The American Livebearer Association (ALA) and Houston Livebearers Association (HLA) are jointly sponsoring an Auction on Sunday, May 4^th. The Auction shall be conducted at the Hilton Hotel San Antonio Airport during the times set forth in the Convention Schedule.

Auction Items: Any aquarium related items (hardware, fish foods, plants, live foods and fish) are permitted to be auctioned. Fish are not limited to livebearers.

Participation: The Auction is open to the general public for both buying and selling. Convention registration is not required for participation in the Auction. Nor do you have to be an ALA or HLA member to participate. However, both Bidders (buyers) and Sellers must register for the Auction on the day of the Auction with the Auction Director. A Registration Table will be set up for registration.

Exhibitors may auction their Show entries if so desired and adequate time has been allowed between Show tear-down and the Auction. Each Exhibitor is responsible for bagging and properly labeling Show fish after judging is completed.

Bidders: Bidders must acquire a Bidder Card at the Auction Registration Table. Bidders who are not Convention registrants will be charged $5.00 for a Bidder Card. Convention registrants receive complimentary Bidders Cards. An 8.125% state sales tax will be collected. Checks, with proper identification, and cash are accepted. No credit or debit cards accepted.

All items will be sold as is. The ALA/HLA will not be responsible for the condition of any items sold at the auction.

Sellers: Sellers must register at the Auction Registration Table.

Sellers may donate 100% of the proceeds of the auction to ALA/HLA; otherwise the proceeds will be split on a 70/30 basis, with the Seller receiving 70%. Sellers may establish a minimum bid price for an item, but will be charged a 30% commission on the minimum bid price on all items with a minimum bid price that do not sell. Payments to Sellers will be made as soon as possible after the Auction. Sellers will receive an itemized list of items sold.

All livestock items must be properly bagged with fish bags. No baggies or zip-lock bags are allowed. Sellers will be charged $2.00 for any items requiring re-bagging due to leaking, deflation, etc.

The Seller shall clearly tag each item with the Seller's name and phone number and/or email address, and the name of the item. In the case of fish and plants, the Seller must provide the common (if any) and scientific names, quantities, and sexes (if known).

Sellers will each receive one Auction tag per item auctioned. The tags will be of four types of Priority tags based on the formula set forth below. The four Types are Priority 1, 2, 3, and 4 tags. To calculate the number of each type of tag a Seller receives, divide the number of items to be auctioned by four. The Seller will receive the resulting number of each type of tag. Fractional tags will be filled from bottom up, from Priority tag 4 to tag 2. For example, if a Seller had 5 items, he/she would receive one each of the four Priority tags plus one Priority 4 tag.

Show fish will be provided  Priority1  tags. To qualify as Show fish for the Auction, each bag must have at least one fish that was entered in the Show. For example, if a male swordtail had been an entry in the Show, he could be sold as a Show fish and additional fish (related females, fry, etc.) could be included in the bag.

Order of Auction: The items will be auctioned in the order set forth below:

1)      Item donated to ALA/HLA or to the Vern Parish Fund.

2)    Items marked with Priority 1 tags. (Show fish)

3)    Items marked with Priority 2 tags.

4)    Items marked with Priority 3 tags.

5)    Items marked with Priority 4 tags.

Express Bids: A Bidder may purchase an Express Bid on any item at a cost of $3.00 per item. Express Bid items will be moved up in the bidding queue to be sold within the next few items up for auction.