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Special Auction For BladeForums???. . . Let's Do It!!!

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[eerie voice] Auction them... and they will bid. [/eerie voice]

Format?
 
+1 interested.

Perhaps start a thread in Custom? How can we get more involvement from other makers/manufacturers?
 
I think its a great idea except i think that in order to participate you have to be a regular here on bladeforums and not just trying to score some great deals.
 
Right On Jerry! A great idea!! :D
broos


Rededge, Let's restrict the number of people who can bid?? I think you have lost sight of the goal.
 
You've got my support. I'm not quite sure if there's anything I can do to help, but here I am!
 
Don't mean to be a wet blanket, but...

Y'all need to decide which it's going to be: Auction or raffle. I've never seen an auction done to raise funds to support a web board. (Not that it's never been done, I just haven't seen it.) All I've seen is raffles. I can't imagine how an auction would work, unless you made it a closed-bid auction.

Other thoughts...

An auction presents a further complication: All at once or one-at-a-time? All at once presents a problem for bidders. Say I see three items that are interesting to me. I can't afford to win all three. But I want to win at least one of them. What to do...? One-at-a-time could make it drag on for quite some time.

A raffle presents its own considerations. Raffle the items one-at-a-time (see above) or all at once? If all at once: Order the prizes or allow the winners to pick what they want (from what hasn't already been claimed) in the order they (the winners) are drawn?

If it's a raffle: Who will run the raffle (and put themselves out of the running to enter)? Who will collect the money? Who will draw the winners--and what will be the mechanics of the drawing (e.g.: slips of paper in a hat?)? Will the prizes be shipped direct from the contributors, of will whomever runs the contest collect them in advance? Whomever runs it has to be careful not to mix and mingle transactions from the operation with their own monetary affairs, due to potential tax issues. Could be a lot of work for somebody. Some of these questions apply to an auction, as well.

Both SIGforums and GlockTalk have recently run raffles. Might not be a bad idea to contact their owners and ask them about some of these things.
 
I'm sure there will be great suggestions of "how it could work" along with "what to avoid."

Here's one...

*You must be at least a Gold (or Basic) Member to participate. Guaranteed income flow to the server op's if there is an influx of new paying members. It also provides a bit more accountability regarding non-pay bidders, etc.

* Open one forum - Boatertalk Charity Auction. Gold (or whatever paying level Spark decides) members or manufacturers post their item up for auction with a "closing" date or time. Paying members post their highest bid offer in the thread. Highest amount, closest to but not exceeding the closing time, wins. Item sent directly from the auctioneer to the winner. Monies paid via Paypal directly to Bladeforums.
 
...Whatever you guys decide on...I'm all for it...Maybe you should also make an effort to let the other "sub-forums" know about it. I'm sure lotsa folks would go for the idea of a "Forum Support Raffle"...As I mainly hide out in the "Buck Forum" I know quite a few people who might like to hear about it. Would also be great to have "one location" to sign up for and watch for the results of any raffles. Great idea fellas...:thumbup: ...looks like I was a "dollar short and a second too late huh?"...LOL...
 
In addition to my membership, I'll definitely support the forums this way! :)

MUST...HAVE...MORE...KNIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!

Zyzax
 
An auction might be possible, but forget the whole idea of a raffle. It is not possible to comply with all the laws regulating and taxing gambling in all fifty US states at once, and Bladeforums isn't small enough to slip under the radar.
 
EDCeeker said:
Don't mean to be a wet blanket, but...

Y'all need to decide which it's going to be: Auction or raffle. . . .

An auction presents a further complication: All at once or one-at-a-time? All at once presents a problem for bidders. Say I see three items that are interesting to me. I can't afford to win all three. But I want to win at least one of them. What to do...? One-at-a-time could make it drag on for quite some time. . . .
Click to expand...

EDCeeker,

Many good points raised here . . . I think that a large "kick-off" auction with as many blades as possible would be best. Then, follow that up, either sporadically throughout the year or monthly, with auctions on donated blades and various other items. All blades and other items would be sent directly to Spark and he could run the auction any way he sees fit.

The bottom line is that we all enjoy BLADEFORUMS and many of us in this industry use it as a valuable tool for marketing research and staying in touch with our customers ( I often use it as a place to hang out at when I'm drunk. . . but that's a different story! :eek: :D ).

It is true that many manufacturers have their own forums on their websites, as does Busse Combat and Swamp Rat, but few would argue that BLADEFORUMS can be likened to the "Mall Of America" when it comes to traffic and exposure. The only difference is that the "Mall Of America" survives on collecting money from its vendors on a regular basis, whereas BLADEFORUMS has never charged a dime to have a forum here. I'm pretty sure that there isn't a single vendor in The Mall Of America who wouldn't jump at the chance to voluntarily pay his/her way with product instead of cash. This auction idea provides everyone with an opportunity to give a little back.

The bottom line is that Spark should not have to foot the entire bill himself for upgrades and maintenance on these forums and an auction makes it fairly painless and fun for everyone involved. . .


What do you say Spark? Should I ship some blades your way? :thumbup:

Let me know,

Jerry
 
Other forum's that I frequent have a "section" designated to "Site Support Auctions".....forum members/non-members auction stuff that is just laying around and un-used. Payment is made to the Site Admin. Admin notifies "auctioner" that payment has been made, and can be shipped to winner. Shipping costs are usually picked up by "seller", unless overseas shipping is necessary-then it's split by both parties.

Just a suggestion to help Admin from having to do all the work??? If you need to see what I'm talking about go to Savageshooter.net, scroll down to site support auctions.
Here is a link to a "auction" that is taking place at this time: http://www.savageshooters.net/SavageForum/index.php?topic=6859.0****link doesn't work****

Sorry if the new guy just overstepped his leash!
Scott B
 
EDCeeker said:
Before anybody else goes to the trouble: You have to be registered there to even view the forum topics.
Click to expand...


Sorry, something must have been changed? I'll check with Jim Baker(Mr.Furious) at SavSho to see what has happened?
 
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