Monthly Auctions

1. Preparing Fish for an Auction - We have created a document which covers the steps for preparing your fish for an auction. You can view it here.


2. Sellers - Most aquarium and pond related equipment, dry goods, plants, fish and other livestock (except those prohibited by Pennsylvania law) are welcome. You do not need to be a member of BCAS to sell at the auction. Ensure all used goods are in proper working order. If defective used equipment is found by a buyer (non-working equipment such as filters, pumps, lights, leaky aquariums, etc) the seller will not be allowed to bring dry goods to any future auctions. No used heaters or used substrates are allowed in the auction. Opened or expired cans of food and water chemicals/additives are strictly forbidden and will not be auctioned. For all items, the seller gets 60% of the selling price and 40% goes to BCAS.
   PLEASE - NO "Ziplock" bags. Fish should be double bagged in regular fish bags with 1/3 water and 2/3 air OR single bagged in "breathable" bags. Plants and dry goods may be single bagged. Leaking bags will be charged a re-bagging fee of $3.00.


3. Registration & Labels - We are using the on-line auction website My Group Auctions for all club auctions. You can pre-register by going here: My Group Auctions.
   Registration of items should be done prior to the start of the meeting.
   Steps:
   a) You register by entering your first and last name, your email address, your mailing address along with a password, verifying it. The process is completed by typing in a "non-robot" verification code.
   b) Once you complete the registration process, join our club by clicking the "Join a Group" button located at the top of the page and selecting Bucks County Aquarium Society.
   d) After registering and selecting our club, you can start entering in the items you will be selling at the auction. You have the option of entering a picture for each item, (although this is not mandatory).
   e) An id will be automatically generated for each of your items. The ids can be printed out on regular or label paper. Attach each id to the actual auction item. The ids attached to fish and plant bags need to be sealed over with clear tape in order to prevent streaking or fading from water. If you choose to make your own labels without using My Group Auctions, the label needs to legibly show the Lot ID number and item description as generated on your My Group Auction registration. As mentioned above, seal with clear tape.


4. Minimum Bids - A seller may enter a minimum bid for their items. This is done in the My Group Auctions website, when registering the auction items. The auctioneer will not sell the item for less than the minimum bid. The minimum bid amount must be clearly shown on the item label.


5. Donations - You can also donate items for the auction. In this case, the entire sale price of the item goes to Bucks County Aquarium Society and will be primarily used to fund our speaker program. Donations are greatly appreciated! For any items donated, please select the "donation" option when registering lots in My Group Auctions.


6. Bidding - Anyone present may bid. Payment is cash only and is expected when the item is won. Payment will be collected by one of the runners.


7. Non-returnable/refunds - anything bought at the auction is non-returnable and non-refundable. Please check with the seller before purchasing if you have any doubts. We rely on people's honesty in putting only non-defective equipment in the auction. We have had very few problems in all of the years we have been doing this.


8. Unsold Auction Items - Any auction items left unsold, either live or dry goods, must be removed by the seller at the conclusion of the auction. Anything unclaimed will be deemed the property of BCAS and will be sold at the Society's discretion. An announcement will be made prior to the end of the auction as a reminder.


9. Payments to the seller - Payment to sellers will be made by cash or BCAS check after the meeting has ended. If you are not planning on staying until the end of the meeting, please make sure your address information is correct in My Group Auctions, so that we can mail the check to you.