Auction Rules

(Revised October 2008)

1. Only ASW members can sell items in the auction.
2. All auction items must be related to the aquatic hobby (i.e. fish, plants, equipment, etc).
3. All items must be registered using the Auction Form. The completed form must be handed in to the Auction Chair prior to the start of the meeting.
4. All buyers must register before the start of the auction and will receive a bidding card. No bids will be accepted without a bidding card.
5. Fish species that are restricted by either federal or provincial statutes will not be accepted.
6. Any items submitted after the meeting has started will be placed on the “Table of Late Editions.” Items on this table will be auctioned last, so please be there early to register your submissions to the auction.
7. Each item carries a $1.00 minimum bid unless the seller assigns a higher minimum.
8. All items must be labeled with the seller's auction ID # followed by the item number (i.e. John Doe Smith = JDS-01).  Labeling equipment will be available at auction site; items must be labeled before being registered. To ensure that you receive proper credit for your auction items, PLEASE LABEL BAGS CLEARLY.
9. Once registered, items cannot be withdrawn from the auction or changed in any way.
10. All items sold as “AS IS.” The ASW does not warrant the condition or authenticity of any item being sold.
11. Fish should be labeled with the following:
    1. The common and/or scientific name of fish.
    2. Quantity of fish.
    3. Sex (if known)
    4. Number of males to females, or
    5. Proven Pair - a pair that has spawned with each other
12. Supplies should be labeled as the following:
    1. Equipment must be labeled as to working condition, missing parts, and all other pertinent data.
13. Proper fish bags must be used. They are available for purchase from the club. Flimsy, leaking or Ziploc type bags and twist ties are not allowed. Larger fish should be in buckets or Styrofoam boxes (they tear holes in bags). Fish must be given ample amounts of water and air space. A $1.00 re-bagging fee will be assessed against those items that the ASW is required to re-bag.
14. All items will be sold with their packaging (i.e. bags, buckets, Styrofoam containers etc).
15. The auctioneer retains the right to set aside any improperly bagged or labeled item. As well as any item deemed not suitable for sale (i.e. sick or deformed fish or badly damaged equipment).
16. Sellers are restricted to a maximum of 5 items of a similar nature, species, colour and size. The Auction Committee reserves the right to limit the items from any one consignor or consolidate like items.
17. The ASW will retain 25% of the collected bid for each item auctioned. All proceeds from items sold for $2.00 or under will go to the ASW.
18. Payments are made to sellers at the end of the auction and not before. In the event of a large auction, payment will be forwarded by mail within approximately 10 business days after the auction date. It is the seller’s responsibility to supply the ASW with a correct mailing address; envelopes for this purpose will be available during registration.
19. Sellers must claim any unsold items at the close of the auction. Any unclaimed items will be disposed of at the discretion of the auction chair.
20. The ASW does not accept post-dated cheques.
21. Sellers who leave the auction early can pick up their proceeds at the next auction. Sellers may also arrange to have their proceeds mailed to them in the form of a cheque for a $5.00 fee.
22. All possible precautions will be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of all items. Nevertheless, the Aquarium Society of Winnipeg (ASW) assumes no responsibility for loss or damage incurred as a result of the auction.

For more information, contact:

Auction Chair | [email protected]