Tuesday, Nov. 03, 2009

My name is Wally, and I'm an auctionaholic

It's time someone spoke up about silent auctions.

They are killers. At least they are killing me and my finances.

I was with the folks at Mascoutah Senior Services, 227 N. Market St., on Sunday for a wine and cheese party and what was described in a flier as a "fun afternoon," with "fabulous auction items!"

It was fun. The appetizers by Chef Jean Rogers were great, the wine and cheese were good and the company was excellent.

You know how silent auctions work. Someone donates products, usually done up in a nice basket, but sometimes a trip or a service. People write down bids to try and win the product.

It can be expensive going to one of those functions when you can't keep from writing down bids on many of the silent auction items.

I know I am an auctionaholic. I try not to go to live auctions because I end up with so much merchandise that neither I nor anyone else with any sense want.

But there was no one urging me on to bid on silent auction merchandise except my wife, and even she wasn't that insistent.

The day started out pretty cheaply. I was watching the St. Louis Rams on television. When I was watching the football game, all I was spending was whatever it took to buy the sandwich and soda that I consumed. Maybe you could figure in a few dollars for the cable connection.

Even figuring in depreciation on the television set, it was cheaper than going to the silent auction.

One of my problems is that I hate to see things at charity auctions sell for less than what someone might have put into donating them. So I often write down bids just to help get prices higher.

This usually works, but sometimes it leads to getting baskets full of stuff you haven't even looked at. That is how I became the proud owner of a Trader Joe's tote bag with a bunch of stuff in there, I'm not even sure what.

But what the heck. The auctions are great for people who like to donate to their favorite charities and also get a few gifts out of it. And it was for a worthy cause.

My wife, the eternal optimist, said we'll just have to see what's in everything. Maybe we can re-purpose some of the items for Christmas.

So, thanks Mascoutah Senior Services for a fun afternoon. And if you are a relative or a friend and you get some skin care products, a Christmas tree ornament or a coffee mug for Christmas, now you know why.