Choosing auction items is like picking the right playlist for a party—you want to make sure it’s a hit with your crowd. After all, the right items can turn your auction from a modest fundraiser into a full-blown success. In this guide, we’ll help you steer clear of those auction flops that can turn your event into a dud. We’ll spotlight the kinds of items that might seem like a good idea but could end up leaving your guests uninspired and your bids stagnant.
13 Silent Auction Items to Avoid & Why
When planning your auction and asking for donations, steer clear of these top auction items to avoid.
1. Clothing
Clothing can be a risky auction item—sizes and styles vary widely, making it hard to match with guests' preferences. This mismatch often leads to unsold items and disappointed bidders. After all, it’s not like guests can try the clothes on in the auction room to see if they fit. Stick to items that appeal universally instead to keep your auction dynamic and engaging!
2. Highly Restricted Items
Highly restrictive items, like travel packages with set dates or near-expiring vouchers, will stress your guests out and cause them to not bid (or worse, get angry after winning the bid when they find out about the restrictions). To avoid this, consider creating a flexible super silent auction, where bidders have more freedom with timing and conditions. This approach keeps high-value items enticing and ensures a smoother auction experience!
3. Expired Food or Beverages
Expired food is obviously a no-go for auctions. Food that’s already past its time will not perform well, leading to waste or disappointment. Common food auction items to avoid include:
- Gourmet gift baskets
- Specialty wines or liquors
- Fresh produce or artisanal food items
- Pet-lover baskets that include pet food
Choose items with longer shelf lives to avoid waste and ensure a smooth auction experience!
4. Items that Don’t Align with Your Values
Avoid auction items that clash with your organization’s values, even if they seem enticing. For example, a dinner with a celebrity who’s been criticized for environmental issues might attract attention but could also spark backlash. While generous offers are tempting, misalignment with your values can harm your event’s reputation and mission.
5. Extremely Over-Budget Items
Excessively over-budget items can be a pitfall. If an auction item exceeds your event’s budget or your guests’ bidding limits, it can discourage participation and be impractical. Try to choose items that strike a balance between allure and affordability to keep your auction engaging and achievable.
6. Cheaply-Made Auction Items
Cheaply-made auction items can backfire—guests will notice poor quality, which can harm your organization’s reputation and lead to fewer bids. It’s not just about the items themselves; low-quality goods can make your event seem less professional. High-quality items, on the other hand, enhance the auction's prestige, attract more bidders, and boost your event's reputation.
7. Some Professional Services
Professional services can be tricky to offer as auction items. While exclusive experiences like a private chef’s dinner are great, avoid auction items that might not appeal to everyone. This includes services such as:
- Hair styling
- Pet grooming
- Personal training
- Legal or financial consulting
Guests may prefer their current professionals and not want to venture outside the norm, making these services less enticing for bidding.
8. Items That Are Hard to Transport
Items that are hard to transport, like a piano or large art pieces, can create headaches. Guests will struggle to take them home, and it’s even trickier with mobile bidding and virtual guests. Make sure to choose items that are easy to manage and deliver so you don’t have to get bogged down with extra unnecessary logistics.
9. Outdated Technology
Obsolete technology frequently underperforms. However, with new technologies coming out all the time, this one can be hard to avoid. Make sure to do your research and stay up-to-date on the latest trends in technology—don’t auction off an iPhone 14 when the iPhone 15 has just been released. Outdated technology not only creates frustration for guests, but it also reflects poorly on your organization. Invest in reliable and user-friendly systems instead to ensure a smooth and successful event.
10. Highly Perishable Auction Items
Highly perishable items, like certain foods and beverages, are risky. Depending on when you receive the item, it can spoil before checkout, especially at in-person events. If this happens, these items are bound to cause disappointment and frustration, hurting your event’s reputation.
11. Off-Theme Items
Keeping with your auction’s theme makes for a more engaging, cohesive auction event. For example, if your event is themed around a tropical paradise, avoid off-theme items like winter gear. Mismatched items can confuse bidders and detract from the event’s credibility and fundraising potential. Stick to theme-related items to enhance the overall experience and maintain interest.
12. Items That Could Be Controversial
Steer clear of potentially controversial items to avoid alienating guests, or worse, turning them off from your organization as a whole. Examples of potentially offensive auction items to avoid include:
- Politically charged memorabilia
- Items linked to controversial figures
- Religious artifacts
- Sensitive cultural items
Such items can create discomfort and overshadow your event’s purpose. Opt for neutral, universally appealing items to ensure a positive and inclusive atmosphere.
13. Items with the Wrong FMV
Avoid items with inaccurate Fair Market Value (FMV). FMV is the price an item would sell for on the open market. Some donors might overstate an item's value, leading to misleading bids and potential issues. Do your due diligence to ensure that the FMV is accurate to maintain transparency and trust in your auction.
Best Auction Items to Procure Instead
Now that you know what to avoid, let’s talk about the best auction items you should seek out to keep your event exciting. Opt for items that are universally appealing and practical. We suggest considering:
- Museum tickets
- Concert tickets
- Theme park tickets
- Artwork
- Airbnb or hotel stays
- Movie theatre rentals
- Fine dining experiences
- De-stressing baskets
- Streaming service baskets
These options are sure to captivate your guests and drive up bids. Remember, the key to a successful auction lies not only in the quality of the items but also in the presentation and marketing of them.
FAQs About Auction Items to Avoid
Still unsure about which auction items to steer clear of? Here are some frequently asked questions to help clarify.
What Factors Should You Consider When Choosing Auction Items?
When choosing auction items or evaluating whether or not you should accept a specific donation, consider:
- Your auction’s theme
- Mission and value alignment
- Donors’ price ranges
- Past high-bid items
- Your fundraising goal
- Your event budget
Should You Say No to Irrelevant Auction Item Donations?
Deciding whether to accept irrelevant auction items depends on the situation. It’s up to you and your answer may vary depending on the situation. If an auction item is highly irrelevant and you know it will not sell at your auction, you can say no. Thank donors for their generosity and suggest other ways they can contribute, such as volunteering or making a direct donation.
What Do You Do With Unsold Silent Auction Items?
If you end up with unsold silent auction items at the end of your event, first consider if they can be used in a future auction or other nonprofit events. If not, try donating them to another organization that can utilize them effectively. For example, art pieces or gift certificates might be valuable to local community centers or charities.
Wrapping Up
Choosing the right auction items is crucial for a successful event. By avoiding items that are irrelevant, outdated, or problematic—such as highly perishable goods or overly restrictive offers—you ensure your auction runs smoothly and resonates with your guests. Focus on high-quality, engaging items that align with your event’s theme and values to maximize bids and enhance your organization’s reputation. Remember, effective presentation and strategic marketing are key to making your auction a standout success.
A lot goes into auction planning beyond choosing items, and the Handbid blog is a valuable resource for enhancing your auction strategies. For more insights:
- Discover our detailed guide on selecting the best silent auction items.
- Tune into our podcast for expert advice on what to avoid at silent auctions.
- Learn how to set up a silent auction table to inspire more bids.
What’s a Rich Text element?
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
- Numbered list
- Numbered list 2
- Numbered list 3
Static and dynamic content editing
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
How to customize formatting for each rich text
Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
Share
