[Jarsh]

I was under the impression that everything collected will be used for the #1 seat on train #1. If the "last" bid is $750 then we would come in with $2000 and take it at the last minute.

[coasteraddict]

Right... well, I have big on 5 seats near the center of the trains, and here is how the system works.

1. I enter a maximum amount.

2. The system automatically jumps in intervals of $10.

Example:

If somebody else has max bid of 70, I can enter a bid of 100.

Two things can then happen ===>>

If that other person's max bid is less than 100, I will take over the top spot, but the bid will only be large enough to beat out the other person's bid. So, the example above would conclude with the new high bid being $80, and the other person will get an email notifying them that they have been outbid.

On the other hand, if their max bid equals my max bid, they get the tie-breaker because they locked in that max bid earlier.

So, if the high bid by Dan on seat 1 of train 1 is really $600, it still sits at $500 until someone else outbids him. When we place $2,000 on that seat at the last minute or whatever, the current high bid moves to $610, and he will get an email notice. So, most likely, there will be money left over. However, we just do not know how much that might be. It may be partial (in the event we win) or all of it (in the event we somehow lose the front row seat for Max.

Personally, I am hoping to have an extra seat bid in there near the back (where the price is more affordable). If we lose at the last second and I have ANY seat on the first rider train, I have no problem giving that to Max! It's only right!

So, now that I got long-winded, what is the plan with the extra funds?

[Jarsh]

Jesus... Whoever thought this bidding process out...

[RollerBee]

It sounds confusing to me and complicated but I bet who ever came up with it says it is simple.

[coasteraddict]

I'm super excited that Fury 325 has a First Rider Auction... one for a great cause. But, I am a bit surprised that it was not set up like Banshee's was last year. It had a fundraiser-type setup, so that meant that people could donate (and have others donate for them). Entrance onto the first ride required raising at least $150. Then, the top 32 bids selected the seat of their choice (starting with the top bidder and ending with the 32nd top bidder), and then anybody else raising the required amount was on train two or later. After one lap, anybody could wait in line for any seat! In that case, we could post $2,000 for Max, and it would not be a single bid on one seat! Food for thought for the next major attraction addition at Carowinds in the future!



But, again, don't get me wrong - I'm thrilled they are doing something in some fashion and form for this first ride!

[Jetp]

I never met Max or any of you for that matter but I think this is a worthy cause. Please accept my donation of $43.25 for #Fury325

[Wormy]

Still have through Sunday, but just passed two grand..

gasp.jpg (399.16KiB)Viewed 3663 times

Thank you all so much!

[Jonathan]

I have to be honest here, I didn't really realize the way the bidding increments like that. I was under the assumption we would just donate everything. I think any remainder will be donated to the Cam Newton Foundation directly, because everyone bidding has been doing it under the assumption that's where all their money goes.

[DavidW]

You could always make a donation outside of the auction for the remainder. That we the money is still going to the foundation.

[Jonathan]

Yes, thats what I meant. Whatever amount is left over will be donated separately.

Seems like they are going to be leaving money on the table doing the auction this way.

[Homey G.]

Perhaps, I'm stepping out of line here, but this is just food for thought.

I'm sure the Cam Newton Foundation is a worthwhile charity. Lots of professional athletes start up charities because it helps offset their astronomical salary by tax exemptions and deductions. My thoughts are however, that given who it was raised for, perhaps that money leftover (if any) could be used to better honor and remember Max rather than just a lump donation to a charity that may or may not represent anything Max cared about.

I know Carowinds doesn't do the brick or paver thing with inscriptions on it, but I wonder if there's some other way that the money could be used where it would stay right in Carowinds. After all, he will be remembered forever in our hearts when we visit the park, but Mike Fehnel gets it. He really does and has been willing to help us honor his memory in ways I never thought possible. Perhaps he might do one more thing, even if it's use the money to purchase a tree or a plant or something that will be planted somewhere where we might could see it. I'm just tossing out ideas here. I just know after the 3 minute voyage of an empty seat, which will sure to be a cool and emotionally twinge for all of us in attendance, I'd love for that not to be the end of it.

Again, if I'm out of bounds, sorry. Just free thinking here.

[Jonathan]

I agree 100% with you here. Unfortunately since I didn't think of this before I feel like I could be in a bit of a bind. When the auction closes what I can do is reach out to everyone who donated and if we get a unanimous agreement to do something else with it I'm all for it.

[Jarsh]

Well, Jonathan, we were all under a different impression on how the auction would happen so that is what puts us in a weird bind.

I like the idea of using the leftover to purchase something for the park in his honor. Whether it be a tree or a bench or something. We could get a marker of some sorts and identify it as well if there's funds for it.

[CarowindsFan]

Well, Jonathan, we were all under a different impression on how the auction would happen so that is what puts us in a weird bind.

I like the idea of using the leftover to purchase something for the park in his honor. Whether it be a tree or a bench or something. We could get a marker of some sorts and identify it as well if there's funds for it.

I vote for a tree! Very fitting and long lasting.

[FamousAmos]

Whatever you guys would like to do I am all for it. I wasn't going to mention this but I might as well.
I was planning for my model to have a plaque on it with some kind of "in memory of Max Cannon" on it in some shape or form. However, I don't know if we'll get to do it or not. I emailed Steve the designs for the base and I also mentioned this in said email, but no confirmation on this idea yet.