Auction Tips

[Katalyst]

So its my first auction or will be next month. I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas, and in an effort not to drive Pam crazy I'm wondering a few things.

- Do you guys have auction strategies? If so lets hear em!
Other then strongarming people in the parking lot for their fish:yes: Allthough for a few zebra pleco's I might do it. Be forwarned people! :laugh:

I was told by someone to wait until the very end and then they get tons of good deals. But what if all the fish you want are gone? Yep I'm a nervous Nelly.

[Melody]

Great thread idea! I'm sure there are lotsa seasoned pro's out there.

Go early, really early, as in whenever they'll let you through those doors, be there. Then look everything over & take notes. Be sure to note that there are three bags of those Guppies and tick them off as they're sold - the last one will be cheaper as a rule. Look at their health and how they're bagged - they might not be so healthy by the end of the day if they have an inch of oxygen.

Bring a species book if you can. Then you can check to see if that Halfbeak Livebearer will eat your Guppies or is too big for your tank.

Bring cash - many auctions will only take cash. Its good because as you win, you can put that cash in another part of your wallet and track what you're spending. This will prevent you running out of money before the fish you really, really, REALLY wanted even hits the block.

Know your limit and play within it - this goes for both how much you'll bid for an item, which should be in the aforementioned notes if possible, and how much you'll spend at the auction overall.

Don't get too caught up in it. Have fun but follow a plan of action. Take stock of how much room you have at home, etc.

Prepare a few quarantine tanks and have them set up before you go.

Bring stuff to sell so you can fund some purchases. You will probably have to be a member to sell though. Most club websites have guidelines for sellers.

That's about all I can think of for now. :smile:

[KnaveTO]

With any auction you need set-up what your personal parameters are. First off I will not repeat what Melody said but I weill add to it.

- Bring pen and paper (a must!)
- create a list of the items you are interested in bidding for
- for each of those items figure out how high you are willing to bid
- watch who is also looking at the items you are interested and see how they are bidding.
- don't be the first to bid
- don't get into a bidding war (you will loose one way or the other)
- if you loose a bid on a particularily nice fish remember the person and approach them later, compliment them on their taste in fish and ask them if they plan to breed them, if so ask if you could maintain contact as you would be interested in the offspring.
- if it is a silent auction remember to check your bids every 30min or so.
- have enough cash on you to cover all your maximum limits for bids.

Hope these help

[CACAdmin]

I have only been to two auctions so am just learning but I will say all the tips given so far are excellent.

Also, you will likely be there for several hours... the temps in the fishbags will drop. Bring a cooler (or insulated box) to keep your purchases in (to maintain the temp and the darkness will also keep the fish calmer... less stressful for them).

And most of all, have fun! :smile:

[blainep]

Something to note as well, check the auction order as well. Most auctions are done by table or lot number.
Most auctions you can bump an item to have it auctioned earlier than it normally would be. Might seem like giving away your stratagy, but it beats waiting 6 or 7 hours for an item to come up.

Did that at my first auction, waited all day for the one item I was after. For $2.00, I could have had it bumped to the front of the line, had it home and acclimated before it would have come up for bid.

Can save some time and prevent a bad case of soruss assuss.

[CACAdmin]

Thanks Blaine. I had no idea you could do that at some auctions. Of course, I guess you could bump it up and still not win... a chance you would have to take.

[blainep]

It's a good way to prioritize. If you come across something that's coming home with you, get it out of the way, then see what you have left to bid on other items that are of interest to you.

Try to take a truck or van with you as well, the first auction I went to had a beautiful oak stand, canopy, tank, sump and all the plumbing and pumps go for about $60.00 simply because it was to big to fit into a car !

[CACAdmin]

I'll bet there were lots of people kicking themselves that they had no way to get it home!

[Katalyst]

I'll bet there were lots of people kicking themselves that they had no way to get it home!

If there's a news report about some lunatic sitting on the hood of a car with a giant aquarium going 5 miles an hour on the 401, bet anyone its me. :yes:

Blaine I feel like a blockhead asking but, I'm wondering what you mean by bumping an item?

[Pamelajo]

Not Blaine but I think this is what it means. Say on table Z there is something you want. They won't auction that off until the very end. You can have them move it up so you don't have to wait all day.

[blainep]

Yup, it means getting the item you want auctioned right away, instead of waiting until it comes up to the auctioneer in whatever order it was going to be auctioned.

[Pamelajo]

Note book already in purse. Money have to work on that. I already have big cooler box so another item off the list. I can't believe it is only two weeks away this weekend.

[traco1]

Very comfortable shoes a must, I'm thinking. And twice as money! lol

[Zebrapl3co]

Lot's of good tips given here.
I just have one or two things to add.
- Bring your own extra bags. If you have Kordon breathing bags, I'd replace them as soon as I get the fish in my hands. This will allow you to be there all day without worrying that you fish might die on you.
- Buy 1 or 2 packs of heat packs. This will solve your cold problem.
- if possible bring as many cooler or styre foam box as you can. I managed to over fill mine every time ... and driving home at night worrying that some of your fish might fall out of the cooler isn't exactly a good way to go home.
- I even brought a bag of chlorinated water just incase too.

As for bumping, you are allow to bump an item from the last table to the front, but you have to pay $1 (usually) to get it bumped. It's not a very effective strategy as you've just anounced to every one that you are eager to get it. It just makes you a perfect target for a bidding war and that's what you want to stay away from to get a good deal.

Wish I can go. But I am saving up for the one in Brampton.

Good luck,
Peter

[KnaveTO]

Brampton Auction? When is that?

[Melody]

November 10th (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=118&day=2007-11-10)

[Katalyst]

Since the season is approaching I thought I'd :bump-5: this up again. After my experiences last year I have this to add.

BRING A BUCKET THAT HAS A LID! I bought a royal pleco last year that within minutes of being handed to me proceeded to bite through the bag. I rebagged him and within minutes another huge hole, this happened 4 more times. Him biting through bags got old quick and scared the heck outta me, luckily someone gave me a bucket. Extra bags and dechlorinated water as previously mentioned are must haves as well.

[OldMan]

Look over all the tables before the auction. The first few will command the highest prices so if you like a particular type of fish that a particular vendor has, see if they are also selling the same fish on the 5th or 6th table. The final sale price on that table could easily be only half as much as the same thing on the first table. I have seen references to styro coolers but I filled up the family camping ice chest with fish and plant bags last time. Before I caught on, I filled a couple of 10 gallon aquariums that I bought with fish bags. It let the bags keep each other at a more constant temperature until I got home. The advice about bringing a fish reference book is a great one. It could save you from my worst mistake. I often think I know what fish I bid on really need. When I get home I find the one fact that might have kept me from bidding.
When you are actually bidding, remember which of your tanks each fish will go into. If you don't know, it is time to let someone else win that fish and wait for one that has a place to go in your tanks.
There is no such thing as too many plants and they usually go quite cheap. You do need to know light requirements or will end up with some that just won't make it but for the ones you know, there is always room for one more. If you are into plants, be careful bidding on tanks with lights. Lots of older light strips are the kind where you need to hold the button down to start a fluorescent. That kind will not work on a timer.

[Melody]

That kind also likes to stick, which I've found out the hard way two hoods later :mad: .

Good idea on the bump! I'll look forward to hearing about all the scores this Fall.:yes:

[Katalyst]

This community has such awesome fish keepers that I'm more then likely not speaking to anyone on this forum but here goes.....

Please please please do not manhandle other people's fish! Last year I witnessed both children & adults yanking bags off tables swinging, poking and prodding at the bags. Bags were put down very abruptly which in most cases caused the bag or another bag on the table to fall onto a very hard floor. I'm sure this accounted for many a leaky bag, tremendous stress and in some cases death. Please treat other people's fish (property) with the same respect you would treat yours.

[Lisachromis]

I cringe when I see that too. It's not so bad when it's plants, but I've seen bags break open. :no:


The other thing that gets me, is how open many auctions are. If you're a dishonest person, you could walk off with a fair few bags of nice fish before anyone notices. We've had that at our auctions and it's made us change how we do things.

First... when you come to sell at our auction, your list of items are checked off against your items. That way we know everything you say is there, is really there.

Second.... we have time before the auction to go through the items. Once the auction proper is running, no one is allowed back by the bags except for SAS members who are working the auction.

Ever since we instituted this practice we've had no reports of thefts or missing items.

Of course, I do have a few pet peeves at auctions....

1) Improper bagging! I don't know how many bags we've had to redo with people thinking the fish needs mainly water! (Guess who rebags at our auctions!?)

2) People who talk too loudly during the auction. Ever notice the noise level slowly goes up at auctions, until the auctioneer has to tell people to quieten down so people can hear him?

[Katalyst]

I cringe when I see that too. It's not so bad when it's plants, but I've seen bags break open. :no:


The other thing that gets me, is how open many auctions are. If you're a dishonest person, you could walk off with a fair few bags of nice fish before anyone notices. We've had that at our auctions and it's made us change how we do things.

First... when you come to sell at our auction, your list of items are checked off against your items. That way we know everything you say is there, is really there.

Second.... we have time before the auction to go through the items. Once the auction proper is running, no one is allowed back by the bags except for SAS members who are working the auction.

Ever since we instituted this practice we've had no reports of thefts or missing items.

Of course, I do have a few pet peeves at auctions....

1) Improper bagging! I don't know how many bags we've had to redo with people thinking the fish needs mainly water! (Guess who rebags at our auctions!?)

2) People who talk too loudly during the auction. Ever notice the noise level slowly goes up at auctions, until the auctioneer has to tell people to quieten down so people can hear him?

I was hoping to see you there, last year I think we waved at one another at London lol.

Actually taking account for the bags against the list would really be helpful. Last year I watched as the first table full of bags tipped! I sat right near the tables last year, I don't think I'll be doing that again. It was stressful to watch & I ended up giving a few people earfuls.

I offended someone last year who kept tapping my shoulder to chat when I finally said, I'd love to chat but I'm really trying to pay attention to what's going on.

[Melody]

That's all pretty much common sense & common consideration.... not to mention manners. If they haven't learned that stuff by now, chances are they aren't going to. Maybe we need a 'Lovely to look at, nice to hold, but if you damage it, consider it sold' sign... along with an 'adults only' rule when it comes to handling auction items. Or maybe we need a couple of people manning the tables who aren't afraid to be firm with people. :FishOnDaHead:

I can't remember if I mentioned this before or not, but something I do is tape a small info card on the fish bag (completely cover the card with packing tape so it doesn't get wet and place near the top so the view of the fish isn't blocked). I note things that people should know before they buy, like special requirements, aggression level, size, temp's, plant-eater or non-plant-eater, endangered/threatened, invasive, etc.

Don't forget to donate creatures to the club when you can! Those auctions often go higher as people are trying to support the club so they can be a lot of fun.

[Pamelajo]

Good point with the info card. I used to attach the care sheet and food to my snails when I had them at the auction.

[Katalyst]

After the first two auctions last year I wisened up & did lablels that included common name, scientific name, tank params & food requirements. Most of the auctions are all 2 hours away from me so writing names on bags at 5 am after bagging for 2 hours gets old fast. Great idea Mel!

[CACAdmin]

With all the fall auctions coming up, I figured some of these tips might come in handy for newbies at aquatic auctions and as reminders for the rest of us. Also, it will give others a chance to add some handy tips to the list.
:bump-5:

[Pamelajo]

Not just for the newbies, Jay. I is a reminder for us that have been here for awhile, and have forgotten some of the tips.

[CACAdmin]

We all forget some things... especially what to bring (first auction of the year is like the first camping trip of the year... you always forget something. :laugh: )

[fishclubgirl]

Someone at my aquarium club mentioned that a "runner" gets a good chance to see all the items so I've done that for years. Also lets me see what things are going for too and "talk" up some items. Prevents "sorusess assessus" too. Also I arrange some private sales for that day.Also I donate items to the library of items I have way too much off and that aren't worth much. I have so much fun at the auctions and can't wait until the next one!!

[OldMan]

Great timing for the thread to be brought back up. My first fall auction is this coming Saturday. As always, I will be looking for wild type livebearers and I will have a few goodeids to sell too. As Fishclubgirl mentioned, the runners always get the best view of the fish and can spot the really good buys. Unfortunately that means you need lots of empty tank space when you get home because the really good looking fish will be with you.

[CACAdmin]

Here's an idea which I spotted at the VAHC auction yesterday. Someone was selling coral frags. Small frags don't look like much in the bag, so the seller put pictures on the bags of what they will look like when they get bigger.

I was thinking that this is also a good idea when selling immature fish (fry or juvies) as they often don't color up or get their adult finnage until much later. People are often not inspired to buy what looks like a plain grey fish... but show them a picture of an adult and they'll realize the potential of these fish you're selling.

[OldMan]

Don't encourage that kind of thing Jay, it sold me too many nice fish at the ALA convention this year. I really like the fish that I got but probably paid more than I would have otherwise.
You would not believe the impact it can have when I am looking through the offerings on a table. There is a little nondescript gray fish with a posted picture of an adult Brachyrhaphis roseni on the package with the nice reddish dorsal and the sharp looking stripe running down across the body and extending along the leading edge of the anal fin. In several forums, I now use my own picture of one of my females as my avatar.

[T Dawg]

Know what you want is worth, and what it is worth to you.
Have a good breakfast.
Plan funds to buy a snack and drinks.