GunBroker Price Madness

[ankona]

I just wish they would let the auctions determine fair pricing instead of instituting insanely high reserve pricing or buy it now pricing.

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

IT DOES NOT MATTER ONE IOTA WHAT THE FORUM PUNDITS SAY, OR THE BLUE BOOK SAYS. THE TRUE VALUE OF ANY ITEM IN A FREE MARKETPLACE IS EXACTLY WHAT THE HIGHEST BIDDER IS WILLING TO PAY FOR IT---INCLUDING THE REVOLVER POSTED BY THE OP. THAT'S SIMPLY ECONOMICS 101…..

YOU MAY NOT BE WILLING TO PAY THAT PRICE---AND THAT IS WHY YOU DON'T OWN IT. THERE IS OFTEN A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN WHAT YOU MIGHT BE WILLING TO PAY, AND THE TRUE MARKET VALUE. THAT IS WHY PEOPLE DROP OUT OF THE BIDDING IN AUCTIONS. WHAT YOU ARE WILLING TO PAY HAS NO IMPACT ON WHAT AN ITEM IS ACTUALLY WORTH ON THE FREE MARKET. IT IS ONLY A STATEMENT OF WHAT THE ITEM IS WORTH TO YOU, PERSONALLY…..

MANY PEOPLE GO THROUGH LIFE LUSTING AFTER FIREARMS THAT THEY ARE AFRAID TO SPEND A FEW EXTRA DOLLARS TO OWN. AS THEY SIT BACK, PRICES FOR THESE FIREARMS CONTINUE TO INCREASE, AND THEY CONTINUE TO DROOL ON THE SIDELINES. I HAVE MADE MANY PURCHASES ON GB. I HAVE SOMETIMES SPENT MORE THAN WHAT I HAVE WANTED TO. IN EACH INSTANCE, I HAVE BEEN GLAD THAT I DID. ALL OF THESE FIREARMS ARE NOW ROUTINELY FETCHING MORE THAN I PAID FOR THEM. IN SOME INSTANCES, I HAVE NOT SEEN ANOTHER OFFERED FOR SALE, IN THE YEARS SINCE I PURCHASED MINE. IMHO, LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO NOT ENJOY A FIREARM THAT YOU CRAVE, FOR WANT OF A BARGAIN PRICE………

This should pop up automatically every time someone questions GB prices.

 

[Jim1392]

In my humble opinion and I will admit I use GB on a regular basis things need to be taken down a notch. On the other hand there may be something to the rich getting richer and being able to perpetuate the sometime unrealistic prices on GB. It is more about who has the biggest pair. When I see an auction going sideways in that regard I drop out and live to fight another day, If you have been around the quickly transforming GB phenomenon you can note that the really out of sight prices are usually being driven by folks that have a few previous buys on there feedback, so they either didn't do there pricing research or have enough money where they don't need to.

I agree with the last part of the post about buyers with little or no feedback. The last few guns I have bid on I've been outbid both times by buyers with NR. And they paid way more then I thought the guns were worth. But on the other side of the coin the last 3 guns I have sold on GB went for way more then I expected from 2 buyers with NR and with one with one prior purchase.

 

[Irn-Bru]

Any guns sold through GB auctions represent what the market value is. These older guns are getting scarcer and more expensive. It makes no difference how many new ones Smith put out, the older pre-lock models are the ones that are desired. These are only going to keep climbing in price, not decline.

 

[TNDave]

We have to face the fact that unfortunately Smith revolvers have become the latest thing for people. On Gunbroker there will always be wealthy guys for whom $1000 is like $10 to most people. They have the money and want certain guns. They are going to pay what it takes to get them. I think Smith prices are a long way from bottoming out as they just started really going up a few years ago. I don't see nearly as many good Smiths locally any more because what I consider a "good" one hasn't been made in about 30 years now. Time has slipped by. If you want a certain gun you better snag it now. They aren't going to get cheaper any time soon.

 

[one eye joe]

After dropping out of the gun hobby in the 70's (family and kids took over). I jumped back in about 5 years ago. I decided to concentrate on 27-2's in the 3 1/2" barrels and short barrel 19's.

I was buying excellent to collector grade 27-2's for around $700. to $900. and people were complaining that was too high and saying they would not pay that much.

I hear the same complaints today at $1200. to $2000.

Glad I bought some when I did, who knows what the future price will be. I'm betting it won't be cheaper.

WELCOME HOME, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, BROTHER. ALSO, WELCOME BACK TO OUR HOBBY---OR MORE CORRECTLY, FOR ME ANYWAY--OUR WAY OF LIFE…..

YOU ARE A PRIME EXAMPLE OF JUST WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT. HAD YOU NOT HAD THE COURAGE TO SPEND A LITTLE MORE THAN YOU REALLY WANTED TO, AS I WAS, WE BOTH WOULD BE SITTING ON THE CURB, STILL DROOLING, AS THE PARADE OF FIREARMS WE COVET MARCHED ON BY…..

FROM OUR COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE, WE BOTH KNOW THAT LIFE IS VERY FRAGILE, AND SHORT AT BEST. ENJOY IT TO THE FULLEST, WHILE YOU CAN. DON'T LET A FEW BUCKS STOP YOU FROM REALIZING YOUR DREAM………...

 

[Zipdog]

Anyone have an educated guess as to what percentage of all used guns sold in the USA are sold on internet auction sites. My guess less than 5%. If that would be true how can that information as to prices be considered a true reflection of prices paid overall. I know that privet sales are not recorded for all to see but surely there are people out there who know something lots of us don't. Sometimes I limit myself to a pretty small world. Lots of things happening I never see.

 

[mmesa005]

To add to what others have said - it's is a game of patience but If you wait long enough you find what you are looking for. I have also found that placing a WTB/WTT in various forums works especially if you have something to trade.

Also I have used Guns For Sale - Lionseek as it covers various sites in a single search.

 

[Daniel71]

I just wish they would let the auctions determine fair pricing instead of instituting insanely high reserve pricing or buy it now pricing.

My Gun Broker rules and experiences:

1. I don't even look at guns that have a reserve price.

2. I decide when I first look at a gun on my maximum bid, and if the price goes above that I let it go.

3. I've purchased a number of S&W 640's and a few other older S&W revolvers this year at what I consider fair prices. (I don't have any need for original boxes or tools so I probably win auctions that real collectors ignore.)

4. I've been looking for a few old Beretta models and have not been willing to pay what they are asking for any of them. Maybe someday I'll win one of those auctions or maybe not, but if the price goes above my limit I quit.

5. In most cases, the guns I've bought look better in person than in the photos.

6. I don't buy Colts.

 

[Peak53]

Anyone have an educated guess as to what percentage of all used guns sold in the USA are sold on internet auction sites. My guess less than 5%. If that would be true how can that information as to prices be considered a true reflection of prices paid overall. I know that privet sales are not recorded for all to see but surely there are people out there who know something lots of us don't. Sometimes I limit myself to a pretty small world. Lots of things happening I never see.

Agreed. The prices on GB reflect the value of guns in the GB market- not the whole market. They tend to go to the highest common denominator.

 

[raljr1]

I've had good success on GB. I don't buy pristine examples because those tend to go to price levels I cannot justify. That said, I have bought 7 or 8 handguns off of gunbroker and the deals were not bad at all.....you have to set limits and be willing to walk away when the number no longer makes sense to you. And you have to be diligent in your search. f you really want a deal, you have to be watching constantly,

 

[gutterman]

Most of us have made a few "good" buys on GB. The trick is diligence. Be willing to search all the time and wait out your deal. They are out there--i've been proud of myself more than not with my bidding and winning. Know what you are willing to spend-stick to it and "they will come".

 

[picketpin]

Interesting thread.. I have been looking for a model 34 or 63 2" for many years, I have found some here and there at gunshows and just didn't have the cash when I ran across them. I have been watching on gunbroker and noting the current Smith ans Wesson madness.. Worst was a buy now on a moel 63 2" for I believe $1795.. Multiple others with a buy now of $1295 range.. Hmm. guess I will be happy with my Charter Arms Pathfinder from the 70's that has finished off more game than I can recall for a few more years..

 

[rz625-8]

I would only bid $350.00 max on that revolver or less. I don't care what the owner or dealer say. They want to keep it or sell it then go for a a lower price. These are modern revolvers still and they are not worth that much. It is nuts to say how much the owners want. Look at the gun shows,they are going to like gun broker and others price them selves out of business.

 

[jrandyh]

I love these people that always chime in about some deal they got like that's the going rate of the gun. So you got a deal. I hate it when people say you don't look hard enough. Are they just mean or stupid. Markets vary greatly. If you live in a large city with a heavily depressed economy maybe you can get some great prices. I got a few guns about a year ago at fair prices. The last 6 months or more the market. Totally dried up. I haven't even seen a S&W revolver in that long. Don't tell me to look harder. The gunshops never have them. So enjoy your DEALS. It will change. If you got such great deals and see plenty of guns how come you aren't flipping them?
JR

 

[willy]

IT DOES NOT MATTER ONE IOTA WHAT THE FORUM PUNDITS SAY, OR THE BLUE BOOK SAYS. THE TRUE VALUE OF ANY ITEM IN A FREE MARKETPLACE IS EXACTLY WHAT THE HIGHEST BIDDER IS WILLING TO PAY FOR IT---INCLUDING THE REVOLVER POSTED BY THE OP. THAT'S SIMPLY ECONOMICS 101…..


QUOTE]


BINGO !!

The best way to use gun broker (which I have used a lot through the years) is to place the highest bid you are willing to pay.
Then check back when the auction is over.
If you do win you will only pay what ever the bid increase is over the bidder right below you.
I've bought over 50 guns through the years and can honestly say every one was a good deal,, some were great deals ,, and a lot got away to higher bidders.
But all in all,, I never paid to much, and never got ripped off.

 

[willy]

I just wish they would let the auctions determine fair pricing instead of instituting insanely high reserve pricing or buy it now pricing.

That's true,, I got so tired of watching auctions with reserved prices that never sold,, that now I only look at "no reserve" auctions .

I also put top dollar I am willing to pay so I do not have to scan all the $1800 model 29's when my top dollar amount is $900
Saves a lot of time looking.

 

[629shooter]

There are plenty of things priced right on GB. It depends on what you're looking for, and the seller in question. Same goes for "shops/stores."

 

[Redcoat3340]

Great advice here. I've purchased close to a dozen guns (rifles, pistols and revolvers) on GB and I've only been burned once....on a 1915 Beretta 7.65 that was in terrible shape. But I only paid $125 for it so no big deal. It makes a nice paperweight.

Like many others have said: figure out what you want to pay and stick to it. But ya gotta keep looking. Prices have gone nutso...but they've gone nutso on Armslist and that NRA site as well. Even in stores out here in WA state, things have gotten a bit wacky.

Oh, and there's one exception to my NO RESERVE rule...I will look at and buy from CDI (Cole's Distributing)....all his guns are reserve priced, but all are buy it now as well for the reserve price. He's got good merchandise (especially Browning Hi Powers), great service and a super reputation in the BHP community. Other than him, I won't look at reserve price auctions.

 

[1sailor]

So far we have been discussing mostly older firearms that are going up in value. However, another thing I do see a lot of on GB is new or newer guns that are priced above gunstore prices. Many is the time I have seen firearms of all kinds that are LNIB or used very little and they are priced well above what Bud's is asking for brand new. The only thing I can think of is that they were purchased during the last panic when guns of any kind sold for whatever was asked. I think it would save sellers of newer guns a lot of trouble if they did even some basic research before listing on GB.