I let an M&P .38 New York Police duty revolver, with original box, duty holster and insert (with original box) go on Gunbroker for $326. Wondering if I should have kept bidding. I had set a max for myself of $315, but now I'm afraid I should have kept at it. Pistol was in very good shape with only a bit of holster wear on top of frame and at muzzle.

I've got a couple of other .38's and this was one that I didn't really need, but I hate to pass up a bargain. Did I?

" I hate to pass up a bargain. Did I?"
You are about the only one who can answer that question. Just because something is a "Bargain" does not mean you need to buy it. I have bought far too many guns that seemed "Bargains" at the time, and later wished I had kept the money in my pocket.

Better to stick with the original plan then to get involved in a bidding frenzy

Redcoat,

Just because it sold at $326, doesn't mean that you could have won it, had you bid on it. Chances are, bidding would have kept going up! By you not continuing to bid, just means that you let someone else get it for a good price, not that you would have.

But that bullet is down range now and we'll never know so I would forget about it.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Hondo hit the nail on the head. You were wise to set a max and stick to it.

Another way to look at it:
The other guy wanted it more than you did. So what if he got it for a reasonable price? Would it make you happier if you had kept bidding and forced him to pay $400 for it?

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You're shy a few manners.

I want to commend your sticking with your high bid. It is so easy to just think "for $10 more I could get it" and keep bidding up. I have lost a few that way, but think I have saved a lot of money in the long run.

This is an area where prior research and experience comes in handy. I also set limits on auctions and seldom bump them beyond what I think is a "bargain". Outside of a very few models of S&Ws, another example will come along soon, so don't rush to purchase. We have all seen many members who post a purchase and are trying to justify spending too much money, but if they are happy with the purchase, that is all that matters - - until it comes time to sell.

There are so many auctions out there that you can find quite a few bargains over time. I find what I want and place my max bid, then often never come back to the auction. I have had some very nice surprises in my Inbox, but none that I have ever had buyer's remorse about. That works on most all S&Ws except those grail guns that come up seldom and sell for high dollars. Those are reserved for serious buyers/collectors and if you want one, keep bidding.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

The longer you "collect", the sooner you realize that you can't have them all. Believe me, I've tried

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Rick
SWCA #2727 , SWHF #435

since it is a closed auction, please post link

No I don't think you blew it. Above comments are so true. I have recently learned to not sweat all the good buys I didn't act on.
However I am have a bit of trouble on letting a nice pre 14, 5 screw ONE LINE ADDRESS gun sail off in the distance just yesterday for only $370 (closed GB auction 450582833).
On second thought, it doesen't appear I've learned too well at all. Ha!

Roger

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Eph 2:8-9

OK, now that I see it, it is certainly worth more than $370, but the big question is how far the high bidder would have gone. Any single line Masterpiece in decent condition should be worth $500 plus. sn is K23688.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Much appreciate everyone's comments. When house hunting I've always said,

Much appreciate everyone's comments. When house hunting I've always said, "There's always another house." Same with guns. I was just curious about this one as I've learned on this forum a gun with a box is worth more than just a gun. And this one also had the duty holster.

And yes, I've moved on. Now looking for my other interest, older Berettas, esp. the .32 ACP's. Have five: a 92, a Model 951 9mm "Brigadier," (not a Helwan, but the real thing) an early model 70, one 1935 and a 1915 on the way.

But I am always on the lookout for Smiths. Want a Victory to go with my pre-Victory, 10-6, and 15-3. A pre-ten, like this one, fit nicely into the herd.

Here's the gunbroker link:
Smith & Wesson M&P 38 Cal. 5 Screw EX-NYPD : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

Years back I saw a used Model 52 sitting in a gun shop. It was on consignment with a price tag of around $500. (this was some time ago) I asked if he was open for offers and he said yes. I offered $400 and he immediately said sold. I kicked myself for not offering less but found out afterwards, that was what he actually wanted. I feel I did OK and got a gun I had been looking to buy for some time.

On gun broker, it just scares me that they have the 15 minute rule. Bidding can go on forever and I feel there may actually be bids made just to get the price up where the seller wants it to be. Friends bidding etc. Never trusted that site. I have purchased on other sites where i could contact the seller and make the deal. Even then, I kind of like to see and handle what I'm buying especially at today's prices.

From the sellers perspective that would be a real gamble. The fake bid could very well be the last bid, then he'd be stuck with the gun and the fees.

I like the 15 minute rule, it is actually more like a live auction than the ebay system, in which everybody puts in their bids and and their snipes and the computer sorts it out in the last blink of an eye. I buy and sometimes sell and I like the live action of the end where people are watching from different parts of the country, deciding what's it worth.

What I hate is hidden reserves, what's the point, if you want a reserve just start the bidding at that price, why make people bid at prices you won't sell at, POINTLESS!!