RE: Auction

[heathen Candelaria <fishgirl@oz.net>]

Now that I don't own a store, I can have an opinion on this one.

In addition to all the points made below by Scott, the fact is that we make 
more money by having small store owners buy stuff for their stores.

This is because store owners are willing to buy the bits and pieces of junk 
that no one else wants. Also, because they know what the merchandise is worth 
and will buy it even if it is something they do not necessarily need (they just 
put it on a shelf somewhere until it gets bought).

Last night, Nick from 'Snubbers' and a buddy of his (who took over a local 
live-stock wholesale outfit) were the only ones I recognized as being store 
owners... and Nick tried to only buy things that were selling at less than half 
his standard wholesale cost. I know he bid on a couple of items simply to try 
to get the price higher, to help us raise money. He appearantly does this at 
the Kitsap club auctions as well, he wants to help support the clubs.

The primary purpose of the auction, is supposed to be to raise money for the 
club... if you think otherwise, just look out our donation request letters. 
They don't say anything about offering products to our members (or the general 
public) at a lower price. If that were the primary purpose of the auction, then 
we *would* be competing with the retail stores and then they might not be so 
supportive of the club.

You aren't going to see the big stores comming in and doing what Nick did. He 
is a very small operation, he has one employee who gets paid, and he 
essentially makes no money from the fish store. He does it because he loves it, 
and that is becomming a rare thing.

Now, if we decide that what Nick did last night (and what I did at the previous 
two auctions) is something we want to discourage, we can always invest in some 
"NOT FOR RESALE" stickers and slap them on everything (or simply the good 
stuff), and make a threatening sounding announcement before the auction that 
buying product for the purpose of re-selling is strictly prohibited.

I'd say that it isn't being abused to the point that we need to do anything 
about it. If it gets worse in the next couple of years, maybe then we need to 
think about it more.

--h

----------
From:   Cartwright, Scott C[SMTP:Scott.Cartwright@PSS.Boeing.com]
Sent:   Wednesday, April 14, 1999 10:32 AM
To:     'gsas-board@gsas.org'; 'Cartwright, Victoria'
Subject:        RE: Auction

Thanks Steve,
        It was hectic but I think it went well too.  I will be depositing our 
earnings in the bank tomorrow most likely.
        I see your point Steve.  Bob had mentioned similar concerns at the 
auction last night as well.  Here are some points that I have considered:
        The purpose of the auction was still realized in that the club
                received cash for the auctioned items that can now
                be used to support the club's activities

        This store owner did not have any kind of unfair advantage in that
                he had to bid like the rest of the participants

        Other store owners could have participated with the same intentions 
                as this store owner.

        A main purpose of the club is to promote the hobby for hobbyists
                and that includes supporting the local stores. 

Also.....
        How could we control this activity fairly?  Any member may be
                inclined to re-sell something he/she purchased at the auction.
                Maybe this store owner intends to keep some of the stuff
                for his personal use and sell the rest.....how much of each?

        Even the manufacturers interests are addressed in that money went
                to support our club (main point) and another fish store is
                "finding a way to make ends meet" (and remain their
                customer)

Scott C. Cartwright
Electromagnetic Effects and Antennas Group
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
PO Box 3707  MS 05-AP
Seattle, WA  98124-2207
(425) 717-1806 (phone)
(425) 717-1323 (fax)
scott.c.cartwright@boeing.com

> ----------
> From:         Steve Avenell[SMTP:savenell@keenersinc.com]
> Reply To:     savenell@keenersinc.com
> Sent:         Wednesday, April 14, 1999 9:57 AM
> To:   'gsas-board@gsas.org'
> Subject:      Auction
> 
> Good job on the auction last night.  It seems like one of our best 
> organized ever, which is great since we spent the least amount of time 
> organizing it ever.  We aren't quite done yet.  We need to e-mail Erik the 
> names of the stores that donated so he can extend their membership and make 
> sure they are thanked in the news letter.
> 
> Also, I am some what troubled by having some one purchase product at our 
> auction to stock their store.  When we get donations from manufacturers, I 
> don't think that it is their intention that these products wind up in some 
> one's store for re-sale.  I know that it is doubtful that anyone would find 
> out, but some of the donations from manufacturers were labeled, and the 
> t-shirts would be kind of obvious.
> 
> Any thoughts?
> 
> Steve
>