What is a Direct Sales Quarter Auction?

The best way to explain it is that it is like an auction. Each item is only 1-4 quarters for each item and players have a better chance of winning than they do in bingo.

When you arrive, you may or may not have to pay a small fee to enter ($3) which normally includes a bidding paddle, then a ball with a number matching your paddle number will be placed into a bin. You may purchase more paddles to bid with if you like, usually at $1 for each additional paddle. You will be able to preview the auction items and decide which items you would like to bid on. Vendor tables are normally set up so you may purchase products from or schedule an in-home show.

A quarter auction is a fun time for vendor and customer alike.

When the auction starts, the rules are reviewed for everyone to hear. Someone, normally one of the vendors, will walk the auction item around while some else announces what the item is. Depending on the value of the item, a quarter value will be stated as 1-4 quarters and if you are interested in that item, you place that number of quarters in a dish to be collected. If you have 1 paddle and it is a 2 quarter bid, you’ll put 50 cents in the dish; if you want to play 2 paddles and it is a 1 quarter bid, you’ll put 1 quarter for each of your paddles into the dish, or 50 cents. A number is then drawn and if it matches your paddle, you win the item!  If you chose not to bid on the item and your number is drawn, another number will be drawn until a bidding number is drawn (you gotta play to win!).

Direct Sales Business Leads For Vendors

As a vendor you will get leads just like you would for a regular vendor event. The sharing of customers that takes place at a quarter auction is what make this so effective.

Each vendor is required to market the event to their list and to bring a certain number of auction items (normally 5-8).

You can use your inventory items, or a combination of discontinue and current products.

There are different requirements for each Quarter Auction; basically it is a vendor fair where you set up a table and can sell cash and carry, take orders and book shows before the auction begins and at intermission.  There are 1-4 quarter bids where normally 1 quarter bid is a product valued at $10-$20, 2 Quarter bid is $21-$40, 3 Q is $41-$60, and 4Q is $61 and higher value.  The product is displayed and anyone that wants the product puts the quarter in a dish, you keep all those quarters and one number is drawn and that person takes the items home.

Find Business Leads

It is a great way to pick up a few new customers and get your catalogs and name in the hands of women (and men) that like vendor products.  All the local quarter auctions are a fundraiser for a group or organization.

There is normally a donation of a product for the charity and a door prize that is required.  Some also cost a participation fee which varies greatly.  There is usually an entry fee ($3-5) and sometimes you keep the money from the people you invite, or sometimes the charity keeps all door money.  Other times there is no fee and customers only pay $1 for each bidding paddle they want to use.

Check with your local authorities on whether the Quarter Auctions are legal in your area before setting up a new quarter auction. Some states consider a quarter auction to be gambling and/or may require a license.

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