While this may be a bit off topic for a LFS blog, I have some tips to share, and ultimately my goal is to be of some assistance to those who may be interested. The Colorado Aquarium Society has two big auctions per year, the Spring and Fall Auctions. Typically, they have about 150-200 attendees with about 1000 items for sale or auction. When you register using MyFishAuction.com you can check what has been posted so far. You can even check without registering, click Live at the top, view all items, and select the auction.
The quicksale is like a yard sale, where members list items for sale and anyone with a bidder number can purchase. Starting at noon the prices drop by increments listed in the auction rules, down to 50% off by 3pm. Sellers can remove their items any time if they don’t want to sell for that discount. My suggestion here is mark your items with the discount in mind, if it sells early, great, if not, you still get what you wanted. There is the risk of it not selling at all though and in this case the CAS gets it and you get nothing. So, if you follow this strategy, be sure to reclaim your item before the end of the auction. The other approach is to price your items to sell quickly like in a yard sale. Plants are in high demand usually, as are nice equipment, live foods, and hardscape with low prices. Tanks go dirt cheap; I would never sell my aquariums here unless I was willing to give them away. Speaking of giving things away, any item can be marked as a donation to CAS. This event is their fund raiser, so it is good to remember we are here to help our fellow aquarists and keep our hobby going. Old used items that are worn or dirty will not sell for much, but some do sell. All items are as is and if you ask the item can be plugged in to see that it works. This year the quicksale area will be on the patio outside the auction area, making more room inside for the auction. All items will be checked at the desk before you can exit. Proof of ownership or bidder number will be required. The way it works is you check your quicksale items at the desk each time you leave the area. The item is added to your bidder # and you pay only when you are ready to leave the auction. Returning to the auction requires that you get a new bidder # once you have checked out. There will be signs on the quicksale tables listing the discount times, so you can schedule your purchases. There will be no taking items without adding them to your bidder # as has occurred in the past. If you don’t intend to purchase an item, then please do not pick it up. Looking at the item is encouraged, just not walking away with it.
The main auction will be in the front NW room of Bethany Lutheran Church, registration is required for all sellers and bidders. It is highly encouraged to have this done in advance. There will be a few people to help with those who need it at the check in desk. Have your password, alias, and bidder number with you. Arrive early to view the items you are interested in and take notes on the back of your bidder card. There will be 10 tables of auction items, tables 0-9. Items are placed on the tables by the last number of the item number. So for example, item XYZ – 06 will be on table 6, Item ABC – 44 will be on table 4. The first 3 letters are the alias and the number is the item number in the order the items are input to the computer when the seller lists them. Please do not move items from the table where they are placed. They auction only the most desirable items which includes fish, live invertebrates, coral, and plants with roots, in a pot, or on driftwood/rock. There is a list in the auction rules as to which plants belong on the quicksale table and which can be put in the auction. If in doubt just ask someone at the desk or a BOD member. I usually work at the quicksale and will happily assist. Several years ago, when I was President, I assisted on the updating of the auction rules. Though, I am no longer on the BOD, I volunteer when I can.
Back to tips for the auction. If you need to go and the item you want hasn't come up, you can take it to the front and give it to the person behind the table arranging the items for auction. There is a $2 fee for moving items up. The other thing to notice is the tables are auctioned off randomly by the entire table. So, table 5 may go first and then 2, 7, etc. in no particular order. This is done to keep you at the auction. The other thing which is especially relevant this year to keep us around till the end is the raffle. This year they got MC Aquatics, which will soon be opening a new LFS in Englewood, to donate some really nice tanks and equipment. I will be posting about them once I get the full story. The next tip is to bring your children and have them volunteer to be a runner. When an item is sold, someone will bring the item to you so you can add it to your collection. If you plan on buying fish, I recommend bringing a cooler, bucket with a lid, or a nice tote bag, so your fish will have a safe place to wait till you are done. Remember that when fish are shipped either to the wholesaler or to a retail store they go for several days in a bag. So, keeping your fish till the end of the auction is not a big deal. On this topic though, I recommend reading the bagging guide on the CAS auction website page. All fish are to be double bagged. Plants need not have much water, but if they do, please double bag. If you don’t have bags and wish to sell, go visit your LFS and have them sell you some. Don’t forget the rubber bands, as they are very hard to find in regular stores. The bagging station at the auction is a backup only for those who did not bag their fish correctly or if a bag leaks. During the auction if you bid on items be sure to hold your bidder # high so it can be seen. Carry your bidder # with you just in case you wish to get a quicksale item or see an auction item you want come up while on the way to the restroom or whatever. There will be food for sale at very reasonable prices all during the auction. I am not sure what it will be this year, though it usually is very good and very cheap. I will not go over all the auction rules as this blog is already a bit long. Please read the auction rules before attending the auction. If you need help with anything, just ask. Use the CAS website contact page or the one on this blog.
Sequoia Elisabeth
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