The event known as the Annual HRSM Swap Meet “Model Auction” has come around again with the goal of a fun day of kit swapping & modeling camaraderie.  As before, it will be held at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Virginia Beach. VA (click for Google Maps) on Saturday, 10 October from 10am to 4pm.  So dive into that attic, closet or garage stash and find those unneeded, excess or unwanted (is there such a thing?) kits, books and modeling supplies and convert ’em to cash while making room for your latest goodies…!  But be aware, you may be find yourself bringing home more than you take!

As before, instead of the typical ‘swap meet’, the ‘model auction’ format is much more fun and, once started, fast-paced.  Literally, the auction allows sellers to organize their items into “lots” for competitive bidding, all under the gavel of the talented Mr. Ed Rose.  As explained by the FAQS (HERE), the event kicks off at 10am with registered sellers prepping their lots until just before the bidding starts at noon.  This gives ample time to complete the necessary paperwork (lot description sheets – download HERE), to examine all the other goodies and to grab a tasty bite from the lunch concession.  Once the auction gets going, however, it will move quickly as bidders maneuver for the best deals.  Once all lots are finished, final accounting , settlement and disbursement is completed efficiently and accurately – all neat and tidy by way of customized computing tools.  But bring cash – whole dollars only makes the auction sing the proper song!  No checks or credit cards possible, this is for fun after all!

Experienced participants know the following tips:

• Bring lots pre-prepped in bags or boxes with description sheets completed so there is more time to examine other Lots
• Arrive at the door opening to have more time to look over the other Lots & to give your own Lots the best exposure
• Don’t over-price your Lots; desirable kits, etc. can generate appropriate bids especially if a low starting bid initiates a ‘bidding war’.
• Organize Lots with a ‘target audience’ in mind.  For example, a Lot comprised of a car, a ship & airplane kits may not appeal to modelers who like only one of those genres.

So ‘Welcome’! Come on by & have some fun, convert your less active ‘plastic’ into ‘paper’ and find that treasure for which you’ve been hunting.

If you might volunteer some help getting the word out on HRSM’s behalf, please feel free to use the below flyers:

• Standard Flyer: PDF format
• Mermaid Flyer: PDF format