It's worth the call

The public television station in the community where I live recently celebrated the 48th anniversary of its annual on-air auction to raise funds for programming. A key success factor each year is the army of volunteers who augment the event's nightly experience during the entire auction week.

I was one of those volunteers again this year. At this point I've done all the jobs — call taker, board runner, board marker and even auctioneer. I'm happy to do whatever job the auction commanders need, and this time it was answering the phones.

When watching the broadcast, viewers see the camera panning from one auction item to the next listed on a particular "board" with eight items. The item is listed along with a value amount plus a minimum bid amount. One of the incentives to bid over the item's actual value is the promise of a free pizza from the most beloved family-owned pizzeria in the community. Indeed —  this pizza is definitely outstanding.

I was steadily busy on the phones all evening, and most of the callers were serious bidders on particular items. As I concluded each call I would say, "Thanks for calling — and I hope you win this auction," in a cheery, optimistic manner. A few callers were looking for a bargain instead of keeping in mind that this auction was to raise money for the station and hung up once I told them that the amount they wanted to bid was already lower than the current bid posted on the board.

The most memorable call, though, came from an older-sounding gentleman and the conversation went something like this:

Caller: "Now, what do I have to do to get a free pizza?"

Me: "If you're the winning bidder and you bid at least $5 over the item's value, you get a free pizza."

Caller: "What size is the pizza?"

Me: "It's a large pizza, I think."

Caller: "Could you go check?"

Me: "Yes. One moment." (I flag down the phone bank supervisor and ask him.) "Yes, it's a large pizza," I tell the caller.

Caller: "How many toppings?"

Me: "Two toppings I think, but let me make sure." (I ask the supervisor again.) "Yes, two toppings."

Caller: "How long is the free pizza good for?"

Me: "One moment and I'll find that out for you." (The supervisor is now standing by, sensing more questions.) "The free pizza has no expiration."

Caller: "OK — great. Thanks."

Me: "Would you like to make a bid?"

Caller: "Sure, just as soon as I find something I want." 

[Sr. Nancy Linenkugel is a Sylvania Franciscan sister and chair of the department of Health Services Administration at Xavier University, Cincinnati Ohio.]