Fundraising Auction, Silent Auction
At AFGI we have been honoured over the years in creating unique, once in a lifetime events for our clients and their guests. As we work with many non-profits across nearly all areas we always give 110% effort when designing events and sourcing items for our silent auctions. AFGI has been a family run business for over 40 years providing professional charity auction services at fundraising events both in Canada and international locations.
As the leading benefit and charity live and silent auction company in Canada, we strive to gather the most special and memorable items for our auctions. Early on we discovered one of the most popular themes people enjoyed was auctions with sports items and sports memorabilia. At AFGI we have talked to hundreds of clients about the popularity of our sports memorabilia auctions.
When clients ask us how we go about designing a sports memorabilia auction, whether it be live or silent, we love sharing all that we’ve learned about sports memorabilia. When discussing sports memorabilia people often think of something they have personally saved or collected – perhaps from childhood or after attending an event. People who collect sports memorabilia often find connections through pieces they collect to sports and athletes they love. Memorabilia can be collected for a lifetime and can be a very affordable hobby.
Items at our auctions can range from team uniforms (both signed or unsigned), autographed equipment like helmets, hockey sticks, bats, baseballs and footballs. Then there is the incredibly wide world of sports trading cards; whether they are vintage or modern getting involved in trading cards is a wonderful and at times lucrative hobby. Sportscards sold before 1969 are considered highly valuable, and certain ‘modern’ ones such as the 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan or the 1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky are very rare and highly sought after.
At an AFGI auction, you can look forward to bidding on items like professionally framed jerseys from hockey stars such as Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid. We also have entire team hockey cards framed that would be a great addition to any family room. When looking at items to collect it is also important to consider the packaging some items come in. Complete sets, wax boxes and sealed cases with items intact often go for higher prices and are more valuable. When people successfully bid on items of sports memorabilia they are bringing a piece of the past into their homes. Even if your favourite sports star is retired you can still relive their glory days and enjoy these moments over again.
We find most of our guests at an AFGI fundraiser bid on items that they find great personal attachment to. Many collectors of sports memorabilia also think of their collection as an investment; as your collections grow and depending on the pieces you have they can often become very profitable. Being strategic about what you collect can pay off greatly in the future. The lucky people who invest in rookie cards are often awarded years later when their one-time rookie becomes a superstar (think Sidney Crosby whose Rookie and recently sold for an astonishing $100,00.00!). At an AFGI auction, you can be assured that all of our items are authentic and presented in high-quality frames or display boxes. We also provide certificates of authenticity for all our items. We advise anyone bidding on items at any auction to make sure the items are in as flawless condition as possible. Often the older the item, the more valuable, but a key factor in determining a piece of sports memorabilia is its condition and its supporting paperwork testifying to its authenticity. We advise collectors to have their collections evaluated from time to time by a reputable appraiser – this way you can plan for the future of your collection keeping in mind the value of your current collection.
If you are new to an AFGI event and are just starting your collection of sports memorabilia there are three things you should keep in mind.
- It pays to do your homework. Find out what items appeal to you and what you should add to your burgeoning collection.
- Look for quality. Make sure the items you bid on are in the best possible quality – older items will understandably show greater wear and tear, but items free from rips or tears will grow to be of greater value.
- Be patient. People who make money from investing in sports collectibles understand that they are in it for the long haul. The sports memorabilia market is based on many factors including the overall economy; keeping this in mind you will most likely need to hold onto your collection for many years before you can see a profit.
When working with AFGI you can be assured that we take all levels of collectors into account when developing our pricing model for your event, whether you have newcomers or seasoned collectors we will have something for them! We take into account your attendee list, their demographics, past event info if we have worked with you before and previous bidding history. Our pricing is competitive, we don’t believe in inflating prices as this could discourage visitors and deflate your auction before it event gets started.
As our past clients will attest at AFGI we love what we do. Whether you are interested in an auction showcasing sports memorabilia or would like a more varied selection of items AFGI can create an auction that speaks to your guests and will result in a successful event. For all items provided by AFGI, we guarantee you a percentage of the final highest bid price; we spare you anxiously waiting for multiple bidders to ensure your charity makes money. Our costs are covered in the balance of the bid price after the charity receives their percentage.
AFGI is a leader in the live and silent auction industry; we are equipped with the latest in technology and focus on auctions and methods that will make your charity the most money. Our staff are the best in the business and come to us from the country’s leading auction schools. We offer a comprehensive service and will see your event through from beginning to end with an eye for detail and a collaborative attitude.
Call us today to start planning your next successful event!
Fundraising Auction / Silent Auction
AFGI Canada’s Top Live & Silent Fundraising Auction Experts!
(416) 804-9193