Gun Auctions

Empty hall doesn't work if the auction is going out on line.
In the good old days you were generally bidding against some one in the hall. Now it could be some one anywhere.
 
Empty hall doesn't work if the auction is going out on line.
In the good old days you were generally bidding against some one in the hall. Now it could be some one anywhere.

Yep, the online factor is very good for the sellers and the auction house....not so much for buyers. :(

I followed a good part of the last Switzer auction live online. It seemed like at the winning bid came from online about half the time or more.
 
Talked to Paul Switzer about that. 70% of his sales are on-line.
I don't attend the auctions any more. If there is something in which I am really interested, I'll go and inspect it when I drop off things to sell.
 
My post was in jest...but a real world example of the often casino like chances of getting a good price as a seller is this:
I recently bought a Red Label from the EE, from a knowlgeable and respected seller, price was fair in both our minds. A day later a member of our club saw it and comnented he had put a 12 and 20 in the auction and would have sold them to me. His expected price was considerably more than I paid. After the auction , found out the 12 went for 75 percent of what I paid and the 20 for a wee bit more, after sellers fees and gas, time, etc.. he may have got 60 percent of what i paid.
Did I over pay? Not in my opinion. Did he get screwed, nope just lost a gamble on the right buyer bidding.
I have seen Tapco SKSs go for almost 900 dollars before buyers premium at the same auction...
I browse but rarely bid and never have won any bids
 
Farm auctions and guns are almost as bad, saw a bidding was over a ss cooey while back that was in a barn for ? yrs price $300.oo crazy Fellow that bought it said he did not like the other bidder and it was a early model.
But I also remember years ago getting a Russian SV40 when I did not even know what it was , know one else ethe r $60.oo as new.
Just remembered another one , 1980's before web, estate auction of guns, bought 6-8 colts total was about $500.oo and there was a 1911 Singer in exc shape, went for about 350.oo, and I missed it
Last few years I don't remember buying anything, depressing, wife happy.
 
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With the exception of an $1150 +15% BP P38 the handgun prices were a little more realistic at yesterdays Switzer auction...maybe end of season/ time of the year?
 
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