You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Gunbroker, sellers bidding on own items?
- Thread starter Falcon642
- Start date
It used to be common for bids on bullet molds to go higher that what you could just order them from the current MidWay USA website.Once they set their sights on those mags common sense went right out the window.
My approach is a little different and I know some of you will laugh and call me an idiot. I don't care. I buy mostly C&R guns, they are usually 75 to 100 years old so if I miss it there is no guarantee another one will come along in the caliber and condition I want. So if there is say an old Colt or S&W revolver I want that should sell between $700 and $900 (maybe a little more) I will put say $2000 max in the auto bid. That way I'm pretty assured I will get the gun I want sense I want it more than the money I will spend. I've used this technique a few times and been satisfied with the results. Only down side is if the other bidder is as big an idiot as I am and uses the same technique. If so, one of us is going to end up with a very expensive gun. If it happens we'll just have to laugh it off. Ain't auctions fun?
breakingcontact posted:
I've been on the other end of this. Perhaps he bidders thought I was in on it.
I listed a gun with a buy it now price for what they were selling for. The two bidders bid it up $300 past that.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
During the peak of the panic, there were an number of overbids by NRs on "Buy Now" items. The NRs were clueless on how to use Gunbroker.
Topic was discussed extensively on some of the forums. Overbids provided great entertainment for some.
I've been on the other end of this. Perhaps he bidders thought I was in on it.
I listed a gun with a buy it now price for what they were selling for. The two bidders bid it up $300 past that.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
During the peak of the panic, there were an number of overbids by NRs on "Buy Now" items. The NRs were clueless on how to use Gunbroker.
Topic was discussed extensively on some of the forums. Overbids provided great entertainment for some.
Does not seem very likely. They can put a reserve price on it, start the bidding as high as they want. Also, if the owner bids on it himself and he wins it, he has to pay the Gunbroker fees for an item he has not sold.
Auctions without reserve generally draw more bidders - this is attractive to sellers. Some sellers think its ok to hedge by bidding up the price, getting those who "hate to lose" to bid more than they would if there was a reserve. This is a shill, it's unethical, but it is a proven technique in getting higher bids.
Even if the seller is shilling his own stuff, I see it as a non-issue. I'll pay XX for the gun and no more so I'll bid that. If it goes higher, due to honest or dishonest reasons, I don't want it in either case. And if it goes higher for dishonest reasons, I very likely don't want to deal with that seller anyway.
I just bid my max. Once.
Sgt Lumpy
I just bid my max. Once.
Sgt Lumpy
Dr Big Bird PhD
New member
It's much easier to avoid such "fake bidding" wars by sticking to reputable distributors. I say, if youre bidding on a firearm from a seller that has no history, then the low price and potential price war is just another aspect of the inherent risk.
People often assume private purchases and auctions should be handled in a price standardized manner because we are so accustomed to price-standardized merchandise, environments and chains. In reality, most modern Americans are very new to the idea of traditional bartering.
People often assume private purchases and auctions should be handled in a price standardized manner because we are so accustomed to price-standardized merchandise, environments and chains. In reality, most modern Americans are very new to the idea of traditional bartering.
...then the low price and potential price war is just another aspect of the inherent risk
I don't really see any "risk" in a price war. I'll still only pay 700 for that gun. If the guy won't sell it for that, no problem for me. If someone else will pay more than that, still no problem for me.
Consider all the sellers that you might think are shilling. Suppose they all became honest and simply started their auctions at a minimum bid that was higher than you wanted to pay.
I suggest to not get confused about the two concepts of "What the thing is worth" vs "What I'm willing to pay". People buy stuff all the time for more than what I think it's worth. Some are even very aware that the same item is available elsewhere for less.
Sgt Lumpy
It is also a proven technique for winning your own item and ending up paying the fees for a net loss. It only works if you are not the last and the winning bid.Auctions without reserve generally draw more bidders - this is attractive to sellers. Some sellers think its ok to hedge by bidding up the price, getting those who "hate to lose" to bid more than they would if there was a reserve. This is a shill, it's unethical, but it is a proven technique in getting higher bids.