Auction Site Item Descriptions

[50 target]

I've been on the auction sites this weekend looking for some items to fill secret lusts, for my grandchildren, and items I just thought I would like to try. When looking through the descriptions, I noticed the following "it is in good condition for its age". Yeah right ! What does that tell me?

Well, I found the best one of all these years. "Near mint. functions great but has some pitting under the reblue" Excuse me. how the he@@ does it qualify as near mint with pitting and a reblue? Anybody else run across an item description that is notable? I assume these guys must be victims of the recession and the marketing division has cut back staff.

Have to really decode these descriptions.

Bob

 

[HAWKEYE10]

That kind of wording is for us hillbilly's that don't know any better. Don

 

[Engineer1911]

"Near Mint" describes where the item was found, not its present condition.

 

[xray97]

I've noticed a lot of that **** lately too. A good number of guns listed as LNIB, excellent, and mint show not only a good deal of use but abuse too. A lot of "no refunds, exam pictures closely" followed up a bunch of blurred useless photos.
I'm very cautious buying from anyone I don't know. I'd much rather pay an extra few dollars than get burnt trying to save a buck.
I understand there can be a little variance to "ratings" on guns based on individual opinions, but the auction sites, increasingly, have some sellers that come very close to fraud (IMO).
Definitely buyer beware.

 

[TACC1]

I get a kick out of the ones such as you're describing, that have
blurry, unfocussed pics. At that point I move on. If it was a good as described, the seller would make Certain that the pics were good.
Or this one; Big build-up, but Inspection period? AS IS, no returns.
TACC1

 

[oldman45]

All the above is the exact reason I buy FTF, be it private sale or gun store purchase. Be it guns, antique cars or other items, people have different ideas of what something is worth and it's condition.

I recently bought a Model 29 and the guy told me it was in great shape, seldom fired and looked new. By the time I got the gun in hand, I learned it had spent years, unprotected, in a metal tool box of a truck with a lot of hand tools around it. It was pitted, scratched, pretty much rusted out and one grip was broken. Even S&W said it would not be worth repairing. I got it cheap but still way over paid based on the actual condition vs the stated condition.

 

[handejector]

"Would reblue to Mint"

I really like that one. It tells you there is hope....

 

[Uncle Larry]

"Would reblue to Mint"

I really like that one. It tells you there is hope....

And all this time I thought "mint" was either a plant and/or a shade of green...silly me

 

[oldRoger]

Local GS had a listing on GB for a M24 that was just what I wanted. The description was sort of vague, and I could paraphrase it as "not in bad shape considering its condition and age"
The photos though were clear and looked good to me.
The boilerplate said something to the effect that; we have a gunsmith here (they do) but we would not let him look at this piece, we are very experienced with older revolvers (they are) but would not venture an opinion on this particular gun. This gun is sold where is and as is, NO returns for any reason.
So I thought I would just run over and take a look. They know me there; I have caused the cash register to jingle numerous times.
So I asked to see the M24. The LGS said no, absolutely not, we do not allow examination of items on GB. Says I, puzzled, why not, if it is in reasonable shape I will bid it up.
It is our policy says the local GS, no exceptions.

Now it's their business to run as they like, but it would seem to me that this is all counterproductive if the aim is to get the best price.

 

[feralmerril]

I once had a exam by a lady doctor. I asked her how I was at the end and she simply said I was in better shape than I deserved!
Wonder how that would work selling guns?

 

[handejector]

I once had a exam by a lady doctor. I asked her how I was at the end.......

fm-
which end were you worried about?
I hope both ends were OK.

 

[feralmerril]

Actualy that was after the finger wave and prostrate check. Sorry to say, I got to admit she didnt follow me home!

 

[Kelly Green]

One I'll never forget was a guy selling a S&W M36 on the auction site. The pictures showed a snubby that had seen better days. He described it as having normal wear in accordance with its age. He then went on to add that the revolver was in as good a shape as when it left the factory. By shape, I guess he meant that it still looked like a gun.

 

[mkk41]

There's an auction house by me that holds 4 firearms auctions a year. Their descriptions and grading are puzzling to say the least , and sometimes outright lies. If something listed interests me , I usually try to get there early and take a borelight. Usually they secure the actions with cable ties though.

 

[therevjay]

Actualy the NRA ratings (modern or antique) are pretty clear. That doesen't stop "creative interpitation". My favorite is "Mod.1877 Colt .41 Exellent cond. almost like new, (not working)" Ahhh, yeah you betcha.

If I do bid on anything on the net it's AA not GB. AA sellers must provide a 3 day return. (unless they've changed the policy since last time I bid on something)

 

[tops]

A guy at work knew I liked LC Smith shotguns and said he had a nice one for sale. I told him if it was nice I was interested but if it was not I didn't want it. He said it is nice so I drove over to look at it. The blue was awful, case color gone, dent in barrel and bad crack in stock. I was not impressed. He said it was nice for its age. After that I never believed anything he said. Larry

 

[BearBio]

Some I've seen that said "NRA Mint" or "NRA Fine" very definitely proved the seller couldn't even spell "NRA", much less read a description.