Agreed! It's a fundraising and I understand OP says it is going to be an auction. The advantage of raffle over auction is that, in raffle supporters need not be present. At the end of the day, all it matters is the net donation for the cause. My friend sold over $300 (for a $279 rifle) in ticket sales in my squadron alone in a couple of days. The regular supporters that are willing and able to support with $10 to $50 or so might not bid on a $1K+ semi-custom rifle and most that will bid on it probably knows the components and cost associated with it. Something to ponder ...