About
My Group Auctions (MyGroupAuctions.com) is a dedicated auction management platform built specifically for aquarium clubs and similar hobby organizations. It streamlines the entire auction lifecycle — from pre-event item submission to post-auction financial settlement — removing the logistical headaches that come with running a live group auction. For club administrators, the platform provides projection-ready display software that shows item descriptions and photos on screen during bidding, a bidder registration system with unique bidder numbers, real-time sales entry, and comprehensive reports detailing what each participant sold, purchased, and owes or is owed at the end of the event. Admins can add items on behalf of sellers, modify listings before, during, or after the auction, and print labels for any seller's items. For participants, My Group Auctions allows members to submit items for sale before the auction begins, instantly print their own labels, browse items listed by other participants, and affiliate themselves with multiple groups. Both live and post-auction reports are available so sellers and buyers always have a clear record of their transactions. Created by the Raleigh Aquarium Society, this free tool is ideal for aquarium clubs, fish societies, reptile groups, and other hobbyist organizations that hold regular live auctions and need reliable software to keep things running smoothly.
Key Features
- Live Auction Display: Project item descriptions and photos onto a screen during the auction so all bidders can follow along in real time.
- Bidder Registration: Register participants with unique bidder numbers to keep track of who is buying what throughout the event.
- Sales Recording & Tracking: Enter and record each sale as it happens, maintaining a complete and accurate log for the entire auction.
- Financial Settlement Reports: Automatically calculate how much each participant sold, purchased, and either owes to or is owed by the club at the end of the auction.
- Pre-Auction Item Submission & Label Printing: Participants can list items before the event and instantly print labels, while admins can manage and modify all listings at any stage.
Use Cases
- Running a structured live auction at an aquarium club meeting, with items projected on screen and sales recorded in real time.
- Managing bidder registration and assigning unique bidder numbers for a large club auction with many participants.
- Allowing club members to submit fish, plants, or equipment for sale online before the auction day and print their own item labels.
- Generating post-auction financial settlement reports so the club treasurer can quickly determine who owes money and who should be paid.
- Previewing the auction catalog in advance so participants can plan which items they want to bid on before arriving at the event.
Pros
- Free to Use: The platform is provided at no cost, making it accessible for small hobbyist clubs with limited budgets.
- End-to-End Auction Management: Covers the full auction workflow — pre-event listing, live bidding display, sales entry, and post-auction financial reporting — in a single tool.
- Multi-Group Support: Participants can affiliate with multiple clubs or groups, making it flexible for hobbyists who are active in more than one community.
Cons
- Highly Niche Use Case: Designed specifically for aquarium and hobby club auctions, so it has little utility outside of that narrow context.
- Minimal Public Information: The site offers very little documentation or onboarding material publicly, which may make initial setup less clear for new clubs.
- No AI or Automation Features: The platform is a straightforward management tool without advanced automation, AI-driven insights, or integrations with other software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is My Group Auctions designed for?
It is designed for aquarium clubs, fish societies, and similar hobbyist groups that hold live auctions where members buy and sell fish, plants, equipment, and related items.
Is My Group Auctions free to use?
Yes, the platform appears to be free to use. It was created by the Raleigh Aquarium Society as a community resource for club auctions.
Can participants submit items before the auction day?
Yes, registered participants can post items they wish to sell or donate in advance of the auction and print labels for those items ahead of time.
Can I be a member of multiple groups on the platform?
Yes, participants can affiliate themselves with multiple groups, which is useful for hobbyists who belong to more than one club.
What reports does the platform generate?
The platform generates reports showing all sales by seller, all purchases by buyer, and a financial settlement report calculating what each participant owes or should be paid at the end of the auction.
