I didn't buy any Parkers but did buy three guns I had been watching. I was watching around 40 guns in all just to follow the prices ( I tend to buy a lot of other types of guns than Parkers). I bid on 8 guns total, and only won the three. Two of the other five were guns I tried to buy and lost to the sytem as before. On these two, I was willing to bid several thousand more, but couldn't place a bid. This happens every auction. On the three I bought, I had placed bids at the level I was willing to pay, and they were started and bid up for me successfully. They were relatively inexpensive and I actually got them at good prices. The other two were much more expensive and I had entered minimum bids ahead of time. With these two and a couple of last minute alternate bids I was never able to complete a final bid before the hammer fell. Prebids execute quickly but internet live bids require a "bid" and then a "confirm bid" step. In 4 or 5 cases, I hit "Bid" then "Confirm" and they never registered before the hammer. The bid itself always made it because because I recieved messages that my "bid of X Dollars" was outbid, but I never recieve credit for the bid until it is too late. I have talked to other people who have the same experience. The bidding for the high value guns stretches to incredible lengths (as it should) but to make up for this given the time issues, the length of time per item goes to sometimes unworkable lengths on the lower valued items (and these are often not trivial amounts). In my case, the sellers lost several thousand dollars they might have realized on just two items. These were not think about it and bid too late; these were quick competitive bids with final calls of a few seconds. To put a blunt point on it, they are selling too many items in a fixed amount of time from the buyers viewpoint.
One change I believe they could make would be to go to a system that Cowan's auction used and uses. (He is the long time Cincinnati house who has been a Militaria and Weapons appraiser on Antiques Road Show for decades). They have merged recently with a large national chain but still do their own auctions. They hold regular weapons auctions which are two day events. The bulk of their lots are sold though a seven to ten day internet only auction on the first day and the significant items are sold live on the following day. The internet bidding allows the final bid haggling go on as long as necessary and the time of the live auctions is shortened. All the lots are available for review, and if someone wants to see an item in the first auction before bidding, they can review it the day before and place an online bid, if they are attending the live auction. I think this system would allow for equitable bidding on all the lots while maximizing income for the sellers and the house while cutting down on the length of the auction.
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