Our COAST auctions provide a unique platform for our members to offer their surplus stock as well as bid on the surplus of others. Auction item donations give the club the ability to help pay the overhead costs of our organization. All donations are greatly appreciated
Auction Files:
Things move quickly during the auction, so…
- Please refrain from holding loud conversations in the meeting room during the auction.
- Please keep the area in front of the Auction and Registration tables clear (unless you are conducting business). It will delay the runners and block the chairpersons ability enjoy and participate in the Auction.
How to Buy at Auction
- Bring a bag or bucket to transport any fish you purchase
- Bring a Styrofoam box or cooler to transport any fish if the weather is very hot or cold.
- Arrive by 12:00 pm to preview items up for auction.
- If you are already a COAST member pick up your yellow member card from the Auction Registration table,
- IF you don’t see your card IT might just be out of sequence OR your membership has expired.
- IF so then check with the Membership Registration Table and renew your membership.
- Non-members need to sign-up as a guest and be assigned a WHITE Auction card.
- When bidding hold your card up so the auctioneer can see you!
- Bidding increments are at the discretion of the Auctioneer and will not be less than $1 each
- The winning bidder is determined by the Auctioneer when the word “sold” is said
- A runner will bring your items you won with a slip to initial. Check that you got the correct item, check the price, lot #, and MOST importantly your member # and then initial the slip.
- Pay when the auction is over.
- Members can pay by personal check or cash. Guests must pay with cash.
How to Sell at Auction
- You must be a dues-paid COAST member to be able participate in the auction.
- If not you may join the club before the auction begins and become a paid member..
- Sellers will receive 80%, the club receives 20% which helps pay for the room etc.
- Please do not bring sick, damaged, or illegal fish and plants.
- Try and arrive early and distribute your items on the tables so as not to delay the start of the meeting.
- Sellers should always double-bag their fish and shy away from using Ziploc type bags as
- Leaking bags have been a problem in the past.
- Bag adult males separately from females
- Separate territorial or aggressive fish from each other to help minimize damage or death.
- Individual bags can be taped together to be sold as pairs or groups.
- Do not feed your fish the night before.
- Bag fish in clean water with a ratio of 1/3 water to 2/3 air.
- Please bag fish at home.
- Plants may be single bagged and do not need to be submersed in water.
- Fill out the Auction Form BEFORE you arrive and or the fish etc.
- PLEASE don’t sell any NON fish related items. I.E. Seeds, Fruit, Plants etc. with the exception of Pothos etc. since they can help filter the aquarium or be used in terrarium/paludariums
- Number all your bags of fish and other items for sale with your member number, followed by a dash and the item number, starting with 1.
- Each bag should have the above information as well as the name of plant or fish species plus the sex IF known, and quantity. (Don’t make the auctioneer have to count for you which just slows down the overall process)
- For ease in doing so try downloading the Auction forms from the clubs website or a simple Sharpie will also suffice,
- The interactive form is particularly useful as it also allows printing the auction summary page as well.
- Hand in your Auction Form at the Auction registration table NOT Membership.
- Find a clear spot on an auction table and set them up neatly for ease of viewing.
- At the end of the auction, collect your 80% share of the auction price in cash.
- Your purchases will be deducted from your sales balance.
