| Gift certificates are a very common item sold at a | | | | get at least face value if there is only one item of |
| charity auction. Businesses who donate them see the | | | | that type to bid on. Or, if you have more than one |
| benefit of marketing their company and get | | | | certificate for the same business, try selling the first |
| customers in the door. There are many ways to sell | | | | one for at least face value and then asking the |
| the certificates at your charity auction and it is very | | | | winning bidder if they would like the rest for the |
| possible to sell them for more than the face value of | | | | same amount each. A group of restaurant gift cards |
| the certificate. | | | | can be grouped together and labeled. |
| When gift certificates are placed into the silent | | | | There are also packages that can be created with |
| auction, they tend to be sold at or below face value. | | | | several different types of gift certificates. A "Night |
| Many guests look for "deals" in the silent auction | | | | on the Town" package might include a movie, dinner, |
| items. If they see a certificate going below value | | | | and ice cream certificate. A "Pamper Yourself" |
| they will bid at least until it reaches the actual value. | | | | package might include a hair cut, nail salon, and |
| It has such a definite value that is just makes sense. | | | | massage. There are so many different creative ways |
| Many gift certificates sell for 60-70% of their actual | | | | to package these. Bidders may be less interested in |
| value. Sometimes even in the live auction, it can be | | | | one of the certificates in the package but when they |
| difficult to exceed the face value. | | | | are sold together, they will still want the whole |
| So, how can you get the most out of those gift | | | | package. |
| certificates? Here are some ideas to get you started. | | | | Professional benefit auctioneers have many fun ways |
| You may try putting similar certificates together. For | | | | to sell gift certificates. Be sure to ask your auctioneer |
| example, if you have several gift cards for gasoline, | | | | what he recommends. |
| sell them together as one item. It will be easier to | | | | |