Tack Auction

[alice1971]

Our hunt is planning on running a tack auction as a fundraiser but we have just realised none of us has actually ever been to one so we don't know quite where to start. Could someone please head us in the right direction?

 

[neddy man]

LOCATION . easily accessible, large enough for all stands , enough car parking space .(maybe a local indoor arena f.o.c.? to help the hunt ) or a village hall or a school hall or gym , or an empty warehouse for a day . WHEN. Its mayday weekend in a fortnight or spring bank holiday in 5 weeks .Or has somewhere local got an equestrian event on and you could hold it at their premises on that date with a lot of buyers present ? .If its an evening sale people need time to get there and home .INFORMATION. The more advertising the better the event .Contact every livery yard , all the local hunts, all the food suppliers ,(tack shops don't want to help ,as you are pinching their customers ).Facebook is a good media for publicity Get posters up at all the local events asap . CHARGES . either a price per table depending on size , or ask for a % donation from sales ,(hard to supervise ).some charge an admission price for buyers (if you do this state it on adverts ). ADDONS .Invite local feed merchants ,saddlefitters ,vets ,livery yards ,trainers ,etc to have a stall. (if you do this early its more to put on your advert and helps attendance ) GOOD LUCK

 

[turnbuckle]

Really good ideas above......but I get the impression you want to do a proper auction.

In that case, a good auctioneer is your first step - a bit of crack and banter to get things going is vital. A pro from a local mart or fine art place may well volunteer if asked nicely.

Perhaps make an evening of it - snacks and drinks from the supporters club?

Might be worth thinking about terms and conditions - i.e. stuff sold as seen.

Good luck, fun sounding project!

 

[Countryman]

I would echo the above that you need to get as much advertising as possible. Crucially with hunt fundraising, you want to get outsiders involved, otherwise you are always taking money from the same people-your own members and subscribers who already pay a lot of money to support the hunt. So put up posters at all the local Livery Yards and riding schools, perhaps put leaflets through letter boxes-above all, ensure you spread the message far and wide.

 

[neddy man]

Sorry missed the auction bit . For an auction everything needs to be on display an hour before the auction , and its very hard to get accurate descriptions of the sale items to put on the hunts website, .So people have an idea of items for sale ,it really needs pictures and someone to view every item for accuracy ,and may need someone to collect a lot of the items ,if people are only putting in one or two items they may not want to travel to the venue .A table top sale may be easier .Don't forget food , a barbi with burgers, sausage and bacon sarnies, and tea and coffee will bring in good profit .

 

[lurcherlu]

Where abouts in cornwall are you? Ivor Mann from Coades is an amazing auctioneer there is a tack auction in eldest own on the 26 th of this month I think go along and see how it's run?