We all see certain classic guns with reserve prices that are never met or starting prices so high they never see a first bid.
Are people making money on this model.
Are people making money on this model.
What is the business model for the very expensive guns on Gunbroker that don't sell
- Thread starter bushmaster1313
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I wonder if it's done as free advertising,waiting for questions and a price is negotiated behind the scenes.
dougb1946
Member
You can always come down.
I think buyers see a ridiculous price and move on. That's what
I do.
I do.
S&WIowegan
US Veteran
Many sellers are terrified of selling too cheap..which I think is reason number one for high price. Also, I've known gun sellers who are absolutely determined to wait until the dummy-of-the-day happens to grab the high price. It happens.
The last point about private negotiation is correct. A friend listed some items within the last year which he purposely priced so high he expected and got no bids. However, several months after the post he was contacted privately by a person who paid his full original price. Once that happens for you, it probably effects your posting philosophy.
The last point about private negotiation is correct. A friend listed some items within the last year which he purposely priced so high he expected and got no bids. However, several months after the post he was contacted privately by a person who paid his full original price. Once that happens for you, it probably effects your posting philosophy.
I know of a few guns that have been on auction for years on GB.
A couple of sellers when i see there name i know the reserve is gonna be way above what that gun brings.
Just move on.
A couple of sellers when i see there name i know the reserve is gonna be way above what that gun brings.
Just move on.
Exactly.
I listed one with a reserve of a couple of hundred more than I actually expected to get. After being listed and relisted and closing without anyone meeting the reserve, I relisted it with a $100 lower reserve. Still no one met the reserve.
I relisted it again at that price, and someone bid it up until they hit the reserve. So basically I ended up getting $100 or so more than I originally expected to get for it. I did basically the same thing with a set of nice but not pristine cokes I got on my pre-model numbered 24.
As long as you're not in any hurry to sell something, listing it in an auction with a high reserve and relisting it repeatedly with decreasing reserves until the reserve gets low enough for it to sell, is a good way to figure out the actual market value.
Sometimes even better than asking opinions from the experts.
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Sooner or later....
Sooner or later someone will come along with a lot of money that wants the gun, mostly on account of the high price tag. "Rare" works on some people so they can tell others that it's "rare".
Sooner or later someone will come along with a lot of money that wants the gun, mostly on account of the high price tag. "Rare" works on some people so they can tell others that it's "rare".
There's one born every minute.
Just look at "gun stores"--you know the ones. Big, bright, huge amounts of new stock, usually out on a major road or main drag. They charge MSRP or more for everything, and cater to / rip off new shooters that don't know any better.
Just look at "gun stores"--you know the ones. Big, bright, huge amounts of new stock, usually out on a major road or main drag. They charge MSRP or more for everything, and cater to / rip off new shooters that don't know any better.
You betcha. American capitalism at it's finest. Buy low sell high, and any item is worth just exactly what someone will pay for it!
FWIW, I advertised my Cokes on here for 75% of what they sold for on GunBroker for over a month and got little to no interest. I only had to list them two, or maybe three times on GunBroker to find someone who had a gun that was in comparable condition and who wanted them enough to pay the reserve price. He wasn't some noob either - he seemed to be a pretty well informed buyer - possibly somewhat of a collector.
I think that maybe sometimes folks around here get so used to seeing deals that they get a little jaded and expect every thing for sale to be a below-market bargain.
I've actually bought a couple of used guns from Cabela's at decent prices.... a Stoeger coach gun and a ruger SP101.
I've often thought some folks on GB, and other similar sites, don't really want to sell what they've advertised. And I can think of at least one good reason for that...
"Honest, honey, I'm trying to sell those guns, just like I promised I would, but nobody wants to buy them!"
"Honest, honey, I'm trying to sell those guns, just like I promised I would, but nobody wants to buy them!"
grizz700
Member
I have a gun saved on GB that has been on for over a year. Would I like to own it, Yes. But it is priced double what it should be, will I pay that much? No.
DWFAN
US Veteran
You betcha. American capitalism at it's finest. Buy low sell high, and any item is worth just exactly what someone will pay for it!
FWIW, I advertised my Cokes on here for 75% of what they sold for on GunBroker for over a month and got little to no interest. I only had to list them two, or maybe three times on GunBroker to find someone who had a gun that was in comparable condition and who wanted them enough to pay the reserve price. He wasn't some noob either - he seemed to be a pretty well informed buyer - possibly somewhat of a collector.
I think that maybe sometimes folks around here get so used to seeing deals that they get a little jaded and expect every thing for sale to be a below-market bargain.
I stopped trying to sell my stocks here over a year ago. Now I use ebay and most time get twice what I wanted here. Works for me.
DW
I have seen guns set on GB for over two years unsold when listed with
a reserve. I have reached a point where I almost never even look at
any guns listed with a reserve.
a reserve. I have reached a point where I almost never even look at
any guns listed with a reserve.
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Some people (NOT ME) as soon as they buy something put it up for sale at a ridiculous price. They probably and realistically do NOT expect to sell it but if for some strange reason someone is crazy or naive enough to pay the asking price then then have made a bundle of money and can easily replace it with another one for much less.
Once in a while we all see something (gun, car, home etc.) that sells for a stupid price, but hey - - - if someone is willing to pay for it then why wouldn't the seller sell it?
Once in a while we all see something (gun, car, home etc.) that sells for a stupid price, but hey - - - if someone is willing to pay for it then why wouldn't the seller sell it?
357-RevolverGuy
Member
They have no business model. I am convinced that if you really want to sell something you will sell it and do so at a fair deal to both parties. Most of those sellers have guns listed to show off and tease buyers with. They have no intention of ever wanting to make a sale. They have no intention of answering your email's and they have no intention of paying attention to any offers. These same people will also list things on armslist or other venues and sometimes not even list a price. They just put "best offer" which leaves everything in limbo. Avoid these sellers like the plague.
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Lee's Landing Billy
Member
I have done quite a bit of business on GB. The most frustrating thing for me is when some one starts an item at .01 cent and then has a reserve on it. Just start the D... thing at what you want and if at the end you get more it's gravy. Starting at .01 and getting 30 bids that never reach your reserve is a waste of everybody's time.
High reserve prices, I can't help but wonder if some private sellers are getting pressure to get rid of some of their toys. This way they can honestly say they are making an effort to sell them off. I've seen this happen with cars and motorcycles.
dmthomp32
Member
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I agree with everything you guys have said. I had an experience where I locally purchased a Colt a police positive target .22 with box, target and goodies in near mint condition for $750 locally. When I needed money down the road I foolishly assumed GB prices would be comparable with local stores. So I listed it at the starting price of what I had in it with a buy it now at $1200 (I almost laughed out loud when I selected this thinking no one would pay it). That revolver was purchased for $1200 in four hours. That was the last time I limited my mindset of what people are willing to pay. Like you it blows my mind to see the prices but I believe some of them have to sell.
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I've been watching Victory Models and K-frame .22s everyday for about eight months.
A few .22s with $0.01 starting bids and no reserve have brought astronomical prices (a gorgeous 617 no dash, 8⅜", no box, no papers went for $2,052 !! Truly insane.). Those sellers always offer stunning photos and lots of 'em.
Others with a Reserve and high opening bids -- but not as high as the final bids on some -- have lingered, listing after listing. The conclusion I've drawn is this: Discerning buyers seem to be put off by high opening bids and reserve prices.
I've asked several sellers if they'd sell a gun to me (off GB) for more than the highest bid they've achieved after many, many listings. "No." I guessing they feel an honorable commitment to their contract with GB, and I have to applaud them for that.
I've asked a few others with a reserve if they'd consider a Buy Now price, and a few have added it, but it was way more than I'd pay for that particular gun. Several of those that I began watching months ago are still on offer.
I believe there is no "standard" that can be applied to auctions in general. Just as every buyer is unique, so is every seller. I watch a lot, buy very little. Most prices either start or stretch way outside my comfort zone. I'm guessing (but it's just that, a guess) that online auctions and buyers' willingness to pay whatever it takes to get the gun they covet have had a great deal to do with prices in general being so inflated.
My two bits,
Bob
A few .22s with $0.01 starting bids and no reserve have brought astronomical prices (a gorgeous 617 no dash, 8⅜", no box, no papers went for $2,052 !! Truly insane.). Those sellers always offer stunning photos and lots of 'em.
Others with a Reserve and high opening bids -- but not as high as the final bids on some -- have lingered, listing after listing. The conclusion I've drawn is this: Discerning buyers seem to be put off by high opening bids and reserve prices.
I've asked several sellers if they'd sell a gun to me (off GB) for more than the highest bid they've achieved after many, many listings. "No." I guessing they feel an honorable commitment to their contract with GB, and I have to applaud them for that.
I've asked a few others with a reserve if they'd consider a Buy Now price, and a few have added it, but it was way more than I'd pay for that particular gun. Several of those that I began watching months ago are still on offer.
I believe there is no "standard" that can be applied to auctions in general. Just as every buyer is unique, so is every seller. I watch a lot, buy very little. Most prices either start or stretch way outside my comfort zone. I'm guessing (but it's just that, a guess) that online auctions and buyers' willingness to pay whatever it takes to get the gun they covet have had a great deal to do with prices in general being so inflated.
My two bits,
Bob
vmumford
Member
So True
I succumbed to the rare 1 of 500 Tallo's Colts on GB that I just had to have. OMG it was so beautiful I punch "BUY". I was so excited (and all this was a very good learning experience early in my gun collecting years) and just couldn't wait to get it. Then I started looking as to how rare it really was. Well........I still have it in my safe today and look at it all the time knowing how much I over paid for it. Its a really great lesson that I am happy to have experienced.
I succumbed to the rare 1 of 500 Tallo's Colts on GB that I just had to have. OMG it was so beautiful I punch "BUY". I was so excited (and all this was a very good learning experience early in my gun collecting years) and just couldn't wait to get it. Then I started looking as to how rare it really was. Well........I still have it in my safe today and look at it all the time knowing how much I over paid for it. Its a really great lesson that I am happy to have experienced.
vmumford
Member
I've often thought some folks on GB, and other similar sites, don't really want to sell what they've advertised. And I can think of at least one good reason for that...
"Honest, honey, I'm trying to sell those guns, just like I promised I would, but nobody wants to buy them!"
My wife would have slapped me and said "Why are you asking so much for it when you told me you paid so little for it"
I've often thought some folks on GB, and other similar sites, don't really want to sell what they've advertised. And I can think of at least one good reason for that...
"Honest, honey, I'm trying to sell those guns, just like I promised I would, but nobody wants to buy them!"
Just like some antique shops.
The owner likes to think that he's rich,because he has inventory valued at big money.
Longhorn1986
Member
Funny, I had been watching a couple of NIB SAAs on there with buy it now prices of around 2,400 -2,500 and reserves that must've been close. Just for the heck of it, I went over to Guns Intl and found and bought the same model revolver NIB for 1,800. Makes me wonder what the others were thinking.
When I see it I get his mental picture of some 45 year old idiot that still lives home with mommy and daddy, jumping up and down at the computer yelling, "mom, dad look!!!!!.....they actually put the picture on the web of my gun!!!!!!"
I see the same thing on ebay...the same overpriced junk that has been on there for years with a reserve that isn't even close. I mean, if I really wanted to generate a backdoor deal I would at least be halfway close to the taking price so more people would try me.
I see the same thing on ebay...the same overpriced junk that has been on there for years with a reserve that isn't even close. I mean, if I really wanted to generate a backdoor deal I would at least be halfway close to the taking price so more people would try me.
THE PILGRIM
Member
I don't see a business 'model.'
The high end guns are most likely owned by savvy collector- speculators.
When they see the prices paid on the online auctions, they want super high prices.
So they set high reserves and min bids. They appear to be not that anxious to sell.
They hope that sooner or later somebody will drink the kool aid!
The high end guns are most likely owned by savvy collector- speculators.
When they see the prices paid on the online auctions, they want super high prices.
So they set high reserves and min bids. They appear to be not that anxious to sell.
They hope that sooner or later somebody will drink the kool aid!
What gets me is when the seller puts reduced in the price and then runs that same ad for a year.
As far as selling here or GB or eBay, one must remember that folks here are fairly sophisticated about prices and also your audience is maybe 10,000 folks. On GB or eBay you may have 1,000,000 potential buyers. Nothing against the for sale section here but more buyers means more potential hits.
As far as selling here or GB or eBay, one must remember that folks here are fairly sophisticated about prices and also your audience is maybe 10,000 folks. On GB or eBay you may have 1,000,000 potential buyers. Nothing against the for sale section here but more buyers means more potential hits.
People seem to think Their Guns are made of Gold and want the most They can get for Them.
I dont begrudge Someone making a bit of a profit but some of those People are just crazy with the prices.
Another one I hate is when a Friend bid's on a item just to run the price up,I have seen that more than once on things I was bidding on. I stay away from Gunbroker these days.
I dont begrudge Someone making a bit of a profit but some of those People are just crazy with the prices.
Another one I hate is when a Friend bid's on a item just to run the price up,I have seen that more than once on things I was bidding on. I stay away from Gunbroker these days.
