This is really pretty simple. I ask to see the flyers. I ask what papers they will have a write-up in. I make sure they are aware I will be checking and I make it very, very clear from the start that including my name is pretty darn cheap pay and if they don't do this, I will probably find something else to do that day.

Lyn Liechty
http://www.arealauction.com

Another fine post has been met with auctioneer controversy once again. Rest assured our industry is full of auctioneer ego and opinions. Mine included.

Adam while I understand Lyn's post, in all fairness to Kevin if you read his posts again you will see that Kevin never said, "Lyn was wrong", as you stated. Both of these experienced auctioneers (Lyn and Kevin) obviously have two different opinions, and thank God for free speech in America. No one should be censured (Kevin or Lyn) for speaking their mind, whether we choose to agree with them or not.

I have publicly stated many times that I believe all fundraising/charity/benefit auctioneers should charge a fee. I still stand by my statement. Without going into great detail, the one or two times I have donated my services I have not been pleased with the outcome. This being said, I also do understand Lyn's thoughts and reasons.

I would only offer this point or position for ALL (everyone) to consider. All of us are members of the auction industry, and as such we should support (i.e. like a union or brotherhood) our industry. When we don't charge for our services, theoretically it could be argued that we harm our brother/sister auctioneers as we devalue our services.

In defense of Lyn's position I offer this bit of brotherly advice, should he consider yet another viewpoint. It's a well known fact that people value what they pay for! Perhaps if Lyn took an approach such as the one I am about to propose then his clients might take his professionalism, his career, and his abilities yet even more seriously.

Option #1 - Lyn charges a flat fee to his proposed client with the CLEAR, UPFRONT understanding that upon completion of the charity auction, he donates all of it back *minus actual expenses (* i.e. travel, accommodations, meals, etc.) if he chooses. This option also allows Lyn to now claim a charitable tax deduction, whereas the method he currently utilizes does not!

Option #2 - A professional trade of services is negotiated between the auctioneer and the charity, board members, sponsors, etc.. This could be anything under the sun! This also challenges the board to put its money where it mouth is. In other words, If I work for you for free then you will also work for me for free, and we can both benefit each other (Gray Market economy).

In these two options the client would have no choice but to fully commit to the auctioneer and the event. The positive gained by the auction industry, is that no one could ever accuse Lyn again, or any auctioneer utilizing these methods for that matter, of ever weakening our profession since Lyn would be collecting something in advance of the event. I am sure that there are other methods that could also be successfully employed.

Tom,

With all due respect, I am quite comfortable handling the small local benefits the way I do. Especially because of the goodwill I have created and the paying auctions I have received as a result of my methods.

It is important to note that there is a huge difference between the smaller local auctions I conduct and the larger more flashy ones that you specialize in. If I were ever asked to conduct an auction such as the ones you and other benefit auctioneers are involved in, I would expect to be paid a very healthy fee and if I felt as if I needed the expertise of a professional benefit auctioneer such as yourself, I more than likely would ask that auctioneer to work it with me.

My issue with Kevin was not his belief that all benefit auctions should be paid jobs, but it was his writing style which I found to be mocking and belittling in nature. We all have our own perceptions and our own take on certain issues and I don't think anyone has the market on always being right. If a person has to resort to mockery and condescending comments in order to justify their position on a given topic, then perhaps they are a bit insecure and a bit lacking in making their points.

Lyn Liechty
http://www.arealauction.com

I have withheld responding for some time due to illness and Lyn's responses echoing verbatium my feelings. One perfect example is my local fire departments annual fish fry and cake auction fundraiser. There are 20 plus neighbors of mine (and by neighbor I mean local guys and gals that live in my township) that on a weekly basis train for and respond to fires, car wrecks, medical emergincies and anything else catasrophic in my township. There are over a hundred volunteers on the day of the fish fry doing all of the things necessary to feed 4000+ people, this includes everything from filling water cups, cleaning up trash, cutting and breading fish and standing over hot fryers in the middle of summer. ALL these people DONATE their time and skills. There may be a chef that cuts fish, a preacher that says grace, a nurse working the first aid station and they ALL DONATE their services for the good of our community, and they get nothing and ask nothing for their time. To think that being an auctioneer is above those things is not something I can or would do.

Maybe that is why I am happy to live in the country in a small community. Maybe that is why last year there were 4 aucitoneers working a 3.5 hour cake auction(2 of the auctioneers don't even live in the township). I will happily stand by my earlier comments and glady invite any auctioneer, to come down and donate some time, give back to a community and feel good about a great days work for no pay.

Just think if every carpenter had the attitude they needed to get paid to build habitat houses.

Amen Brother

When you donate something do it with a clean heart:
because if you expect something in return, thats not donating.
If you own a tent belive me every one will want you to put it up for free
I have had many plates of BAR-B QUE under Auction tents and Funeral home grave tents,
And Most are right, you proably will not get an Auction for the use.
but many who call, have been past clients.
But you have to be wise and cannot do everything for free, Not talking about big company's and if you have to talk to a coordinator to book you need to charge, Turkey and Deer, duck Groups, heck they have someone who gets paid to look over Auction.

But I have Auctioned 8 years in a row for Boys and Girls club of Limestone County, not much to Auction 45 min. they use to get speaker then turn My twin Brother and myself loose with good clean humor and Auction. And yes sometimes I did not want to go, but I did, and was Presented last year with award The Glenn Blackwell Person of the year from the Greater Limestone county Boys and Girls Club. this was a suprise, and honor

Got my first Court Ordered Auction NOV 7 2009
Judge let me have it, he has been at every Boys and Girls club dinner auction sitting in the back. Surprise Surprise, But if you do one at no cost, treat it like its a $500,000.00 estate you never know who is watching.
But I have to limit freebies, if I know them or family or for a cause I have a heavy heart for like Adam Brown just posted most of time i will do it.

God Bless Rural living and towns where everyone still waves when you pass , God says to take care of sick, needy, and widows. I fail him everyday

As a benefit auctioneer specialist I charge a fee "most of the time" The small local auctions that Lynn is referring to that consist of all volunteers and items donated by the community I have no problem with someone doing them for free.

Good Day,
Paul

I agree with Paul.

As I also mentioned previously, I have no issue with volunteering services in a small town as long as it doesn't hurt your fellow auctioneer brothers/sisters or our industry.

For the record, I live in a very small town of less than eight thousand. I have also been a volunteer firefighter in my local community. Another point of fact is noting that even ministers get paid. Yes, I am also ordained. With the exception of just a few auctions, I still charge a fee.

As my auctioneer mentor used to say, "If no one gets paid then I don't get paid!" In 99.99% of charity/fundraising/benefit auctions someone (i.e. employee of charity, vendor, etc.) is getting paid. It's definitely a question worth asking.

Another spiritual perspective and question to consider is to possibly ask yourself, if you are donating your auctioneer services, but you expect to receive future business (estate, liquidation or otherwise), then are you truly donating? The bottom line is that it is a personal choice, as to how each auctioneer approaches fundraising events in their local community.

There is some great information in this post, but I don't believe that any side will win the debate.

In answer to Tom DiNardo's question of "If you expect to gain future business as a result of donating services, then are you truly donating."

Maybe, Maybe not. What you are really doing is investing. Investing in goodwill, friendship, status in your community, and yes, paid auctions at some point down the road.

Not to mention, it is a very effective way for the new, beginning first generation auctioneer to get his foot in the door of an extremely competitive business. Think of it as one more type of networking.

Lyn Liechty, Auctioneer
http://www.arealauction.com

I know we have had this same discussion in the past and will most likely see it again just as we see repeats of NAA or not NAA.

I don't really see where anyone here is wrong or right. I myself do small local charity auctions and yes I do charge but donate it back immediately. I am lucky that in Pa there is a requirement for the auctioneers license info to be on all auction advertisements so yes I get my name out doing these 2-3 small charity sales a year as my name and info is on all advertisement even if its a radio announcement. I have been able to generate more business because of them. But if I did not, I would still do those small local ones.

If I were asked to do a large scale one I would be on the phone immediately calling Tom or one of the others who specialize in this area to come on out and see what we could do, and yes I would charge and probably a lot more than I would be donating back.

But when I'm asked to do a charity auction for one of the organizations I support where there are but 100 or less items ranging from 5 to 20 dollars in value like certificates toward a dinner or such I'm there and yes I want the free meal too please.

Since they always have it as a dinner and a dance and all I have to do is show up and call for a very short time then spend three hours socializing I meet many new faces that are not the regular auction crowd and have never given a thought to selling or buying items at auction unless you call Ebay an auction (Lets not start the live VS other auctions argument again).

After I get off the podium I have three hours or so I can sell myself and the auction method. Everyone there already knows you since you just had them all fired up and bidding like mad to donate to a cause they support. How many times after a regular auction do you get to sit down and socialize with all the bidders not just the ones who stay until the gavel goes back on the podium. Many of these individuals can get hooked on auctions and the auction method from just that exposure.

One last note is I wouldn't do just any charity or benefit auction just because someone asked. The few I do are for a specific cause/ organization and since I now operate out of a gallery and have the added expense called rent I will have to charge a bit of something to cover a portion of the rent. But hey we have room for the dance floor and a stage for the band so all I need to do is add some sawdust to the floor, kick some chairs out of the way and ..................

Troy


http://www.toddauctioneering.com

Great thread everyone! I have learned several things about benefit auctions just from this thread.

I will say that I only do one or two charity auctions per year and I request a receipt for my commission (percentage based) but that is all. In essence I am donating my commission and it has worked out well. Lyn, that might be something to consider, just getting a receipt for your commission that you donate. The people that I have called for appreciate the donation, my CPA appreciates the receipt and my business has grown some because of it.

I agree that there isn't a right or wrong in this case, but there have been many interesting ideas brought up by all.

Thanks,

Jason