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Post by cathyb on Sept 26, 2017 23:51:21 GMT
Our school has a GALA every year and asks for baskets for the silent auction. I was thinking about donating X amount of dollars for notary services, including travel fees. Example: 100 dollars of notary services/travel fees. I would put guidelines on how far I would travel, (say 25 mile radius) and give a price breakdown of the fees.
I am terrible at soliciting businesses for donations and they ask each family to donate something for the auction. Would that be a silly item? They have everything from places to visit/eat to a lady that wraps pens with florist tape and fake flowers and makes bouquets with them. |
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Post by papersilly on Sept 27, 2017 0:06:08 GMT
that might be a good basket for a business that requires notarized documents from their clients i.e. attorneys who have elderly clients who can't go out but need documents notarized. they can provide the service with you going to the client's house or something. other than that, i can't imagine an individual having a use for it. i can count on my left hand minus a few fingers how many times i've needed a notary in the past few years. i would probably not be a good bidder for this kind of basket. it's pretty specific.
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Post by dawncpa on Sept 27, 2017 0:12:37 GMT
I like the idea a lot, but I'm not sure the audience will be broad enough.
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zella
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,884 
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Post by zella on Sept 27, 2017 0:12:50 GMT
Yeah, I don't think that's really a good idea for the fundraiser. I know I'm not necessarily average, but I've used a notary maybe 5 times in the last 15 years. It's just too specific. Sorry!
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Post by AussieMeg on Sept 27, 2017 0:17:34 GMT
I've used a notary maybe 5 times in the last 15 years. I've never used one. I don't even know what a notary is! |
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Post by theroadlesstraveledp on Sept 27, 2017 0:17:54 GMT
I think it's a great idea. There are lots of people out there that need your services, and it would be a good way to advertise and market your business. Maybe you could also add something else to the basket that would make it more appealing as well? Like maybe a gift card to a popular restaurant?
I have seen plenty of things auctioned off at Galas such as; one way plane tickets, a ride in a helicopter, wine baskets, a photo package that pretty much did what you want to do that had parameters and packages as to what would be available etc., and lunch with the Mayor.
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Post by Basket1lady on Sept 27, 2017 0:21:11 GMT
I think it's a great idea. No one needs another lap blanket and candle--it's a useful item!
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Post by Really Red on Sept 27, 2017 0:25:12 GMT
I like the fact that you are willing to travel. Here, every bank has a notary and they are free. Most bigger businesses have one (free, too), so while it may not be super tempting, the fact that you're willing to travel is a bonus. I'm in the same dilemma with baskets. I was thinking a jello shooter basket because it's very different. I'm just looking on Pinterest and wondering where I'm going to find the time. I'd ask the sponsors what they think about your basket. It could be great! |
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Post by sean&marysmommy on Sept 27, 2017 0:32:52 GMT
I don't know. Here, most banks offer the service for free for their customers. I don't know that you'd get a lot of bidders, depending on what your area is like.
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georgiapea
Drama Llama
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Post by georgiapea on Sept 27, 2017 0:38:34 GMT
It would be great for people who regularly need to have things notorized, but that service is free in so many places and $100.00 worth of $3.00 to $5.00 fees is a lot of notorizing. But it's not like you will be out anything if it isn't bid on.
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Post by cathyb on Sept 27, 2017 3:32:04 GMT
Thank you for the feedback. I will probably go ahead and at least try. We have to fundraise $750 per family during the school year and baskets/donations are the way to go. Notary prices in California can add up quickly, especially if you pay for a mobile notary. I'll add transferable and valid for at least a year. Not sure if I want it to never expire in case I don't renew my notary or move tyoe of thing. I have never seen that service offered before so I will give it a try.
Thanks again
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amom23
Drama Llama
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Post by amom23 on Sept 27, 2017 3:44:04 GMT
Maybe things are different in CA, but where I live I can easily have things notorized for free. I also can probably count the times on 1 hand that I've ever had the need to though.
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Post by bc2ca on Sept 27, 2017 4:42:54 GMT
IME, services don't do well at school auctions. I don't think it is a silly idea, but we had a plumber, dentist and electrician donate services one year and they were not well bid. With these type of services, unless someone has a specific current need, they don't bid for a "just in case" need.
All our CA notary needs have been met either at through the bank or our attorney so it isn't something I would personally bid on.
What does super well IME are wine/wine glasses/crackers/pate or a garden basket with a couple of potted succulents/gardening gloves/trowel. A beach tote, beach blanket and gift card for a local taco or burger place are popular as well.
ETA I put together all the gift baskets for a raffle one year and we raised an astounding amount of money for a Trader Joe's reusabla tote filled with snack food. It was different than the silent auction, but still amazing how popular it was.
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Post by Fidget on Sept 27, 2017 11:07:05 GMT
In all honesty it's not something I'd be interested in. My banking institution offers this service for free (minus the travel).
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Post by Scrapbrat on Sept 27, 2017 11:27:04 GMT
I'm sorry, but I don't think it's a very good idea for a fundraiser. Most businesses that use notary services just pay for a couple of their employees to be notaries so that they always have the service available, and for the few times that the average person needs a notary, my experience is that nearly all banks will do this for free.
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rickmer
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by rickmer on Sept 27, 2017 11:57:27 GMT
our school has a silent auction and they send out a list with all the items up for auction. there is usually at least a couple of parents that are lawyers that offer up some legal services (2 wills and 2 power of attorneys, for example). they have always been bid on. i think the travel aspect is a bonus. it would depend on how big your school is to determine if there is a big enough audience that something like that would be appealing to one or two. however, i am not sure banks offer that service in canada??? if they did, i doubt it would be free.  |
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Post by littlemama on Sept 27, 2017 12:18:18 GMT
I don't think that is going to do well. Notary services are something that you don't think you'll ever need until you do, plus they are free. Why would I bid on something I can just get for free? (Unless your state somehow mandates that you charge people for the service).
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schizo319
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by schizo319 on Sept 27, 2017 13:01:28 GMT
I think I've used a notary like once in my whole life - for free at my bank. Definitely not something that I would bid on.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Sept 27, 2017 14:53:20 GMT
Thank you for the feedback. I will probably go ahead and at least try. We have to fundraise $750 per family during the school year and baskets/donations are the way to go. Notary prices in California can add up quickly, especially if you pay for a mobile notary. I'll add transferable and valid for at least a year. Not sure if I want it to never expire in case I don't renew my notary or move tyoe of thing. I have never seen that service offered before so I will give it a try. Thanks again I love that you are thinking of something that you specialize in and you've really thought this out  Sounds like it's something that some people might want or like. There are many things at auctions that I don't need, but others might. I do kind of like the Trader Joe's basket/bag idea too though |
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Sept 27, 2017 15:01:56 GMT
If you need to raise that much money, I would be worried that this basket wouldn't raise much.
What if you added it to a trader's joe basket or gift card. (TJ"s will often donate food to school fund raisers)
Or you could group it with some other business services. Like a small business basket. Look for a marketing person, an accountant, a business coach and package up all those services.
I'm not sure you will make a ton of money but each business will get some promotion.
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Post by cathyb on Sept 27, 2017 15:32:24 GMT
If you need to raise that much money, I would be worried that this basket wouldn't raise much. What if you added it to a trader's joe basket or gift card. (TJ"s will often donate food to school fund raisers) Or you could group it with some other business services. Like a small business basket. Look for a marketing person, an accountant, a business coach and package up all those services. I'm not sure you will make a ton of money but each business will get some promotion. |
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Post by cathyb on Sept 27, 2017 15:34:45 GMT
Ok, I tried to quote but I didn't do it right.
The idea about a small business basket is a great idea.
Wo do different things throughout the year to earn toward our $750 goal so even 50 dollars will help.
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Sounds like it's something that some people might want or like. There are many things at auctions that I don't need, but others might. 