Buying "Online"

[00-Guy]

First: Note to Moderators-- If you feel that this belongs in the Ratings Forum by all means place it there.

OK. I have found a few guns at one of the online gun auctions that I like. (Actually I found several that I like but only a few that I am willing to buy.) I have looked at auctionarms, gunsamerica, and gunbrokers. In particular on the auction sites, how much sniping goes on? I am loath to invest the emotional capital in an online purchase only to get beat by someone on the West Coast who has no problem being up at 1:00am Eastern. or who types two seconds faster than me.

 

[MacPelto]

Well, I have only bought 2 guns from these auctions, (Well, one other from ebay back when they sold guns.) And neither was sniped. Also, I don't know how gunbroker's 15 minute rule would change everything, if someone tried to snipe.

That being said, I never understood how sniping really worked, when up against proxy bidders. Bidding at the last minute doesn't do any good if the proxy bid is higher anyway. I have had people snipe on ebay items before, but only one of 2 things happens...1) They don't beat my proxy, and I buy the item. or 2) They outbid me at the last minute, but it's more than I would have paid anyway, so I'm glad i didn't get ripped off.

Can some of you auction snipers out there enlighten me as to what exactly you're trying to do?

Mac

 

[45Badger]

Not really a sniper, I just play one on TV

If I am able to be at computer close to when auction ends, I'll wait until then. If not, I use proxy bidding. I try to wait to because I do not want to drive up the cost of a purchase.

Some folks out there get very caught up in the emotional side of buying. They want to "compete", up to their comfort level/price, and then bail. I prefer not to pay for their emotional ride up the price scale.

I may be willing to pay $800 for a gun, but am usually happier if I can get it for $700. With reserves (SILLY A$$ way of pricing, if you ask me) and 15 minute rules, sniping gets kind of hard to pull off, anyway.

My $02

 

[hillbilly]

I have scored two really good buys on AuctionArms with the following strategy.

I look at the recently ended actions, say within last three days, and look for Reserve Auctions that didn't meet reserve.

Then, I email the sellers and ask that since their piece didn't meet reserve, what is the absolute lowest price they would take for said piece?

I've scored a single action army replica in .357 mag and an SKS that takes AK mags.

Paid $200 or less in both cases.

hillbilly

 

[MacPelto]

Good Job! I foresee this as my new tactic for online firearm purchases...

 

[Bacchus]

With respect to Hillbilly's suggestion, you might want to make sure that doing so is within the rules at auction arms. I know that contacting sellers offline is highly discouraged at Ebay and it's also a good way to get burned, since you can't go through their channels for recourse if the deal goes sour.

Be careful.

 

[Beetle Bailey]

So it's called "sniping", eh? Well, it has happened to me with accessories a lot but not with guns. As stated, you just set your max bid and let the proxy bidding deal with these weasels. Stick to your max bid unless you love the thrill of the auction duel. If someone beats your max bid at the last minute, well, they paid more than you were willing to so they deserve it, even if they act like weasels.

 

[hillbilly]

Of course Ebay discourages my bargain style shopping.

If the item doesn't sell during the online auction, then the auction site doesn't get its cut.

The seller usually doesn't care, as the seller's aim is to sell the item.

hillbilly