Someone explain something about Gunbroker

[chazehen]

I just won an auction yesterday on GB . I put in my max bid and don’t look at it again until it is over. Not going to get caught up in a bidding war at the end.

Exactly how I play it. If you get in that last minute flurry emotions can get the better of you. That's what sellers and auction sites thrive on. I've done it and always ended up with a bit of buyer's remorse

 

[palmettomoon]

I once bid on a SAAB in Key Largo, I was out bid at the last minute then noticed it relisted a short time later. I inquired and the seller told me his buddy was bidding on it for him so it wouldn't go so cheap. I got them both banned from Ebay at the time. Jerks!

Shilling used to be encouraged by ebay (1999-2002) and they allowed you to maintain two accounts for just this purpose. My "shill account" used the name "Always_Getting_Sniped." I thought it funny because that's the account I used with a sniping service to win actions too.

Shilling on Gunjoker is a regular thing. I pay no mind (or little) to auctions where only a single bid wins the item.

 

[palmettomoon]

One thing we all need to keep in mind about GunBroker is that the highest bid we see published on their website for any active auction is not really the highest bid that has been committed and put into the system--
rather, what you see is the lowest possible dollar amount that beats the second highest bid that's been entered into the system.

Good point.

 

[palmettomoon]

That is what I am thinking is going on. I wondered if Gunbroker had safeguards in place. Does the seller owe Gunbroker a commission when an item sells? that could be a deterrent. or can the seller just say the deal fell through and relist it if they don't get their price?

I saw a completed auction on an Alien for 11K and I just don't believe it could sell for that much. I'm trying to figure out what is going on. I bought mine with the intention to shoot, but there is a price where I would let it go - I just don't believe that these guns could sell for some of what I'm seeing.

Why not? If I thought $8,500 was a good price why would I not grab it rather than wait for other bids on other guns to exceed it? Again, if I thought it was a good price.
"No reserve" doesn't mean no minimum bid. The reserve price is hidden, the minimum bid is not (obviously).

It's not uncommon (especially in volatile markets like this one) for bid amounts to greatly exceed the BIN price on some rare or hot commodities.

 

[Ruger34]

When I sell on gunbrokers, I set my starting bid at the minimum I would taken for the item and let it go from there, they also have the 15 min rule where if you bid with less than 15 min left before ending it will add 15 more min to the auction to stop those pesky last 5 second bids

 

[GeauxLSU]

Best deal I ever got on a new gun was on GB but I think it was an unusual circumstance.
Apparently a dealer had bought a large number of a particular rifle (Howa mini actions) in a variety of calibers and stock configurations. He must have had hundreds. But he was smart enough to not duplicate any of his listings. For example when one in .223 with a black stock and varmint barrel sold, THEN he'd list another .223 with a black stock and varmint barrel. But he may simultaneously have that configuration in .222 or 6.5 or whatever and he'd have several other .223's listed but not black stock varmint barrel. I watched what was happening and could see over time the demand was being filled and prices were gradually dropping. He had these for SEVERAL weeks. I eventually got what I wanted for less than half what I'd have had to pay new (honestly didn't believe it until it showed up at my FFL) and it was the lowest that any sold for in the configuration I wanted. and now regret not buying more in different configurations (like the chassis models he had for well less than half new at the time and less than 1/3 what they are going for now).
Point being, it's like buying anything. Know what you want and what you are willing to pay and don't be an idiot bidding.
Unlike ebay, the "buy it now" price does not go away on GB so if you think it's a good deal, especially today, you may want to grab it.

 

[GeauxLSU]

When I sell on gunbrokers, I set my starting bid at the minimum I would taken for the item and let it go from there, they also have the 15 min rule where if you bid with less than 15 min left before ending it will add 15 more min to the auction to stop those pesky last 5 second bids

As a buyer, I HATE that.

 

[Ruger34]

As a buyer, I HATE that.

Me too! I do my finally bid at 16 min and hope no one sees!

 

[kbkatl]

Why not? If I thought $8,500 was a good price why would I not grab it rather than wait for other bids on other guns to exceed it? Again, if I thought it was a good price.
"No reserve" doesn't mean no minimum bid. The reserve price is hidden, the minimum bid is not (obviously).

I didn't know that. I assumed "no reserve" meant no minimum. I remember a thread where someone here did a "buy now" for some absurd amount like $0.02 or 2 dollars. I thought if there was no reserve and no minimum listed then 1 dollar could win.

 

[palmettomoon]

As a buyer, I HATE that.

It does make it easier for one to aggravate bidders on an item that one may see as "too cheap." LOL.