That depends on what you are looking for. My case is unique as I have 12.3 and 12.6 RPAL. I can still find some good deals compared to any prices found on the EE. As for other purchases, not the way to go. Landsborough sold some SKS rifles Saturday and it was obvious the buyers had not done their homework. Cabella's has them on sale this week for less than the auction prices and that does not include premiums and taxes.
Online gun auctions: satisfied or no?
- Thread starter hifiwasabi
- Start date
That depends on what you are looking for. My case is unique as I have 12.3 and 12.6 RPAL. I can still find some good deals compared to any prices found on the EE. As for other purchases, not the way to go. Landsborough sold some SKS rifles Saturday and it was obvious the buyers had not done their homework. Cabella's has them on sale this week for less than the auction prices and that does not include premiums and taxes.
I watch the in-person (and online) local auctions here in Alberta closely. I've had one really good deal in the past 6 years, one okay deal, and seen some absolutely crazy prices overall. There is one right now (Ward's) here in Edmonton; I'm watching mainly rifles, and people are paying as much or more than retail (in a bad economy, no less). Wait until after xmas, and you'll be able to get deals both retail and on EE.
Think auctions are good if you're a collector or looking for a very specific item. If you're looking for more general purchases (e.g., a Rem 700 in 30-06 or whatever) you'll have much better success here on the EE, or buying retail at Cabela's. I've purchased quite a few items on here, and except for one incident, never had something that was too far off in terms of description. My one good deal at an auction was a Ruger 77 in .338 Federal, I think only because at the time no one knew what a .338 Federal was so no one bid.
Think auctions are good if you're a collector or looking for a very specific item. If you're looking for more general purchases (e.g., a Rem 700 in 30-06 or whatever) you'll have much better success here on the EE, or buying retail at Cabela's. I've purchased quite a few items on here, and except for one incident, never had something that was too far off in terms of description. My one good deal at an auction was a Ruger 77 in .338 Federal, I think only because at the time no one knew what a .338 Federal was so no one bid.
Know what you want. Know what you are prepared to pay, all in. If the posted photos aren't enough, contact the auctioneer and ask for more information.
As far as hidden surprises go, folks will consign a piece to an auction when they might be embarrassed to sell the thing in person. Bulged barrels; bad headspace; mismatched parts, not functional, etc. Disposing of junk. Consigned items from a collection are probably safer. I am satisfied with items I have bought from Switzers. Have got items for less than I felt they were worth. Paul Switzer has told me that 70% of sales are online. You are competing with many, many others, some of whom might have more money than sense, or who might know more or less than you do.
As far as hidden surprises go, folks will consign a piece to an auction when they might be embarrassed to sell the thing in person. Bulged barrels; bad headspace; mismatched parts, not functional, etc. Disposing of junk. Consigned items from a collection are probably safer. I am satisfied with items I have bought from Switzers. Have got items for less than I felt they were worth. Paul Switzer has told me that 70% of sales are online. You are competing with many, many others, some of whom might have more money than sense, or who might know more or less than you do.
Milanczar
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
+1
While there are very often higher prices paid online for most average and common firearms its different for the costlier stuff. Those tend to go cheaper for less (often a lot less) than its book value and
also bring closer to real world prices on resale. Of course that is not cheap in the first place so 'bargain' is a relative word......
Its also hard to get a good price as there are dealers that drive the bargains up all the time. Its only when they reach their limit AND nobody else really wants it that you may get an ok price.
For quality important to do homework on what it is supposed to look like.
Google image is useful to check versions or details that you should be seeing in the auction photos, stock color, signs of repair like a bolt in the stock where there shouldn't be one etc.
Also asking questions online before the auction and asking for extra pictures works if you have a concern and if none come up better to pass.
If you ask and they tell you there are no repairs and you find one you have their emails etc to bargain with.
Probably should not expect a pristine or safe kiss free deal either unless it is specifically described as without scratches.
I would rate Switzer's and Wards about equal at the top of the heap.
Lansborough a close second.
By not commenting on the rest I think I make my point.
While there are very often higher prices paid online for most average and common firearms its different for the costlier stuff. Those tend to go cheaper for less (often a lot less) than its book value and
also bring closer to real world prices on resale. Of course that is not cheap in the first place so 'bargain' is a relative word......
Its also hard to get a good price as there are dealers that drive the bargains up all the time. Its only when they reach their limit AND nobody else really wants it that you may get an ok price.
For quality important to do homework on what it is supposed to look like.
Google image is useful to check versions or details that you should be seeing in the auction photos, stock color, signs of repair like a bolt in the stock where there shouldn't be one etc.
Also asking questions online before the auction and asking for extra pictures works if you have a concern and if none come up better to pass.
If you ask and they tell you there are no repairs and you find one you have their emails etc to bargain with.
Probably should not expect a pristine or safe kiss free deal either unless it is specifically described as without scratches.
I would rate Switzer's and Wards about equal at the top of the heap.
Lansborough a close second.
By not commenting on the rest I think I make my point.
Agreed.
From what I have seen, buying a M94 30-30, or an as-issued Lee Enfield at Switzers can get pricey. Yesterday there was a nice No. 4 Mk. II knocked down for about $1200 plus tax. Ouch!
By the same token, I paid $1150 - all in - for a shotgun at Switzers; first gun show at which I displayed it, I was offered $2500.
From what I have seen, buying a M94 30-30, or an as-issued Lee Enfield at Switzers can get pricey. Yesterday there was a nice No. 4 Mk. II knocked down for about $1200 plus tax. Ouch!
By the same token, I paid $1150 - all in - for a shotgun at Switzers; first gun show at which I displayed it, I was offered $2500.
maple leaf
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
^---- I second this!
Londonshooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
Switzers had a recent sale. The items sold and prices paid are on their website if anyone wants to see whether they missed out or not.
Mount Sweetness
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Ontario
It's kinda like a game, but the winner is usually the loser.
Willy Tincup
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Owen Sound
The big loosers at internet auctions are the buyers! Paying hammer price + premium [usually 15%] + HST + shipping + oftens a 10$ handling packaging fee.
The big winners are the Auction houses getting paid by both the seller and the buyer.....and the Government[2 levels] collecting taxes.
The big advantage of auctions is for people who want or need to turn merchandise into cash quickly, even though it is costly to do so.
Over the years I've driven several hours to go to gun auctions dozens of times and bought dozens of guns.......mostly before Internet bidding became popular. Now a days I don't even bother; very very few deals and unbelievable prices being paid.
Geeez; a lot of guys on CGN complain about prices on the EE, they should sit in on a couple of internet auctions. EE pricing may start to look a bit better.
The big winners are the Auction houses getting paid by both the seller and the buyer.....and the Government[2 levels] collecting taxes.
The big advantage of auctions is for people who want or need to turn merchandise into cash quickly, even though it is costly to do so.
Over the years I've driven several hours to go to gun auctions dozens of times and bought dozens of guns.......mostly before Internet bidding became popular. Now a days I don't even bother; very very few deals and unbelievable prices being paid.
Geeez; a lot of guys on CGN complain about prices on the EE, they should sit in on a couple of internet auctions. EE pricing may start to look a bit better.
With all the additional fees these days (remember before "buyers premiums"?), auctions are generally not worth it to the buyer or the seller, unless you have stuff that you badly want to be rid of, because unlike selling privately at a gunshow or on-line, at an auction you are pretty much guaranteed that everything will sell.
And for the buyer, on-line bidding does save you gas money.
And for the buyer, on-line bidding does save you gas money.
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I have bought two rifles at online auctions... I overpaid for both... but I was well aware of that before I bid... they just happened to have rifles that I had been seeking for an extended period of time... truthfully I would have paid even more than I did to get them.
Turkinator
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Onterrible
If you look at what the items went for, more often than not you find that after you apply taxes, shipping, auction house premium and online bid premium some tool ended up paying much more than the item retails for brand new. Auction fever never ceases to amaze.
Wilbur1005
Regular
- Location
- Queen City
I have over paid for every rifle I have ever owned and sold each one too cheap no matter where it sold here, at auction or at a gun show. But, I keep coming back for more.
