Online Auctions

[andy52]

Have any of you that bid on auctions sites ever suspected that you were bidding against a shill bidder? I was bidding on some S&Ws recently that I noticed a bidder that only bids for one seller
and once they get a certain price level they drop out. They have had to complete a few deals but it's seems to be with the same seller.

 

[CapnB]

I used to watch it pretty closely but never really saw anything suspicious so I don’t pay as much attention now as I probably should. What I have found is that I tend to end up bidding against a lot of the same people, but my “collecting” focus is pretty narrow. I always hope I’m not bidding against folks on this forum, but know I have from time to time because of the similar (even identical) screen names. Sorry .

 

[ParadiseRoad]

Have any of you that bid on auctions sites ever suspected that you were bidding against a shill bidder? I was bidding on some S&Ws recently that I noticed a bidder that only bids for one seller
and once they get a certain price level they drop out. They have had to complete a few deals but it's seems to be with the same seller.

...I saw a .01 cent start...no reserve auction get to the last 15 minutes with no bids...so I went for 25 cents...gun went immediately for the rather substantial buy it now price...buyer had two previous buys...from the same seller of course...

 

[Ozark Marine]

I think there is some shill bidding going on, and I have up'ed the bids a few times on bidders who have done the same to me. (payback is a mother)
I've had that backfire on me but the couple of times it did I've been happy when the gun's arrived and I got to take a good look at them.

The most recent is the S&W 459.
Won on GB.
My buyers rating on GB is A+77.
So ya, I do like auctions.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Yes!
When you lose at the last second.
And then a while later see the exact item relisted.
Happened to me twice bidding on a knife.

 

[LVSteve]

There are shills and there are market manipulators. For example, a collector of French firearms admitted point blank that he bid up ALL auctions of in his sphere so that nobody ever bought one cheaper than he had. I could not make it up. Sure, he ended up winning certain items at more than he would like to pay, but it seems he had deep pockets. Watching all kinds of auctions I have seen what look like similar behaviour in other collecting areas. Some folk just cannot stand seeing the other guy get a bargain.

 

[Watchdog]

Have any of you that bid on auctions sites ever suspected that you were bidding against a shill bidder?

Does a bear...well, never mind. But yeah, I've had that feeling simply because I have no doubt there are shill bidders on the auction sites. Can I prove it? No.

 

[Bakebfr480]

I don't trust any of the online auction sites.......PERIOD!

 

[eveled]

Trying to buy mutiple of one thing one various actions, I set a maximum bid, sometimes I'd win sometimes I'd loose. Do that for long enough and you will raise the value of said item. I've done it to myself.

Back in the day eBay showed the bidders names, so you knew who you were bidding against. If it was your friend you could back off. Or if an enemy, drive up the price. It was getting vicious.

 

[Muss Muggins]

As with anything, pick your maximum price and stick with it. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Doesn't matter who's bidding against you. The only way a shill wins is if you let them take you above what would have been your maximum price because you just have to have it . . .

 

[Rule3]

I would have to believe there are shill bidders.

I have seen new production (currently available) firearms go for more than just buying a new one from an online dealer??

I am not a "player" but have bid on a few guns

Maybe some of the experienced folks can explain why on no reserve, no start bid that are listed for say 14 days, someone bids on the first day at some stupid low number??

Same with the "penny" auctions, why place a bid and lose some of your penny "bids" when you know the item is not going to sell for a ridiculous price of $2.00 or something??

 

[arjay]

I would have to believe there are shill bidders.

I have seen new production (currently available) firearms go for more than just buying a new one from an online dealer??

I am not a "player" but have bid on a few guns

Maybe some of the experienced folks can explain why on no reserve, no start bid that are listed for say 14 days, someone bids on the first day at some stupid low number??

Same with the "penny" auctions, why place a bid and lose some of your penny "bids" when you know the item is not going to sell for a ridiculous price of $2.00 or something??

Its one way of getting an email reminding you of the auction as its ending

 

[josywales]

I think there are a few things at play that drive prices up, which is why you have to simply choose your maximum price. can you get deals on auction, yes, but not too often. It usually involves a typo in the ad, etc.

1 - Shill bidding does occur and the OP's example is likely that. During an auction, I always check who I'm bidding against, what they've bid on in the past, etc. Again, i have a maximum, but if i'm better off chasing another auction, I can bail early.

2 - not everyone has a gun store nearby - this is what could be driving new gun prices on auctions. I've never seen a good price on a new gun, unless it was listed by a local shop that also runs auctions. Tanners comes to mind. They are 30 minutes from me and buy dozens of one model, then sell an very reasonable prices. The shop works on volume, not margin, and everyone wins.

3 - Market Manipulators - gotta believe that's going on as well. Sure, they might get "stuck" with one, but when they factor in the many others they bought below the normal market value and the fact that an auction loser might be motivated to bid up the next one, I'd think the manipulator can come out on top. Not sure how I feel about this method. If a manipulator was simply buying all of the models, to corner the market, I would have no issue with it, but trying to manipulate it seems...off to me, even though both have the same result.

4 - the 15 minute rule drives me nuts and is also why you simply need a maximum to bid.

5 - desperation - guilty on this one once or twice. The ladies of the house are left-eye-dominant, which means I'm chasing down LH rimfire rifles and Remington 1100s. I prefer the gas operated, to help with recoil and the newer gas operated shotguns aren't inexpensive, so I'd rather buy the older quality, for a similar price. And I just did on GB $$$. Supposedly a new old stock 1100, so we'll see how I did!

Think about S&W 3rd generation pistols in this same regard. If you want an all/mostly steel pistol, or heaven forbid, single stack pistol, are there really any newer models that fit the bill??? Although you can't buy the history or prestige, newer revolvers are robust and a decent value for the dollar. Pistols, I'm not so sure about.

 

[andy52]

The example in my post was of a no reserve rather high dollar 2000+ S&W and I'm pretty certain it was a shill bidder and it's happened more than once same bidder, same seller. I don't get into bidding wars and have a dollar amount in mind when I bid but if a seller is worried about losing money on a sale just place a reserve or a starting bid it's more ethical and not illegal like shill bidding is. Can I prove it? maybe but I generally avoid stirring the pot it's just not worth it.

 

[Ozark Marine]

I've seen reserve auctions on GB where the seller listed the reserve price in the bottom of the ad. Or if I did place a bid and when the auction ends it sometimes shows "This item has been relisted" and what the reserved price is.
Or just hit the "Ask the buyer a question" button and see if the seller will tell you.
All legit. No major mystery.
They want to sell and it has worked for me.

 

[Alpo]

Many years ago, when I was first on the internet, I went to an auction site (don't recall which), and saw a gun I figgered I'd be willing to pay 500 for. Read their instructions for "proxy bids". Took their advice about not doing an even amount, so instead of bidding 500 as my top I bid something like 502.38.

I was the only bidder. Hundred and a quarter. Sat there the entire time of the auction. Then about an hour before the auction was over, someone started bidding. He bid and my proxy kicked it up, and he bid again and my proxy kicked it up, and when he got to 500 my proxy kicked it to 502.38, and he did not bid again.

So I paid 500 for a gun it looked like I was gonna get for 125. I believe that's called a "learning experience".

 

[Ozark Marine]

Same thing on GB.
Max bid.
Set it and forget it.
If before the auction ends and somebody outbids your max, you get a email telling you.

 

[Skeet 028]

Shill Bidders??? On GB(or anywhere else)?? Oh say it ain't so! Someone on here showed me there was no way that could happen. Heck there was one at a local auction where I was bidding on a Pick up truck. I dumped it on him...My momma didn't raise no fool. I declined his offer of a hundred less than my last bid after the auction. Got it 2 weeks later when the original seller advertised it in the local penny pincher paper...500 bucks less than my max bid. He really wanted to dump the truck. Kept it for 5 yrs and sold it for more than my purchase price. One of the few times that ever happened to me. That 454 drank gas like a B-52 bomber

 

[vmumford]

The example in my post was of a no reserve rather high dollar 2000+ S&W and I'm pretty certain it was a shill bidder and it's happened more than once same bidder, same seller. I don't get into bidding wars and have a dollar amount in mind when I bid but if a seller is worried about losing money on a sale just place a reserve or a starting bid it's more ethical and not illegal like shill bidding is. Can I prove it? maybe but I generally avoid stirring the pot it's just not worth it.

One thing that nobody brought up about the question of same bidders on the seller site, I have purchased most of my used guns from 3 different sellers BECAUSE they always offer quality guns with detailed descriptions, excellent photo's and easy to deal with returns if needed so with that being said, you may be seeing guys like me bidding. I only bid my max most of the time but there are times I get caught up in the bidding wars and loose my head because I just want that gun (usually after a couple of whiskeys is my mistake) and over pay. Still happy when I get the item and I have never returned a gun I might add.
I personally like the 15 minute rule so I don't have to worry about internet speed snipers getting my deal. That really burned my britches ....

 

[Rule3]

Its one way of getting an email reminding you of the auction as its ending

"watch" list

You have been OUTbid, bid more NOW!