About That Tricky Tray.. I Just Want To Say_Chapter 5 (closed)

Use This Post To "Speak Your Mind" About A Tricky Tray or Anything Related To A Tricky Tray. Tell us about the Grand Prize You Just Won or How You Haven't Won A Thing 10 Tricky Trays Straight. Just Click On The comment link below and start typing away.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Re: Roselle Catholic Tricky Tray

I am a parent at RC and they do not reserve any seats. They open the doors at 5:30 and its first come first serve. But as others previously stated they do sit over 600 and do not sell that many tickets, you should not have a problem finding a seat.
January 07, 2006 10:03 AM
Anonymous said…
What makes a good tricky tray. Im holding my first one. Practically doing it myself. I got a nice place - wheelchair accessible, non smoking. The place will serve food if you want to purchase it. What types of prizes are good - Id like a general idea. I have tons of stuff in my house already that has been donated, but I thought I would try and asky ou guys. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
January 07, 2006 4:19 PM
Anonymous said…
looking for the next trickey tray in middlesex
January 07, 2006 5:20 PM
Anonymous said…
In my opinion, a good tricky tray is one where the following occurs:

The prizes are proportionate to the ticket cost.

The tickets are shaken-up well.

The tickets don't go in paper bags where the first tickets in usually get stuck in the folds of the bag.

No bent tickets are called.

There are spotters to point the runner in the right direction of the winner to move the calling along.

The caller isn't too verbose with side comments.

Children are not allowed.

Drink and snacks can be purchased.

But, most importantly, I win (LOL)! Good luck with your event.
January 07, 2006 9:11 PM
Anonymous said…
To Lindsay-

I too am organizing my first tricky tray and if you find someone willing to email off-line let me know. However, you can try going to trickytrays.com. Not the "s" at the end which may offer some useful advice.
January 07, 2006 9:15 PM
Anonymous said…
I meant to say note the "s" at the end for the above web address.
January 07, 2006 9:15 PM
Anonymous said…
That site has some good info if you are planning a tricky tray, but it has been dead for years!

www.TrickyTray.com posts all the action. That's what I like.
January 07, 2006 11:00 PM
Mr. Tricky Tray said…
What a Great Turn out At The Polls so far. Lots of Votes! If you haven't voted for Your Favorite Tricky Tray of 2005, You have until Jan 25th. Just click on the Vote link at http://www.trickytray.com

*You can only vote once.(this isn't American Idol)!LOL

And a valid email must be filled in the form to count. The Winner & Runner ups will be announced end of January 2006.

Thanks Everyone!
January 08, 2006 1:37 PM
Anonymous said…
Let's get this blog moving!
The tricky tray season is heating up - what are the good ones for this weekend?
January 11, 2006 5:09 PM
Anonymous said…
I am organizing a tt for the first time and wanted to know where everyone gets the raffle or sheet tickets from? I saw them in a party store, but they seemed a little expensive.

Thanks.
January 11, 2006 5:30 PM
Anonymous said…
I've seen raffle tickets at a Wal-Mart. I don't know the price. Try there.
January 14, 2006 12:09 PM
Anonymous said…
The non reserved seating at RC must be a new thing-I went for about 12 years anad all the tables had always been marked reserved-I gave up after the last time because there were few seats available and they were hard to find-I'm glad they stopped that practice-maybe I'll go again next time-
January 14, 2006 2:16 PM
Anonymous said…
i know of a TT that uses www.kwikitickets.com 877-515-5219-they say it's the cheapest they found--

there is a store in Linden_I thin kit's called the Bingo Factory-on styles across from Pathmark-they sell all kids of tickets
January 14, 2006 2:18 PM
Anonymous said…
went to tt at st. therese last night what an experience! we lost power around 7pm, didn't get done til 12:30am and came out to an ice/snowstorm. only had emergency light and some flashlights, someone brought a generator for the mic. excellent job by organizers, had to be a nightmare for them but they did a great job!
January 15, 2006 10:19 AM
Anonymous said…
I was there in the dark, too! I thought we'd never get out of there. There were so many prizes. Besides having a generator ready for next year, I would like a little more space to sit - if all the seats had truly been filled, there would have been no room. Our table was only able to have people on one side because the tables were so close together.
Anyway, I came home a winner, so I would go again.
January 15, 2006 11:47 AM
Anonymous said…
Went to the Spotswood H.S. DECA tricky tray on Friday. There were too many people for the amount of prizes. We were done in 2 hours and it could have been an hour and a half except their 10 min. break turned into a half an hour. Then they took another break just before their last 17 prizes and then did the thank you's. It was the kid's first tricky tray but not the woman who organized it. Next year they need to go to a good one and check out the prizes and where they are donated from.
They did have good cake and plenty of that for the amount of people.
January 16, 2006 7:56 AM
Anonymous said…
Hey Mr. TT - Is there anyway you can keep a running list of the tts you have posted in the past? Just the date and organization. For those of us who go to a lot, it would help us keep track of where we've been and which ones to keep on or off the list for next year.
Thanks!
January 16, 2006 10:11 AM
Anonymous said…
Oriental express has a website and if you search they sell various tickets.
January 17, 2006 12:24 AM
Anonymous said…
I was also at 1/15 St Elizabeth tt. That location is always crowded; it's just a small room in a location that always draws a crowd.
The organizers did a great job but it was so wrong for them to continue that auction. With the power off, there has to be restrictions about holding a public function that crowded by flashlight. The emergency lighting failed and the generator didn't get set up for 2 hours. Even then there were elderly, handicapped and lots of children of all sizes packed in there with minimal light until after midnight. Not once was there an announcement made advising anyone of the road conditions. No indication of concern for the safety of those attending getting home. People were yelling at them to hurry up and draw. Several of the runners were drinking wine they had brought in and one of them slipped and fell by our table. They were laughing and having a great time.
Perhaps next time they could leave the kids and wine at home. That would help with the crowding; probably lots of rules about drinking in a school facility too.
January 17, 2006 12:36 AM
Anonymous said…
The emergency lighting didn't fail. It's only intended to work for a limited time to get people safely out the exits. After an hour there were only couple of them still on. People used their cellphones as lights to check prizes and drop in tickets and then to check their stubs to claim prizes. One super nice lady from the parish personally bought Home Depot flashlights for each table to have some light to read tickets with. Those flashlights all disappeared at the end.
January 17, 2006 12:43 AM
Mr. Tricky Tray said…
In response to keeping a list of past tricky trays....I would love to but it would generate alot more work that I wouldn't have time to keep up with. Just posting events keeps me busy as site continues to grow. Thanks for your interest in TrickyTray.com
January 17, 2006 1:56 AM
Anonymous said…
I keep a calendar,the postings from trickytray.com and the newspapers. You can write comments on the calendar so next year you'll know the good ones. Also just in case its not on the site you have a phone number to inquire about one for next year. Because some of the tricky trays sell out immediately.
January 17, 2006 9:39 AM
Anonymous said…
i went to spotswood tt. had about 400 people and so little prizes.. yes they drew a big crowd because it was the first tt in that area for 2006. they took 2 brakes one was suppose to be 10 minutes it was 30 minutes.. i will pass it this one next year
January 18, 2006 6:53 AM
Anonymous said…
Just came back from the Grant School Tricky Tray at Gatsby's in Dumont. First the positives, food was great, quality and value of prizes was also very good. First time I ever went to a tt that I had to fill out my name on my tickets, I think this could have made for faster calling except for one big problem, the caller. To anyone organizing a tt, I recommend that you do not hire/use John from WPLJ. He couldn't stop talking all night, practically a story with every basket. Most of us were just waiting to hear our name, John seems to like the sound of his own voice. Also, the organizers could have been more involved with helping to pick tickets more quickly and it would have been nice to have the prizes delivered to the tables by runners instead of having to get them ourselves. There were also 3 comedians, some funny, some not, but it was a tough room. Interested to see what others who attended thought.
Bergen County TT fan
January 19, 2006 11:15 PM
Anonymous said…
I agree with skipping the comments on the baskets. The callers stories and long discriptions are unnecessary. People don't want to stay 1 hour extra because someone likes to hear themselves talk.
ANY TRICKY TRAYS IN MIDDLESEX,MOUNMOUTH OR SOMERSET COUNTRIES in the near future????
January 20, 2006 9:52 AM
Anonymous said…
Hello all you TT'ers!
I'm new to the TT circuit but from what I hear/see, people love them. The TT that I am helping organize is a fundraiser for the Bukowski/Bloomfield Animal Shelter. As a new committee member & first time TT'er I would love to hear about the best or worst prizes. Our TT will be held in Bloomfield NJ on March 19th, space is limited so we will be selling advance tickets only. If anyone is interested in attending, please contact 1-973-259-0016 or 1-973-429-9009. & please let me know your best/worst stories. Thank yoU!
January 20, 2006 12:01 PM
Anonymous said…
Don't forget to post it on www.trickytray.com!
January 20, 2006 8:31 PM
Anonymous said…
Any comments on the Roselle Catholic TT?
I think it's way too big - they had to extend the time for people to drop tickets. Too many levels of prizes for me and the admission is a bit steep for what you get.
January 21, 2006 2:20 PM
Anonymous said…
I too was at the Roselle Catholic TT. I go every year and this was the biggest crowd. I thought it was great, yes it did take longer to put the tickets in and I suppose that is why they extended their calling time. I think the admission price is the same as almost everywhere else and they have better prizes than other places. I thought it was well organized and they moved along pretty quickly. My group thought the prizes were wonderful, and even though I didn't win I am definately looking forward to going back next year!
January 21, 2006 2:34 PM
Anonymous said…
I was there, too. The first level prizes were nothing special - I would rather pay more for a sheet of tickets and win something with a higher value. I'm used to tt's where the first level is between 25 and 75 dollars and the sheets are 3 to 5 dollars. The gift certificates were good, but the way they were combined didn't always make sense. I would rather see them placed alongside the baskets of similar value (like the orange baskets had)than their own category. Seven levels of prizes is just too much!
I guess everyone has their own preferences, but those are mine.
January 21, 2006 7:38 PM
Anonymous said…
time to drop tickets.

My pet peeve is people that rip their tickets one by one at the prize tables while they are crowded-if people would rip the tickets at their table-it wouldn't take so long to drop tickets and time wouldn't have to be extended.
January 24, 2006 5:15 PM
Anonymous said…
AMEN....

I HAVE GONE TO TT WHERE THEY HAVE THEM PRE RIPPED.. AWESOME....

PEOPLE NEED TO RIP THEIR TICKETS AT THEIR TABLE AND THEN PUT THEM IN A BAGGY AND THEN PROCEED TO PUT THEM IN THE BUCKETS... TT ORGANIZATIONS NEED TO MAKE ANNOUNCEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE EVENING. THIS WILL BENEFIT THEM FOR SURE..
January 25, 2006 10:20 AM
Anonymous said…
It would also be helpful for TTs to have baggies or envelopes to give out for people to carry their ripped tickets-maybe just put them at the ticket selling tables so people can take them as needed-that way they won't be wasted
January 31, 2006 10:47 PM
Anonymous said…
My friends and I bring our own bags/cups for the tickets. Some people even have a special "tricky tray bag" that they keep bags, cups, tape, water, snacks, etc. That way there's just one thing to grab (besides your wallet!) as you head out to a great night!
February 01, 2006 7:42 AM
Anonymous said…
Who went to St. Brendans TT? I did and boy has that gone downhill. I made a special point of making sure I was going this year because it has always been outstanding. The prizes were very nice although the grand prizes were not nearly as grand as they have been in previous years. The big problem this year was they did not shake up the tickets. The caller was putting her hand in and scratching backward like a dog rather than shake it all up. When asked if they could shake the tickets up they laughed. They announced that last year they had $1200 for the winner and this year they had $484 and wanted people to continue buying to make the pot bigger. The big SHOCKER came when about an hour later they announced that they now had $480. We would like to know,
A. Why werent they trying to promote through the night that they at least need to reach the goal of last year which would be a big worry for most organization and,
B. How they first had $484 and now had $480 after people continued to buy.
Sounds to us that someone went home with a nice payday from that. Obviously the people who used to run it are no longer there. While we know that the people worked very hard on getting the prizes we just wish they would have done a better job with the running of it.
On a different note, an announcement was made that the Wayne Manor was sold and a car dealership is coming in. All I can say is thank God! That place is such a dirty dump!
February 01, 2006 2:08 PM
Anonymous said…
TT pet peeves....we've been reading about several of them. One I haven't seen mentioned yet - people moving in opposite directions next to the prize tables! How I hate that! You come face to face with another person and you both stand there looking at each other, waiting for the other to move out of your way. It can get ugly! One TT I went to hung signs all around the prizes tables saying: Move in this direction only, with an arrow pointing the way. It solved the problem. Even though you still had a "couple" of stubborn people, all I did was point at a sign and they backed off. Wish more TT's would try doing this. Makes for a more orderly crowd and keeps my BP down.
February 01, 2006 4:40 PM
Anonymous said…
hey Mr. Tricky Tray any chance you could gives us a top ten of the tricky trays!? sure would be nice for the organizations running them to have a little healthy competition and help the rest of us when we need to decide between a few.
February 02, 2006 12:09 PM
Anonymous said…
Didn't go to any of the ones on the list, so it's hard to know if I've been going to good ones or bad ones! Top 10 sounds great - maybe next year a survey - ranking on price, value, prizes, organization, etc. Since we all have different expectations, that might help. I like to know the number of baskets, value of baskets, price of tickets when I make my choice.
February 02, 2006 2:34 PM
Mr. Tricky Tray said…
Top Ten List! Sure..Just give me through weekend to get posted.
February 02, 2006 8:38 PM
Anonymous said…
Went to a TT last night. Too many people for the number of baskets. Should have had at least 50-75 more regular baskets. Food was excellent. Didn't win of course, but will try my luck one more time next year.
February 04, 2006 8:21 AM
Anonymous said…
Which one did you attend?
February 04, 2006 9:42 AM
Anonymous said…
I'm not responding to the post of 2/4. Went to the Freulinghuysen (sp?) Elem. School tray on Friday. Great prizes, prices compprable to prize and well run. Would go again accept the organizers said they do it every other year.
February 05, 2006 9:08 PM
Anonymous said…
Hey guys. All great info. I am doin a Tricky Tray for the first time. Along with a Beefsteak to raise money for our softball team in wanaque. Any tips anyone.. YOu can always email me at stazgtp44@aol.com
Thanks
February 06, 2006 10:15 AM
Anonymous said…
Went on 02/03 to St. Mark for a "basket tricky tray". What a disappointment to find out that is was nothing but LONGABERGER baskets. (which 3 out of 4 of us are not into) The organization should of specified that it was LONGABERGER not a basket tricky tray. If I'd only knew...I would not have gone...and I would have went up to Frelinghuysen.
February 07, 2006 3:11 PM
Anonymous said…
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LIST OF 10 BEST TRICKY TRAYS ??
February 08, 2006 6:35 AM
Mr. Tricky Tray said…
OK,OK Been Busy with Work!


Best Tricky Tray of 2005Top 10 List (actually 11)
Best Tricky Tray of 2005
Woodrow Wilson #5 School-Garfield, NJ
for so many Great Prizes - High End,
Very Well Organized & Great Food!
Congratulations!

*****************************

First Runner-Up
Newton High School Class of 2008 -Newton, NJ

*****************************

Second Runner-Up (Tie)

St. Brendan School- Clifton, NJ

Unity Spiritual Center- Asbury, NJ

*****************************

Third Runner-Up (Tie)

Lakeland Animal Haven- Kenvil, NJ

St Francis of Assisi - Haskell, NJ

Dystonia Medical Research Foundation-NJ Chapter

*****************************

Fourth Runner-Up

St. Andrews-Clifton,NJ

*****************************

Fifth Runner-Up

Our Lady of Mercy-Whippany,NJ

*****************************

Sixth Runner-Up (Tie)

Toms River Class of 2008-Toms River,NJ

Knights of Pythias-Garfield,NJ

*As Voted By The Visitors Of
TrickyTray.com

There you have it..the official results!
February 09, 2006 10:25 AM
Anonymous said…
Wow - I didn't go to any of those and I went to a lot last year!
February 09, 2006 4:13 PM
Anonymous said…
does anyone know when the Lafayette school (in sussex county) has their tricky tray?
February 11, 2006 11:29 AM
Anonymous said…
went to the t.t at "the spa" in vernon last night - was disappointed. the place was too small for the amount of people they had. next year either a bigger place or only let a certain amount of people in. you could hardly get around the tables to put the tickets in. also, what is up with some people ? they act like there going to a fire the way they push threw the crowds - i was with a friend who is 8 months pregnant and people were pushing past us to go in the opposite direction when there was hardly any room to go in one direction. people - come on - relax, it's just a t.t. - people want to enjoy themselves. any one else have any comments on that one ?
February 11, 2006 11:33 AM
Anonymous said…
I have commented on this earlier. One TT that I attended placed signs all along the prize table route. The signs said that all people were to move in one direction and included a large arrow pointing the way. Like...."ONE WAY ONLY". It did work. I wish more TT's would try this out especially if space is at a premium.
February 11, 2006 12:35 PM
Anonymous said…
Thank You to all who voted for Lakeland Animal Haven's tricky tray,we were pleasantly suprised! See you in September!
February 12, 2006 3:28 PM
Anonymous said…
did anyone attend St.John's Academy of Hillsdale NJ
TT last yr held at Rockleigh?

If not put this one on the list of NOT TO BE MISSED!!!!!!!

Last yr they had over 60 minigrands
and grand prize unbelievable

I went broke trying for the SuperGrand prize...
desperate housewives luncheon..
fully catered luncheon hosted in the winner's home winner received everything on the table to set the table with even the invites.
Then a chef, butler (white glove) and a waiter arrives ready to serve 9 friends (desperate housewives of the winner!_)

I heard this years theme At the movies red carpet and all to walk on...save the date April 25th
at Rockleigh they even served HORS DE VOURS during the ticket drop/gift preview..oh did i mention the waiter standing there passing out glasses of wine!
February 15, 2006 7:04 AM
Anonymous said…
I have attended the St. John Academy's (Hillsdale, NJ) Tricky Trays for years. I have won so many beautiful and elegant prizes over the years, including a stunning diamond/sapphire necklace. I cannot wait to attend the red carpet Tricky Tray on April 25th at the Rockleigh Country Club this year!!!!!
February 16, 2006 10:41 AM
Anonymous said…
can you let us know what the price of admission and tickets for st. johns academy have been in the past?
February 16, 2006 9:22 PM
Anonymous said…
The tt for the Sayreville high school choir was pretty good last night. The prices were great - only $2 a ticket for a computer, patio set, etc., and those were the most expensive tickets! A huge difference from those further north where they would have been $5. There were about 350 people and 350 prizes. Well organized - would go again.
February 18, 2006 5:26 PM
Anonymous said…
I WENT TO E/B FROST SCHOOL FRI 2/17 IT WAS NICE.. TOO MANY PEOPLE.. I STILL CAN'T BELIVE PEOPLE STILL BEND TICKETS OH SO MANY BENT TICKETS.. THE PERSON RUNNING IT SAID I WILL NOT PICK BENT TICKETS WHICH SHE DIDN'T BUT THIS MADE HER LOOK IN EACH TICKET DROP SO SHE WOULDN'T PICK BENT TICKETS.. WHO ARE YOU STUPID PEOPLE WHO SPEN THAT MONEY AND BEND YOUR TICKETS.. TT ORGANIZERS ARE GETTING SMART AND NOT PICKING THEN TOO MANY PEOPLE COMPLAIN... SAVE YOUR MONEY AND STAY HOME...
February 21, 2006 9:42 AM
Anonymous said…
The price for St. John's TT last year was $45.00 last year
this year it is $50.00
They selll 3 different value packs
in addition to tickets sold indiv.
Great TT! Don't miss I'll be there
February 22, 2006 2:22 PM
Anonymous said…
Is anyone going to the Woodland Mill Lake PTO Tricky Tray on Friday? I heard they have a puppy as a prize!
February 22, 2006 4:13 PM
Anonymous said…
I would like to comment the Anonymous comment made on 2/1/06 regarding the St. Brendan's Tricky Tray!!!! It is my understanding that not only are the same people running it as last year, but this tricky tray was a record one for the school as the top fundraiser of all time--I also have in on good authority that a number of schools in the clifton area--copycat the St. Brendan's tricky Tray because it is and has always been extremely well done!!!! Sorry if you didn't win anything--boohoo for you--but to trash something which takes up so much work and planning is very small minded--maybe you should stay home next time and kept your negative comments to yourself--or better yet run a tricky tray yourself!!!!! or I hear that School #11 is having their tricky tray soon--I am sure they would love your input!!!!! a happy patron on the St. Brendan's Tricky Tray
February 23, 2006 10:23 PM
Anonymous said…
I went to the Sparta Alpine Tricky Tray last night. Great prizes...however people were folding tickets. I mentioned this twice to the runners and nothing was said or done. When are the people who run these things going to catch on?
February 25, 2006 9:03 AM
Anonymous said…
I went to the Bryan School Tricky Tray last night and the people were very pleasant and well organized. However, it was very expensive for the quality of prizes. The regular prizes were all under $25, the ticket sheet cost $5. There were many prizes that were "one pizza", how appalling. They should have been grouped with other gifts. The next level of prize's tickets cost $1 each for prizes such as dinner at Applebees! These should have been in the lowest level of prizes. The next level $3 per ticket! Then the next level $6 per ticket! I have never been to such an expensive event. That's on top of paying $40 to get in (which included dinner)! When you pay a lot for admission the ticket prices should be kept low. This was robbery! I spent $120! NOT WORTH IT! I did it for my friends who have children in that school. I and many others will NOT attend again! One more thing, some people wrote their name on the back of the tickets so when the caller was announcing the winner she just read the name. For those who did not put their name we were very dissappointed and annoyed. She should have read the number then the name for verification. Either everyone write their name or no one. (Oh yeah, there were no folded tickets, everyone's pet peeve.)
February 25, 2006 9:53 AM
Anonymous said…
To the anonymous poster on 2/23 disappointed that someone "trashed" the St. Brendan's tricky tray. First, I had to go back and try to read the original post since I didn't recall anyone really "trashing" in. I also attended that event - and while, as you said, it was their biggest and did extremely well - that really has nothing to do with whether or not the people running the event were "shaking" the tickets as the original poster indicated she felt they hadn't been doing. Also, she mentioned that she was concerned with the amount of the 50/50 being presented at 2 different values -- announced at a lower amount the 2nd time in the evening. She never "trashed" it saying that she thought the prizes weren't good or the event itself wasn't -- just that she was dissapointed and felt that the people running it could have mixed the tickets up better or announced what their goal for the 50/50 was in order to get more $$ into the 50/50. I think you might have taken her comments too personally (were you by chance one of the organizers??)
February 26, 2006 10:50 AM
Anonymous said…
Went to the tricky tray at Knights of Columbus in Union last night. What disarray and unorganization! Complaints:
1) only one person selling prize tickets
2) prizes not grouped appropriately for value - $50 WalMart gift card in same level as $25 gift card for Home Goods
3) they separated all gift certificates for restaurants into their own category as a second level - so dinner at Applebees which should have been in the minor level prizes was in the second level prize category which had a value less than the WalMart gift card in the minor level
4) Caller was calling WAY too slow!! There were 6 levels of tickets and at 10:15 had only gotten through the first 2 levels of prizes
5) Microphone died at one point and you could NOT hear what the caller was calling and even when it was working the caller was not clear
6) Too many people for the size of the room - didn't have enough time to put tickets in
7) too many prizes on the tables - couldn't see what the prizes were as they were 3 deep on the table
8) They said they were calling numbers at 7:30 - but didn't start until after 8
9) people workig the event gave different stories - one said there was a special bucket for the door prize ticket, another said to use it for a prize, and yet another said do what you want with it.

Disappointing to say the least!
February 26, 2006 10:56 AM
Anonymous said…
Went to Academy St. School tt, I also went last year, too many prizes from party city, not enough variety of items, maybe someone should go to other tt to see what others do for prizes, there are plenty of other basket ideas beside party city items. everyone got a coffee cup as a prize at the end of the night but enough with the party city stuff. They had the same issues last year so I don't think I'll go again.
February 26, 2006 2:02 PM
Anonymous said…
To St. Brendans TT organizer, I am the person you feel trashed your TT. In fact I voted for your TT as the best of last year. Even though you are angry that I felt you did not run the event up to the high standards of previous years, I have every right to express how I feel about any event I attend. The only thing trashed in my comment is the place it was held. I did win at your TT, I have no idea where you got the impression I didnt. Telling someone to stay home from your TT because they have a different opinion than you do is ridiculous and childish. I do think you are being a little too sensitive to my remarks by taking them to heart and I strongly feel if you can accept the accolades you should be able to accept constructive criticism.
February 26, 2006 8:09 PM
Anonymous said…
To the organizer of Saint Brendans who feels the person "trashed" their tricky tray: I am wondering how the other people, who work so hard in your organization like you arbitrarily deciding who can and cannot attend your event. Do you realize by telling the person not to attend, you are taking money away from your childrens school? Maybe that person bring 10 other people to the evnt with them. When all 10 dont attend next year, that will be a big chunk of money taken away from the children. Do you know that it is you that "trashed" the other tricky tray you mentioned by making it sound like you are somehow superior to all others? Better watch out you do not poison the children with your bad behavior. You know what they say, children behave the way they see their parents behave!
February 27, 2006 1:21 PM
Anonymous said…
To the person who wrote about the Bryan School Tricky Tray, I agree 100 percent! The prices were way too high and I too will not attend next year. You forgot to mention the $10 per ticket price for the rug.
February 27, 2006 2:29 PM
Anonymous said…
I was one of the many committee members who worked on the Bryan School Tricky Tray.The rug you mentioned was a handmade rug from New Zealand was valued at over $1000.00 so $10 per ticket seemed like a fair price when we were deciding ticket values.
Thank you for your feedback and for attending our Tricky Tray, I'm sorry you were disppointed
February 27, 2006 11:04 PM
Anonymous said…
our school has a tricky tray every year. we have grand prize from $500 to $1200 it was $5 ticket .. i would never pay $10 a ticket. shame on them. it takes the fun out of going to tricky trays..
February 28, 2006 6:57 AM
Anonymous said…
I would definately agree that rug was worth over $1000, but if the ticket price was lower you would have sold more tickets. If all the ticket prices were lower you would have sold more of them too. I would go back next year if the ticket prices were lower. I also felt that everyone was very pleasant and friendly and very organized.
February 28, 2006 9:22 AM
Anonymous said…
In response to all your comments regarding my comment as it relates to the St. Brendan's TT--firstly, i am not an organizer--I am a patron who has attended many TT from all over the area--and in as much as you indicate that "I am poisioning the minds of children--do you think that you are being a little dramatic with that--and as far as St. Brendan's TT being superior to others, it is in my "opinion" that it is--your misintrepretation of the 50/50 amount didn't make sense and since you seem to be such an authority of the previous' years $$$ amount I would hope that before you inform other supporters of TTs that you would have your facts straight and also how could you insinuate that someone had a "nice payday", pls. check your original blog. That to me is appalling!!!! To accuse someone of stealing--maybe you are someone who organizing a TT and feels the need to "trash" someone else efforts--I am glad that I don't organize a TT because I would take it personally I can assure you--but anyhow good luck to you on your continuing adventure and I hope you find what you are looking for!!!!
March 01, 2006 10:58 AM
Anonymous said…
Additionally, I feel that I did not discourage people from attending the St. Brendan's TT, since I have no children attending the school, I am sure that the organizers would rather not have unsatisfied customers attend their event and "trash" it--and that is such an over-used line--shake it up--they say that in BINGO!!!and it is used because you are not winning anything-- I just wanted to point out that before you are ready to point fingers and change your story--please check your orignial blog--how can any organization be responsible for the facility after they have booked the event--it is the responsibility of the Wayne Manor to maintain the building and keep it clean, not St. Brendans. Shame on all of you for trying to make me the bad guy when you got called on it. I am entitled to my opinion as well.
March 01, 2006 11:20 AM
Anonymous said…
I attended the St. Brendan's TT and I did read the original blog of 2/1/06 and I have to agree with the response of 2/23/06. It did seem that the blog was negative in nature and said it "had gone" downhill. And it is true that we are all entitled to our opinion, hence this website. I felt the event was very well done and has always be well done and maybe the 50/50 amount may have been miscalculated before it was given to the announcer. These TTs can be very confusing. She also seemed to be shaking up the tickets pretty good. Its sad. Because we all have to be careful about how we represent our opinions on something that benefits a school or other organization. I say, thanks for a good time, good food and the company I was with. I didn't win anything, but oh well, I just keep trying.
March 01, 2006 11:32 AM
Anonymous said…
ENOUGH WITH ST BRENDANS TT... YOU ALL GOT YOUR SAY.. WE LEARN FROM MISTAKES AND IF I DON'T LIKE A TT I DON'T GO AGAIN... ORGANIZING THIS EVENTS IS VERY HARD AND YOU CAN'T PLEASE EVERYONE. (I AM AN ORGANIZER AT MY SCHOOL 4 TO 6 MONTHS ORGINAZATION TIME) WE DON'T GET PAID IT IS FOR THE SCHOOL AND OUR CHILDREN??? LOTS OF TT'S COMING UP ENJOY...
March 01, 2006 1:00 PM
Anonymous said…
Here, Here!!!!!!! as a co-chair of the St. Brendan's TT itself for the last 13 years---thank you all for your votes and continued support of our fundraiser. We welcome and apreciate your helpful suggestions and are grateful for your helping us make our event as successful as it has become, in our eyes!!!Happy TT hunting!!!!!
March 01, 2006 1:54 PM
Anonymous said…
I think i will be going to the halsted TT tomorrow evening...was wondering if anyone has gone b4 and if it a decent one to go to...
March 02, 2006 7:36 PM
Anonymous said…
Does anyone know when St. Francis in Metuchen is having their TT this year? I have gone the last few years and always had a good time. They have a lot of prizes so the odds are good. Thanks
March 03, 2006 11:21 PM
Mr. Tricky Tray said…
ORG_NAME: St. Francis Cathedral School
ORG_PHONE: (732) 548 - 0100 ext 227
ORG_EMAIL: SFCSTrickyTray@msn.com
ORG_WEBSITE:
DATE_OF_TRICKYTRAY: Friday May 12, 2006
TIME_DOORS_OPEN: 5:00 p.m.
TIME_DRAWING_BEGINS: 8:00 p.m.
BUILDING_NAME: NJ Convention & Expo Center at Raritan Center
TRICKYTRAY_ADDRESS: 97 Sunfield Ave
TRICKYTRAY_CITY: Edison
TRICKYTRAY_STATE: NJ
TRICKYTRAY_ZIPCODE: 08837
ADMISSION_COST: $16.00
ADULTS_ONLY: Yes
TEXTAREA: Our average attendance is 850 guests. Our AVERAGE number of prizes is approximately 250 Gift Baskets, 20 Super Prizes, 1 Mystery Prize, 1 Theme Prize and 1 Grand Prize. Additionally, we run one 50/50. By popular demand, this year we are doing a Bring Your OWN Food & Drink. Your admisssion includes the one sheet of regular auction tickets (25 chances). Treat your MOM this Mother's Day with a special night out. The entire proceeds benefit St. Francis Cathedral School, Metuchen, NJ.
March 03, 2006 11:48 PM
Anonymous said…
I atteneded the Tricky Tray for Franklin School the other night and I have to report how disappointed I am.

The tickets were prepulled which is a sure sign of cheating and there was just that. Some of the prizes were fixed for certain people to win. What a pure disappointment to all of those who supported this cause not to mention the children who it benefits since they are being supported by an organization that feels it necessary to cheat.

The executive board and organizers of that event should be ashamed of themselves.
March 04, 2006 8:33 AM
Anonymous said…
thats not franklin school in sussex county? i think franklin in sussex county is at the end of march....you had me scared for a second there lol
March 04, 2006 8:43 AM
Anonymous said…
Went to Halsted tt last night and it was great. I didn't win but the prizes were pretty good, the snacks were great and the calling was phenominal. No bent tickets called, they were loud and clear, after three calls of the number they picked a new one, and it went fast. I'd recommend it.
March 04, 2006 7:59 PM
Anonymous said…
It was the Franklin School in Bergenfield. What a scam. Prepulled numbers, giggling amongst the callers, it was horrible. I will never go back to that one again. All you got was ripped off
March 04, 2006 9:07 PM
Anonymous said…
Got over to the St. Paul School grocery tricky tray today with a bunch of other people and couldnt locate the TT. Went into the church and down to the church hall and found that dark and vacant. Took about a half hour to finally find someone who told us it was cancelled. Thats great isnt it. Nothing on TT.com showing cancellation and no one even bothered to put a sign on the church saying it was cancelled. I now know better than to go there when they reschedule.
March 05, 2006 6:36 PM
Mr. Tricky Tray said…
Sounds Like a tricky tray nightmare!

I never received a cancellation because you can rest assure I would have posted just like I do when there is "sell Out"

I have expressed my disappointment to the post person.

Let us all learn for future.
March 05, 2006 6:51 PM
Anonymous said…
I didnt mean you Mr. TT. I know you always post cancellations in RED. Even if it were a last minute emergency, we thought they could have put a sign on the place. I feel bad because it is their first TT, but I did drive a little distance and Im not going to chance it again. Mr. TT, you continue to do a fabulous job, tireless with no pay, to make us happy. Without you, we would be lost!!
March 05, 2006 7:35 PM
Anonymous said…
Any recommendations for this weekend?
March 08, 2006 11:38 AM
Anonymous said…
I heard the Sparta tt is good although I have never been to it.
March 08, 2006 10:07 PM
Anonymous said…
Did anyone attend St. Anthony's tt on mar 9 at the wayne manor? I would like to know your thoughts.
March 10, 2006 8:31 PM
Anonymous said…
KELLY
I JUST EMAILED YOU AT YOUR WEB SITE. THIS IS FOR A GOOD CAUSE SO CHARGE ADMISSION AND YOU NEED TO CHARGE MORE FOR YOUR TICKETS. THAT IS TOO CHEAP... GREAT WOLF GOES FOR $5.00 A TICKET AT ALL OTHER TT. THEY ARE CALLTT BECAUSE TT BECAUSE THE CHINNESS TOOK OFFENSIVE TO THEM BEING CALLED CHINNESSE AUCTIONS.. I HAVE BEEN RUNNING MINE FOR 5 YEARS BRINGS IN $10,000 TO $21,000..
March 13, 2006 8:33 AM
Anonymous said…
Well at least 3 for $10 on your large tickets. I think you need a little more time to get organized. It is a lot of work as you are discovering. You might want to combine small items to make one larger prize. This way it won't take forever to call the prizes.
March 13, 2006 9:31 AM
Anonymous said…
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE YOU INTENDING ON HAVING?? YOU CAN ALWAYS CHANGE THE PRICE OF THE TICKETS. REMMEMBER ITS FOR THE GREATEST CAUSE.. YOU GETAWAYS SHOULD BE $5 TICKET OR IF YOU WANT TWO FOR $5.00 .. SMALLER PRIZES LEAVE AS IS. YOU WON'T HAVE CONTAINERS BIG ENOUGH TO HOLD TICKETS AT THAT PRICE.. BEST OF LUCK
March 14, 2006 7:25 AM
Anonymous said…
Hey, I'm on the committee orgainizing the TT for Playgroups, Inc and Angel's Closet in Tannersville, PA this year and had a question for you all. We're trying to decide if we should make it an 18 and up event or if kids running around would be too distracting? Any thoughts?
March 14, 2006 9:58 AM
Anonymous said…
for GINNY:
Here is one persons opinion....I prefer an "adults only" tricky tray. Children can misbehave, be distracting and noisy. Depending on the size of the facility you have, you should also consider the fact that children take up seating that can go to an adult who has the potential to spend quite a bit of money at your event.
March 14, 2006 12:34 PM
Anonymous said…
for the containers go to kentucky fried chicken and ask them for small buckets (donated) if you change the price of tickets which you should do. no one will give you any problem it is for a good cause. if you don't think you are going to have that many tickets go to chinesses rest etc and a&p etc and get containers they put soup and sell macaroni salad the big ones.. by changing the price of tickets you will also save because then you don't have to buy so many tickets. rolls of tickets are like 500 a roll and you will need alot selling them at 20/60 tickets for $20
March 15, 2006 6:59 AM
Anonymous said…
Has anyone been to a St. Francis Cathedral Tricky Tray. They are in Metuche. But I hear they have it outside because so many people come and that they have good prizes.
March 15, 2006 3:39 PM
Anonymous said…
Can anyone tell me when the St. Joe's High School in Metuchen when there TT is? Can't seem to find any info on it. Is it even open to the public or do u have to knoe someone at the school to get in?

Thanks a bunch
March 16, 2006 2:19 PM
Anonymous said…
YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY WRONG BECAUSE I WAS STANDING RIGHT THERE WHEN THE FELLOW WALKED YOU AROUND AND GAVE YOU NEW TICKETS YOU CLAIMED YOU PUT BOTH ENDS IN. SHAME SHAME ON YOU... HE MADE GOOD FOR YOUR TICKETS, I WOULDN'T HAVE... AND TO CALL HIM A NAME... YOU NEED TO GROW UP..
March 20, 2006 7:14 AM
Anonymous said…
I KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND YOU CAME WITH TWO OTHER GIRLS. FIRST ON LINE. FIRST OF ALL HOW CAN YOU CALL ANYONE NAMES. THAT YOUNG FELLOW WALKED YOU AROUND AND GAVE YOU TICKETS TO REPLACE YOUR MISTAKE. I AM VERY UPSET THAT YOU ARE A GROWN WOMAN AND CAN ACT THAT WAY. IT WAS YOUR MISTAKE AND HE MADE UP FOR IT . HE EVEN GAVE YOU $20.00 WORTH OF TICKETS ALONE ON THE GRAND PRIZE AND TWENTY DOLLARS ON THE NEXT LEVEL DOWN. NOW YOU STATE YOU ONLY SPENT $25.00.. SHAME ON YOU... SHAME ON YOU.. TT.COM SHOULD WIPE THAT BLOG RIGHT OFF THE BLOG... YOU DON'T CALL PEOPLE NAMES..
March 20, 2006 7:22 AM
Anonymous said…
First off to that mean spirited loser at the North Brunswick tricky tray--- unless you wrote your numbers down you don't know that you were the winner! Other people could have accidently done the same thing or just were not paying attention.
And how dare you call a 15, 16 year old boy such a name! YOU ARE A SORE LOSER. And my friend did witness you getting new tickets and it had to be you because that nice (very generous) young man took you to every booth to replace your tickets! You were immediately pointed out to me. I couldn't believe that he was so kind. SHAME ON YOU!
March 20, 2006 7:47 AM
Mr. Tricky Tray said…
I have removed that comment. I f the poster would like to repost without "slurs" that is fine.
March 20, 2006 7:49 AM
Anonymous said…
Wow - people get pretty intense when it comes to tricky trays - don't they? Ladies - if anyone makes it to the Nicholas Cannon Tricky Tray - plz don't get mad if anything goes wrong.... :P
March 20, 2006 1:32 PM
Anonymous said…
Any scoop on the upcoming Union Catholic TT? Good prizes? Good prices?
March 20, 2006 5:56 PM
Anonymous said…
No, but I heard the TT in Bangor on the 25th has some great prizes...... :P
March 20, 2006 7:25 PM
Anonymous said…
Did anyone attend the Friends of Bloomfield Animal Shelter TT on Sunday, March 19, 2006? Any comments.
March 20, 2006 8:02 PM
Anonymous said…
Ok, I really need the Tricky Tray lovers opinions!!! I am coordination a Sock Hop (a fundraiser for Dog & Cat Rescue)and we will also have a Tricky Tray with about 100 prizes. Our organization also hosts a Tricky Tray every fall where we usually have over 300 Prizes. That to me is a real Tricky Tray. With our Sock Hop we want everyone to be able to dance and party, and have fun and have time to enjoy the hot and cold buffet. We do not want to be calling numbers for 2 or 3 hour as that would leave very little time for the music and dancing. So, what I want to know is if you think 100 prizes is enough to list ourselves in the trickytray.com site as a tricky tray. I sincerely welcome your opinions!! Thanks!!
March 20, 2006 11:04 PM
Anonymous said…
St. Joe's TT is March 31st. Tickets are purchased in advance
March 21, 2006 1:35 AM
Anonymous said…
How can I get tickets to the St. Joe's TT?
March 21, 2006 9:21 AM
Anonymous said…
why do so many tt say adults only?
March 22, 2006 10:47 AM
Anonymous said…
because it is really a night out away from the children. but most townships don't allow children because it is a form of gambling.also organizations are restricted to how many people they are allowed in certain places and they would rather sell a ticket to a paying adult who will spend money.
March 22, 2006 12:52 PM
Anonymous said…
I believe it is against the NJ State Licensing Laws because it is gambling. Also you can't raffle off lottery tickets or live animals. However the law changed this year and you can raffle off liquor!
March 22, 2006 3:16 PM
Anonymous said…
I DIDN'T KNOW THEY CHANGED THE LAW FOR LIQUOR.. THATS GOOD...

I KNEW THERE WAS A LAW ABOUT RAFFLING OFF LIVE ANIMALS...

BUT EVERY TT I GO TO HAS A BASKET OR GRAND PRIZE OF LOTTERY TICKETS??? NEVER KNEW THERE WAS A LAW PROHIBITING IT...
March 22, 2006 5:11 PM
Anonymous said…
Question: My school is having a Tricky Tray with over 400 prizes. They are in different categories ($0 - $49), ($50 - $149), ($150 - $299) and ($300+). People complained last year that it took too long to call all those numbers. This year we are thinking of pulling the tickets for the smaller value prizes during dinner, attaching them to the prize and then we would deliver them to your table. What do you think about this. I've read alot about 'pre-pulled' numbers and I just want to see what other schools do when they have alot or prizes. Thanks
March 23, 2006 10:18 AM
Anonymous said…
No prepulling!
I have been at some tricky trays with a lot of prizes and they have two callers who alternate after each draw. That way the next number comes quickly. That seems to work quite well.
Another reason I don't like tricky trays that are dinners - by the time dinner is over and the pulling starts it's already late! (Not to mention I've spent my money on dinner so don't have as much to spend on tickets!) Stick to the school cafeterias!
March 23, 2006 11:23 AM
Anonymous said…
TICKETS SHOULD NOT BE PULLED AHEAD OF TIME. ALSO IF NO ONE CLAIMS THE PRIZE YOU NEED TO PULL AGAIN FROM THE SAME BUCKET. NUMEROUS WAYS CAN WORK. FIRST IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH WORKERS HAVE THEM ON THE FLOOR AS YOU CALL LET THEM VERF NUMBER (SCATTER WORKERS THROUGHOUT FLOOR) ONCE VERF THE RUNNER CAN BRING THE PRESENT. THIS REALLY WORKS WELL. OR HAVE 3 PEOPLE UP WHEN YOU ARE CALLING ONE WILL EMPTY THE BUCKET MIX AND YOU PULL AND THE OTHER WILL HOLD BUCKET UNTIL THE NUMBER IS VERFIED AND THEN DUMP..THIS WILL MAKE IT GO FAST..
March 23, 2006 1:00 PM
Anonymous said…
Thanks for your response. We have everyone write their name and table# on the ticket, when we pull the ticket, we deliver the prize. We will only call #'s for the mini and grand prizes. Would this work? I am just trying to think of ways to make the night go faster. People who have attended in the past complain that they do not care who wins the 'smaller' prizes.
March 23, 2006 1:51 PM
Anonymous said…
So where is this tricky tray? Sounds like you have a lot of prizes! I vote for calling all the numbers - I like to raise my hand - and not everyone puts in for the big prizes - I personally like coming home with a few small prizes as opposed to nothing at all!
March 23, 2006 2:02 PM
Anonymous said…
I agree alot of people think that prepulling is fixed. People want to see the tickets shaken and then pulled. Why not call during dinner. It keeps the night moving along. Provide your guests with something to keep the tickets attached to on the table...like a sheet of cardstock this way they can eat and look for the numbers at the same time. The quicker the night the better. Although people like to come out they don't want to spend all night at the event.
March 23, 2006 3:10 PM
Anonymous said…
I agree, also...half the fun is hearing your number called, or in your case, hearing your name. You have name and table number on each ticket? That should go pretty fast. You don't have to wait for the winner to raise her hand.
March 24, 2006 9:52 AM
Anonymous said…
For the tricky tray in Bangor for the Nicholas Cannon Fund - March 25 - we now have (2) Round trip airline tickets to the CO US/48 states, Mexico, Caribbean, or Central America.... Best prize yet!!!!
March 24, 2006 1:29 PM
Anonymous said…
It's Friday night, March 24th. Just returned home from St. Mary's High School, Rutherford, NJ Tricky Tray feeling "ripped off". Tickets were pre-picked and clipped to the corresponding numbered bag in another room before calling began for the small prizes. Medium and Large prizes followed suit by being pre-picked and clipped to each bag and then brought to the caller. Same caller all night....some same winners too! Even though I won one medium prize, it still bothered me to see how the pulling of numbers was done. Three people at my table complained but were told that was just the way it was.... I will never attend another tricky tray function at this school again because of how they do things. I like when the tickets are dropped into a bowl and mixed around for a few moments before picking the winning number. Pre-picking should be abolished. It's not fair! There should be rules about this practice... Thanks for listening.
March 24, 2006 11:35 PM
Anonymous said…
Hi!!! Has anyone ever gone to the St. Brendan's Grocery Auction???? I hear it is this coming Sunday, April 2nd and just wanted to get some feedback before I Go???? Thanx
March 26, 2006 10:47 AM
Anonymous said…
I belong to a ladies auxiliary of a fire company and we have had a Tricky Tray in the past and are planning another one to be held in October. The auxiliary also holds a weekly bingo game which I oversee. Therefore, I am familiar with the gaming laws here in New Jersey. I recently had a phone conversation with my contact at the "Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission" and was told that anything to do with the State Lottery - lottery tickets, lottery trees, etc. - are not permitted to be used as a prize at a Tricky Tray (merchandise raffle, penny auction, penny social, gift auction, etc.). Also, children ARE ALLOWED to attend and participate in these events. This rule change took effect over a year ago. Children, however, MAY NOT purchase 50/50 tickets or play the 50/50 raffle.

Following is a list of PROHIBITED PRIZES as sent to me by the Commission:
- real estate
- bonds
- shares of stock
- securities
- weapons
- live animals (except edible seafood)
- ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
- foreign or domestic coins (except collector pieces or sets that are marked as such and are clearly not intended for use as legal tender)
- tobacco products
- motor vehicle leases
- any money or cash

A prize consisting of money or cash shall not be offered or awarded except in the case of:
1) A raffle conducted as a 50/50 or a calendar raffle
2) Any bingo games
3) Big six wheels and horse race wheels

I hope this clears up the subject of what is or is not allowed at tricky trays. Anyone who would like to verify the above can contact the Commission at (973)273-8000.
March 26, 2006 8:48 PM
Anonymous said…
I just had to say something about the tricy tray at Wayne Valley High school. The entertainment and fashions were great. The prizes were wonderful. The evening would have been perfect except for one woman whom I've noticed at other Trickytray.com events. She was loud and obnoxious. Bothering everyone that worked there and yelling things like "That's illegal", "You can't do things like that" and assorted others throughout the night. Tricy Trays like this are for the kids. What kind of self centered person would ruin the night ( and make it twice as long) for the kids and thier parents.I know the event is open to the public but please bring your manners.
March 27, 2006 1:17 PM
Anonymous said…
thumbs up to the franklin (sussex cty) elementary school t.t. that was on the 24th. the prizes were good, ticket prices were fair and the caller was loud and it went quick. will definately go again next year.
March 28, 2006 11:02 AM
Anonymous said…
I am going to post my question again because nobody responded. I need your opinions please!!
Ok, I really need the Tricky Tray lovers opinions!!! I am coordination a Sock Hop (a fundraiser for Dog & Cat Rescue)and we will also have a Tricky Tray with about 100 prizes. Our organization also hosts a Tricky Tray every fall where we usually have over 300 Prizes. That to me is a real Tricky Tray. With our Sock Hop we want everyone to be able to dance and party, and have fun and have time to enjoy the hot and cold buffet. We do not want to be calling numbers for 2 or 3 hour as that would leave very little time for the music and dancing. So, what I want to know is if you think 100 prizes is enough to list ourselves in the trickytray.com site as a tricky tray. I sincerely welcome your opinions!! Thanks!!
March 28, 2006 1:51 PM
Anonymous said…
YES. THERE ARE MANY OUTSIDE FAIRS ETC THAT HAVE TT INCLUDED IN THEIRS WITH ABOUT 100 PRIZES. YES TT WILL WELCOME IT.. LIST A FEW OF YOUR PRIZES AND ATTRACT ATTENTION
March 28, 2006 1:58 PM
Mr. Tricky Tray said…
Mr. Tricky Tray says it's alright to post that event. Just provide details!
March 28, 2006 7:12 PM
Anonymous said…
to the st mary's tricky tray organizers. it is illegal to pick your tickets away from the public eye. whoever wrote the blog about feeling cheated,you are right. report them to the legalized games of chance. the law is evry ticket shall have a 100% chance of winning and MUST be drawn in front of participants. mr. tricky tray, you probably know this! call the commission at 973-273-8000. while it is for a good cause, no one should ever leave feeling cheated or like they didn't have a fair chance. this has happend to me many times. they should be reported!
March 29, 2006 10:29 PM
Anonymous said…
Hi-

If anyone knows the woman who won the 2006-07 seasons pass for 2 to the state theater last night at irwin school pta tricky tray or has one that they are willing to part with i am willing to pay 100 dollars. please contact me
908-839-9111 if you know who she is or are willing to sell your own! thanks!
April 01, 2006 10:02 AM
Anonymous said…
Hi--Went to the St. Brendan's Grocery Auction this past Sunday--it was really good--the grand prize was a $350 supermarket sweep with gift certificates from area supermarkets!!! The prizes were practice everyday items you used everyday!!! The $10 entry tickets price was do-able with a sheet of small prize tickets--door prizes and table prize--what a good idea for a fund raiser--well done!!!
April 06, 2006 8:56 PM
Anonymous said…
Hi:
Did anyone attend the DePaul Catholic Tricky Tray/Fashion Show this past Wednesday at the Westmount Country Club. I missed it and they usually do a good job!!!!
April 06, 2006 8:58 PM
Anonymous said…
Did anyone go to St Peter the Apostle School's tricky tray last night? While it was pricey ($50 admission included a sheet of 16 not 25 tickets) the prizes themselves were very good quality and good baskets. However, the caller called the first 40 or so baskets, then broke for dinner, then came back would call 10 more baskets, take a 5 minute break as well as keep repeating her thanks to the same people all night. In addition, when a number was called 3 times and no one claimed it they put it on the side to call again later!!! Then if they found tickets for a high level prize in the small level baskets -- they would announce the tickets numbers and let those people come up and claim their tickets to then put in the larger gifts!! The caller said they were just too expensive to let the tickets be wasted!! What do others think of this! I thought that if you don't claim your gift the gift is lost and a new number is called and if you put your ticket in the wrong color basket too bad so sad.
April 08, 2006 6:41 PM
Anonymous said…
I went to two Tricky Trays recently and both were excellent. Our Lady of Peace school has their Tricky Tray every year in March at L'Affair in Scotch Plains. My children go to school there but I am not a chairperson, just a big fan of Tricky Trays. It is a huge affair, between 400-500 people. The prizes are excellent, IPODs, trips, gift cards. The grand prize was a $1200 gift card and the 50/50 went highter than that - the winner got $1700. All tickets for all prizes are $2. Is that a mistake? For the bigger prizes people but in multiple $2 tickets, but I am wondering if the school would make more money if they had different levels of prizes. Please let me know what you think about our ticket pricing. Also they try and keep the number of baskets in proportion to the guests, so there are at least 250 baskets for 500 guests and 200 for 400 guests. Is this a common ratio? I saw one posting that had 250 baskets for 850 people. How do you win?

We also went to the Franklin School Tricky Tray at the Grand Summit Hotel in Summit. It was their first Tricky Tray and they did an excellent job. It was a little chaotic getting the tickets in while trying to get the buffet dinner. I would suggest having the dinner go to 8:45 instead of 8:15. Otherwise the prizes were great. We had a lot of fun and would definately go again.
April 09, 2006 9:39 AM
Anonymous said…
Correction to the above blog, it was the Jefferson school not the Franklin school. Sorry.
April 09, 2006 2:42 PM
Anonymous said…
WENT TO THE TT AT ST ANNS... NICE PRIZES. BUT IT REALLY WAS LONG AND 2 BRAKES AT 20 MINUTES. THERE WERE KIDS ALLOWED AT THIS TT AND THEY WERE ALL OVER THE PLACE. THEY REALLY GOT ORGANIZED AFTER THE FIRST HALF. WHY DIDN'T THEY HAVE IT DURING THE DAY OR A LITTLE EARLIER ON SAT. ESPECIALLY SINCE YOU WERE HAVING KIDS??
April 10, 2006 7:50 AM
Anonymous said…
St. Ann's was only OK. Nice prizes. No tables to sit at with our food and tickets. A little pricey. Too many people. Was suppose to last till 10:00 but didn't end until 10:50. I still don't understand why money was spent on a MC. It was his first tricky tray and parents usually do a good enough job.
April 10, 2006 9:03 AM
Anonymous said…
Went to the St. John the Apostle Spring Gift Auction (Clark) on the 6th. I've been to them in the past but I heard they had a new team running it and you could tell it got a real facelift...
Great prizes, beautiful setup with lots of touches from the students. 1st 50/50 was $970.00 to the winner! second on $600.00+. lots of holiday items and things you could really use. Great themed food baskets too! I'd definitely go again!
April 12, 2006 11:14 AM
Anonymous said…
Does anyone know where I can get my hands on the NJ legal guidelines for Tricky Trays?

I'd like to get the skinney on:
- Liquor
- keeping tables open
- pre-ripping tickets
- Presence of children
- Lottery

things like these... Being a school we don't want to break any laws/rules...and get our licence re-voked
I assume there must be some documented guidelines for NJ?
April 12, 2006 2:50 PM
Anonymous said…
PLEASE READ BLOG MARCH 26 SOMEONE PUT A NUMBER TO CALL FOR RULES AND REGULATIONS ON TRICKY TRAYS
April 13, 2006 7:01 AM
Anonymous said…
There are so many tricky trays the weekend of April 21/22. Any suggestions? I'm looking for prizes in the mid range ($25 to $75: not junk, but not high-end either), with ticket prices to match (around $5 a sheet). Willing to travel throughout NJ!
April 14, 2006 10:43 AM
Anonymous said…
I am not sure about the weekend of the 21/22 but on the 29th I noticed that Playgroups in Eastern PA is having theirs. I went last year and they had tons of good baskets and prizes. Tickets are $5 each sheet. It was definately worth the trip.
April 19, 2006 9:57 PM
Anonymous said…
The 22nd there is a tt at Roxbury HS. It benefits Noah's Ark animal rescue. The website states there are over 250 trays, with some nice big ticket items. It also states there 50/50 has been over $4000. in the past. Ive never been to this one but I am going to go tonight. I'll let you know how it is.
April 22, 2006 2:52 PM
Anonymous said…
I went to Ridgefield Pk Hose Co. TT last night. Very Very good! Prices were good, caller was good, prizes were good. We had a really fun time. I cant wait for next year!
April 22, 2006 7:29 PM
Anonymous said…
Just got back from Noah's Ark. Pretty good prizes, but too crowded! Liked that the regulars were valued up to $100 and the tickets were 6 sheets for $20. The 50/50 tickets were a bit expensive ($20 for an arms length) - no wonder the winner took home more than $2500.
April 22, 2006 11:52 PM
Anonymous said…
Would love to here feedback from anyone who attended the SunnyDays Tricky Tray. It was our first attempt (the first of many I hope) and I would love to here comments good or bad.
Thanks!
April 23, 2006 10:47 AM
Anonymous said…
went to noahs ark tt ,some of the reg. prizes seemed to be rather old or not exactly new, the 50/50 was just too expensive at 15 for $20 or 3/$5, I was surprised at the prices for snacks usually coffe and tea and baked goods are free but they charged for everything, and 1.25 for soda & water also a little high, I think they need a better variety of items and make sure its new stuff. they had over 280 reg prizes but its better to have little less quantity and better quality.i go to support the animals but it was dissapointing this year.
April 23, 2006 6:01 PM
Anonymous said…
Did anyone go to St. Joseph School's Auction in Carteret? It was held on April 21. Would love to see some feedback.
April 24, 2006 1:09 AM
Anonymous said…
I attended the Miller Heights Tricky Tray this past weekend. Great prizes, reasonable ticket prices, and a high "50-50" prize. Seems like everyone had a good time.
April 24, 2006 8:16 AM
Anonymous said…
I attended the Noah's ark tt also. I thought it was too crowded. I didnt like the way the trays were set up. But I had a great time. The 50/50 was expensive. The food was cheap and good. I would attend next year.
April 24, 2006 9:33 PM
Anonymous said…
I also went to the Noah's Ark Tricky Tray and was a bit disappointed with the trays. I am helping to put on a Tricky Tray later this year for an animal rescue group and in the past three years I have attended this event, we have always had very nice prizes and nicely presented in baskets/trays.

The Noah's Ark T. T. was a bit crowded and the basket arrangements were a bit confusing.

However, they probably made a ton of money and it all goes to animals.
April 25, 2006 9:52 PM
Anonymous said…
I attended the St. Joseph's TT in Carteret and enjoyed the event. Thought they did an excellent job on the prizes. It did get expensive since they had quite a few big single prizes that were 3 tickets for $5. Overall - good event and I would go again.
April 26, 2006 2:00 PM
Anonymous said…
Any comments on West Morris Central? Liked the prizes, but thought there were too many prizes in the higher levels - 50 prizes in the top level with the tickets costing 3 for $10!
April 27, 2006 6:05 PM
Anonymous said…
I went to West Morris Central tt. I liked it. But there were to many big ticket items which were expensive. The refreshments were good. I would go again.I think the callers moved along nicely. Wasnt a real late night.
April 28, 2006 7:16 PM
Anonymous said…
Went to wharton PTA tricky tray last night. Very well organized and lot's of extra's(free snacks-gatorade) Did seem that their tricky tray is personal promotion platform for one of the organizers{BG} for her real estate biz.

They mentioned trickytrays.com under BG's ad. Looks like that's her site too by the email address.

No mention of www.trickytray.com
which is actually where I Found the wharton event. I love that site!

Anyone else go?
April 29, 2006 10:27 AM
Anonymous said…
Hi anonymous...

Re:Wharton PTA - Tricky Tray

Got to agree with you... Event very well organized - one of the best I have been to in a long time. Excellent - prizes. I was torn between attending this one and the Elks one. I'm glad I went to this one. I like the comfort-space to move around.

You should see some of the ones I have been too... (I'm a tricky tray junkie) I was at one last week... that needed some serious help - I heard about it from a friend... that one was not on this site.

Dude.. Also, I noticed this survey company all over the tickets and an entire page in the event book. This might be typical for the section of the community. I was at St.Mary-wharton... anyway there was another lady from a totally different real estate company doing the very same thing.

Oh this same lady [bg] must get around.. I was at Sacred Heart - Dover two weeks ago and her material where all over the place to... Now I have two of those fly swatter. (Damm that an excellent idea! more places should have them. I don't want to be one of those people carrying around funny sticks to a tricky tray-while amusing not me.)

Let see what they will do next year. Looks like there is someone new doing it. They announced that [BG] had was moving or had moved and was not doing it anymore.

I want to know which school her kids are going to, so I know which tricky tray to put on my list to attend. There are sooooo many of these tricky tray ... while I enjoy them, there are some I rather not go to twice... this one was certainly NOT one of them. Let see how there next one will be like. The one thing I did not like was that the caller was going too fast... I'm not a younster anymore.
April 29, 2006 11:26 PM
Anonymous said…
Hi anonymous,
skinny on regulation.

Kids =OK, but would not recommend it at all. Not all kids are well behaved, been to a few where parents are having a good time and kids are running and hidding under gift table.

Liquor = only if u have a liquor lic.
Table... make sure handicap can get through.

Rules & Reg = Legalized gambling - provides lic & handbook

If you never done it before.. hire someone for the 1st time. Better to pay some who knows what they are doing, then to pay more in fines or as this blog proves. People do talk and will express there comments... word will get around making your recovery job for the following year harder.
April 29, 2006 11:44 PM
Anonymous said…
Thanks to everyone who came over for the Playgroups Tricky Tray in PA on Saturday. I'd love to know what you thought??
April 30, 2006 2:45 PM
Anonymous said…
I did journey up to the Playgroups tricky tray from NJ on Saturday. It was pretty good. Some of the lower end prizes could have been combined to make them a little more equal in value. The children were well behaved. The tops on the prize containers was a good idea. This is actually good for keeping dishonest grownups out too. The only thing I would change is the containers that you were dumping the tickets into. A large bowl to dump the tickets in would be better. Otherwise it was a good tricky tray.
May 01, 2006 8:44 AM
Anonymous said…
Hi everyone! Our S.T.A.R.T., Save The Animals Rescue Team Sock Hop & Tricky Tray is this Sunday May 7th and we sadly are way under our goal of 400 tickets. We have sold about 120 tickets to family friends and volunteers, but not to any Tricky Tray High rollers (well maybe except my sister). This means you have an excellent chance to win some great prizes!!! I'm on the prize committee and I really have to say we did great. We have 7 grand prizes valued at over $250 each and 100 prizes in 2 categories ($25-$74) and ($75 & up). As Listed on the Tricky Tray.com website Location:
Clifton Boys & Girls Club 822 Clifton Avenue Clifton, NJ
Doors Open: 3:00 pm Drawing: 7:30 pm
Event: 4:00 - 9:00 pm Admission: $40 (under 10 yrs $25)
Tickets can be purchased in person at Reigning Cats & Dogs Salon 38 Broadway, Hillsdale Tuesday -Sat. 8:30am to 5:00pm
or at Petco (not Petsmart) in Paramus Rt 17N
Saturday May 6th 11:00am to 4:00pm
to purchase tickets online go to:
http://members.petfinder.org/~NJ120/events.html
Tickets will also be available at the door.
We will be posting pictures of our prizes on Photobucket.com tonight. To view our prizes go to photobucket.com and use
username: StartFundraiser and password: Prizes (with caps where I did)
Here is our prize list:
Grand Prizes Include (all valued at over $250):
Scrapbooking & Crafting Mega Basket
Yankees Tickets and Memorabilia Basket
Giants Tickets and Memorabilia Basket
A Custom Framed 16x20 Pastel Portrait of your Dog or Cat
by a Local Award Winning Artist ($350) Value
A Jumbo Big Dog Prize Basket
A Jumbo Little Dog Prize Basket
A Jumbo Cat Prize Basket
Some of the other prizes we have include:
Bergen County Players Tickets for 2 to Proof 8PM May 26, 2006*****
4 Passes Meadowlands Clubhouse & $25 GC to Trendici East Rutherford*****
4 to Maryland Zoo & 2 Tickets to Garden State Discovery Museum *****
$50 GC Carlock’s Florist Little Falls & Linens & Things Little Falls $25 off $50 *****
2 Adult and 2 Child Tickets Aviation Hall of Fame & 3 Tickets Sterling Hill Mining Museum & Underground Mine Tour*****
GC Westwood/Matthews Diner & Pancake House Westwood & Bergenfield *****
Park Ridge Marriot Overnight Stay and Breakfast for Two (Weekend Night)*****
4 Box Seats at the Den for the Newark Bears*****
4 Tickets for Lakewood Blue Claws*****
Dinner for Two Charlie Browns Washington Township*****
2 Complimentary State Theater New Brunswick Ticket Vouchers*****
Imagine That Discovery Museum Birthday Party for up to 10 children *****
4 Tickets to Land of Make Believe*****
4 Tickets to Land of Make Believe*****
Mike’s Feed Farm $25 GC With Pet Prize Basket*****
2 Tickets Paper Mill Playhouse Millburn, NJ*****
4 Upper Box Tickets Somerset Patriots Bridgewater, NJ*****
4 Tickets Trenton Thunder*****
4 Tickets to any 2006/2007 Seton Hall Pirates Mens Home Basketball Game*****
6 Tickets Clearview Cinemas*****
2 Tickets for Six Flags Great Adventure Theme Park & Wild Safari*****
4 Tickets Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center*****
Mike’s Feed Farm $25 GC With Pet Prize Basket*****
EJam Paintball South Hackensack*****
Admission for 4 to Tomahawk Lake Water Park & 4 Wristbands for Waterslides *****
$50 Gift Certificate WinterSilks Catalog*****
$50 GC to Il Villagio Carlstadt, NJ *****
Park & Orchard Lunch for Two*****
Applebees Gift Certificate Dinner for Two*****
Blockbuster Rent 4 Videos w/ Popcorn & Candy Prize Bucket *****
Applebees Gift Certificate Dinner for Two*****
Chevy’s Fresh Mex Dinner for Two Brike, Clifton, & Linden*****
Gift Certificate Broadway Attractions Salon Hillsdale NJ*****
Chimney Hill Estate Inn Lambertville, NJ $100 GC Towards Stay *****
2 Tickets New York Red Bulls (Formerly the Metro Stars) *****
4 Tickets New York Red Bulls (Formerly the Metro Stars)*****
Dora Prize w/ Dress & Dance Dora Doll*****
Grinch Prize Whoville Waffle Maker, VHS Tape & Tie*****
Beach Basket with Matching Scrap Book Album*****
Strawberry Shortcake Prize Basket*****
Spiderman Prize Basket *****
Prissy Poodle and Children's Snowboots Boots*****
Decorative Pillows and Fleece Quilt Kit*****
Sezzatini Serving Tray and Fondue Set*****
Cedar Hurst Designer Pillows*****
Bratz Fashion Organizer & Toddler Snowboots*****
Ballerina Fleece Quilt Kit, Bratz Organizer & Pink Panther Bikinis*****
Autumn Fleece Rag Quilt Kit & Spring Cross-Stitch *****
Feline Fleece Quilt Kit &Janlynn Cat Cross-Stitch Kit*****
Fold-Up Stadium Blanket Dog & Cat Umbrella*****
Ethnic Flair Candle Holder*****
Christmas Decorating Basket *****
Scooby Doo Prize Basket *****
Longaberger Pottery Milk Pitcher Plus Basket*****
Blue Crafter’s Collection W/ Dolphin Cross Stitch Kit *****
Café Europa Prize W/ Hand-Painted Stoneware 5 Piece Oil Dipping Set *****
Gambling Fan Prize W/Celebrity Poker Showdown Poker Set *****
Ladies Vegas Prize w/Las Vegas Beaded Handbag *****
Michael Graves Design Poker Set *****
Yankee Candle Company Prize *****
Mickey Mouse Prize *****
Coffee Lover Prize *****
Galway Irish Crystal Bud Vase*****
Precious Moments Miniature Teapot Collection*****
Kitchen Items Prize *****
Yu-Gi-Oh Pelicula, Dragon Ball Z Toys &Power Rangers Underwear*****
Hello Kitty Prize Basket *****
Spongebob Squarepants Prize Basket*****
And MORE that I have not listed yet!!!
We hope to see you there!!!!!!!! Thanks!!!
May 02, 2006 6:53 PM
Anonymous said…
Hi, TT lovers! If you are a sports nut, or know one, the Holy Family School, Florham Park, 5/21/06 TT has the gifts you want. This year's NETS' team is in the play-offs, and we have this year's team autographed basketball! We also have the JETS team autographed football, Sean Ellis' signed jersey, and from the DEVIL's, Martin Brodeur's autographed jersey! Check out our listing, and call for your tickets today! THESE MAKE GREAT GIFTS FOR FATHER'S DAY AND GRADUATIONS!!!!!!
May 03, 2006 6:18 AM
Anonymous said…
More info about the S.T.A.R.T. Sock Hop & Tricky...We also have 22 Dog or Cat Baskets, and several scrapbooking and crafting baskets. For the sports fans, FYI, we have Yankees tickets, Giants Tickets, Tickets to 4 different local Minor league teams, four Red Bulls Tickets, 2 more Red Bulls Tickets, an Autographed Pennant from Nets Player Jacque Vaughn, an autographed hockey puck from Devils player Tommy Albelin, and a signed photo from Tommy John of the Yankees! Thanks!
May 03, 2006 10:15 AM
Anonymous said…
FYI, I forgot to mention! The START Sock Hop & Tricky Tray on May 7th at the Clifton Boys & Girls Club will have Signs Posted stating that NO BENT TICKETS WILL BE PULLED!! Thought you may want to know!!
May 03, 2006 11:51 PM
Anonymous said…
We have gotten several emails about what the ticket pricing will be on May 7th at the START Sock Hop and Tricky Tray.

Grand Prizes:
Value over $250
$3 each ticket
or 4 tickets for $10
Bulk Price: 9 for $20

A Group Prizes:
Value $75 to $249
1 Sheet (26 Tickets) $5
3 Sheet $10.00
Bulk Price: 7 sheets for $20

B Group Prizes:
Value $25 to $74
1 Sheet (26 Tickets)$2
3 Sheet $5
Bulk Price: 7 sheets for $10

Pre packs of tickets: $40
You Get:
9 Grand Prize Tickets
7 Group A Sheets and
7 Group B Sheets
That's a savings of $10 off if you'd purchased the Bulk Price package of tickets within each group.
May 04, 2006 11:19 PM
Anonymous said…
I went to the tt for Ryan Doltz on Friday night at Dover high,excellent tt, great prizes, plenty of variety, good prices,excellent cause!good job to all involved!
May 07, 2006 11:27 AM
Anonymous said…
To MICHELFRIE15174315...how dare you use this blog for solicitation on something other than tricky tray related stuff! Please consider another outlet for your business!
May 07, 2006 6:53 PM
Anonymous said…
Went to the Scared Heart tricky tray in So. Amboy. It was on the expensive side. The magic number for ticket prices was $10. I don't remember it being this expensive in previous years. The prizes were OK. Nothing special. And they could have dumped the tickets into a bucket and hand mixed better.
May 08, 2006 8:21 AM
Anonymous said…
Hi Everone, Last night was START's sock hop and tricky tray. I have to say the prizes were really nice and practically everyone went home a winner. The buffet was excellent and everyone went home well fed. We had 120 prizes plus 8 grands and about 30 door prized. Luckily for the guests we sold about 100 admission tickets, and about 60 showed up. That is just not great for the animals we were raising money for. We wanted suggestions for next year. Should we have made it a TT with just refreshments and $5 (roughly) admission rather than $40 with a buffet dinner? I think the timing was bad...many members had Communions and Confirmations to go to. What do you think of February around Valentines Day? Are there many Tricky Tray's then???? It would be hard to keep up with the organizing through the holidays, but I guess it could be done! Let me know what you think! Thank You!! Kris
May 08, 2006 9:51 AM
Anonymous said…
I attended the Ryan Doltz 1st Annual Tricky Tray in Dover on Friday 5/5. It was an incredible event for the "first" one!! I have personally been involved on Tricky Tray committees for over 7 years and I must say: It was very well organized, prizes were fantastic, numbers were called very quickly (for over 300 trays!), burgers & dogs and soda available for sale, and nice brand name snacks as well as coffee/tea were free. I am SURE to attend this wonderful event next year!! Spread the word. Look for this one next year. Its one not to be missed. KUDOS to the Doltz Family and the Ryan E Doltz Memorial Foundation for a great cause and a memorable night!! Ryan's memory lives on!
May 08, 2006 4:25 PM
Anonymous said…
Thanks for the update on Mendham. Missed it this year, but really like the quality of their prizes. What are the good ones coming up? Want to get some in before summer withdrawal hits!
May 11, 2006 11:29 AM
Anonymous said…
Just wondering if anyone has gone to a tt by themselves? There is one that I would like to go to but no one can go with me that night.
Thanks for your input.
May 12, 2006 8:29 PM
Anonymous said…
I've also gone alone - I've met great people that I've then sat with at other events!
May 13, 2006 8:17 AM
Anonymous said…
Went to a Basket Auction in Bordentown last eveningnand one thing happened that had me very upset. The sold 50-50 chances at $1 apiece or 5 for $3.00. That part is fine but later in the evening (I guess when the pot wasn't large enough) they announced they were now selling the 50-50's at 3 for $1 or 10 for $5!!!!!!! I did not buy any additional but I really felt RIPPED OFF! Theyn didn't want to hear anything and were really NASTY!
May 13, 2006 10:28 AM
Anonymous said…
Mt. Olive was good. The ticket prices were well matched with the value of the prizes. There were about 250 regular prizes. Would certainly go again! The folks in western Morris county really know how to run a good event - I'm never disappointed in the Chester, Mendham, Roxbury, Mt. Olive area.
May 14, 2006 7:13 PM
Anonymous said…
I am going to have to disagree with you. I also went to the TT at St. Francis. All the paperwork said to order your tickets ahead of time. I waited until the last minute, but the person doing the tickets was very helpful. I was able to reserve a table. Because of the short notice, I was able to pay at the door. They were very helpful. Next year I won't wait. It was a fabulous TT. It was run very smoothly. Wonderful prizes and plenty of them. It is definitly on the list for next year!
May 16, 2006 9:55 AM
Anonymous said…
sorry to hear about your situation. On a positive note, it really was a wonderful event.
May 16, 2006 2:40 PM
Anonymous said…
Hi all, I also went to the TT at ST. Francis in Metuchen. I have to say for such a large event, it went well. The first caller was slow, but then the second one sped it up. Although I didn't win....I had a fantastic time. They had over 300 prizes in one category. Beautiful decorations. all in all I would go again.
May 17, 2006 9:05 AM
Anonymous said…
To answer a few peoples questions:
I go to TT's alot by myself. I like to talk to everyone and everyone likes to talk so I have never felt like I was all alone. And regarding the sock hop TT, I also thought about going but just was not at all interested in the sock hop part. I dont think it was the time of year that made attendance so low, I think no one was really into a sock hop. Hosting a TT is enough fun already without adding another event to it. If you have a regular TT next year I will be glad to come with my TT friends!
May 18, 2006 6:50 PM
Anonymous said…
Went to Assumption of the Holy Virgin Clifton last night. Very pricey. The prizes were very nice but it was PRICEY. Admission was $10 and they didnt even give a sheet of starter tickets. They had some snacks which were nice, but they were passing them out. Well they still didnt have everything passed out as the people were filing out at the end of the evening. hmmmm. The callers were good and it went fast but I was VERY annoyed with the sports memorabilia raffle. The premise of it was there was 150 tickets only and you wrote your name on them and passed them in. They were $10 each. The man told us you can win over and over. Each time a ticket is called it is put back in for the next pull. No problem with that. He said if you win you can come up and select which prize you want. The prizes were very nice and I bought 3 tickets ($30). When the time came they started drawing the names suddenly you did not select the prize you wanted, they started handing out the prizes they wanted to give. I went to the man and he said no thats not the way it is, I never said that. Someone else who I do not know also said he told her the same thing and therefore she bought tickets. She had circled the prizes she was interested in and also said she would not have bought tickets if she could not select her own prize. I was VERY VERY annoyed with that. I do not think I will attend there anymore.
May 20, 2006 6:31 AM
Anonymous said…
Did anyone attend the South River Little House TT at the VFW on the 19th? We'd be interested in some feedback. Thanks.
May 20, 2006 11:21 PM
Anonymous said…
Does anyone know the date for this year's Joey Bella tricky tray? I know it's around the 4th of July, but wanted to know the exact date.
May 21, 2006 8:54 PM
Anonymous said…
I went to the South River Little House Tricky Tray on Friday. It wasn't bad for a first. Thank you for changing to just reading the numbers instead of up to 8 items in one prize. That just would have taken too long. The people had the prize list so they knew what was being called by the number. Your prices were extremely reasonable. I would definately go again. Hope you made a decent amount of money.
May 22, 2006 8:02 AM
Anonymous said…
Thank you, anonymous, for your kind words about the South River Little House Tricky Tray. It was our first time, we learned a lot, and are pleased with the outcome. We are definately doing one again next year, so watch for our ads!

Linda
SRLH TT Chair
May 23, 2006 3:05 PM
Anonymous said…
You should go to a few and interview us there so you can really see what it's all about!
June 02, 2006 11:02 AM
Anonymous said…
Anyone headed to Blessed Kateri tonight? Looks good from the trickytray.com posting! Has anyone attended this one in the past? I really like it when the ticket prices are listed along with the value of the baskets!
June 02, 2006 11:08 AM
Anonymous said…
Went to Blessed Kateri. There weren't 200+ baskets as listed on trickytray.com, but more like 150. Ticket prices were in line with the value of the baskets. Would go again!
June 02, 2006 11:09 PM
Anonymous said…
Went to the Animals Need You TT in Ridgefield tonight -- YIKES -- never seen anything like that. Thank goodness it was not expensive ($5 to get in) $2 per sheet for low level prizes. Believe it or not they had a tube of toothpaste as one of the low level prizes - YES toothpaste with nothing else, then another prize was a bottle of Lysol and 2 sponges, another was a Glade Scented Oil Plug in, another a beanie baby. The prizes were no more than $5 in value each! Some of the prizes looked like they were sitting in somebody's attic. I was also trying to figure out if the caller had a few before starting to call as he was not clear at all and some of the numbers he would call as "four four fivvvvvvvvve one one twooooooooooo zeo sixxxxxxxx" very hard to follow at all! This is one tricky tray that after the number was called and I saw it wasn't mine I sighed a sigh of relief rather than disappointment of not winning.
June 04, 2006 12:27 AM
Anonymous said…
A tube of toothpaste? You've got to be kidding!
June 04, 2006 9:03 PM
Anonymous said…
Yup - 1 single tube of toothpaste -- and it wasn't even in a basket along with other items -- just that alone. At least the shampoo prize had a bottle of conditioner with it :-)

PS: I do wish I was kiddin'!
June 05, 2006 6:31 AM
Anonymous said…
I've been to the Ridgefield Animals Need You many times and you are right, the prizes are on the meager side, but, the cause is what I go for. It is called a "mini auction" and they run it monthly. Most if not all of the time they purchase the prizes whether they are tubes of toothpaste or boxes of cereal. Animals are the main focus here. The event is very relaxed and a lot of fun. The kids also have a great time running the prizes and each of the children at the event get a small prize as a token of appreciation. Very pleasant people run the event which is another reason I go back. Also, every time we go we have won many items. The large prize table which has values ranging from about $20 to $40 is very nice. The tickets are 20 for $10 and they give you a few extra besides.
June 05, 2006 11:12 AM
Anonymous said…
Large prizes at $20-40? This sounds way out of whack! I think the organization would do much better if they had donations of bigger prizes - look at the other tricky trays out there. Sheets of tickets for around $5 generally get you prizes worth $40. Of course it's for a good cause (aren't they all?), but make it worthwhile for those who attend - especially those of us who travel all over!
June 05, 2006 3:41 PM
Anonymous said…
I agree the main reason most of us go to tricky trays are for the cause - we don't go expecting to win every time and know that if we don't it's a donation made in good faith. However, what I do find troubling with the Animals Need You one is that they did not advertise it as a "mini" tricky tray as the 6/5 11:12 a.m. poster indicated that it is. Had it been advertised this way perhaps I would not have been so shocked at what I saw. I think the other most troubling thing is that many of the items did not necessarily look new - for example there were a few vases there -- maybe someone got them as a gift or perhaps was just tired of them - there was not box with them indicating they were new items. This isn't necessarily a problem, but it should be advertised that not all items are new and unused if this is the case. I'm also a bit troubled now by the comment made 2 posted above the 6/5 11:12 a.m. poster - in that the tickets for the larger prizes are 20 for $10 and they "give you a few extra besides" -- is this to those who know the people running the event or the monthly regulars cause I certainly did not receive any "extra tickets" that I did not pay for!!
June 05, 2006 6:18 PM
Anonymous said…
tricky trays are basically fundraisers. If you aren't willing to donate, then don't go regardless if its mini or full scale event. Really don't think that organizations need to post disclaimers that prizes will not necessarily meet your expectations
June 06, 2006 12:21 PM
Anonymous said…
Blessed Kateri had less prizes than the previous 2 years. Maybe they are getting tired of putting the event on and didn't meet the 200 expected.
Word of warning, they presold tickets at significantly reduced rates at their church after church services. This was not noted anywhere and not mentioned even if you called asking further info.
June 06, 2006 12:26 PM
Anonymous said…
re Start
The sockhop theme was a total putoff. Most tt regulars are not thrilled about any added delay in entering and drawing for prizes. Timing can make all the difference in numbers attending. Do not plan an event during the busy high school fundraiser times. The summer has very, very few tt and most events that are scheduled are swamped with tt-goers who are suffering withdrawal symptoms
June 06, 2006 12:33 PM
Anonymous said…
People tend to spend more money (and therefore the organization makes more money!) if they view the prizes as having value. I may spend $100 if there are a lot of prizes that interest me, but only $20 if there is a bunch of junk, no matter how good the charity. I just don't want to come home with things I don't want or need. A "good" tricky tray can easily bring a charity $10,000.
June 06, 2006 1:33 PM
Anonymous said…
In response to the poster of 6/6 12:21 p.m. I never said I wasn't willing to donate -- but there is a difference between making a donation (which I do to a variety of organizations without attending a fundraising event) and attending an event such as a tricky tray. I'm sure I am not speaking for just myself when I say that I do look forward to checking out the prizes and hoping to win. If there is something I really like I will spend alot more to purchase additional tickets (which also obviously generates more money for the organization) but I'm not going to spend $50 to purchase extra tickets so I can win a tube of toothpaste that I can purchase at CVS...instead I'll save that $50 and donate it to an organization where I can hope to win something that I'd like to take home with me and enjoy. Also, I think the majority of people attending tricky trays to expect all the items to appear new and not used. Just my opinion - which we are all allowed to have.
June 06, 2006 10:45 PM
Anonymous said…
Hi guys...

As many tt junkies as there are out here... this site should be loaded!

The last tt I attended was at Iselin High School. They have their tt every year around April/May. That is the granddaddy of all auctions.

There are over 300 side table items, over 50 food baskets, 300 higher priced baskets, actual cruises, etc., not to mention the grand prize tables which have over 50 items. This auction is so well attended they must raise over $50,00 in one night.

Look out for it next year.

Also, Mother Seton's auction in Clark is another nice auction - I never miss it.

More tips:

Every First Friday in December: Holy Spirit - Union (off Morris Avenue)
June 07, 2006 11:23 AM
Anonymous said…
Thanks for the update of events in the Middlesex/Union County area. Of all the ones I've been to, I've found Morris County to have the best - the right prices, the right prizes (both number and value).

Let's get this blog moving!
June 08, 2006 10:19 AM
Anonymous said…
I love this blog and agree - let's get it going!! Maybe this will get some posts.....

I am in the process of planning a tricky tray that will be held in October. We are an auxiliary for a volunteer fire company and funds are tight. We must rely on our own members and the residents and businesses in our community to donate the prizes we will be able to offer. Things are coming along well but I am having a difficult time deciding on what kind of item or items to have for our bigger prize. Can all of you Tricky Tray lovers please give me your opinions as to what one or two things you would most like to try to win if they were available as prizes at a TT?
June 09, 2006 5:13 PM
Anonymous said…
As far as bigger ticket items go, I always put in for iPods, Medeival Times tickets and Tiffany jewelry. Other popular items are digital cameras, flat panel tvs, high value gift certificates, grills, tickets to Broadway shows, computers.
June 09, 2006 7:58 PM
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