What is the business model for the very expensive guns on Gunbroker that don't sell

[dmthomp32]

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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[two-bit cowboy]

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

 

[vmumford]

So True

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".

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]

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"

 

[Camster]

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]

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.

 

[msinc]

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.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

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!

 

[JSR III]

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.

 

[e3mrk]

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.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I have seen the 'friend bid' a number of times when bidding on knives on eBay.
No matter how much I bid, the 'friend' bids a dollar or two more.

 

[Weimar]

Unless you get extras, it's free to list on gunbroker, so no incentive to not list it high. Hoping the right person comes along...

 

[BC38]

Unless you get extras, it's free to list on gunbroker, so no incentive to not list it high. Hoping the right person comes along...

Yeah, it is free but only if there is no sale. Just to clarify, if you make a sale there is a significant listing fee based on a percentage of the sale price.

 

[Beemerguy53]

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.

Have you considered sending the seller an offer via a private message?

 

[msinc]

**Not that I need to buy more S&W revolvers.**

OH lord help us!!!!!!.....I am going to now put on my silver healing glove,
Fellow forum members please join me in a prayer and help save this lost soul....dear lord, please forgive this hopeless sinner and restore his sanity...for his mind is filled with lunacy and he know not of what he spaketh lord!!!!!! Drive these devilish words from his mouth and soul lord!!!! and let him once again live in happiness. For what is life itself without MORE Smith&Wesson revolvers????