It sounds like a guy who is not familiar with the "world of quilting". Just speaking from experience with the guys I know, they may not care for pinks, but they do like brights. I don't want to seem rude, but I think the colors you show are too dull to catch someone's eye in an auction. The mountain peaks pattern is really great and I might try out some deep blues, greens, maybe some white for contrast. It is very generous of you to offer a quilt for the fundraiser!