Online gun auctions: satisfied or no?

Turkinator said:
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.
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Who would ever buy a current production rifle at auction??? Most people are looking for specific collectable, no longer in production rifles.
 
hoytcanon said:
Who would ever buy a current production rifle at auction??? Most people are looking for specific collectable, no longer in production rifles.
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You'd be surprised.
I've seen savage axis over $500, when you can buy them for 300. That's before the fees too.
 
I have some experience and agree with the comments already posted. I have bought from Gunbroker.com, Landsborough, Wards, BigE, Switzer's and EE. In every case it was to acquire something I really wanted and hadn't found elsewhere. Gunbroker is the most expensive, for the exchange rate, even on the shipping charge to the FFL, but also for the import fee, shipping and taxes (Cdn $350.00 to $ 400.00 more). I've used Prophet River as the importer and been happy with their service. Not so much with the ten to twelve weeks it takes from the time of purchase until it arrives in your hands. I must say I have been happy with my purchases and can't really complain about the total cost because there was nothing to compare them to.
Shipping charges at Landsborough will quickly drive the price to ridiculous levels. The rest have pricey shipping charges as well but not quite so bad. Bancroft is close enough that I can attend Switzer's, view the items, save 5% on the premium and pay no shipping.
Having said all that, EE is definitely the way to go. Best pictures, best descriptions, and the best people to deal with.
No more auctions for me. Well...maybe for something really special...
 
I've bought several lots from Rock Island Auctions in the USA. If what you are buying is truly antique (see black powder forum to check) it comes straight through via Canada Post. If it is not antique, it must be moved via a licensed broker; adding $250/gun to costs, and double shipping.

Their catalogue is on-line well in advance of the auction, and they DO answer questions about lots. Prices: bargain to astronomic, depending. If you end up buying, they'll send very cool print editions of their catalogue.
 
My good buddy Heronfish pointed me towards landsburough auctions.... after 5 very long years of searching, they had a NIB 22 hornet LH. Short of driving from SK to Ontario, I had to online bid, so I set up to.... remember, 30% auction fees and 13% tax. So add that to the price of everything.... well, long story short I won my gun (I used icollector to bid). This was a "NIB gun" they said, which, it was. HOWEVER, they shipped it with a "screw type" trigger lock and the NICE GUY to install this lock, had the tool on a drill and RAMMED IT RIGHT INTO MY STOCK'!!!!!!! To say I was angry is an understatement. But the 5 year wait out weighed this... bit there's a lot of junk they don't label correctly. They didn't even have it ameked as left handed, only knew because of the pictures and me calling them..... so be careful......
 
Bought 2 lots on line from Landsbourgh's Jan. 19th sale: (2 B&L scopes and some checkering tools)
and a very nice Kirco .22 two years ago.
I am well satisfied with the prices and prompt shipping.
I have also bought from Bud Hayne's when they were in Red Deer and at Ward's in Edmonton.
As in any auction if there is something you want you have to pay a little more than the next guy.
I'm not saying there aren't bargains to be had, I always seem to want what everyone else does.
 
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