Silent Auction Info
Auction Info
A silent auction has become a tradition at The National Model Railroad Convention. There will be no live auction. The National Model Railroad Convention Silent Auction Committee invites all convention registrants to bring items to sell as well as a passion for bidding. The Silent Auction in Anaheim had nearly 2,000 items entered and all but a handful were sold to very elated buyers. This activity has something for everyone from Z to G and also scale-generic items as well. The Silent Auction Committee requires a minimum first bid of $1.00. Please group and package items accordingly. Remember, you’re bringing things you don’t want, so be sure to make them a value worth buying for at least $1.00.
Please download and read the Silent Auction rules. These rules will be strictly and evenly applied to all participants. See the convention web site at www.hn2009.org for the Silent Auction Rules (Click here for PDF file of HN2009 Silent Auction Rules). Auction Item Cards will be available in the area outside the Silent Auction Room. The Auction Item Cards have been redesigned and made smaller to allow for placement alongside the item. Only sellers with completed Auction Item Cards will be allowed in the Silent Auction Room until the room is opened for bidding. Auction Item Cards will have a space for the application of pre- printed item description labels. Sellers are encouraged to pre-print two sets of labels (one for the AIC and one for your claim check) with the item description for every item they are bringing to the Silent Auction. This will speed up the completion of your Auction Item Cards and acceptance and placement of your items onto the display tables. Auction Item Cards will only be available at the convention. The suggested label to use for computer-printing your item description labels is Avery #5160 or an self-adhesive label no larger than 1” x 2-5/8”. These labels are available at Staples, Office Max or any stationery store. If you have Microsoft Word, do the following: Click Tools, Envelopes and Labels, the Labels tab, Options, select 5160 Address, OK, New Document. This will display a formatted blank page where you can enter each item description. When finished, print it and bring it to the convention along with your items. Be sure to acquire your convention registration packet prior to bringing your items to the Silent Auction Room. You will not be allowed to enter items until you have your convention-issued badge.
Bidding ends on Wednesday evening. Be sure to plan your clinics and tours to allow your presence in the Auction Room if you are bidding on a ‘must have’ item. Buyer settlement begins as soon as possible on Thursday afternoon. Again, plan your clinics and tours to allow time to come and pick up the items you have won in the auction. Settlement will not begin until all auction items have been entered into the computer and grouped by Buyer. Buyer settlement will end at noon on Friday. Seller settlement will begin on Friday afternoon and close at 7:30 Friday evening.
The Committee reserves the right to refuse items of low value. For any questions, you can contact the NMRC Auction Chairman at bobpcrcd@aol.com. When you contact the Auction Chairman, please be sure to include ‘HN2009 Auction’ in the subject line. If you don’t, your e-mail may be deleted.