This year I decided to try something a little different.  If it works out, I may repeat it; if not, well hopefully the kids will benefit anyway.

I decided to offer $500 toward the bow of your choice, either from any of our sponsors or from any of the bows listed in the classifieds.  You'll see this in bid forum #2.

On the face of it, this may not make much sense.  I could have just sent a check to St Judes for $500, and maybe it will turn out that that's what I should have done.

However, it occurred to me that there are probably some bowyers who are sponsors and some people who have bows for sale who would like to contribute to St Judes, but maybe not as much as a whole bow.  So my deal is that I'll contribute $500 toward the cost of a bow, provided the seller of the bow also agrees to reduce the price of his bow by 10% for the winner of this auction.  My hope is that if a seller is willing to reduce the price of a bow to the winner of this auction item by 10% or more, it will encourage people to bid higher than they would if only the $500 alone was offered.

No seller is obligated to participate in this deal.  No seller is obligated to limit his discount to the winner to 10%.  If a seller is willing to discount by more than 10%, maybe bidders will bid higher and more will go to St Judes.  The only catch is that I'm only willing to send $500 to a seller who agrees to participate by offering a 10% (or more) discount to the winner of this auction item.  Who knows, maybe you'll be able to sell a bow to someone who wouldn't otherwise have bought a bow, because the feeling of buying a bow and contributing to St Judes will motivate someone more than just buying a bow alone would.  At least, I hope that's the way it will work.

I would caution bidders not to expect to get a 10% discount on a bow, or my $500, unless they confirm with a seller that he is willing to participate.  Or, sellers can let people know that they are willing to participate by responding to this post or to my post in the auction.

On a larger scope, I hope the auction is a great success for everyone who participates, and ends up being a great benefit for St Judes, an organization deserving of support from all of us.

Sounds like you are doing a lot for the kids $500.00 off a bow with a little forgiving from a seller seems great to me!!!!      

Thanks, Dave, for the creative and generous donation to the St. Jude's Auction!  Knowing St. Jude's Sponsors like I do, I would say that this should not be any problem.

It constantly amazes me the generosity that trad archers have for others - those among their own ranks and those in need!!!

     

AGAIN!!!