LMRA Newsletter
Lubbock Model Railroad Association
Staying on Track - February 2005
Meetings at Highland Baptist Activity Center, Quaker Ave. and 34th St. - first Monday of each month at 7:30pm.
February 7: Auction (SPECIAL TIME 7:00). Bring your money. Bring some model railroading stuff to sell. On the back are the auction rules. Extra auction forms will be available at the meeting. Last month’s newsletter had it on the back.
March 7: Randel Bittick - building fences
Other events coming this year: Dates haven’t been finalized yet on everything, but we plan on having a playday (possibly in May), a home layout tour (it’s about time), and setups at the Arts Festival and Godeke Library.
Ron Kutch
One of our most active members and a past president of the club passed away the day of the last meeting, January 5. Ron gave a lot to the club and the hobby. Other members we have lost in the past year are Bob Moulton and Jon Hays.
Dues due
If you haven’t paid yours yet, give it to Dave at the meeting (cash, check or money order). Individual memberships are still only $12, family $18. As Mad Magazine would say - Cheap!
RULES OF THE AUCTION
The owner of the item to be auctioned will bring the item to the auctioneer with the auction form.
The owner will fill in the following items on the auction form:
a. The item description including scale.
b. The seller’s (owner’s) number.
c. The minimum bid (if any).
d. The “percent to club” that the seller will donate to the club. The club will take 10% as a minimum.
The auctioneer will fill in the item number.
The auction will be conducted in the “classical” format with the auctioneer attempting to sell the item at the highest price possible. He will first read the item description to the club and note the minimum bid, if any. He will hold up the item for the group to see. We will pass the item around to the group if requested.
The bidders will all have their sheet of paper with their bidder/seller number on it. They will use this sheet to bid. If interested in an item, the bidder must hold the sheet high in the air so the auctioneer can see the number. KEEP IT IN THE AIR UNTIL YOU WISH TO STOP BIDDING. Do NOT raise and lower your sheet, just keep it up until the price exceeds your comfort zone. The winner is the last bidder with his number in the air.
The auctioneer will note the winning bidder’s (buyer) number on the auction form and the amount of the winning bid. He will subtract the percent of the hold for the club and calculate the remaining amount due the seller. The winner then claims his or her item, pays the price to the buyer’s table, and the seller gets that amount less the percentage that goes to the club.
For example: the seller places a boxcar with a minimum bid of $5.00 and the minimum 10% going to the club with the auctioneer. The boxcar eventually sells for $10.00. The auctioneer notes the winning amount of $10.00 on the auction form and notes the amount of $1.00 (10%) going to the club. The seller receives $9.00 from the seller’s table ($10.00 - $1.00 = $9.00). The club keeps the dollar.
The club member may “check out” anytime. Waiting until the end of the auction is NOT necessary. The seller’s table will have enough cash at the start of the auction to pay off any seller (less the percentage going to the club). Likewise, buyers may bring their money to the buyer’s table any time at their convenience.