I often read posts on various discussion forums where folks complain about buying or selling on the auction sites. I estimate that I have bought close to 100 guns on the two major sites and I never felt ripped off. Never had a seller screw me over. Had a buyer shaft me on feedback once, but I guess that happens.
Twice I bought rifles at the starting price that turned into some going back and forth. I was the only bidder for an H&R Trapdoor replica. I thought the starting price was about a fair deal and that's what I bid. Nobody raised me so I guess other shoppers agreed it was just about topped out.
The seller didn't see it that way and emailed me with long complaints about how cheaply it sold. If he was so anxious to get a higher price he should have started it higher. But it likely wouldn't have sold. After several whining emails I finally offered to let him out of the sale. I told him he could pay the seller's fee as if it sold and we'd call it quits. I didn't want him feeling cheated. But he said he wanted to go ahead and complete the transaction.
Still have it. Looks nice but that damn gun kicks like a mule.
The other one involved a new rifle offered by a large retail dealer with a starting price about 60% below retail. I think that was likely a little below wholesale but I am guessing. I was the only bidder and I actually felt guilty and offered to let him out of the deal as I didn't want him to lose money. He just laughed on the phone and assured me it was OK. He'd sold tens of thousands of guns on the auction site and if a few went cheaply he more than made it up on others.
Like I said, I try. Am I crazy?
Twice I bought rifles at the starting price that turned into some going back and forth. I was the only bidder for an H&R Trapdoor replica. I thought the starting price was about a fair deal and that's what I bid. Nobody raised me so I guess other shoppers agreed it was just about topped out.
The seller didn't see it that way and emailed me with long complaints about how cheaply it sold. If he was so anxious to get a higher price he should have started it higher. But it likely wouldn't have sold. After several whining emails I finally offered to let him out of the sale. I told him he could pay the seller's fee as if it sold and we'd call it quits. I didn't want him feeling cheated. But he said he wanted to go ahead and complete the transaction.
Still have it. Looks nice but that damn gun kicks like a mule.
The other one involved a new rifle offered by a large retail dealer with a starting price about 60% below retail. I think that was likely a little below wholesale but I am guessing. I was the only bidder and I actually felt guilty and offered to let him out of the deal as I didn't want him to lose money. He just laughed on the phone and assured me it was OK. He'd sold tens of thousands of guns on the auction site and if a few went cheaply he more than made it up on others.
Like I said, I try. Am I crazy?