About That Tricky Tray.. I Just Want To Say_Chapter 11 (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. However..no personal attacks will be tolerated.
Comments
Also, when I got my tickets as "presale" I was told that the presale ticket holders would have 1/2 hour before doors open to view prizes and start placing tickets in bags before the non presale ticket purchasere that night we to be let in. Well, it didn't matter, they just let everyone in. If I had bought my tickets that night, the line would have been shorter and I would have gotten in sooner.
Please don't take offense, these are just observations of an avid Tricky Tray attendee and also an organizer. I know I would have spent more money had more prizes appealed to me. Overall, the entire night ran smoothly, very well organized, and the people were so nice. We had a great time and an enjoyable evening. I would definitely attend again. This is one of the best causes I can think of for a Tricky Tray. As we all know, all TT's are for a good cause, but this one is so much more meaningful and really hits home. This is just my opinion, but the family who run this foundation and TT are doing an awesome job.
We are very fortunate to have a wonderful group of individuals who work very hard to make our Tricky Tray enjoyable. We use the money raised to give scholarships and to support our country's military families, especially thoase of the NJ National Guard. It is through these good works that we hope to keep Ryan's memory alive for many years to come.
Now for your concerns. Yes, there was a very large number of children's items in the Level 1 baskets. My own children had made the same comment to me. I guarantee that will not happen next year.
As to the use of both sides of the hallway for Level 1 baskets. We did that last year and were asked, by the fire department, not to do that this year. We will look for a solution for next year.
I apologize for the problem with "presale" tickets. I was supposed to be at the front door to admit only those individuals who had ordered tickets for early admission. Unfortunately, I was called away to take care of something else and by the time I was able to return, tickets had already been sold to individuals who did not have previous reservations. I promise I will do my best to see to it that does not happen next year.
This evening my family and I were discussing what went well and what needs to be "tweeked" for next year.
We look forward to seeing you next year and thank you for your observations.
I know the effort it takes to run such an event, and its a complement to say you had at least 2 tt's rolled up in one event. You have the prizes, you have the 'well-oiled team' expertise - so why don't you do 2 events a year? Or restrict attendance at the one event.
I didn't put in for childrens items and still had to buy more tickets because there were so many other items. Whatever the ratio was, there was enough prizes there for all.
you state that you
"are listening...you obviously don't like kids!"
You are correct I don't like kids annoying me at TT's. So I will not attend TT's with kids... so you may invite all the kids you want.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Tricky Tray Sponsored By
St. James School
Location:
McCorristin Hall
Corner Amboy Ave & Main St.
Woodbridge, New Jersey 07095
Friday, May 9, 2008
Tricky Tray Sponsored By
St. Francis Cathedral School HSA
Location:
NJ Convention & Expo Center
97 Sunfield Avenue
Edison, NJ 08837
Friday, May 9, 2008
Tricky Tray Sponsored By
Merriam Avenue School PTC
Location:
Merriam Avenue School
81 Merriam Avenue
Newton, NJ 07860
1. This really isn't your time to shine, we don't need the comedy act, the inside comments or even how many pounds you have lost so far this year (yes, this has happened twice).
2. Most of the TT's have programs so we don't need your descriptions of each prize.
3.Speak clearly and loudly.
4. Call the number 3 times and if no one claims the prize..pick again!
5. Have fun and just move on
Im going to The Erskine Lakes TT next week. If you haven't bought a ticket do your self a favor and get one. I go to Tricky Trays all the time and this is by far the best one I have been to yet . Prizes are great . Packages are great you get alot of tickets for what you are paying something like 6 small sheets plus you get one when you walk in tickets for all prizes are included. Tons of stuff and lots of hot men bringing you your prize .What more could you ask for :) Im not just saying it we attend every year and it just gets better and better.
When the list is complete we need to hand it to the organizers and the callers and make sure they read it and follow it! After all we are paying big bucks.
First of all, It's my web site and I can post anything I want. If you had read, It is for a friend organizing money for Make A Wish.
Have you ever done a favor for a friend? Maybe not!It's posted during the time of year when tricky tray's begin to slow down, so maybe a lover of tricky trays might like Texas Hold'em too.
And it is marked so know one can confuse that it is a tricky tray.
So next time you see an event marked Texas Hold'em, scroll right past it, trust me..it won't hurt.
Mr. Tricky Tray
Thank you
The Texas Hold'em event on May 19th has been postponed until June. I will repost the details when finalized.
To the question about whether people can come to watch and just eat & drink, I will find out. There was talk about having a price for that.
I'll keep you posted.
Mr. Tricky Tray
1. This really isn’t your time to shine, we don’t need the endless complaints, the negativity or even how much better you could make the TT (yes, this has happened).
2. Please read the programs provided and throw them in the garbage when done, not on the floor.
3. Control your noise level so people can hear.
4. We will call the number three times only… please listen up!
5. Have fun and just move on.
Thanks...
Thanks
May 16, 2008 9:06 AM stating....
1. This really isn’t your time to shine, we don’t need the endless complaints, the negativity or even how much better you could make the TT (yes, this has happened).
Just what do you mean by that?
You don't want to be told in person or you don't want to hear about in on this site?
1. Grey and pink baskets were on same table. Clear cups had grey and pink tickets in them even though they were different levels.
There were also soooo many bent tickets in these visable cups and nothing was stated about that all night! The Pink tickets were called first (they were medium size prizes). The small baskets (yellow color) were looked over. The caller breezed through the pink color basket numbers, it was great and ran smoothly. Then......
they back tracked and went to the small prized (yellow )they announced that each table had a list to look over of the numbers that were already picked!!!! for the yellow baskets and all the gift certificates. They were picked in the other room while the pink were being called. No one knew this was going on or saw if they were even mixed and who picked them. All we know is a list came to the table and they gave us a 20 MINUTE BREAK to go over the numbers already picked. IF you had a winner you just go in the other room and take your prize. No one checked the numbers against the prizes. Then after the break, the caller announced that someone took the wrong prize and they should return it.I have never been to a TT where the numbers are pulled in another room while no one is witnessing this and posted on a paper for everyone to check!!!
When I inquired about this, the head chairperson running this told me quite nasty, that the committee picked the numbers to save time.
But meanwhile we had a 20 MINUTE BREAK and still did not get out early. Then..... on one of the big prizes, he called a number 3 times,
then called it again and stated he was picking another number. He did pick another number, called it out, somebody yelled YEA!!!!!!
then the first person who apparently was sleeping, yelled she had the first number called.
The woman running the committee,
decided to give her the prize and the second woman got nothing. Honestly, it should have been tuff luck to the one sleeping. It was a nice price and now the other woman was told in other words "too bad".
What is the protocall of numbers being pulled in another room where no one is watching then the people in the room are giving pulled numbers on paper to check and given long break to do this? They could have called the 68 baskets within that 20 minute time slot!!!!
Would be interested in hearing replys on this.......
Thanks
The organizers/volunteers and students did a great job. They know how to run a successful TT. The prizes were of good quality and variety, no junk.
The prices were great $5. sheet or 3/$10.00 there was no gouging at this TT. The 50/50 was $875.00. They had free refreshments and NO admission charge. Seating was comfortable in their theatre. This was our second year attending and will go again.
The only complaint I have is that they do not take bent tickets seriously. There were no signs and no announcement by the caller. It was brought to the attention of an organizer who had a cavalier attitude.
The event was good and the pacing was great. Although I didn't win anything. Any tips and tricks for winning?
They had free coffee and tea but charged for baked goods. They shouldn't have charged for them. Most TT don't these days. It's greedy. Yes, charge for the sandwiches, soda, water etc. but not for donated baked goods.
We were disappointed that they made no mention of not calling bent tickets and we saw some in the bags.
Overall, it was a good TT and we won!
The subs went over well. See you next year.
Thank you for your feedback on Fernbrook School PTA Randolph High School......
A tt that charges $20.00 admission and then tells you to bring your own food and states dessert,coffee for SALE is a total ripoff. $15.00 for a sheet of 25 tickets? GREEDY, GREEDY, GREEDY! What planet are the organizers from? I don't care who or what the event benefits.
I have no idea how the organizers treated bent tickets, were they called? No bent ticket signs and no announcement was made by the caller. Should I assume you called bent tickets? There are some organizers who don't even know what a bent ticket is, are you one of them?
think the front table ticket sellers were talking about no bent tickets being drawn. Is there a legal requirement to formally post signs warning cheaters that they shouldn't cheat?
I was also very upset when I returned to the second level of prizes and noticed a different color ticket being sold. It also looked like the caller was looking in the bowl when she pulled the orange ticket when the majority were blue. Very upsetting. For some people a night out with friends is very appreciated, and being told to be quiet throughout the night was not welcomed. I went to the back of the room to get coffee and you could hear the caller back there. Repeating "BE QUIET" was not necessary. All you all, the prizes and prices were good.
The did have one good idea they had a board with the number s of the tray with a bucket attached to to put your tickets in when there was a line. Now that i'm thinking about it maybe that was for the winners to put ther numbers in so they would be chosen. DOn't worry you will not see me and my group again next year.
From the NJ lgccc website, bingo and raffles statutes and regulations:
5:8-59 - ... a person under the age of 18 years shall be permitted to play an on-premises draw raffle, including a Penny auction, when any prize offered and awarded consists of merchandise only.
In the newly published regulations, alcoholic beverages are no longer prohibited prizes but there is special wording required on the ticket.
Yes or no when there is a 50/50...
Secondly,I know there have been alot of comments regarding entrance fees, but these are fund raisers, and it would be great if people not only understood, but appreciated that. The $15.00 got you a sheet of generals, beverages, and a wide array of desserts. You can't get that going to a movie and buying a drink and popcorn these days! If you really want a free walk-in, the summer's coming, and there are shore penny auctions that should fill your bill. There is a saying that you get what you pay for.
If you like 4 different colored first level tickets then this was the TT for you! Not only did they use all their left over tickets but they also ran out of tickets! So everyone coming in had to wait until someone went out to buy more! This was not their first TT, I was told they had about 10 TT's so far. White, yellow, pink and blue tickets! The lady selling the tickets thought it was funny and nothing wrong with it.
They served (included in $5. admission) hot dogs, soda, coffee, chips and cookies. They ran out of coffee, cookies, relish(only had one jar).
They said they weren't expecting so many people....yet they had about 240 plus chairs set up....but not enough refreshments to serve that many.
The larger prizes were bronze,silver and gold and ran together on the tables. No distinct separation between them! How confusing that was!
First level prizes were OK and prices were very good. Gold level was real nice. Callers were efficient and pretty fast.
After reminding them....An announcement was made that no bent tickets would be called.
They used paper bags for the tickets....which is a no no. Invest in covered containers.
The prizes that you mention are very nice but the same as I have seen at many other TT's that do not charge admission. There is no correlation between paying admission or free admission in regards to the value of the prizes. For TT's... the saying.."you get what you pay for" does NOT apply.
As for going to the movies for $15.00. You are right, but neither do I go to a TT and spend only $15.00! It's more like $50. or $75. Some people even spend more than that! So, going to the movies is far less expensive!
Yes, they are fundraisers and we already know that, no need to mention it.
Thank you for your suggestion...but I really don't need to go to the shore for free entertainment......There are many no admission or low admission (5.00) TT's with high quality prizes (I even won a few), I am still hoping to win the 50/50.
Just a reminder........
A Blog To "Sound Off" About Tricky Trays & Tricky Tray Events & Fundraisers you have attended. Good or Bad...Just Keep It Clean.
We will take the comments and suggestions seriously and work them into our event next year. The feedback is very much appreciated and welcomed. If you were there, and have any feedback for us, please don't hesitate to give us a call or use this blog. This is how we get bigger and hopefully better each year!
Blog about TTs YOU have attended, not hearsay from others.
No offense, just my comment. Kids spoil the evening, so we'll do something else....Fine with me.
Maybe we'll go to the movies or to AC.
Learn from these boards. Don't attack the people who spend the gas money to travel to yours!!!
I'm about to start planning a tricky tray, and have found a lot of these posts very useful indeed!
May I ask you all a couple of things?
What are some of the best baskets you've seen at the lower value?
What about mid-value?
What would you like to get free with your admission (now, be reasonable here, lol)
Is it best to just have snacks for free with admission, or raise the price of admission & have more food?
Thanks!
Some of the best lower priced prized I've seen are tickets to theaters and baseball games. Most NJ Theaters will donate tickets, and they are not high priced for their seats, usually less than $100 for 2 tickets. These make wonderful prizes. Also, the minor league baseball teams in NJ will donate 4 seats to a game. The games are great, not as crowded as a major league game, and just as much fun. Four seats usually cost $40 or less and the seats are great.
Also, spa items, holiday themed baskets, chocolate fountains, fondue pots, etc. all make nice first level prizes. Gift cards are always nice too. Most people look for a minimum value of $25 on a basket. Most DVD players you can now get for less than $100 and make great prizes.
Middle level prizes could include higher end appliances, cookware, jewelery, NYC theater tickets and concerts.
As long as the prizes are quality, unused and not geared completely toward kids, most attendees will leave happy. Some TT's that had mostly toys, dolls and games for their prizes are a turn off. My kids don't need any more of that stuff. Adult only TT's want adult type prizes.
I hope this is helpful. Keep reading these blogs, because the comments and suggestions are a great resource to help run a successful tricky tray.
I do not like advanced ticket sales.
I am spontaneous and do not want to plan ahead for a TT.
I do not like to pay for admission, since you are going to get all my money that I have alloted for your event anyway.
Free coffee, tea and desserts are appreciated. This is not a novel idea, many TT's I've been too serve terrific free refreshments. Some TT's charge for horrible food! And don't charge for donated food. That's greedy.
I would like to see... for all prize levels... a sheet of tickets instead of individual tkts, you will still get your cash and I will get more chances and it doesn't cost you anymore. Try it, it will set you apart from the same old TT,s.
Also No Bent Tickets Will Be Called signs. Again announced before ticket numbers are called.
Volunteers who themselves go to TT's and know what it is like to be an attendee.
Tickets all the same color.
No describing baskets when numbers are called.
Hope this gives you some ideas to make your TT a success.
:-)
LOL
Most trickytrayers are reluctant to commit because you can't spontaneously shift plans at the last minute when a better sounding event gets posted. Organizers should be offering great deals to get people to commit to their event. The best thing is for your event to be an advance sell out so you can post a warning here that no tickets will be available at the door.
copy/paste:
http://www.myheraldnews.com/view.html?type=stories&action=detail&sub_id=36586
What about advanced sales AND at-the-door admission? If the venue's big enough, there's very little/no chance of selling out, so....
Also, do you all prefer Sat afternoons or evenings better?
Thanks again for all your input(s)!
:-)
As for time of day..I prefer evenings for tricky trays. I see it as a night out..i leave my kids home with my husband and take the night to myself!! Woo Hoo!
However, if you do plan a Saturday afternoon event, give us ample time to arrange for kid sports coverage...and my personal favorite...make the eating stuff easy. I absolutely hate having to pay for and sit through a dinner, when what I really want to do is spend that money on buying more tickets. Hope you have a great event!
PS...please be sure your volunteers treat us all with respect.
I want to spend my money relaxing and having adult conversation. Not wondering if some kid is going to get hurt because his parents are involved in the event and not supervising him/her running thru the prizes or getting annoyed that I can't hear the caller since Buffy and Biffy are screaching behind me in a pack.
Hello! Fundraiser! Get adults in there with cash. Find a volunteer to watch all the kids and let them have some fun doing something age appropriate.
I'll grant you that children at events are sometimes wandering unsupervised checking out the prizes or food sometimes getting in the way. My experience the noise level relates to 'adult conversation' though. Since many view this as a social gettogether with friends, they talk loudly so friends across the table can hear them and even carry on phone calls while numbers are called. You do have a point though. When children are present there is a huge increase in the continual whining complaints from various adults thoughout the room which does make hearing difficult.
The simple answer to childcare is that 'Daddy' stays home if a babysitter costs too much. Event committees should discuss early on which way they want to go. Make it clear in your publicity if you are imposing an age limit. If you are letting the kids in, then consider your timing. You want to start the drawing earlier and keep things moving to finish as early as possible. Inexperienced committees can easily let drawings run 3 - 4 hours for less than 200 trays. Events can draw 300+ trays in less than 2 hours if committee is organized and resist thanking the world while describing each tray. Those prize lists have a purpose.
Of course the economy will effect all aspects of tt's. Business donations and spendable money for attendees are all dwindling. This spring I had 4 gift certif wins turn out to be useless because the restaurants/shops had closed down since donating to the organization. One Beauty salon refused to honor a certificate because it was 'initialed by someone no longer working there'. It wasn't out of date, it didn't specify that anyone in particular had to do the free cut and style. There wasn't anyone else in for appointments at the time and I think they were just that hard up for money that they refused to honor it and demanded to be paid. What do you do? I paid and for sure won't go back. Unfortunately she probably figured out I wasn't local enough to turn into a repeat customer. So, absolutely admission fees and ticket prices in this economy will reduce your attendees if you push the prices up. Wouldn't it be smarter if events advertised that they were reducing prices because of the economy so people could still afford to come out and support them?
I personally am very tired of this admission pricing issue. These are fund raisers, and a $5-$10 admission price (along with a sheet of tickets) is not an unreasonable cost for attending a TT. People tend to spend money on the most ridiculous and often impulse things like drive-throughs, extra candy when your in the mood and picking up stuff at the local drug store, magazines at the supermarket check outline, etc.
These TT groups are trying to make money to support needy causes. They may make thousands, but you have to put that in the context of what it costs to run their operation and the limitation of their other funding sources. Some TT organizers are helping poor people, and others work to raise more money for schools or hospitals, etc. because their funders are also cutting back, best yet, they are trying to find money to provide increased services for important matters. What most people don't appreciate is that many groups get more mileage out of the TT proceeds than we know. Many non-profits have to raise funds to match other grant awards. That means they are obliged to do independent fund raising just to keep the money they've traditionally received from government or philanthropic sources. So they tap into personal entertainment venues,like a TT. If you were going out for a nite of fun, you'd expect to pay for the cost of that entertainment. Please stop being so venial. Go local, if admission prices and transportation costs are your Waterloo.
To TT organizers: TTs have become such a popular event, that I don't believe you will have any problems selling out, as long as you get the word out about your event early enough. Using TT.com has helped us sell dozens of tickets to people outside of our market for our events in the last year. They travelled to get to our TT, and some cut transportation costs by car pooling. People who enjoy TTs go to TTs. They will come, and are willing to pay a reasonable admission price as long as the event is quality, tickets are reasonably priced, and staff are cordial.
In closing this blog provides a forum for everyone to share their opinions. I think it is important for inquiring TT organizers to also consider that those voicing such adamant negative perspectives on pricing,may not represent the majority of us, who really enjoy going to TTs, and understand that whatever the cause, you as organizers have invested a ton of your time and energy creating an event to help someone who really can use the support. PLAN ON, and let us know early when your TT will hit this site.
Haven't met any at events though TT.com bloggers could include a few who are independently wealthy and oblivious to recession economics. After as many comments and discussion as possible, event organizers need to set prices in line with what is appropriate for their members and community.
Good Luck
With rising prices on everything from gas to groceries, the economy will certainly effect tt paricipation.
Admission $7.00, ticket sheets $10.00, door prize $5.00 ? Sounds like one time to this one would have been enough for me. I don't care what the cause is for a TT .....I still only have a certain amount to spend and don't care to be gouged.
This one sounds pretty greedy to me.
No, you were not wrong.
Every TT I have ever attended was for a great cause.
I'd like to start by saying that I value all and any opinions. I've been reading these boards for a while and everyone has such great suggestions. I am running a TT in February 2009 and wanted to know if anyone had good example letters to send out to corporations or a list of coporations that give to non-profits that they wouldn't mind sharing. I'm really trying to make this a wonderful and profitable event this year so any and all help would be appreciated.
PS- I DID NOT call any bent tickets last year !! ;)
They had lots attending and the prizes were fantastic as always and the weather was great.
Local gift certificates are easier to obtain if approached by a single member of your group who works or shops there. While Disney Park Hopper passes are fantastic, prizes are most desireable when the GC is from a local business specially with gas prices still going up.
Best donations come when each request is hand delivered by someone who has a real connection with that business thru work or being a regular customer.
Summer is off season and many don't even check tt.com. If you went to a tt that had the type corporate prizes you want to solicit, try directly contacting that group to reach their 'old' tt committee.
I am running the Tricky Tray for the Ramapough Lenape Nation on August 23rd. I have updated some prize information as well as listed prices if anyone would like to take a look.
Thanks,
Andrea
I will get the phone number put on the information page sorry about that.
You can call Juanita @ 201-529-1159 or Andrea @ 201-252-2269
my email is anjsoha@optonline.net
You can mail a check payable to Ramapough Lenape Nation
c/o Juanita
189 Staghill Rd , Mahwah, NJ 07430
Please include a return address so that we can send you your tickets.
Thanks for your support!
thanks for any info.
I don't think any of us are out to gouge the public - our group always includes several sheets of tickets with the "admission price", so I don't see a problem there.
As you state, people who are TT fans will go no matter what - whether far away (carpool) or locally - there are plenty of TT's so pick your poison. Stay close to home or go further afield, it is your choice.
I can assure all of you TT goers who have never put a TT on that it is a lot of hard work and I personally like to think everyone is happy, although I know from past experience that you cannot please everyone, no matter how hard you try.
We are a small group and only have 1 or 2 people working on the TT and I can tell you I worry about it all summer, so much so that I have no summer. So when people make discouraing remarks about a TT - not helpful remarks, but mean ones, although the person making the comments may think their complaint is well founded, when the coordinator reads those comments, it is very disheartening and they don't want to do it anymore and then someone new comes along and may not do as good a job and so the discouraging remarks go on - give people a break please. TT's are supposed to be fun events after all.
If you have never put a TT on before - give it a shot, you may think differently afterwards !! :)
What does the $10.00 admission include? How much are your prize tickets?
I want to make sure it will be worth going to this event.
http://www.morriscounty4h.org/fair.htm
usually around 200 trays with wide range of prizes/GC and a 50/50, tickets are reasonably priced. Last few years - $6/sheet You won't find your high end electronics prizes. You're in the middle of a 4H fair so kids and leashed pets are ok. trays are available by midafternoon so you can bring the kids to carnival rides during the day and check out the tt, drop your tickets and then leave the kids home when you come back for the drawing. You must be there when they draw. Bring bug spray. Wide variety of food vendors available. Since this is open air tents, they never run out of room.
4H event runs 25-27 July. TT is just one of 3 days packed with activities.
There were no activites for the kids and the gifts were not that great. Would not go again.
Keep the comments coming both good and bad.
tricky tray tonight. It was the first time I have gone to this one because of distance. I must complain about a few things. The first one was they had the worlds worst callers. The first guy was playing around with the microphone and then some lady thought it would be easier just to shout numbers. It was a bad idea both ways. One caller who can speak clear would be best. Then the ticket colors. They were different rolls. Some were solid or some were two toned. They feel completely different and it's not fair when those tickets get pulled. Splurge and buy a few extra rolls of the same. Other then that I thought the prizes were good and the price values were good for what you charged for the tickets.
I do agree with it not being fair having 2 different tickets for the same prize. A darker blue and a blue with white. Guess which got called more?
Please don't bash small events for being small. It's worth the cost of a phonecall to find out details.
The program they printed could have listed the baskets and they contents and the person who donated,the programs were a waste of paper and and money. I won a basket but there was a lot of disappointed patrons.
Consider next year the pricing we thought it could have been more for the money.
A dovote TT for your cause,
Some organizers are so naive they unbend tickets even after posting signs saying 'No Bent Tickets'. They think those dogged corners and various bends and curls or ragged edges just happen by accident.
They award prizes to larger doorprize tickets dropped in the regular bags thinking it was honest mistake - so what. Most doorprizes are small and the doorprize ticket it larger than the regular tickets which gives it an edge being selected in addition to just being an extra chance at a real tray.
Some cheaters drop 2 or 3 tickets in the bag without tearing them apart which leaves a bigger target for the one drawing the winner. Again organizers who only go to 1 tt a year will draw that strip of tickets out and smile and call out that number as the winner saying 'they really wanted that prize'.
How many times have you heard the announcer say 'oops I have two tickets' they drop one and call out the other number? Wet fingers can stick two tickets which are thicker and more likely to be drawn. Tickets dry but remain stuck, the announcer pulls the dry tickets apart, drops one and ends up awarding the prize to a cheater.
People posting on this blog go to a lot of events. We don't mind donating and enjoy the winning. These events are licensed and regulated and supposed to be fair. I'm tired of cheaters winning because so many organizers are not seasoned tt attenders. There's been a lot of comments about taping containers closed so cheaters can not tamper with tickets already dropped. Does anyone have any suggestions.
I think you just picked up a disgusting habit.
I go to TT's and have never licked my fingers. Tickets do come apart without licking fingers. I never even thought about licking my fingers...no need to. How disgusting!
lmaoo
I spend about 250 bucks at tricky trays , Im not about to let those little monsters stick together. Im sure im not the only one who does it atleast im honest take or leave it.
It is hard enough as it is to put one of these events together without now having to worry about people cheating.
There's nothing new about cheating. And licking fingers was never hygienic either.
If they do act as though they care, I don't always feel the person pulling the tickets was made aware of the bent tickets. I personally feel many organizers have no clue on how to run a fair tt. They don't go to tt's themselves and have no idea how it feels to see cheating going on.
Of course not too many read these blogs, I can tell that from their reaction to being told about cheating.
I know several other people who put on TT's and do read this site, so don't think they don't. Most organizers do a top notch job and just get tired of all the negative feedback that goes around - my friend just put one on and some lady showed up and was making a scene at the door about a ticket - she should have been shown the door, but to avoid trouble they let her in and someone else said what a good job she did in causing a scene and getting in - shame, shame, shame ...
We do our best and that's all we can do, sorry if we can't please you all, we aren't miracle workers. I don't think I am arrogant either, on the contrary, I go out of my way to try to make people happy.
For the majority of honest people going to these events, thank you and the ones who cheat at TT's, it is a reflection on how you go through life.
Now while I understand that everyone wants to win, I also know that many of the people who win alot have really purchased alot of tickets, and so their winning is understandable. I'm looking forward to September when all of the TT start up again. Have a great rest of the summer, and keep the faith. Cheaters are loosers.
Thank you!
Hopefully this is my last year as the Chair, and doubly so now that you have all of this to worry about on top of everything else.
Again, shame on you cheaters and how you go through life.
Some prizes of interest over $100: gas gift card, visa gift card, coach purse, GPS, iPod, Wii, spa certificates, broadway tickets, grill, patio furniture...
I've heard random people in stores talking about how easy it is to cheat and win at tt's. I expect the 3rd time was my breaking point, hearing strangers make a joke out of how stupid most people are who attend and organize tt's. So this spring, I've started asking organizers about the bent tickets if I see any in the bins. I find the tt chair or the announcer, not just some random volunteer. It's amazing how many blankly look at me and say I'm doing the drawing, and I know that only occasionally do I randomly pull out a bent ticket so it's ok.
Others refuse to discuss it and say, if you think it makes a difference go right ahead and bend your tickets. Who knows what that one is really thinking. Drawing out the bent mother-in-laws tickets as winner or hoping that I bend all of mine because I irritated her and she really is disqualifying bent tickets.
Several times the organizers pull out any bent tickets, straightens them out and drops them back in with a smile and says problem solved.
No it isn't solved. It's harder to get donations in this recession economy and next fall may see less attendees willing to pay rising price of tickets. Hopefully the organizers scanning thru the blog comments will seriously consider what I've posted. You do a hard job and your organizations appreciate and trust you to get it done. We'd like to see simple No Cheating signs posted and hear that you are disqualifying any tickets that are 'marked'.
HOPATCONG -- "Ruthie" Scherr, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, died peacefully on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008, at Barn Hill Care Center in Newton, N.J. She was 93.
Previous to that she was a happy member of the Knoll View family in Sparta, N.J.
Born and raised in Newark, N.J., married in Irvington in 1938, Mrs. Scherr lived in Hopatcong for 70 years.
She was a doctor's assistant for many years in Irvington and Dover.
She was a homemaker.
Mrs. Scherr was the loving wife of the late Fred Scherr (2004).
Survivors include two daughters, Lee Cosgrove of Boonton Township, and Lynn Owens of Hopatcong; one son, Rick Scherr of Hopatcong; and one stepdaughter, Dorothy Hecklau of Cape Coral, Fla.
She had 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Ruthie and her husband, Fred, were charter members of the Byram Bay Community Club at Lake Hopatcong which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. Ruthie was an avid bingo player at the club and enjoyed winning everything at the annual "Tricky Tray"!
Mrs. Scherr was a long time member of the West Side Methodist Church in Hopatcong, and more recently, a member of Stanhope United Methodist Church.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, at the Byram Bay Community Club, Byram Cove. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Byram Bay Community Club, P.O. Box 597, Hopatcong, N.J. 07843.
I will have to pass on this one. The $20.00 admission is too steep for us.
I hope to see more on this blog about TT's you've been to. {No organizers, please!} We want to avoid waisting gas.
Entrance fees not charged to committee members/workers, lower cost early tickets only available to workers, sheets of tickets quietly given for tray donations, workers getting leftover tickets which can be distinguished by color or size, tickets with address labels on the back, donated trays that never make it to the event, and of course the bent/crumpled/ragged torn/wet tickets that can be aimed for by an unscrupulous or naive drawer. Everyone likes to see the tickets dumped, stirred/shaken and the actual ticket drawn in plain sight because drawers can look or even palm a ticket in their hand when reaching in to make sure certain special trays get won by the person they want to win. Whether you spend $20 or $300 at an event, you want to see the tickets drawn in a fair manner.
Fair applies to both drawing winners out and the selling price of tickets. Everyone has seen the dreaded events where arms length of 50/50 tickets is randomly measured each time with drastic differences.
Advertise if you have early discounts and make sure that they are available for everyone. But stand your ground on fairness and don't give them to a loudmouth who shows up late and demands reduced rate and extra time because she spends lots of money. $20 sales have to be as fair as $200 ones. If its time to start the drawing, she's too late. We've had a lot of postings about specific cheating that happens with last minute ticket dropping when everyones attention is on runners and getting started.
The events are regulated and everyone follows the rules. Make sure that both workers and attendee's are beyond reproach, and don't be afraid to announce a drawn ticket has been DISQUALIFIED.
Here's a thought: I'd love to see an organization pull out bent/marked ticket and announce that all tickets from that sheet number are disqualified.
I will be organizing a tricky tray for our PTA, probably for Feb of 2009. I have been reading the comments here and learning a lot, thanks. We are starting to solicit and I would appreciate any suggestions from other organizers.
Thanks for any suggestions. You can e-mail also at kccollins@verizon.net
300 attendees X $10 = $3000 which can not be justified by providing cake and coffee. Maybe its just greed, but a committee charging entrance fees tends to overspend on decorations, et cet even gifts to committee members. They lose sight that what they spend should of gone to the cause they are fundraising for. Be frugal and invest in reuseable signs rather than pricey one time ones that litter the surrounding communities months after your event. the cost of raffle tickets, delicontainers and lots of tape to secure things is simply netted from the gross take.
Andrea
Ramapough Nation
Tricky Tray
August 23rd
1. Cover your costs with an admission fee...that's a fair thing to do, and it's a very good business practice.
2. Read this blog for attendees' sensitivities.
3. Decide which of those opinions you can live with and which ones are not applicable for your particular event.
4. Bent tickets are on everbody's list...that's not negotiable.
5. List your event on TT.com early so that people can schedule coming to your party.
6. Take the time to spread the word about your event in your community, church, schools, etc. Lots of people like to make a nite of it, and bring a group of friends.
7. Lastly, have faith that there are lots of people who will support your event if they know about it, and then just go with your plan.
Much to the chagrin of several of this blog's writers...lots of people religiously go to local TT's, and don't read this blog. I think Mr. TT noted that this blog had about 4000 hits last year...Given that some bloggers are voicing their opinions over and over again, it's fair to say that lots of TT attendees do not read blogs.
Just be fair, price the tickets generously, so that people feel like they are getting a value when they buy more tickets,and above all else, thank you for trying to raise funds for needy causes.
The events are coming in at a rapid pace for the fall season!