About That Tricky Tray.. I Just Want To Say_Chapter 14 (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
Nov 5, 2010. Ticket sale date is Oct 15th. They have won best tricky tray 4 years in a row. I have never been but maybe this is the year to try. Any one else been at before..comments???
Don't be fooled! The Harvest Moon Tricky Tray on Oct. 30, is NOT the "Mother" of all tricky trays and is in no way, shape, or form affiliated with OLMV or the Harvest Moon Basket Raffle.
It is a shame how some people
cheat or steal at tricky trays.
Lets hope they will get caught!
Tricky Tray Sponsored By
Concerned Black Nurses
of Central New Jersey"
What kind of racist event is this???? What if I'm a concerned white Nurse? And what are we concerned about? Now we even have racial tricky trays???? This is absolutely unbelievable that you have to state your skin color to describe your tricky tray event.How stupid would it sound if my headline to my event stated something like this "Concerned White Women of such and such a church are holding a Tricky Tray event......."
There was a time where this was a large and happy community sharing background and details about upcoming and past events. Now it's more of an alternate advertisement for upcoming event, groups determined to hype their event and some weirdly off-topic comments that are best ignored.
Viola School - please use the form to get your event posted. Posting here, we don't have a clue where you are located/what the advance ticket prices are/... and all the other details that get us to your event.
Gift card thieves have always been with around: Event coordinators please be proactive! Any prize that is small and grabbable can and will dissappear. TT committees protect yourself. Hold GCs in numbered envelopes and don't put them on the table at all or put them in a large picture frame where they can't be removed. Shoplifters go to TTs and could not care less what the event is raising money for. Some people are kleptomaniacs and if you tempt them with an easy grab, they can't resist.
Ok, let me start by saying it was very well organized and ran pretty smoothly. The volunteers were all very nice. I know first hand what it takes to organize an event like this and I think they did a good job. But best of the year, for 4 years? Sorry, I disagree. My number one TT pet peeve is non-sequential ticket numbers. Some started with 1's, 2's, 3's 6's and 9's. Then the next level, same thing all different numbers. At least when the tickets start off with 399___ you feel like you have a chance. You hear him start with a 1 and you have a 6 and you're out right away.
I had heard about how they post the numbers on a large screen up front. Well they have to, everyone talks through the whole thing and the poor caller had to yell into the mic. And before every ticket he called he would say "and the winning number is..." so that got aggrevating.
The value packs were neither a value or a pack. They contained tickets for 2 levels of prizes. There were 3 levels of prizes and the super grand prize was a granite vanity and sink?
It was a large room with 400+ people packed in like sardines. I heard they had dessert items for free but I never saw any.
The prizes that people commented were "so great" and "the best I've ever seen" were okay, nothing fantastic. I'd say out of all 300 prizes, I really wanted to win about 30. The rest were filler type baskets. The usual local baseball team tickets or comedy club. No broadway tickets or major sports teams (besides the Nets) tickets.
They did have some nice higher end prizes on the green level, a 42" flat screen, an IPAD and an IPOD touch, a Coach and $1000 off tuition - those tickets were 3 for $10 (expensive). The 50/50 was $2950 to the winner so that was nice, but that was $10 also.
Again, it was nicely run with decent prizes, but I have been to better. So it makes you wonder who the people voting have been.
So with the $15 admission, I spent another $95 and came home with nothing.
Please post comments if you attended tonight event and have a different opinion or share mine.
PS They did ask each person to bring a can of food to donate to a local food bank and I think they said they had about 400 cans, so that was great!
Ok, let me start by saying it was very well organized and ran pretty smoothly. The volunteers were all very nice. I know first hand what it takes to organize an event like this and I think they did a good job. But best of the year, for 4 years? Sorry, I disagree. My number one TT pet peeve is non-sequential ticket numbers. Some started with 1's, 2's, 3's 6's and 9's. Then the next level, same thing all different numbers. At least when the tickets start off with 399___ you feel like you have a chance. You hear him start with a 1 and you have a 6 and you're out right away.
I had heard about how they post the numbers on a large screen up front. Well they have to, everyone talks through the whole thing and the poor caller had to yell into the mic. And before every ticket he called he would say "and the winning number is..." so that got aggrevating.
The value packs were neither a value or a pack. They contained tickets for 2 levels of prizes. There were 3 levels of prizes and the super grand prize was a granite vanity and sink?
It was a large room with 400+ people packed in like sardines. I heard they had dessert items for free but I never saw any.
The prizes that people commented were "so great" and "the best I've ever seen" were okay, nothing fantastic. I'd say out of all 300 prizes, I really wanted to win about 30. The rest were filler type baskets. The usual local baseball team tickets or comedy club. No broadway tickets or major sports teams (besides the Nets) tickets.
They did have some nice higher end prizes on the green level, a 42" flat screen, an IPAD and an IPOD touch, a Coach and $1000 off tuition - those tickets were 3 for $10 (expensive). The 50/50 was $2950 to the winner so that was nice, but that was $10 also.
Again, it was nicely run with decent prizes, but I have been to better. So it makes you wonder who the people voting have been.
So with the $15 admission, I spent another $95 and came home with nothing.
Please post comments if you attended tonight event and have a different opinion or share mine.
PS They did ask each person to bring a can of food to donate to a local food bank and I think they said they had about 400 cans, so that was great!
I spent $113 total including admission and 50/50 chances. I won an Amazon Kindle, cleaning basket filled with swifter items, sheets, etc, a HUGE cooler filled with drinks, snacks, tailgate items and I won a package to have work done on my car. I was sitting at a table for 10 (7 were in my party) and by the end of the night our whole table won 14 baskets! Yes we were in tight quarters at our tables, but I think that was the way to be able to accomodate as many people as possible. For a few hours of fun, I can deal! As for the ticket numbers, why does it matter if it starts with your first digit or not? You either win or you don't~ I'd think I'd rather know by the first digit called if I had a chance or not - so not to get my hopes up or my heart racing!!! LOL But to each her own!
All in all, I thought it was a great night. There were plenty of goodies at the table in the hall. The coolers had sodas and waters. When I wanted a diet soda,someone went into the kitchen to refill coolers with the diet sodas for me! It was well organized and everyone was friendly and helpful. I feel bad that the last 2 posts did not have the great time that my family and I did. Next year, if you'd like, come sit with us! : )
As far as best? I disagree. I do agree with the above posts about tickets having to be in order and the val pack not truly a val pack. Either alot of OLMV parents log on and vote or the standard of tricky trays in other areas is lower than what I have attended and planned.
Again, very well planned and organized and the volunteers were all very nice. Congratulations for raising money for your school and for all of your hard work.
I have asked 2x, but they can't seem to answer.
does anyone know how much the extra tickets are?
they said there are 80+ baskets plus door prizes and admission is $15...and there are ticket bundles...but can't seem to say how much the extra tickets are
These orgs are allowed in the US...although I don't agree that they should focus on being black, but a more appropriate name indicating those in need of any race..maybe something like Urban..or something that indicates less/under priviledged in general, not by race
Yes, people were talking, but hey, it's a social evening out. I didn't win this year but had a great time and have won in the past. I WILL be back next year, for sure!
I went to St Stephens in S. Plainfield on 10/23....
I won an electric razor....I jsut opened it and saw HAIRS on the blade...its obviously used..I don't know if the church knew it was used......
PLEASE DO NOT DONATE USED ITEMS--especially hygiene related items
Also, The low end table tickets were $10 for a sheet of 26--and the prizes were about $25 each--some lower!
Nice Job!
And of course how many other events actually thought to organize a voting campaign ...
The real question is what are the best bets for this weekend. Mt Olive is not listing what the presale or at the door costs of tickets are ... but they are doing that punishing thing where those who haven't purchased presale tickets have to pay $5 to get in and get nothing for it.
Before we did our first TT we read through months worth of posts and continue to read to know what things people really appreciate and what never to do!
"Ticket draw is supposed to be random and anything .. a bend, ragged tear, stickers on the back, even the indentations from writing a name can be used to mark tickets. The person drawing can be feeling for any of the above when they are stirring the tickets around and supposedly randomly selecting the winner. Sadly its a way that the sponsoring group tries to give their members the edge in winning the prizes they collected. It's also a way for random cheaters to win more. Get a big enough container to actually mix those tickets up to make it a random draw. And then stir the tickets with your hand before actually picking. The one drawing is in charge and needs to disqualify tickets that are marked by bends, curls, or ragged tears. Doesn't matter if you put it in the program, announce it every 15 minutes and have posters on the wall. The one drawing has to actually DQ bent tickets. There's always someone who does not tear the tickets apart thinking 2 tickets together are twice as big and twice as likely to get grabbed. They do it because it worked for them in the past, just like those who bend their tickets. It's not an accident nor is it innocent, its cheating. Don't tear them apart and drop them back in, don't straighten out bent tickets - pick one of the many normal honest tickets to award the tray to. Any announcer/drawer who announces that a ticket drawn has been disqualified, does more for the honesty and prestige of an event than you can imagine. This has drawn a round of applause at some events. This isn't snippy about organizers, it relates to sad experiences at a great many events. Just like shoplifting is up in a bad economy, cheating at tt's is up also. Organizers take charge and be responsible to make your event fair."
And I will add one more thing......KEEP WITH ONE COLOR TICKETS!!!!!
(a) No person under the age of 18 years shall be permitted.
to participate as a player in any game of bingo. .
(b) No person under the age of 18 years shall be permitted
to participate in any draw raffle or in any non-draw raffle
offering and awarding cash or money as a prize.
(c) Except for the serving or selling of food and beverages,
no person under the age of 18 years shall hold, operate or
conduct or assist in the holding, operating or conducting of
any game of chance held, operated or conducted under any
license issued pursuant to the Bingo Licensing Law, N.J.S.A.
5:8-24 et seq. or the Raffles Licensing Law, N.J.S.A. 5:8-50
et seq., and the rules set forth in this chapter.
•(d) Whenever an organization shall conduct any draw
raffle, or non-draw raffle which offers cash or money as a
prize, it shall cause a sign to be displayed adjacent to the
place of the allotment of prize(s) by chance as follows:
"Persons under the age of 18 years are not permitted to
participate in this game of chance (NJ.S.A. 5:8-59)." The
sign shall not be smaller than 288 square inches and shall be
posted in such a location as to be in view of all persons who
shall desire to participate.
Amended by R.l995 d.41. effective January 17, 1995.
Some events have purchased specific items as mystery prizes - I've seen a small TV, one of the Keurig coffee systems (really thrilled the crowd) and also an assortment of giftcards. If you purchase a specific item for the mystery prize, consider providing the winner with a gift receipt so they have the option to return it if they want. It's not a common thing, but its such a nice thing to do that does not cost the event anything. I've also seen a piggy bank filled with change.
i've heard it is actually illegal to have cash or lottery tickets as table prizes...but don't quote me.
Meanwhile, the most popular prizes whether mystery or not are still lottery tickets/cash/booze
Mr TrickyTray has helpfully placed a link on the bottom of the homepage that will take you to NJ website that rules legalized games of chance ... ie raffles
http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/lgccc/
The majority do celebrate the good and we look forward to your next event.
No one is posting anymore which is sad. There have been a few events that I'm hearing about after the fact. Please share - both before the events occur and afterwards let us know how it went. Love to encourage those events that schedule when there is little competition. Those looking for a TT are thrilled to attend.
Anna
Friday, March 4, 2011
JFK Primary School PTO
Raritan, NJ
Friday, March 11, 2011
PTSO of the UCAPA
UCVTS- West Hall Cafeteria
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
Friday, March 11, 2011
Governor Livingston
Band Parent Organization
Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
Friday, April 22, 2011
A.I.P.
N. Branch, NJ 08876
W're already planning on going to this one:
Friday, February 4, 2011
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Edison, NJ 08817
We've been in teh past and it was a pretty good one.
Lots of baskets (or at least the # of baskets near the # of attendees), nice prizes, decent prices, well-organized events are what we're looking for. Heck, isn't everybody? :)
I'm going to search previous forums, but any feedback/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Nice variety of good quality prizes. The prices were pretty good and in line with the value of the prizes. I didn't have to spend a fortune to feel like i had a chance. There were enough prizes for the number of attendees, too.
Just bought my ticket so I'll be there! And I plan to win lots too.
Free food along with the speediest number calling I've ever seen...had a great time last year and won't miss this one for anything. Thanks for the heads up.
http://www.fosras.com/2011_FOSRAS_Tricky_Tray_Tickets.htm
Hope to see you all there!
Thanks!
OLMV - nice job on a well planned, well organized night. I know how much time and effort goes into planning a tricky tray, as I have done 2 and getting ready to plan my 3rd.
As far as best? I disagree. I do agree with the above posts about tickets having to be in order and the val pack not truly a val pack. Either alot of OLMV parents log on and vote or the standard of tricky trays in other areas is lower than what I have attended and planned.
Again, very well planned and organized and the volunteers were all very nice. Congratulations for raising money for your school and for all of your hard work.
November 06, 2010 11:52 AM
Re: The following post from trickytraycherry: Thanks for your somewhat nice comments though your negative comments are very odd...really is that all you could find fault w/ the OLMV tricky tray....that the numbers are out of order? And what exactly do YOU consider a val-pak? I don't see anything to support your negative comments of the OLMV tricky tray not being the best....could it be that you are hosting a tricky tray around the same time next year? (I saw your post a couple lines down).....You don't need to drag anyone else down....stay positive if you can.
Where are all the tricky tray dot com people that attended the OLMV Harvest Moon on 11/5? If its been voted #1 so many years in a row, where are all of the comments??
Re: The above comment....What exactly would you like us to say? Do you want us to defend an event that was an extremely well-run tricky tray?
For your information the people at the school were informed just afte their event that their school would be closing....so I don't think that they want to respond to the likes of negative people like you after receiving that type of info, do you?
For your information (and to the other bloggers) in past years there were over 400 people in attendance at OLMV's tricky tray....we reminded guests to vote on trickytray.com.....how else would they know? Most of our guests are not parents or PTA members....our parents are "working" the event....so get your facts straight. Our guests come from not only all over New Jersey but from New York & Pennsylvania.....AND THEY LOVE IT AND HAVE COME BACK EACH YEAR....
Memorial Foundation, Inc.
Dover High School for being awarded first place...enjoy it!
From an OLMV worker
Re: November 06, 2010 11:52 AM
Thanks for your somewhat nice comments though your negative comments are very odd...really is that all you could find fault w/ the OLMV tricky tray....that the numbers are out of order? And what exactly do YOU consider a val-pak? I don't see anything to support your negative comments of the OLMV tricky tray not being the best....could it be that you are hosting a tricky tray around the same time next year? (I saw your post a couple lines down).....You don't need to drag anyone else down....stay positive if you can.
MY REPLY - I didnt drag anyone down - I believe I was positive. I said nice job and well organized. I also said the volunteers were very nice and congratulated you on raising money. I can give my opion and or constructive criticism. That is what this blog is for. For people to comment to help other planners or attendees as to what TT are worth going to or not. I have been to many TT and have seen value packs that are a better value - with tickets for all levels of prizes offered at a discount. There is no reason to think I was being negative - again this is my opinion. Other posts said they had issues, or comments also....again, thats their opinion.
As far as planning our TT for November 2011 - that is the date we were given. I dont need to "badmouth" someones hard work to get people to come to our TT that is around the same time. I am a volunteer and organizer and want the same for our school - to raise money and benefit the kids.
A pet peeve of mine are non sequential numbers and I have heard plenty of people over the years on this website have the same type of comment.
I dont need to win a Best Tricky Tray of the Year award to know our TT are successful. They are successful if people have fun and organizers raise money and the kids receive a benefit.
Thank you
It seems to me that this blog may not be being used for what it's meant for. I mean the person that went to the OLMV tricky tray, we get it. You weren't happy with some things and the organizers of the event are getting very defensive which is normal. But, do you have to go back and forth about it? Aren't tricky trays used as fundraisers? Isn't the reason people go to tricky tray's to support the group or organization that is running it? I'm just getting really annoyed over reading the same thing over and over again. We get it, now stop talking about it! The reality is this: People are still going to go to an event even if one person had a problem with it, because they are supporters of the organization. And just an FYI- I have nothing to do with the OLMV tricky tray. I am an organizer of a tricky tray in northern nj and joined this blog to try to get attendance up at my tricky tray and to support the american cancer society and all I'm getting is frustrated by having to read the same thing over and over again.
Congrats to all of the hardworking volunteers and many many people who donate time effort and prizes to make these events so successful, regardless of what color the tickets may be.
1 sheet of level 1 tickets (5.00)
2 sheets of level 2 tickets (16.00)
12 level 2 tickets (5.00)
8 level 4 tickets (10.00)
4 gift certificate tickets (8.00)
and 1 grand prize ticket (4.00)
it also included a voucher for a coffee/tea and dessert
and 1 entry either in to the calendar raffle or the name game raffle (5.00)
so purchased separately they would have been $53 - the val packs were $45 that night and $40 presale. That was a val pack to me!
Just want to let fellow TTers know that Chick-fil-A delivered our food to the expo center last year. It was sooo sweet. All we had to schlep was our ice/drinks, snacks and noisemakers. We like their sandwiches, but loved the big nugget trays for group snacking.
Re: the val pack question. The val packs this year is $40 pre-purchase for a bag with $55 worth of tickets.
I guess if their ticket sales are low and they are looking for more people to attend they might lower the admission charge. I guess those people would rather sell some at a lower rate and get maybe 30-50 more people than have 30-50 less people come.
What is everyone elses thought on that?
I have a message for the webmaster/admin here at trickytray.blogspot.com.
May I use part of the information from your post above if I give a backlink back to this site?
Thanks,
Alex
The trick is what price the committee gives to each ticket in the bundle. Say an individual small tray sheet is $8 if you only buy one at the door, but it's also priced at 3 sheets for $20 at the door and it's 4 for $20 if you in advance. Typically those 4 regular sheets in the value pack get priced out at $32 - $8 each.
Most of the point of contacts know what the value bundle is priced at while unable to tell you what the regular pricing is for any of the levels.
We print in our program the actual price of all tickets, single and priced out from a bundle. Some times the ticket savings in the val pack is just $2-3 and in some cases it is $4.
But I agree, some are convenience packs and not value packs at all.
In photo frames. Was looking for something different this year to avoid buying more frames and then having them walk out the door again. I'd appreciate any thoughts or tips!
Thank you!
Right now there are over 1000 people there. And now they state they have over 400 prizes. You need more prizes especially this year. I spoke with someone working on the committee and I was told that they are extending the room out into another part to be able to add even more people. Good luck to all of you. You have to wait in line at least 1 hour just to put tickets in the past. Imagine now with even more people and bigger room. You should have left it at the pines manor. It was managed better with great prizes and everyone had decent shot at winning. I think you got too GREEDY!
Holy smokes - how could you even staff an event that big?!
Once I saw a TT that put them in envelopes and then hung them off of wine bottles on a 3 tier display. And yes, Ive seen them in frames, which can be pricey.
Really, depending on your theme you can come up with a display on lattice, plywood, or heavy cardboard, all decorated, and then incorporate something that matches, ex. pumpkins, stars. Hope this helps :)
~julie
From what I understand there's a new team running it and the lines will form on BOTH sides of the tables. They will also have the concession stand open if somebody forgot to bring food and drinks with them.
I've only been to about four of their tt's and they've been run really well (with the exception of the lines). They start calling on time, everything is clearly marked and we're usually done by 11 - 11:30.
If you'd like to be added to the waiting list, please email somersetregional@aol.com.
Thank you to all who purchased tickets - can't wait to see you there!
There was an event held over 2 days. Part of the event was about 25 raffle prizes tricky tray style.
the tickets were pieces of copy paper simply typed with 2011 event, name, phone number..
plain black print on white paper
and they were not cut evenly. some were clearly larger than others.
it would be very easy to buy tickets one night...or early in th evening...go home and copy them and then return to use them..
is it legal to have tickets like this?
St. Peter's Episcopal Church
Mother's Guild
has a TT listed for APRIL and MAY.
are they havin 2?
There's only about 20 left, so if you're planning on going, better order soon.
Sorry for the mixup.
They had about 221 baskets including grand prizes, and they had enought seating for approx. 400attendees. They had the 1st 2 tier baskets in a room with absolutley no flow so trying to put tickets in the baskets was just a big mess with no volunteers around to tell people where to go.
Most of the baskets were good, but it 2 1/2 hours to call 221 baskets. Very very slow.
But on the positive side, they did have a nice plate of snacks on all of the tables.
I had read a few "nasty"comments about it prior to my posting this one and all I can say is this: before blasting something please refer to your dictionary as you sound uneducated when you can't spell and also pathetic for obviously being part of a TT caravan!
I was also there last night. I have run a very successful tricky tray, first runner up in 2009. We are doing our second one this year and it is sold out 2 months ahead of time.
We learned how to make ours great by going to others, taking what worked there and what did not work and applying to ours. We asked on blogs for other people's opinions.
After our TT in 2009 we posted on this blog asking for comments, positive and negative. We took those negatives, and to be honest don't think there were any but I will look back to confirm, and used them to make this year's even better.
Do I think last night's tt was well run, no. Was it the worst I ever attended, yes for a number of reasons.
Oh, and I am part of a TT caravan. I go to others to learn what works and what doesn't. And the baskets I win, most of the products are donated to our cause.
And yes, last night I did win. My $200 value basket, when I checked online is worth $150. But that is besides the point.
Take the critism, run with it, and make you next one better.
I think the high ticket prices, half and quarter ticket sheets in the end reduced your profits. People will willingly by more tickets if they feel they are getting a good value. They did not last night.
If you walked around and looked at the number of tickets in front of people there were not many. At other TTs people buy a ton. If you looked at the buckets, they were not full of tickets.
I am sure you made good money. Yes, the 50/50 was a lot. But I think you could have made a lot more money and that is sad for your cause.
Also, just wondering, what is a "TT caravan" ?
I assume a tricky tray caravan is anyone who saw it advertised on trickytray.com and attended. Thank you for insulting everyone who comes to this sight. At our TT I welcome the TT caravans. They are our customers, and some of our best ones.
I normally buy two or three value packs at a TT. But normally I receive FULL sheets of tickets for each tier.
I did not feel I got a value with your packs.
And I think in the end it may have hurt your sales. I hope you made money but I honestly feel if you had sold full sheets of tickets, you would have sold more.
I looked around, most people did not have many ticket stubs in front of them. Most buckets did not have many tickets. Being an organizer that would have told me something.
Oh, and to your volunteer who told me the tickets came ripped off like that with only 10 or 15 stubs to a ticket. I don't think so. The manufacturer doesn't produce them with 3 square cut sides and one perforated side.
What a waste of stubs. What did you do with all of them, throw them out?
sheet of tier one tickets
Level 1 baskets (under $50) were 25 tickets, or a regular tt sheet of tickets for $10.
You got two of those sheets for $15
Level 2 baskets ($50-$99) - 20 tickets for $10, or 40 tickets for $15 (those were regular tt sheets with the four end tickets missing)
Level 3 baskets ($100-$199) - 15 tickets for $15, 30 tickets for $25 (these were regular tt sheets with 9 tickets missing)
Level 4 baskets ($200+) - 10 tickets for $15, 20 tickets for $25 (again regular sheets with the end tickets ripped off)
Level 5 ($500+) 5 tickets for $15, 10 tickets for $25
I bought a value pack ahead of time and I think I paid $55 for it. Received one full sheet level one, 20 level 2, 15 level 3, 10 level four and one level 5. I may be slightly wrong on that. I know I got one level 5 in the pack.
It was the first time I've seen tickets like that.
As for this particular event that has sent everyone into a tailspin, here are my thoughts:
I thought the ticket prices were higher than at most events I've attended. If the "caravan" feels like they're getting a bargain, they WILL buy more tickets.
Being claustrophobic (and admittedly a bit impatient), I thought the line waiting to drop tickets in the white buckets was way too long. When your space is small, as this room was, you need to either put less baskets in there (and use another room), or sell less tickets to the event so you don't have a big crowd in a small space. It looks like you had twice as many attendees as you did baskets.
One last comment, a woman at a table near me had to give her prize back. I don't think that's fair when her ticket was verified. When something like this happens, you should have extra prizes put aside for just such an unlikely situation as this. It's bad practice to confirm someone's ticket and then 30 minutes later, send the cavalry to strip it from them.
After all this is for the children and the schools benefit that they do these functions!!!
Positive and negative criticism of course should be taken with a grain of salt, but when you come on here and say that "it was a hot mess" that hurts the feelings of all those volunteers that put in their time to make this fundraiser work!!!
Sorry I just had to make this right!!!
God Bless you all!!
Would you rather see the iPad added as a Mega prize or we have the option of adding 2 $100 Visa gift cards to our Level 2 table (tickets for this are $1 each, 15/$4).
I appreciate all the feedback on these posts and have been reading them endlessly to ensure our event is top notch.
Thanks!
Kerri
The group is open to anyone.
www.meetup.com/Tricky-Tray-Madness
I've gone regularly and always got the impression that you were open to suggestions which is how you ended up with the superb event you annually hold. With the best of intentions, here are some constructive thoughts re last night:
Since we had a printed schedule, everyone appreciated that you didn't announce who donated each prize. It would of been quicker if you announced tray # and donator rather than the creative title for each tray which left us wondering what was in it. Just a thought - whether 100 or 500 prizes, no one wants to be driving home after midnight.
You had fantastic organization with many spotters to quickly verify each win. And the announcer moved things along for hundreds of prizes. But then it hit 11pm. The announcer started explicitly waiting until the winner was verified and the prize delivered before even announcing the next prize, let alone drawing the ticket. Earlier the announcer was doing his job of moving on to the next drawing while those incharge of ticket bins were making sure nothing was dumped until win was verified. Maybe you could swap out announcers after 200 prizes? After 11 he started recalling numbers 4 and 5 times, where before you had established a 3X and you redrew policy. The later it went, the more people were distracted and not paying attention. Also after 11, one of your runners became incapable of verifying a number without requiring it to be recalled from the stage. She just fell into a pattern of holding everything up and requiring that the number be reread from the stage that none of the other runners were doing. She was tired - and she fell into a routine that took twice as long whenever there was a winner in her area. I've seen large events where positioned staff that verify wins write down the number called so they can verify without the actual ticket and without holding up the drawing for the next tray.
Loved the event - loved the # of prizes. Loved that you did not insert 'breaks. Could you of started at 5 instead of 6?
I'm remembering one other thing - the smokers. When I left the sidewalk area directly outside the school doors was littered with butts. All events should enforce the NO SMOKING ON SCHOOL PROPERTY policy by making announcements. Make them walk out to the road if they have to indulge. We froze as that cold and smokey air blew into the gym. Those near the doors complained however an announcement from the stage would of put the smokers on notice that the signs you had posted needed to be obeyed.
As you said, most basket names are vague anyway. And usually there is a program to you can use to follow along.
At our tricky tray we called 350+ baskets plus 30 door prizes in 2 hours and ten minutes. Just said the basket number. People were grateful to that it moved along so quickly.
The Birchwood Maner-Hanover Township NJ
A benefit for the children of OLMA with a portion of the proceeds being donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure
$50 admission includes dinner, dessert and a door prize ticket. Walk-ins welcome.
We have many pretty door prizes for our door prize winners.
All who participate in our survey will be entered into a raffle to win a beautiful gift basket. (Put this at the bottom-under the value pack info)
193 regular baskets with values $100 to over $350 ($10/sheet of 25 tickets) color NOOK, Chamilia bracelet with 7 charms, Children's hand crafted rockers with matching magazine rack (waiting to be personalized) and many more...
16 grand prizes with values from $400 to over $800 ($5/ticket) Michael Kors bag, Xbox 360 250 gb with Kinect, Apple iPad and more...
5 super grand prizes from $1500-$2500 ($10/ticket) $2500 VISA gift card (5-$500 cards) and more...
1 extra super grand tuition raffle for 1 year free tuition for 1 child ($20/ticket)
Value-$5,790.00
50/50 with 1 winner ($2/ticket)
Value Packs Available and come with 4 regular sheets, 3 grand prize tickets and 1 super grand ticket. Value is $65-being sold for $50.
Ticket colors match the basket ribbon colors and balloon colors for each different tier
Many ticket purchasing stations available.
Doors open at 530. Dinner begins at 7.
This event has been noted as sold out for weeks now. Why are you posting such detailed info when ... well, what is the purpose? Do you have tickets available at the door? It appears that you are still soliciting for more people to attend.
The only negative things I can say is the coffee was really bad and the kitchen last year served us dessert and food and it was nice so we didn't have to leave our table and tickets. they gave free pizza last year and this year they didn't - not a big loss, although some people were complaining. Also, the callers. They had two women, one was a guest she was a jeweler and she was awful. We wanted them to pull a big hook out and get her off the stage. The other women is not a public speaker. She was a microphone hog, while the others were calling she stood over their shoulder the whole time. Another caller was their priest. He was far better than the others, you can tell he is experienced.
Our table won 4 baskets. Everyone of them was huge. We couldn't even fit them on the table.
Overall this is the most organized, best Tricky Tray. I hope they made a lot of money. Good, hard work always pays off. Good Luck St. Raphaels. We will definitely see you next year!
They have THREE TT's listed. Has anyone ever been to one? The prices are also low. Are the prizes any good or is is just a bunch of cheaper items (much less than $25/basket)? So they have a lot of baskets?
I did email them and will try to call when I get a chance during the day, I'd be surprised if they answer the email, may other TT's haven't.
As for saying the name of the basket--i think its good about 10% of the time, it breaks up the constant call of numbers and helps reorient as to where you are on the prize list...maybe just the more popular baskets....
an occasional off topic statement breaks up monotony that builds.
Note: Limited parking. Arrive early. Parking on street is OK. You won't get ticketed or towed. Just respect the Fire lane laws and fire hydrant laws and don't block any driveways or parking lots. Thanks so much!
I would like to respond to the previous post addressing the callers:
“Also, the callers. They had two women, one was a guest she was a jeweler and she was awful. We wanted them to pull a big hook out and get her off the stage. The other women is not a public speaker. She was a microphone hog, while the others were calling she stood over their shoulder the whole time. Another caller was their priest. He was far better than the others, you can tell he is experienced”
I believe whoever made this comment may be biased and also not taking into consideration how difficult it is to speak in public and the pressure that comes along with managing/conducting such a fast paced and large event. Also, this is a church based event, correct? Just saying, not very nice to call names and pass judgment…
Callers, I think you did a FABULOUS job and please be assured that this previous poster does not represent the majority. Thank you for making this evening a success.
The 50/50 winner, not me :( ,took home over $11,000.
I also didn't win the car, but won a few great baskets.
The family baskets (over 400) were really well organized with two groups of tables with lines on both sides. No wait at all.
Can't wait until 4/20/12 for the next one!
just as i guessed..they did not respond to my email....
why do people have email if they will not respond?
maybe they should combine it all into 1 TT with bigger baskets
I have heard that the cheaters are removing tickets from bags when they put in their tickets. We need to make sure the bags/buckets are secure.
As for our tricky tray, we invested in plastic containers with lids. Figure we'll use them again and having secure lids was important. A big fat pain to cut slots in the lids but doable. We have even left the color basket number on each bucket as this saves a step a future tts.
We bought our buckets at Restaurant Depot.
KathyH
So to all of those people who thought we were crazy because we prefer sequential numbers, now you know why.
Take note of all of your start and end numbers for every level and color. Put them on a master sheet. If you pull a number that doesnt belon, you either void that ticket or let them have the courage to claim the prize, then escort them out.
We will have no tolerance for that at out November 12th event.
So if you ladies are on here....we are on to you.
I once won a lot, but I had spent a lot..near the end, I was getting embarrassed.
but I do believe people would bring in their own tickets....
most of the stuff is nice to have, but not worth cheating to get.
I would have loved to see the faces of the cheaters if they were there.
THE TICKETS,,,,STAMP THE TICKETS,,,
She would carry a brown bag around and bend over the open bucket, dump the tickets in the bucket in her brown bag and put a handful of hers in the bucket... She would wait until the end right before the would start calling to do this.
She was caught and that was awhile ago... It sounds like she came up with a new scheme and back in action..
We will be sure to keep a close eye out for cheaters at our TT. We may stamp our tickets or keep track of the numbers, the cheaters will have to figure that out.
It would give me great pleasure to catch someone in action. I am sure non of the attendees would mind if we stopped the TT for a few minutes, called that person out, escorted them and their whole party out the door. We will call the police too. We will take your picture. We will get you name and info and license plate number. And we will circulate it to all.
Be warned!
We've been to a bunch of tts. Started going mainly to learn how to run them and to see what works and what doesn't.
I'll start, having good traffic flow for the baskets. Also having a caller who speaks clearly but also calls the numbers quickly. Nothing worse than sitting there having them name the basket, list the items inside, comment on half of it, wait until each number is checked before pulling the next one, etc.
What do other think makes a TT a great one.
KathyH
Hitting up local businesses is also a good thing. Except that I have found some days I am the third or fourth person in that week, once that day, asking for donations. Businesses are being inundated with requests and it has had a negative impact on donations.
We have a tremendous support group or volunteers or regular donaters with our organization and most of our donations, all new things, have come from there.
You should have enough seating for the number of tickets you sell...that is common SENSE...if you have 300 and sell 300 tickets, you are sold out...or at least you should tell any one coming to buy tickets what the status is....
any possible table should be set up before opening--complete with goody/door prize, if they are not used, you recycle them next time--maybe use them as add ons to baskets the following /
and if you have more people than you have room for--that is a fire hazard
people shouldn't have to ask for tables to be set up.
i normally only go with 1 other person...so i am excluded from reserving a table if the minimum is 4...not to mention I am disabled and can't maneuver to manipulate tickets and hold things if i don't have a table.
you should have enough seating at TABLES for every ticket you sell
RE:stamping tickets..
one place drew zig zag lines through the roll tickets...if there was a question..the line had to match up on the pair of tickets..
also.for the sheet tickets....you can just stamp the hold ticket on front...no stamp, no prize
I don't mean to beat a dead horse, I merely wanted to give a heads up to perhaps make it better for everyone. I see from other bloggers that they felt the same way. I was there at 5:10pm (how early was I suppose to be there). When I asked about a table I was not given the option of someone setting up additional tables. I was just told that there were some (really, how many) seats at tables available. How would you feel if you made many laps around the gym looking for an unreserved table only to find none. Then you were given the option of sitting on chairs along the wall. So, most folks brought there own food and that would mean juggling everything you brought. Also, when I bought my early tickets, no one told me there was an option to reserve a seat for less than 8 people. I think if you really give this some thought as if it were happening to you, you would feel the same way. If you want to make extra money, instead of reserving tables, just charge everyone an admission fee and discount the tickets only for early sale. Then for the tables, it's first come first serve and no one will feel like a second class citizen. Maybe you feel it's not worth changing your strategy, but that's up to you. Again, I'm just trying to help. I realize what a big job it is, but I attend many of these events supporting a wide array of fundraisers and I usually don't complain, but I really was not happy with the set up.
Have coordinating ticket colors with either table cloth colors, basket ribbon colors and balloon colors...this way there is no confuion as to what ticket goes in what level.
Have volunteers standing at the front or end of each level selling tickets for that level, so people dont have to walk to another location to buy one more sheet.
Also, when you purchase or print tickets make them all in the same numerical set. All blue tickets start with 698_ _ _ not half with that and others with 209 _ _ _.
Haven plenty of runners so your caller can keep things moving quickly.
And keep ticket prices low so people will buy more!
And if you get a donation of something specific to your town or school like a free membership to your local swim club or a free half year tuition, although it may be worth $600-$800 those types of things should not be grand prizes, because they arent appealing to everyone. Not to say every prize has to appeal to every person, but I have been to several TT where 2 or 3 of the 5 or 6 grand prizes were these types of donations, and they do nothing for me.
If you are lucky enough to get those, place them on a lower level and try for things more universally appealing as grand prizes like 40" tvs, laptops, weekend trips, IPADS, digital camera packages or designer handbags.
Just my 2 cents - what does everyone else think adds to a good TT?
Nothing is worse than having the number calling go slow, go on so long that you are there past midnight. By that time you are almost at the point where you say I don't care if I win or lose I just want this to end.
The committee wants to price tickets at $10 each with a value pack of three tickets for $25.
Others of the committee feel this is too high. I think the pricing is in line with other tts in central Jersey.
What do others think?
We had a 6 piece Lenox Wizard of Oz set that was over $900 and we sold them separate as a $10 ticket.
Hope this helps. When is your tt?
Any idea how many tickets your lenox set sold? I don't collect lenox or anything like that so for me, that would not have been grand enough to buy one ticket. But I like to travel so I'd do the condo.
I guess we also have to figure in the perceived value of the prize.
We may in the end go with the lower price and give people incentive to spend $20 on a couple of tickets.
Thanks.
1) First and foremost, the baskets were really nice. I was speaking to one of the organizers last night and she told me they only do this event every other year. Let me tell you, the quality/quantity of the baskets definitely showed that. I've been to some tricky trays recently where I swear one basket was a teapot and the basket next to it was the lid! That was not the case last night.
2) Their prices were pretty much in line with the going rate, and definitely in line with the value of the baskets. I don't mind paying a few bucks more for tickets if the baskets are worth it.
3) There was plenty of room. For putting tickets in the baskets, for seating, for everything! I really appreciate being able to actually GET to the baskets to put my tickets in AND I appreciate not being crammed into a room like sardines.
4) All of the callers were very good. Clear speaking, SUPER quick - they had over 450 baskets and were were still out of there by 10:30 pm. They did it just like it should be done - read the basket number (and ONLY the basket number - not the name of the basket or what's in it, or who donated it!), read the ticket number, and as soon as somebody raises their hands saying they have that number, move onto the next basket.
I only had one minor complaint, which is how the door prizes (which were plentiful and very nice, by the way) were called. After the first level of baskets, they called a bunch of door prizes. Then halfway thru the second level, they called like three door prizes. Then back to the baskets. Then somewhere in the middle of the third level, they called a bunch more door prizes. It was a little confusing and had people scrambling to find their tickets (since all levels were included in the door prize drawings). Again, I REALLY consider this a teensy, minor complaint and it certainly didn't detract from the overall enjoyment of the evening.
Bottom line - we'll definitely be looking for this event on tt.com in two years and we'll definitely be attending again!
Excellent job, AIP - and I hope you raised boatloads of money!
I am having a similar "discussion" with my 2 other co-chairs for our November event. We are doing a special where you can purchase a horse for $5 and at the end of the night there will be a race and if your horse is chosen to race and it wins, you will win the money ( more details, but i dont want to give it all away) If we sell all 100 horses we bring in $500. I want the full $500 to go to the winner or at least Win $350, Place $150 and Show $50. The other 2 say we are here to make money we shouldnt give it all away, but I say, make the people happy and give them a chance of a biger prize! Maybe we will sell more horses that way....Your thoughts???