What is your auction routine?

[Flareside]

Lets get everyone anticipating a great time on April 4th!
If any of the members here are on the fence about going to the East Coast Cichlids auction, and are close enough to attend- My advice is to go! I am a bit too far away unfortunately.

What is your preauction routine?

What is your plan once you arrive?

How many of you guys have been like me-once you get home you are up til after midnight finding a place for all the fish you bought, setting up more tanks, moving fish around so that everything "fits"?


My preauction routine is to fast whatever fish I am taking- about 3 days prior to auction day, get the coolers ready (I like coolers better than styros- easier to carry a heavy load because they have handles, are stackable on the way home, can serve as a seat if you miss it on a chair, can hold more weight etc..), bring some bag buddies in case you end up with the winning bid and the fish you won are struggling for oxygen, extra bags. Clipboard to write down what lot numbers I want to bid on and a description.
Wake up bright and early, bag your fish that you are taking, add bag buddies, double bag them, and hit the road early etc...

Plan once I arrive
Get signed in, unload coolers fish, cooler and jackets go on some "Pole Position" seats, start viewing the lots and taking down lot numbers that I want. Go hang out with friends, check out what Ken has for food and specials. Once the auction starts- have a great time and usually impulse buy.

Never fails, when I get home after a long day, I am up late moving fish around, setting up tanks, dividing up fish with my buddy Mark...
Anybody else have a spouse that thinks you are wacked?

Again- if you guys are close enough to attend this auction April 4th and you have never been to an auction- definitely check it out. And while you are there, try and pick up a few more tanks, you will need them because auctions and the hobby become addictive.

Bill, Tom...Make sure you post some pics for us non-locals who couldnt make it

[YoungAquaticPhotos]

I will have plenty of pics for you to look at!
Ed

[fischfan13]

Absolutely EXCELLENT post!
My advice to everyone, read this at least twice.

Thanks, FS.

[Flareside]

Make sure you post away Ed!


Yup, its official...Im jealous. I sit back here in CT and drool over what all you guys here have. Auctions in my area are ok, but mostly common africans wind up in auctions around me.

Rhode Island auction sometimes has some cool stuff. I grabbed some sand sifters one year and some cyps, but usually kind of blah stuff.

So whats everyone do to prep for auction day?

[AlishanAS]

Where in CT do you live Flareside?

My wife is from Milford and I lived in Storrs for two years while she was in UCONN grad school.

[Flareside]

I live pretty much on the Massachusetts line 3 minutes from Springfield.
Im right near Enfield

[AlishanAS]

OK. I used to haul up there for the PVAS auction every year. But they moved it further north. Oh well.

[Obi]

What do you mean you live too far away?
I'll be there and it's a 3 1/2 hour drive. It looks to be less than 2 1/2 hours for you. I went to the OCA in Ohio last Fall - 6 hours of driving each way. If you really want to go, driving time is not a deterrent.

To answer your question though,
48 hours before the auction I start fasting the fish I am bringing and check to make sure I have sufficient bagging supplies. If not, it's a trip to the LFS to get some bags. The day before, I hit the ATM for cash for not only fish, but also lunch and caves/fish food from the vendors. I get up 2 hours before departure time the morning of the auction to catch, bag, and label fish. When they're all packed in the styro, I hit the road.

Once there, parking is the immediate issue. You may want to drop your fish off near the entrance while you find a parking place as parking is limited around the Wallington auction site and you may end up parking way down the street. After that, registration. Make sure you pre-register because it goes so much more quickly and smoother if you do, not to mention the better split. After my fish are all taken care of, then I can relax and view what's on the tables. I am really bad about writing down lot numbers, but I'm trying to do better with that.

After the auction, I usually stop for supper on the way back, then am up late acclimating the new fish.

[TOMMYN3D]

I live pretty much on the Massachusetts line 3 minutes from Springfield.
Im right near Enfield

I used to live in Bloomfield,CT years ago and traveled to Springfield,MA to work. So i know were your at, thats a 3hour drive to were the auction is. I used to travel back and forth every month to Jersey to visit family and friends.
Dont worry Flareside and others that cant make it im sure Tom and Bill are gonna post some great pics.Im lucky i only live 45 min. from the auction now:partay:.
My routine is to have a bottle of water gatorade ready in the fridge snacks and the cooler for fish next to the back door. I never sold fish at the auction before ,but i might bring some this time to make room for something new.
Its over a month from now and im already looking foreward to E.C.C. first auction TOMMY

[Artie]

Absolutely EXCELLENT post!
My advice to everyone, read this at least twice.

Thanks, FS.

I don't need to. I know it by heart & practice what the man preaches !!!!!!!!
:love::love: Actually just got back from the Norwalk auction !!!!!!! Hardly any africans!!!!!!!!! :grhair:

[Flareside]

Artie, thats only a little over an hour's drive for me...but I had a hunch that their club was primarily tropical community so I didnt really even give a thought to check it out.

I think its 3 hours 20 minutes or so to drive one way to your auction. So a round trip ride of 7 hours...hmm... I really would like to try and make it

[AlishanAS]

Maybe the Joe Jaskot Hotel will be open for businees for the weary auction goer.....:)

[Lostlilkidd]

im on the fence about going, not really sure what to expect

[fischfan13]

im on the fence about going, not really sure what to expect

I can understand.
Usually we have the initiation of new members and this is followed by the mulm swallowing competition. We then split the room up in alphabetical order, asking anyone who has a first or last name beginning in a vowel to please clean the toilets in the mens room.
Like I said originally, everyone who looks at this thread should read the first post over and over again, Flareside hit the nail on the head.
On the fence?
Puhleeeeeease...

[fischfan13]

What do you mean you live too far away?
I'll be there and it's a 3 1/2 hour drive. It looks to be less than 2 1/2 hours for you. I went to the OCA in Ohio last Fall - 6 hours of driving each way. If you really want to go, driving time is not a deterrent.

To answer your question though,
48 hours before the auction I start fasting the fish I am bringing and check to make sure I have sufficient bagging supplies. If not, it's a trip to the LFS to get some bags. The day before, I hit the ATM for cash for not only fish, but also lunch and caves/fish food from the vendors. I get up 2 hours before departure time the morning of the auction to catch, bag, and label fish. When they're all packed in the styro, I hit the road.

Once there, parking is the immediate issue. You may want to drop your fish off near the entrance while you find a parking place as parking is limited around the Wallington auction site and you may end up parking way down the street. After that, registration. Make sure you pre-register because it goes so much more quickly and smoother if you do, not to mention the better split. After my fish are all taken care of, then I can relax and view what's on the tables. I am really bad about writing down lot numbers, but I'm trying to do better with that.

After the auction, I usually stop for supper on the way back, then am up late acclimating the new fish.

Wow, Obi I missed this post.
More great advice!!!
Everyone please read what Obi said...
Make sure you pre-register because it goes so much more quickly and smoother if you do, not to mention the better split.
Thanks.

[Lostlilkidd]

im just unclear as to what happens, and what is available at the auction. is it just private venders with available fish, supplies, etc.
geez

[EMTBMIKE]

I think auctions and swap meets really hold this hobby together. Nothing is better than being able to put a face to someones name. There is usually a good amount of fish at auctions. Most of the fish come from members of the forum and donations from retailers. If you are looking for something specific let everyone know. Someone might have it or a retailer might donate it.

[AlishanAS]

im just unclear as to what happens, and what is available at the auction. is it just private venders with available fish, supplies, etc.
geez

Lost - please read the auction rules sticky. That should help explain things.

http://forums.eastcoastcichlids.org/showthread.php?t=554

It's open to the public. There will be a couple of vendors selling pleco/cichlid caves and fish food.
Members will be there to place their fish in the auction and to bid on other people's fish. There will be dry goods from various manufacturers/members.
There will be a few raffles.
Food will be available through the K of C kitchen.
Our auctioneer will be Kevin Carr. He's worth the price of admission(bidder card).

[fischfan13]

http://forums.eastcoastcichlids.org/forumdisplay.php?f=4

[Lostlilkidd]

Thanks for the info!

[Flareside]

Lost-
If I can give you any advice or clarification as to what to expect, I will try my best. Remember I am not simply blowing hot air trying to hype up this auction- I am not affiliated with this board other than being a regular member- same as you. The staff of this board is experienced and professional, This is going to be a great time- just look at what kinds of fish these guys have!

When you get to any decent fish auction, you are quite literally going to sh*t your pants- sorry for being blunt.
Get there early....here is what to expect
1. Bring an empty cooler, empty bags, bag buddies etc...
2. Bring a clip board, pad and pen- you use this to write down lot numbers of bags of fish that you want to bid on.
3. You walk in the door and sign in. This is where you will receive your bidding card with a number- that number is now registered to you. Keep it with you at all times.
4.) Put your coat and cooler on one of the seats to save it for when the auction begins.
5.) Bring your clip board, pen, and paper with you to view the bags of fish.
I like to write down the lot number (to bid on later) the number of fish in the bag, approx size, any notes like 1m/2females, or breeding group, Wild etc...
6.) After you have a sizable list of fish that you want to bid on, take a walk around and see what the vendors have for sale. I typically find myself browsing Ken's table for cheap things like nets, food etc...
7.) Chat with people, making friends and networking between buddies, you can get access to a huge assortment of fish. Somebody is always willing to swap you, or give you some fry, etc...
8.) When the auction begins, pay attention. Listen for the lot number that you wrote on your pad. Now the fun begins, show your bidding card if you want the fish or tank for the auctioneer's said price. This is where the fun begins- I will say no more- you will experience this.
9.) And probably most importantly be conscious of where your bidding card is and what is being done with it. No matter how sexy Artie's legs are- DO NOT WAVE TO HIM WITH THE HAND THAT IS HOLDING THE BIDDING CARD- you may wind up accidentally making the high bid and becoming the proud daddy of that breeding pair of convicts that the auctioneer is currently auctioning off.

After the day is over, the excitement doesnt go away. You only want to experience it again. All the new fish- damn, you got 8 demasoni for only $22, or the steal you got on that 55 gallon tank for only $25 etc...

Auctions feed the addiction like nothing else.

[Lostlilkidd]

Thanks for the details!!!
I get the feeling im going to want to upgrade my tank soon.

It wouldve been a bust for me if I went, saw all these great fish, and wasnt able to get any!

My fault... didnt want to derail the thread.

[Flareside]

so grab a tank while youre there. Lots of people do it.
Lat year at an auction I snagged a 45 hex, pine stand, canopy and light for only $24. Total impulse buy

Its in my daughters room

[mk_ultra]

my routine? I usually am out drinking the night before with Imperialfish and one of my brothers.:1devil:

[AlishanAS]

So you'll be drinking on April 3 then Dave? I know, it's a Friday night anyway, dumb question.

But if you want your atterimus back......

[fischfan13]

Less than a month away.
Anyone else like to share some of their auction advice?

[joe_jaskot]

Less than a month away.
Anyone else like to share some of their auction advice?

If you outbid me on something I want, you will end up paying more than it is worth. I love auctions. Try not to get caught up in the bidding. I have seen many items sold for more than you can buy them for in a store or on line. And finally, money - bring lots it don't go bad. LOL!

[Mark]

PATIENCE,,,,,,,,,thats the most important thing you need to have at some auctions.

How many of us have sat for hours for this one particular item, only to see that most of the others are doing the same thing? Then ending up paying more than you originally wanted to!!!!! Unless of course you pay a price to "bump" that bag/item up????

One thing Flareside forgot to mention,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,those stinkbombs to clear out the room. :shocked: Talk about bidding by yourself for a while.
LMAO


Mark

[fischfan13]

The last several auctions that I worked I have only bought dry goods. While at the last NJAS auction in November I was outbid on every dry goods item that I bid on...that's not going to happen on April 4th!

[AlishanAS]

The last several auctions that I worked I have only bought dry goods. While at the last NJAS auction in November I was outbid on every dry goods item that I bid on...that's not going to happen on April 4th!

Bill - You just threw down the gauntlet on JJ. It will be interesting.

[fischfan13]

Bill - You just threw down the gauntlet on JJ. It will be interesting.

I'm getting ready...
http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/1557/PreviewComp/SuperStock_1557R-298968.jpg