Past SCI auctioned hunts...results?

[desertloper]

I've been browsing the hunts that will be offered at the convention in Vegas this year-and it got me thinking...is there any database that shows results from prior years?

I'm curious to know if hunts can be picked up for below the listed "value"

This is really the first year that I've looked at it seriously

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

They certainly can be had for bargain prices. If you're going to attend the auctions I would research first the SCI website for who/what will be auctioned to select the ones you're interested in. You can go here to do that: http://www.showsci.org/static/Auctions/AuctionPreview/?reset

One word of advice, there will certainly be well known names auctioning off hunts as well as lesser known names. Whichever auctions catch your eye, be sure and research the outfitter before attending much less bidding. As someone once said to me, "A bargain safari with the wrong outfitter can turn out to be a very expensive walk in the bush."

 

[desertloper]

Phil that's the list I was reading and it got me wondering what these hunts actually go for at auction...and/or if they publish those after everything is over?

I agree with your points about price/quality/reputation proper homework is definitely required.

 

[RickB]

I know the auctions can bring great deals. I got my trip at an auction. It was not at the big show, but at a local chapter banquet. As long as you do some homework on the outfitter and set a max price in your head. I think you could get a deal.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Phil that's the list I was reading and it got me wondering what these hunts actually go for at auction...and/or if they publish those after everything is over?

I agree with your points about price/quality/reputation proper homework is definitely required.

I've never seen a published list, though it might be out there. I would imagine that it isn't. The intent of the auction isn't so much for bidders to get a cheap hunt as it is to raise money for SCI.

 

[Diamondhitch]

The intent of the auction isn't so much for bidders to get a cheap hunt as it is to raise money for SCI.

True but if some lucky hunter buys a hunt he could not otherwise have afforded for a bargain price SCI still gets the money and both walk away better for it. Those who do not have money to burn would be looking for a deal as well as a donation.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

True but if some lucky hunter buys a hunt he could not otherwise have afforded for a bargain price SCI still gets the money and both walk away better for it. Those who do not have money to burn would be looking for a deal as well as a donation.

Don't get me wrong DH, if I guy can score a bargain at the auctions and indeed it's the only way they can afford it, well my congratulations to him.

I just don't think it's in SCI's interest with regards to raising funds through the auctions to publish what they got in the past. If as I suspect the results in recent years are down, why would they want to advertise that? It would tend to put people even more in mode to stay low in the bidding. If the results are actually running high when the economy is good, it might lead to people not bothering to attend the auctions as they would think there's no bargains to be had.

 

[desertloper]

Phil, that's a pretty good thought on why/not SCI would publish such data.

I was hoping to get some first hand info from folks who have been to the big auctions and followed some of the hunts. I am definitely going to use SCI/DSC as a research tool for upcoming trips..and will seriously look at the auctions.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Diamondhitch]

Don't get me wrong DH, if I guy can score a bargain at the auctions and indeed it's the only way they can afford it, well my congratulations to him.

I just don't think it's in SCI's interest with regards to raising funds through the auctions to publish what they got in the past. If as I suspect the results in recent years are down, why would they want to advertise that? It would tend to put people even more in mode to stay low in the bidding. If the results are actually running high when the economy is good, it might lead to people not bothering to attend the auctions as they would think there's no bargains to be had.

I agree Phil. I am not sure how it would swing things with the low economy, maybe publishing low sale prices would bring out more bidders and raise the bar a bit. In good times though I agree if prices go high that would surely discourage many bidders from attending.

 

[enysse]

No one will advertise the results of the auctions, it's bad all around. There is nothing positive that comes to SCI...if they do that listing.

Imagine if you had to run the organization? It was your job to attract vendors and ask for hunt donations? Been there...done that! It's bad business. I don't care what people say on here...that it's a donation...it's no big deal...what the final price is what it is! Vendor have feeling and emotions. And they get hurt when a regular price item goes for pennies on the dollars. There are many way you can spin this around. And yes I understand how a business or charity is run. For the most part it's bad business for a item to go low. Very few outfitters...get fuzzy warm feelings. Maybe something positive will happen with a low price. They add more animals, bring more people, book another hunt...etc

There are deals every year....just don't expect them to happen...at any single point. Read the description of the hunt carefully...and know what you are bidding on. Just remember, it may have been a down year for me or you....that doesn't always transform to cheap auction hunts. Plenty of people have money....always do and alway will. They may scoop up a cheap hunt too....seen it many of times.

 

[ActionBob]

I don't really know about these donation type auctions but I go to a fair amount of auctions for business and word of low prices tend to bring out hoards of people to the next auction looking for a deal. Of course good old supply and demand kicks in as well as buying fever and the next auction can go very high.

I don't buy it that publishing low prices hurts SCI. The outfitters are donating them anyway, right? So what do they care what it brings? And if it does turn out to be a real bargain, maybe add on's and bigger tips will be forth coming.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Most of these fund raising auctions I have attended an intoxicated individual or two have bid prices up and I have not seen real bargains.
Maybe I need to go to more SCI auctions.

 

[milford]

yup same here but I was the intoxicated one last time

 

[joester]

I don't think all hunts are 100% donation...some have a minimum bid that the outfitter expects to receive as partial payment. No judgement on this on my part, but it does affect bidding...

 

[enysse]

You are joester, unless it says it's a 100 percent donation, a minimum has to be meet for the hunt to sell. Some of the auctions have a percentage split too.

The best hunt donations or item, get the best market placement at the expo.