Online gun auctions: satisfied or no?

hifiwasabi

hifiwasabi

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I live in a giant bucket.
I've been looking at the various catalogues for Switzer, Big E and Landsbrough auction houses for possible bargains, but am hesitant to sign up and bid. Has anyone on here bought online based on fuzzy pictures and vague descriptions? Been satisfied with the results?
 
I have bought guns at auction online at Bud Haynes (no more) and Wards Auction. All transactions were great and the expected items were as described. You can have a look at the photos but not pick it up. Bid accordingly, don't wish it to be true.
 
You won't find any bargains @ Landsbrough.

I once saw an SKS with a Tapco stock go for $700 dollars. Don't forget there is 13% tax and a 10% buyers fee on top of everything you buy.
 
M&P 40 said:
You won't find any bargains @ Landsbrough.

I once saw an SKS with a Tapco stock go for $700 dollars. Don't forget there is 13% tax and a 10% buyers fee on top of everything you buy.
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15% buyers fee if you are bidding online. 10% in person.
I have gone strictly online with Switzers out of Bancroft. Landsborough I will either go in person for the auction, or at least to the viewing the night before.
Switzers I was pretty happy with how the firearm was described.
The November sale for Landsborough tends to have better potential for good buys. The march sale is madness. You see a lot of the 700 Sks type sales.
 
I attend one of these auctions regular and am often surprised at the selling price of some fire arms.Im sure the buyer has missed some major defects.maybe due to poor photos.
 
I find online bidding over priced. I prefer public auction where I can inspect the firearm in person before buying.
I must admit buying rifles off the EE by looking at photos has worked out well for me (so far), most members give good description and photos.
 
Landsbourough was great till they went online.... then prices went stupid. Also dont put much faith in the descriptions. Lots of mistakes.... I also wonder about whether they bid up items online. Ive seen the same stuff come through again and again. Likely people just flipping stuff, but I dont see how anyone can make any money at it with the fees....
 
M&P 40 said:
You won't find any bargains @ Landsbrough.
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Not just Landsborough, pretty much every one of them. I've got a couple good deals on them but that was years ago when a lot of guys never knew about internet bidding. Lately you'll pull your hair out looking at the hammer prices.

I've seen countless Savage Axis rifles sell for $100 or more over what a new one costs, then you have to pay the juice on top of the closing bid. I'm not sure if the guys paying this are just really stupid or live somewhere in the boonies and have a hard time finding firearms.

I mainly stick to the EE nowadays myself, sure you get the odd guy asking way to much for their guns on there to but you'll notice they have to bump them weekly and can't figure out why.
 
I bought a rimfire from Economy auction and it arrived missing several parts. Also, it had someone's SIN engraved into the receiver and although there were several pics it was not visible in any of them. When I called to talk to someone the guy said "looks like you bought yourself a parts gun" took quite a bit of convincing to get a refund and I ended up paying shipping both ways. Caveat Emptor.
 
A lot of people forget there is tax, an auctioneers premium and an online bid premium which drives the prices up above what the item would retail for brand new... or they don't do their research and piss their money away by bidding stupidly.

I would say 50% of the time I have been disappointed by the condition of items I've won from Switzers.
 
I got a good deal once before one of the online auctions was well known, I quit while I was ahead....

Keep in mind that their shipping isn't cheap and they are in no hurry, give them 6 weeks or so.
 
Auctions suck , that was initially the reason I joined CGN . I would rather give that 30% to you or me plus you can have your own conditions and sellers reps to go on here
 
Read the fine print. Most auction houses sell everything 'as is'. Guns, ammo and accessories . Online auctions are no different than a regular one as many have phone bidders as well. Thing do get out of hand or caught up in the action. That's the sign a auctioneer is doing a good job. Remember the more the items sell for, the more money the house gets. Another factor is out of country bidders. Americans have quite the advantage with current exchange rates. It pays me to stay home and bid online instead of driving to the auction, spending a night in a motel if it's a two day affair and having to wait for transfers to take place.
 
A $300 .22 LR pistol wound up costing me almost $480 so I guess my answer is BE CAREFUL
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