Strategy is Key at Huntington Woods Auction

A bit of friendly competition is expected Saturday during the 30th annual Huntington Woods Men's Club Service Auction as neighbors strategize to win luxe prizes including an African safari vacation, a kitchen renovation and more.

The adults-only auction is all for a good cause: Funds raised will be used for community projects such as the purchase of single-stream recycling bins that let residents skip the sorting when they put their recyclables to the curb. But, despite its good intentions, the event inadvertently pits neighbor against neighbor and family against family, as bidding alliances form and rivals work to outfox one another.

"That's what makes the auction fun – the community aspect," said Men's Club member Todd Sperl, who with wife, Andrea, won a kitchen renovation at last year's event. "It really is in good fun. It's all in jest."

He offered the following tips for bidders:

• Walk through the catalogue (that was distributed to each household) and know where the items in which you are interested will be located.
• Know when the tables close. (Emcee Gordy Oliva will be on the floor calling out closing times, Sperl said. Once the tables close, live bidding with auctioneer Steve Gross will begin.)
• Consider pairing up with neighbors to increase the size of your bid on items that can be shared, such as a casino party for up to 30 people at your house. First-timers would be "naive" to think they could win such prizes by bidding solo, Sperl said.

"My wife and I went in last year knowing we were going to bid on the new kitchen," he said.

But, they didn't win it without an attempt at subterfuge by neighbors.

Sperl said he and his wife loudly announced to anyone who would listen that they intended to bid on the kitchen makeover and hovered near the table where bidding was taking place to keep an eye on things. That's when Sperl noticed something odd: Neighbors who didn't need kitchen renovations as badly were submitting bids.

"I said, 'What are you doing, trying to drive up the price?' " he joked.

Despite Sperl's success last year, speaking your intentions is something Men's Club member Alex Cooper advises against. Instead, he offers the following advice:

• "Act like you’re not interested in a gift, especially during the silent auction," he said via e-mail.
• "Hover near the silent auction table right before they close down so you can be the last person to place your name and bid on the bid sheet. But then move away from the table when the auctioneer announces the table is closing. I’ve been a table closer for many years and it gets hairy sometimes. But it’s fun, especially when you see people scream with excitement when they’ve won a gift they really had their heart set on."  
• "People often overbid for a gift or service (especially gifts certificates) they really want since they know it goes for a good cause. I paid $30 for a $25 gift certificate to one of my favorite Royal Oak restaurants and felt good about it!"

Those were tips expert Nanette Poole, office manager and auctioneer of DuMouchelles fine arts auction house in Detroit, could support.

"I've been to one or two silent auctions and people hover near the tables right until the very end," she said. "So, be aware of the time limit so you don't miss out."

Most importantly, she said, with a chuckle, "Keep in mind the spirit of the event, so no fisticuffs."

That's certainly good advice, considering the charity event also will include a variety of complimentary foods and beverages from local vendors and the opportunity to party with neighbors at the after a long winter cooped up indoors.

"There should be somewhere around 700 to 800 people there," Sperl said. "I jokingly call it the spring formal for Huntington Woods."

Women dress to the nines and some neighbors hold pre-auction parties, he said.

"You get some hors d'oeuvre, some drinks and head to the auction," said Sperl, who served as auctioneer last year. "Where else can you go for $10 and get food, drinks and entertainment?"

Tickets for the 30th annual Huntington Woods Men's Club Service Auction are available at the Recreation Center for $10 in advance or $20 at the door. The event begins at 6 p.m. Saturday.