JLW
CCA Members
Hey guys, oh god, how did I get roped into being the coordinator / announcer for this?
As many people have noticed and commented on, the regular monthly auctions have a real problem. Items in the auctions are going for cheaper and cheaper -- as auctioneer at the meetings, I sometimes have to fight to get people to bid that second dollar. As a result, sellers are bringing less and less, which is locking us into a vicious cycle. The less there is, the less people bid, the less people bid, the cheaper things are, the cheaper stuff goes, the less there is. This is a non-sustainable situation, and, as a club, we need to address it.
The BFD Marketplace works wonderfully as an alternative to auctions for our big annual event, and we'd like to try to incorporate that model into the regular monthly meetings. So, there will be no auction at the November meeting. Instead, interested sellers can bring bags and sell, after the speaker and raffle (only), from a table. You set the price on each bag / item / whatever, and you can haggle or not, its all up to you.
So, some FAQs!
Will this replace all auctions?
We're looking at doing this to alternate with regular monthly auctions. So, table sales in November. Holiday party in December. Auction in January. It'll be every other month.
What's it cost?
For the first meeting, there is no cost. You keep 100% of your sales, and set your own prices. For future meetings, we may charge a nominal table fee, and / or a percentage of sales. It'll still be less than auction percentage!
What if I only want to sell one bag?
There's no minimum to the number of items you can sell, nor any maximum. If you only have a few items to sell, you can still set up a table, or you can hold onto it for a little while longer until the next meeting with an auction. You can also combine with another seller, or sellers, and sell lots that way. As we're going to be doing auctions every other month, though, the best solution for small lots is probably to just hold off one more month.
If I'm driving an airplane, and at the first stop seven people get on, then at the second stop, three people get off, and two get on, and the third stop...
Wait, why are you driving an airplane?
How do I sign up? Can I prelist items for sale?
I'll be creating a separate thread for people to sign up -- please don't sign up in this one, but feel free to discuss or ask questions here. You can list whatever you'd like for sale. If you want to do pre-sales, you may do so at your discretion. However, we ask that all members be respectful of speakers, club announcements and such, and the raffles -- we've designated the post-raffle time for socialisation and sales. Buyers and sellers should not attempt to conduct sales before the raffles are over.
What kinds of items are allowed?
The same rules as the auction apply. Obviously, it should be aquarium related. No opened containers, expired products, etc. Fish must be properly bagged. Restricted plants and animals may not be sold.
What if I buy something and have a problem with it? Can I complain to CCA?
CCA is providing a space for interested sellers to sell products to members, and is not associated with individual sales. All transactions are between the buyer and seller only, and sellers should verify condition of any and all purchases.
What if something doesn't sell?
This is the really great part. If you have something that doesn't sell, you take it back with you. You can lower prices on items if you just want to get rid of them, or you can take it home. You don't have to worry about a valuable fish going for just a couple of bucks.
Can I pay with my credit card?
Some individual sellers may have the ability to accept cards. CCA will not run cards for members.
As many people have noticed and commented on, the regular monthly auctions have a real problem. Items in the auctions are going for cheaper and cheaper -- as auctioneer at the meetings, I sometimes have to fight to get people to bid that second dollar. As a result, sellers are bringing less and less, which is locking us into a vicious cycle. The less there is, the less people bid, the less people bid, the cheaper things are, the cheaper stuff goes, the less there is. This is a non-sustainable situation, and, as a club, we need to address it.
The BFD Marketplace works wonderfully as an alternative to auctions for our big annual event, and we'd like to try to incorporate that model into the regular monthly meetings. So, there will be no auction at the November meeting. Instead, interested sellers can bring bags and sell, after the speaker and raffle (only), from a table. You set the price on each bag / item / whatever, and you can haggle or not, its all up to you.
So, some FAQs!
Will this replace all auctions?
We're looking at doing this to alternate with regular monthly auctions. So, table sales in November. Holiday party in December. Auction in January. It'll be every other month.
What's it cost?
For the first meeting, there is no cost. You keep 100% of your sales, and set your own prices. For future meetings, we may charge a nominal table fee, and / or a percentage of sales. It'll still be less than auction percentage!
What if I only want to sell one bag?
There's no minimum to the number of items you can sell, nor any maximum. If you only have a few items to sell, you can still set up a table, or you can hold onto it for a little while longer until the next meeting with an auction. You can also combine with another seller, or sellers, and sell lots that way. As we're going to be doing auctions every other month, though, the best solution for small lots is probably to just hold off one more month.
If I'm driving an airplane, and at the first stop seven people get on, then at the second stop, three people get off, and two get on, and the third stop...
Wait, why are you driving an airplane?
How do I sign up? Can I prelist items for sale?
I'll be creating a separate thread for people to sign up -- please don't sign up in this one, but feel free to discuss or ask questions here. You can list whatever you'd like for sale. If you want to do pre-sales, you may do so at your discretion. However, we ask that all members be respectful of speakers, club announcements and such, and the raffles -- we've designated the post-raffle time for socialisation and sales. Buyers and sellers should not attempt to conduct sales before the raffles are over.
What kinds of items are allowed?
The same rules as the auction apply. Obviously, it should be aquarium related. No opened containers, expired products, etc. Fish must be properly bagged. Restricted plants and animals may not be sold.
What if I buy something and have a problem with it? Can I complain to CCA?
CCA is providing a space for interested sellers to sell products to members, and is not associated with individual sales. All transactions are between the buyer and seller only, and sellers should verify condition of any and all purchases.
What if something doesn't sell?
This is the really great part. If you have something that doesn't sell, you take it back with you. You can lower prices on items if you just want to get rid of them, or you can take it home. You don't have to worry about a valuable fish going for just a couple of bucks.
Can I pay with my credit card?
Some individual sellers may have the ability to accept cards. CCA will not run cards for members.