractive prizes. These are big incentives for people to buy tickets. Just don’t pay retail!

5. Gift Cards – These prizes have great broad appeal to your ticket buyers. Plus they are easy for many retail and dining businesses to donate to you. They make great secondary prizes, or bundle them together in a gift basket.

Filed Under: Prizes