Auction At Basingstoke

[myrtle]

Hi all, there is an auction at Basingstoke tomorrow and as it is within walking distance from my house I thought I might go. Can anyone tell me how this works and what kind of thing I could expect to buy there? I'm not good at walking into rooms full of people I don't know so I'm a bit anxious in case I do something wrong, if that doesn't sound too odd!

 

[BigC]

What is the name of the local aquarists society hosting the event.
You will have an auctioneer who will describe the lot and take bids from the floor, bids will usually go up in small amounts (10-50p) until they reach a certain point and then they will increase in monetary value until the last person bidding wins the auction lot. From my involvement in a great many events in the past I would expect to see fish, breeders personal stock surplus, livefood, tanks and equipment and other aquatic odds and ends. Anything could crop up, a really good fish auction is not to be missed, especially if it's within walking distance.
I too was a little apprehensive walking into my first auction...once you get the hang of it (no-one is out to judge or poke fun at others) then you will be bidding like a pro. Set yourself a maximum and dont go beyond that is unless you really want or need that particular fish or item, then who knows what it will fetch...LOL
A good auction is the place to be, you may see rare fish that don't reach LFS/dealers tanks , there is always something that sparks a real interest.
Try to get to know the local club representatives, who they are, and maybe join the club, they could do with your support especially in this day and age.
I would always advocate joining your local club, you wont regret it. The knowledge base & comaradarie is second to none whereby a better insight and understanding of fishkeeping can be gained by doing so.
Enjoy your day out
Regards
C

 

[myrtle]

Thanks for replying, it's being held by the Basingstoke and District Aquarists Society (or Club, I forget exactly which it is!). I may pop along then, it sounds worthwile!

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

If you have time, try and do some research on what sort of fish are good tankmates for what you have, before you go... Impulse buying at the auction could be a recipe for disaster!

You will no doubt see bargains just like I did at the Festival Of Fishkeeping, where I got 12 Persian Killifish and 11 Golden Kuhli Loaches for £20!

Have fun!

 

[myrtle]

No need to worry about impulse buying, there are only 2 fish I'm after female Threadfins and female Pencilfish and possibly a small tank for fry/qt as the only one I have spare is a 60l which is a bit big for fry.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Anything you want to share with us?

 

[fish48]

the basingstoke Auction was today at Kempshot Village Hall.
loads of fish all sorts of shrimps fish tanks. pumps. plants and fish foods

 

[myrtle]

I didn't go in the end as cash is in very short supply at the moment and I knew i'd end up coming home with all sorts I didn't really need. However, I did get my female Threadfins from another source and although breeding would be fab, I really got them as I had all males and it's not very natural to have no girls! The fry tank would be for my pygmy corys who have spawned once already but I had no tank for the fry and the eggs gotmunched, probably by the Bristlenoses

. There's another auction around May time by which time the cash flow problem should be better and I can look at actually joining the society.