I'm posting this discussion under Shotguns as much of the stuff that I'm downsizing is shotgun related.
I've been selling a lot of my stuff at auction. I have sold things on EE but it is often easier for me to use an auctioneer. I only do one gun show a year---sometimes I do well and sometimes not so good. However, at auction the vast majority of my items sell---sometimes the selling price is favourable, sometimes not so good but overall it has been expedient to my downsizing. If an item doesn't sell the items normally sell at the next auction.
I just had an in interesting, although somewhat frustrating, discussion with an auctioneer. The issue was regarding bidding, and possibly buying, my own items when they could sell for a very low price eg say 10% of fair market value. I was told that under no circumstance could I buy back my own items as it in considered to be unethical. I was upset with this response---what does it matter who buys the item---the auctioneer still gets paid their commission so why do they care whose pocket the money comes from. Again I was told no way, its unethical.
This discussion brought to mind a few other issues with auctions. Most auctioneers don't like reserves---the difficulty is establishing a fair reserve----one that prevents items being low-balled but at the same time a reasonable starting price for both the seller and the auctioneer. This practice is common at the high end US auctions but uncommon here in Canada.
I have been told, but can't verify, that some auctioneers buy items at their own auction for their own personal use. My thoughts are that this practice is questionable. Why should the auctioneer buy items at his own auction but not allow the seller to buy back his own items?
I'm asking fellow CGN people to make there own comments on the issues I have raised. And, perhaps your own experiences, good and bad with auctioneers. Perhaps, auctioneers would be interested in responding as well.
Bill
I've been selling a lot of my stuff at auction. I have sold things on EE but it is often easier for me to use an auctioneer. I only do one gun show a year---sometimes I do well and sometimes not so good. However, at auction the vast majority of my items sell---sometimes the selling price is favourable, sometimes not so good but overall it has been expedient to my downsizing. If an item doesn't sell the items normally sell at the next auction.
I just had an in interesting, although somewhat frustrating, discussion with an auctioneer. The issue was regarding bidding, and possibly buying, my own items when they could sell for a very low price eg say 10% of fair market value. I was told that under no circumstance could I buy back my own items as it in considered to be unethical. I was upset with this response---what does it matter who buys the item---the auctioneer still gets paid their commission so why do they care whose pocket the money comes from. Again I was told no way, its unethical.
This discussion brought to mind a few other issues with auctions. Most auctioneers don't like reserves---the difficulty is establishing a fair reserve----one that prevents items being low-balled but at the same time a reasonable starting price for both the seller and the auctioneer. This practice is common at the high end US auctions but uncommon here in Canada.
I have been told, but can't verify, that some auctioneers buy items at their own auction for their own personal use. My thoughts are that this practice is questionable. Why should the auctioneer buy items at his own auction but not allow the seller to buy back his own items?
I'm asking fellow CGN people to make there own comments on the issues I have raised. And, perhaps your own experiences, good and bad with auctioneers. Perhaps, auctioneers would be interested in responding as well.
Bill
The other was a very unique gun that had modest appeal for many but very valued by a very few, very particular collectors. I happened to know someone who knew a suitable collector and he brokered the deal. I ended up getting way more than I likely would have in any other sale circumstance.
