DealDash, Author at DealDash Blog

Here Comes Halloween!

All across America trees are shedding their leaves, temperatures are falling, and football is on T.V. almost every day of the week. What does all this mean? That it’s almost time to for Halloween! Are you ready? If you aren’t prepared, or if you are lacking some Halloween spirit, then you’re in the right place. Keep reading to learn about the history of Halloween and to find out what candy and which costumes are the most popular. And what DealDash blog would be complete without a sneak peek at some exciting upcoming promotions? So without further adieu, let’s get into the Halloween sprit!

From humble beginnings to big business

Halloween has been a prominent holiday for quite a while, but do you know about the origins of this spooky celebration? Halloween began centuries ago as Samhain, a Celtic tradition where bonfires and costumes helped ward off pesky ghosts. Things shifted when Pope Gregory III in the 8th-century spotlighted November 1 as All Saints’ Day. This later became All Hallows’ Eve, now known as Halloween. This exciting holiday found a new home in the US thanks to Irish immigrants who brought their customs with them when they came to the United States.

In the 1930’s, young children began a new Halloween tradition; trick-or-treating. This tradition stems from the ancient practice of “souling,” where poor individuals would go door-to-door offering prayers for the dead in exchange for food. The “trick” part implies a playful threat of mischief if no treats are given. Today, trick-or-treating is an essential part of Halloween. The normal age for trick-or-treaters is between 5 and 14 years old, and it has been estimated that close to 50 million American children go trick-or-treating each year.

What to wear and what to eat?

Trick-or-treating is much more than just walking around and talking to your neighbors. Kids need to dress up and homeowners need to be ready to give out some candy…unless they want to risk getting tricked! Do you feel clueless about costume ideas? Are you out of touch with recent developments in the candy industry? Well, fear not. We have you covered.

Let’s start with what to wear. According to a recent survey, the most popular choice for American children is to dress up as either a superhero, or a princess. Either of these ideas can be interpreted in a variety of different ways, and can be done either extravagently or on a budget. This year, with the popularity of the movie Barbie, you can expect children of all ages to be dressed up as the iconic doll.

In terms of candy, projected Halloween spending is on the rise and appears to hit record levels this year. People are buying more candy now than ever! Did you have a favorite kind of Halloween candy? Interestingly, your answer might depend on when and where you grew up. A recent survey showed that each state had different sales results for Halloween candy. Each state recorded different sales results for different types of candy, however clear national favorites were identified. The most popular kinds of halloween candy across the nation were M&Ms, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and Hot Tamales.

Not all types of Halloween candy are popular. And while some folks may enjoy the sweets listed below, Necco Wafers, Candy Corn and Circus Peanuts topped the list for ‘worst Halloween candies’.

Not all treats have to be candy…

It’s true that kids covet some candy more than others, but there is one fear that can stop any trick-or-treater still in their tracks: the idea of going to a house and receiving something other than candy alltogether!

The classic example of this is if someone has a dentist as a neighbor. The go to their house, press the doorbell, and are greated with a smiling face. But instead of receiving some chocolate, or caramel, or even candy corn, they are handed a green apple. And while the dentist might have their heart in the right place, there are not many kids who would be thrilled at the prospect of receiving a piece of fruit. But believe it or not, more and more people are handing out non-candy items each Halloween. So if you are health-conscious, or simply would like to offer a unique treat this Halloween, here is a list of 32 options, including stickers, small toys, or magnets.

Celebrate Halloween with us on DealDash!

This Halloween you don’t have to go door-to-door to get some great treats. Thanks to DealDash, you can have an action-packed Halloween, all from the comfort of your own couch! And if you find yourself getting impatient waiting for the Hallween to begin, why not start the fun early by checking out DealDash’s Spooky Savings promotions, beginning on October 23rd!?

Spooky Savings week is coming soon!

Let’s start with our Spooky Savings. The scary savings start on October 23rd until Halloween day, October 31st. We’ve packed this promotion with extra rewards just for bidding DealDash auctions. During Spooky Savings Week, the Time as Highest Bidder multiplier will be as high as 3X, which means you can progress through the bidder levels and claim free bids quicker than ever.

You can also find special types of auctions to bid in, including SpyBuddy Auctions. These auctions let you reveal what your competition was up to. Every 60 minutes you can reveal all booked bids for one minute. Any bid count of over 500 is displayed as 500+. The list of booked bids does not update after the reveal. Instead, you must wait at least 60 minutes to reveal again.

You will also have the chance to participate in Triple-Booked Auctions. You can only participate in three auctions marked with the Triple-Booked icon simultaneously. However, participating in the Triple-Booked Auctions does not affect the number of regular auctions you can participate in.

get ready for some major halloween fun

Our Spooky Savings promotion ends on Halloween Day, which happens to be a very special day on DealDash! On Halloween, bids will be on sale for just 11 cents each! That is a scary-good deal for everyone. Bidders can also enjoy a 2x Time as Highest Bidder multiplier. On Halloween, October 31st, you will also have the chance to bid in Early Bird Auctions. These are a special type of auction where you can only book bids 10 seconds before the auction starts. So be an Early Bird and see who’s there to get the worm!

No matter what your costume is this year, or what kind of candy is your favorite, we wish you and your family a very safe and happy Halloween! Enjoy our special Spooky Week and Hallowen promotions, and happy bidding!

If you are new to DealDash or the bidding fee online auction model and want to give it a try, use the promo code “FREEBIDS” upon registration to get an extra 100 free bids with your first Bid Pack purchase.

DealDash Can Help You Survive the Dog Days of Summer

It’s the beginning of August which means that we are firmly in the dog days of summer. And before you grab a leash and look for your four-legged friends, the dog days of summer don’t refer to a massive festival honoring man’s best friend. And no, they’re not a campaign to promote responsible pet ownership such as animal adoption and volunteering in local animal shelters (which are great ideas by the way!). In fact, the dog days of summer don’t have much to do with dogs at all!

What are the dog days of summer?

The dog days of summer refer to a period of time that spans from July until mid-August. The term is named after Sirius, the Dog Star because this star rises in the night sky and becomes visible during the dog dys of summer. However, the real meaning of the dog days of summer is to refer to the long hot and sometimes boring days of summer that seem to drag on and on. This is the time of year where many Americans are battling with extreme heat.

A dog rests in a pool to cool off during the dog days of summer.

And while summer is thought of to be a happy time filled with family and great holiday celebrations, the dog days of summer are generally thought of as something to survive, not enjoy.

If you still have your doubts about the dog days of summer being a challenge, don’t take our word for it. Just listen to this song by rock band Florence and the Machine, titled Dog Days Are Over. The catchy tune, which has been played over 185 million times on YouTube, celebrates the light at the end of the tunnel that appears once the dog days are over.

So now that you know all about the dog days, what should you do to pass this hot, long and sometimes boring stretch of time? Thankfully, DealDash can help!

Hit the Road with this summer sale

One popular strategy to pass the dog days of summer is to hit the road. America has over 160,000 miles of road in its National Highway System, and many folks love to take a roadtrip during the summer. Some of the most famous stretches of American road include the iconic Route 66 which stretches from California to Chicago, and the Great River Road, which connects Minnesota to Louisiana. Don’t fret if you don’t feel like driving. Because DealDash’s Hit the Road Sale is happening right now!

A sale banner on DealDash advertises the Hit the Road Sale.

DealDash’s Hit the Road Sale gives you the chance to buy cheap bids, bid on items like cars, summer hats, and sports memorabilia, and enjoy exciting DealDash auctions with special twists, like our Leaderboard Auctions. Some auctions will also include a varying No Jumper Limit. This means that the cutoff to join an auction might be lower. Remember, a lower No Jumper limit often means less competition, so be on the lookout this week during the Hit the Road Sale.

It’s never too early for a back to school sale

The dog days of summer last until mid-August. After that (to the delight of parents and to the dispair of children everywhere) it’s time to prepare for school to start again. You can tell that summer is coming to an end when you see back to school sales popping up online and around town. Back to school sales generally focus on school supplies and clothing – two key needs for kids beginning a new academic year. Here at DealDash, we have a back to school sale that will be starting in a few weeks.

Our back to school sale will start on Monday, August 14th. You can expect great DealDash auctions for things ranging from new cars to pickleball sets. And like any DealDash sale, you can enjoy the chance to buy bidpacks on sale, and also benefit from special promotions that give back more to our bidders like increased Time as Highest Bidder multipliers and up to 90% off discounts on select auction wins. This is a back to school sale that both kids and parents will get excited about.

We hope that all of the excitement on DealDash will help you pass the dog days of summer, and happy bidding!

If you are new to DealDash or the bidding fee online auction model and want to give it a try, use the promo code “dealdash2023” upon registration to get an extra 100 free bids with your first Bid Pack purchase.

Don’t Miss Our Independence Day Clearance Event!

The morning after the 4th of July might feel a bit like a letdown. The steaks and hot dogs have been grilled, fireworks have been set off, and you may have even watched a local parade. But now what? With the 4th of July done and gone, the next major holiday for Americans is Labor Day, all the way in September! So now what? Are the dog days of summer here? Was the highlight this 4th of July the world famous Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, where professional eater Joey Chestnut ate more than 60 hot dogs in 10 minutes?

Thankfully, the answer to the above questions is a resounding no! The best part of summer is not over, you still have time to celebrate the 4th of July, and last but certainly not least, you do not have to eat 60 hot dogs like Joey Chestnut did in order to experience some thrills this summer. DealDash has you covered because our Independence Day Clearance Sale is in full swing! Keep reading to find out more about this exciting DealDash event and to also learn about summer celebrations from other parts of the world.

Summer celebrations from around the world

Most Americans have July 4th marked down on their calander, and for good reason; the 4th of July is one of the biggest holidays of the year. Most folks celebrate Independence day by lighting off some fireworks, enjoying picnics or barbecues with friends, or spending some time outdoors.

The vast majority of Americans celebrate the 4th of July, over 85% according to recent surveys, so even if you don’t celebrate the 4th yourself, you don’t have to look far to see some fireworks.

But what about other parts of the world? Each country has different celebrations for important days of the year, and in most places outside of the USA, the 4th of July does not mean a whole lot. For example, what significance does the end of June have to you? For most Americans, the answer is ”not much”, but in Finland the end of June marks the important midsummer celebrations! Finnish Midsummer, known as Juhannus, celebrates the arrival of summer. The midsummer celebrations take place on the summer equinox, so the date can vary.

People gather around bonfires, play games with friends outdoors, and spend time in the beautiful finnish nature. It is very common for folks to travel to the countryside to spend time camping or in summer cabins.

Just about each country in the world has their own summer celebrations, ranging from White Nights in St. Petersburg, Russia, to the Puck Festival in Ireland. If you find yourself traveling during the summer months, do some research and see if there are any unique summer celebrations you can enjoy!

Enjoy Independence Day Clearance from the comfort of your own home

You don’t need to travel to enjoy a great summer celebration. Even though the 4th of July has passed, DealDash is throwing a can’t-miss Independence Day Clearance event right now!

From July 5th through July 10th DealDash is celebrating summer in style. During the Independence Day Clearance Sale, bidders can enjoy a discount on bids (selling for as low as 12 cents each!), increased Time as Highest bidder multipliers, and Runner-up auctions, which award the second-place finishers.

New kinds of auction fun

To make our Independence Day Clearance Sale even more exciting, there are special auction twists for you to enjoy! These auctions have different rules, which open the door to new strategies! Get on DealDash now and look for No Re-Entry Auctions, which only allow bids to be placed using BidBuddy. Once the No Jumper limit is reached, only bidders with a BidBuddy booked (that has not run out) can continue in the auction.

You will also have the chance to spy on your fellow bidder during the Independence Day Clearance Sale with our Spybuddy auctions! Every 60 minutes in auctions marked with the SpyBuddy icon, you can reveal all booked bids for one minute. If the bid count is over 500, then it shows as 500+. The list of booked bids does not update after the reveal; instead, you must wait at least 60 minutes to reveal again. Look for the orange magnifying glass icon for these auctions, and let the best spy win!

We hope that you are able to enjoy some more Independence Day fun, even thought the 4th of July has passed.

Happy bidding, and thanks for being a part of DealDash!

Take Time for This Important Holiday

All around the country, Americans are preparing for Memorial Day, 2023. Some folks will fire up the barbeque and grill with the family, while others will take the long weekend to go to the beach or do some fishing. Many people will also gather the family to sit in the sun and watch a Memorial Day Parade which is a staple in smalltown America. And for those who like a bit more high-octane entertainment, the Indianapolis 500 takes place this Sunday, May 28th.

It is undeniable that Memorial Day brings to mind picnics, parades, and a long weekend. But it is important to remember the significance behind this holiday.

Memorial Day is a time for Americans to take a moment to reflect and pay respect to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It reminds us to be grateful for the freedoms that we enjoy. Perhaps a great plan for a Memorial Day weekend is some relaxing time with friends and family, and also taking part in an activity or an event to honor our military heroes.

A banner states that emorial Day is a time to remember and honor.

The National Moment of Remembrance

There are many family-friendly activities that you can do this Memorial Day that are both fun, and that also are in the spirit of the holiday, which is to honor the men and women who have lost their lives during military service.

One free Memory Day Activity you can participate in is the National Moment of Remembrance. This takes place at 3:00 PM local time, and it asks for Americans to pause and reflect for one minute to remember those who have died in military service to the United States. The specific time of 3:00 PM was selected because it is a time that many people have off of work. The National Moment of Remembrance was introduced in 1996 in response to most people not knowing the significance of Memorial Day. A poll of Americans from that time showed that less than 30% of people knew the true meaning behind Memorial Day. Will you participate in The National Moment of Remembrance this year? It is a simple yet powerful way to show gratitude and feel a sense of patriotism.

A man salutes a fallen soldiers gravesite at dusk.

Fly your flag

Another activity you can do to help celebrate Memorial Day 2023 is to display the flag. Do you have an American flag at home? If so, Memorial Day is the perfect time to display it!

According to a 2020 poll, about half of Americans have an American flag at home. If you own a flag, then you probably know the special rules of how to display it correctly. But just to be sure, let’s have a quick review.

The first thing to consider when flying the flag is orientation. When displaying the flag on a flagpole, the union (the blue field with stars) should be at the peak of the staff, with the stripes flowing downward. When hanging the flag horizontally or vertically against a wall or window, the union should be on the viewer’s left.

The next thing to remember is lighting. If you display the flag at night, you should make sure that the flag is illuminated enough so that it can be easily recognized.

And lastly, make sure to never display a flag that is dirty or damaged.

With these rules in mind, you can help celebrate Memoial Day by displaying your American flag.

One more thing to do on Memorial Day 2023…

After you have enjoyed some Barbeque and taken in a Memorial Day Parade, there is one last thing you should do during the Memorial Day 2023 weekend; get on DealDash and check out our Memorial Day Sale. This Monday, May 29th, DealDash will be selling bids for just 11 cents each.

If discount bids are not enough to get you online and in our auctions this weekend, how about some Leaderboard Auctions? DealDash’s Leaderboard Auctions award bids to the top bidders that accumulated the most time as highest bidder in that specific auction. It is a great way to earn some free bids, simply by bidding as you normally would!

We also will be giving all bidders a Time As Highest Bidder multiplier of 3X this Monday, so don’t miss out!

We hope that you enjoy a nice Memorial Weekend full of family time, and rememerance for those who have served.

Thank you for being a part of DealDash and happy bidding!

It’s an Egg-selent Time of Year

This week marks the start of a great time of year: Easter and the beginning of Spring! Days are getting longer, tempratures across the country are rising, and folks are preparing for Easter.

Easter, also known as Resurrection Sunday, is a holiday celebrated by Chistians around the world that marks the ressurection of Jesus. Apart from being an important religious holiday, it’s an important family holiday, too. Many Americans have family traditions that they take part in to celebrate. For example, do you remember waiting in line at the mall to meet the Easter Bunny? How about hunting for Easter Eggs with your friends or cousins at a large family gathering? Easter has become such a popular holiday, that now many non-Christians love celebrating the day by partaking in child-friendly activities like painting Easter eggs, hunting for Easter eggs, or gathering the family together to eat a nice meal of traditional Easter food, like turkey or lamb.

A oman holds a handful of colorful Easter eggs.

Dress the part and celebrate on DealDash

Easter is not just a holiday that has traditional activities; there are traditional Easter outfits, too! Many folks remember their parents or grandparents forcing them to wear bright pastel-colored jumpers or shirts. And some, especially those from the south, know all about the importance of the Easter Dress. Way back when, traditional Easter clothing consited of white linen robes, which sybbolized the rebirth of Christ. But over time, the white robes slowly changed into pink shirts and pastel-blue shirts. More casual Easter clothing now can be just about any piece of clothing that features the Easter Bunny.

Here at DealDash, we are ready to celebrate Easter, too! And while we will not be organizing any egg painting contests or hosting a meet-and-greet with the Easter Bunny, we will be offering an action-packed weekend of auctions and promotions that saavy shoppers will love! So put down the Easter Eggs and chocolate for now, and jump on DealDash to celebrate Easter with us!

Easter Eggstravaganza

This weekend we are celebrating with our Easter Eggstravaganza event.

In addition to the great brands and exciting auctions that you already love, we are offering an increased Time as Highest Bidder Multiplier, and auction twists like Leaderboard Auctions, Runner-Up discounts, and 50% or more on the final sales price of select auctions.

If that isn’t reason enough to celebrate Easter with us, this Sunday bids will be on sale for 11 cents each.

No matter how you choose to celeberate Easter, we hope you have a great weekend, filled with family, some Easter eggs, and plenty of chocolate.

Happy bidding!