From

Location

Message

Date Posted

canal winchester ohio

I've sit in on every auction this year & the first thing I'm taking away is that overall the prices are down. I'm not going to rehash why some thought it may happen but I'm going to float a idea. Over saturation !! 6 years ago a few clubs cranked out the must have seeds ( Ohio Valley, Pacific Northwest & the Ottawa St. Lawrence groups) with a few hot seeds that brought extreme prices. Now there are at least 7 clubs that crank out "hot" seeds every year. When you sit in on auctions & they give the breakdown of each lot as its brought up the description is the same ( has grown 1400,1500 lb pumpkins), it's on every lot. But don't get me wrong that's a good thing in the fact that there are a lot of great genetics out there ( except) if your trying to hold a auction. Your still going to have a seed or 2 that brings the extreme prices but that isn't what carries the auctions, the other 25-30 lots bring you success or failure.
Normally because of name recognation the Ohio Valley & GPC auction brings the most cash per seed than any other & if that follows suit it looks like it's going to be a buyers market later in the auction season.
Just look at the GPC stats & the top 50 pumpkins this year & the large number of different seeds that grew them.
Combine that with the 37 ( so far) scheduled auctions & most clubs doing seed sales on their website I think we may have seen the tipping point of the massive amounts brought at auctions.

12/3/2011 2:42:52 PM

Northern California Foothills

Or people realize it is ridiculous to be paying hundreds of dollars for seeds that have the same potential of seeds they could get for free.

12/3/2011 3:23:31 PM

canal winchester ohio

The elite one or 2 seeds will still get the huge bucks because they are bought by people wanting to help the clubs more than they actually want the seeds. I'm talking about the middle of the pac seeds that brought $125-$150 for a complete set in past years that are bringing $70-$90 now & possibly $50-$70 later in the auction season.
I still bid at auctions, I always like to try to get Quinn Werner's complete set from the current year at a good price. Before the end of the auction season I'll find a good price I'm sure.

12/3/2011 4:36:09 PM

Muddy Waters

I think prices will get better as auction season progress's.We are doing just that supporting the Clubs with paying for seeds.I will Support the Sport. I hope you Support your favorite Clubs.I think this just a lull (growing pains).Its all good!

12/3/2011 6:09:26 PM

canal winchester ohio

I've been annoying folks on here for almost 12 years now & have watched auctions for just about as long & the growing pains passed years ago. If you go back in the old threads from the last 4 years you will see prices always trend down after Christmas. Come back up a little the 1st of Feburary ( probably income tax refund time) & start tailing off again after that.
I always go by hunches & it's telling me it's going to be a cold winter for auctions.

12/3/2011 6:35:36 PM

Muddy Waters

What would really help prices go back up.If some of the big names would bid on some seeds,That would truly send the message that we All our sharing in supporting the clubs with money!It might be fun to bid to watch also.

12/3/2011 6:44:10 PM

Annapolis Valley Nova Scotia

Big names already do their part in my opinion, by donating the seeds in the first place.

12/3/2011 7:06:46 PM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

Just like electronics, the popularity has caused the prices to come down. Clubs will have to start being more agressive marketing their weight offs. Like handy suggested we'll have to bring in the local merchants to help support the prizes. It's wide open more so now than it was just a few years ago. The hobby has developed wings and talen off!! BSD, David

12/3/2011 7:15:33 PM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

Ops, Taken Off!

12/3/2011 7:16:22 PM

Muddy Waters

Your right Phil,just saying it would help!

12/3/2011 7:57:46 PM

Muddy Waters

You know if everybody made it a point to buy 1 lot each year,I think that would really help.We need 100% participation.

12/3/2011 9:24:23 PM

Frankfort Ohio

that's for sure handy i always support my clubs

12/3/2011 9:32:06 PM

canal winchester ohio

Handy your not getting my point. I'm not saying people aren't buying ( I'll probably buy 3 lots by seasons end). I'm saying that by having so many seeds that have grown 1500+ pumpkins that the market has been watered down.
What it basically means is that the clubs are victims of their own success.

12/3/2011 9:44:28 PM

Frankfort Ohio

very true paul

12/3/2011 9:56:32 PM

Bloomington, IN

I agree. Supply is outpacing demand. And as more people get hold of their desired seeds through the winter the demand starts dropping off.

12/3/2011 10:07:33 PM

Muddy Waters

I understand what your saying,You can get good seeds without spending money.Im saying if everybody bought some seeds for the sole purpose of supporting a club it would be a better world.

12/3/2011 10:30:22 PM

Muddy Waters

Please don't misunderstand me.Im just trying to offer solutions.I myself will make it a point to buy a lot at my auction and spend a little more then I should,just to make sure my club is funded.Its taking a hit for the team,its fun exciting and good for all.A lot of us buy several lots each year,But a lot of people dont buy squat!Please Support your Club!!

12/3/2011 10:49:27 PM

Utah

a few thoughts - like others have said-
the world economy stinks ! less money to spend on pumpkins ... more growers ... more clubs ... more seeds to choose from... people are settling for a good seed instead of buying a great one. People realize that they can get several good seeds for free from generous growers and not spend money on the few Hot seeds. supply and demand.
Things are always changing.
... we can and are transitioning to local sponsors for weigh off prize money.

12/3/2011 11:41:25 PM

Oxfordshire/england

I am a new grower from the UK and have watched some of the auctions and have bid on several lots but the prices have always gone for more than I feel I would like to pay in my first year. I have been given some great seeds from top growers this year which is fantastic and will set me up for a great patch, hopefully! One thing that might help prices is if the top growers maybe only gave out seeds not from last year but any they had from years previous that way people would have to bid and buy to get one of last seasons seeds, which would be seen as the latest, top seeds. only a suggestion which may be off the mark and as a new grower I maybe out of line comenting.

12/4/2011 4:30:31 AM

Muddy Waters

Local & National Sponsors are a great way to go.There is a huge interest here.Try your local greenhouse's & garden centers.Huge Veggie Markets will pay good money for 500-600 pounders.

12/4/2011 9:08:49 AM

El Paso TX.

@HHG -- it might be a better world if everyone purchased from an auction but not everyone can afford it in this economy -- figure for newer growers purchasing a couple memberships to different clubs will net them a lot more decent to good quality seed than purchasing a lot in an auction for more than the cost of several memberships and also get a lot more other benefits. (perhaps it is time to raise the membership dues a bit or start selling the seed pack as an addition instead of including it with the membership)

Or as you mention start finding some more sponsors and perhaps having members donate a few of their medium - large size pumpkins to them as an incentive to sponsor the weigh off or to be sold to local merchants for displays etc.

Maybe set up a couple guess the weight contests or Raffles at the weigh offs where for a $1 - $5 donation to the club they get a ticket(s) or a guess(es) and the winner gets the pumpkin delivered to their home for display during the holiday. (there's lots of people that come to the weigh off that would love to get a 500 - 600 lber brought to their home for them to display (and figure some of the club members could possibly even tag along and help setup a display for it) and I would think plenty of $'s could be made to help cover some of the clubs costs for the following year.

I think it is just getting to a time where there is an abundance of good genetics available and plenty of 2nd - 3rd tier seeds available that have almost as much potential if not the same potential to grow a contender that trying to rely on seed auctions as a sole revenue source is going to be a hard thing to do - so it's time to come together and figure out some more inventive ways to get the funding for the clubs -- and with the popularity growing there is a lot more opportunities to try new fund raising methods.

12/4/2011 10:41:27 AM

Rhode Island

these internet seed auctions reach thousands of people. they bid and buy for different reasons. some to support a club they like, some to get particular seeds they like and some? have deep pockets and would rather spend at auction and leave the bother of bubbles and mailings to other growers.

either way its all good. clubs get to replace money spent on the previous years activities and winning bidders get the seeds they want.

i do agree however that as we move forward more and newer fundraising methods will need to be explored.
its the clubs that are not afraid to gamble on new fundraising ideas that will lead the way moving forward.

remember this. most of the time its not the heavy hitters or world class growers that bid up the auctions however, its their seeds and grower reputation that the average grower is bidding on. they want the same success that grower has had and getting their seed? just might give them that edge.

thanks yo everyone who supports these auctions. best of everything in 2012.

pap

12/4/2011 10:51:19 AM

Muddy Waters

I agree JD,Those struggling with the economy, were in shouldn't buy seeds. I'm talking people who can afford to buy but don't buy.We need more participation from all.Raffling off pumpkin great idea for local clubs.Print up 500-1000 tickets have members sell for 1$ each.Start selling tickets in August & distribute at patch tour meeting.You could raffle off 2 or 3 kins in a big club.sell to friends,neighbors,etc.You could raise a couple grand in a big club maybe 500 in a small one.Great Idea!!!

12/4/2011 2:22:47 PM