Internet auctions.

[Wild Skies]

You can't handle it, you can't feel it, you see only what is shown.

Are you comfortable buying at an internet auction?

[OH Osthaus]

http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=13134

some folks are some aren't

i have bid on several of a certain item lately - so far- everyone thinks they are worth more than I do

[Kensal Rise]

A great portion of this issue depends on what you consider an "internet auction." If that term includes sites like Gunbroker, then it's buyer beware.

If you include some of the larger auction houses like Rock Island, Cowan's or Little John's then you can feel a bit more relaxed. Their reputations depend on honesty and accuracy. At least for the most part. But don't count on getting underpriced guns there. The two key components of such auctions are competition and greed.

[Wild Skies]

I'm not talking about gunbroker, but rather the true auction houses. I realize the bigger auction houses have garnered their reputations through honest dealings. These well-established big auction houses attract the most potential buyers and with it comes top dollar realized, but what about the lesser known auction houses where one might be able to pick up a quality gun at a great price without the competition?

[jeffkinser]

Originally Posted by Greg Baehman

I'm not talking about gunbroker, but rather the true auction houses. I realize the bigger auction houses have garnered their reputations through honest dealings. These well-established big auction houses attract the most potential buyers and with it comes top dollar realized, but what about the lesser known auction houses where one might be able to pick up a quality gun at a great price without the competition?

What are some of the lesser known ones that you are talking about. I would love to add more sites to see guns and hopefully see prices paid to learn more about the market.

Jeff

[Wild Skies]

Originally Posted by jeffkinser

What are some of the lesser known ones that you are talking about. I would love to add more sites to see guns and hopefully see prices paid to learn more about the market.

Jeff

Carol Watson's Orange County Auctions, Fox River Auctions, Poulin Auction Company and scores of others scattered around the country.

[ForrestArmstrong]

I've bought scores of guns off internet auction sites including ebay back when they first started up and allowed guns. There were some terrific bargains in those days because that market was very inefficient at the time. Before that, it was Shotgun News or Gun List. Been disappointed maybe 4 times in many years of swapping, returned those for refunds.
I sell online every so often too, never had anything returned.
I've also bought from Rock Island & Julia's, those items were exactly as described & pictured, maybe a little better actually. It seems to me the best stuff now appears at the major auction houses. Unfortunately buyer and sometimes seller premiums are high and one has to take that into account.

[Jawjadawg]

Originally Posted by Greg Baehman

Carol Watson's Orange County Auctions, Fox River Auctions, Poulin Auction Company and scores of others scattered around the country.

Strongly disagree. I've picked a few bargains this way, but you get far less information when using something like Proxibid to access those auctions, and no buyer protections. None. Zilch. Gunslingerauctions in California will never see another dime from me. Sorry SOB's won't even return phone calls after I spoke to them about the fact the Fox they sent me made no mention of being more wobbly than a circus tent in a tornado, among other issues. I didn't complain too much because I knew the risk ahead of time, but their NRA description was a joke. The gun was unsafe to shoot. Carol Watson's also sent me a pretty ridiculous gun, but those were also partially my fault for not asking better questions. I've posted about the Carol Watson's gun(without mentioning them - I've actually held the gun for over a year), on Double Gun Shop recently when asking about how the ribs were attached on an LC Smith from 1968-71. That gun arrived with the ribs attached by high heat black silicon. I've also attended the live auction regularly held here in Central Georgia. Those guns were also not very well represented on the internet, and for some reason the on-sight bidders seem to push the prices higher despite condition. The auctioneer seems to have a good feel for how high the people in the live audience will bid, and then there are also the "pre-bids" which I assume are often placed by shills to establish a "reserve".

Rock Island and, of course, Julia's, seem to be the best.

The auctions on the Gunbroker-style websites are far superior to the others, in my opinion. My experience with Freeman_Arms in Drexel, MO regarding their "call it what you will" behavior has been the exception.

[Harry Reed]

I will only buy on auctions sites like gunbroker. The first step before bidding on any item is to check the seller's feedback. I have sold over 25 firearms on gunbroker and have zero negative feedback. If the seller has very few seller feedback posts or any negative post stay clear. If a seller has A+ feedback for multiple or many items sold he is properly representing items listed. If buying a high $ item like a Parker look for a 3 day inspection agreement. I have had great success buying and selling on GB.

[ed good]

to me, no return policy, means no retail bid, regardless of feedback or value of item.