Live Auction Supplies Beyond the Basics

Ticket Dispensers and Collection Tools
As an auction coordinator, ticket dispensers can help to keep bids flowing seamlessly and reduce confusion among staff and guests. You can setup a table for guests to purchase tickets in advance. In this type of auction fundraiser setup, your staff members will sell tickets at the table using these dispensers. Tables are not needed if staff members will be selling tickets throughout the entire duration of your auction fundraiser. However, they can still make use of dispensers to organize tickets as they are sold.

Auction staff members will also need some form of collection supplies for money or ticket bids. The collection tools are usually used to collect bids that will be placed in a main raffle drum or auction bowl during community based fundraising events. An auction coordinator can use plastic containers, gift boxes or even shoe boxes for this live auction supplies item. Household products can help to reduce expenses incurred when planning a live auction. The object of a live auction fundraiser is to bring in more money than you spend, which can be done with household supplies.

Counterfeit Money Pens
Elaborate auction fundraiser events hosted by businesses and elite non-profit organizations usually have some form of security set in place. Small community based auction events can benefit from the use of counterfeit money pens. These are non-essential live auction supplies but helps to make sure bids at your event are authentic. The pens detect counterfeit money quickly, making them a valuable asset for any live auction coordinator. Counterfeit money pens are inexpensive and can be found at some office supply stores and retail vendors.

Dedicated Cash Box for Auctions
It is not unusual for some auction staff members to keep money on hand during this type of fundraising event. Doing so helps to provide change for guests and makes some live auction fundraiser events operate quicker. In these settings, live auction staff members get together and combine the winning bids and any other revenue into one lump sum. While this method of operation can work, dedicated cash boxes can be a more effective piece of live auction supplies. They help to keep the bulk of funds raised in a secure place and may even protect money from inclement weather conditions.

Microphone and Speaker System
All venues may not provide the necessary equipment to host a live auction. This is especially the case for community based auctions that rent or borrow alternative venues during off-peak hours. An auction coordinator still benefits from owning equipment in the case of an emergency like technical difficulties with items provided by the venue. Purchase a microphone and speaker system to add in your group of live auction supplies. Test these items during the days leading up to your auction fundraiser event to make sure that they work properly.

Auction Item Labels
These items help the auctioneer relate his or her verbal description to a tangible product. Auction labels also help to keep everything organized, ensuring that guests receive accurate items for their winning bids. Guests will not be happy if they paid for an art painting from the early 1900s and received a Pop Culture photo of Madonna instead or vice versa. Flea market stickers or address labels can be used as an inexpensive way to make this live auction supplies. Organization for these live auction supplies items can be as simple as writing the product title and number on each label.