Just a rant here. Gun Broker

[300WSM]

I know this subject might belong in a different category but this is the most viewed so here we go...


I love Gun Broker in a way to advertise and sell guns across the net. This is great.

What I don't like about Gun Broker is that more cases that not...actually in almost every case the actual brokering isn't there. Auction..brokering...whatever you want to call it...doesn't exist for nearly all listings. I love it when you see .01 but a starting bid of $750.00 and that is the case virtually on everything.

As I sit here just needing something to do and feel like doing some piling on...I must say that maybe the actual gun broker site is NOT to blame here but rather the sellers because as we all know...they are doing the listing aren't they?

So in all of this the site is a wonderful idea and concept but where are the "real world" auctions?

Personally I no longer use GB to find a deal but rather a way to find something hard to come by.

Would love to hear some responses on this

 

[Woodycreek]

I'm with you on GB! Great for those hard to find items. That's how I just got my Winchester M70 300 RUM. Don't think you get much of any deals for that new Glock or Remmy 700. I like going into the local gun stores for the normal stuff. Way more fun that way :lol: Also use it for getting an idea of a fair price for something I'm looking for.

 

[martineta]

For a gun or category that has pages of listings, most with better than full retail asking price, use the advanced search feature located upper right. When the advanced search screen comes up, down near the bottom there is a drop down list where you can click on "items with the most bids". I find that's where the deals are, the items folks are bidding on.

 

[ScreaminEagle]

It's like that for everything. No more auctions, just "buy it now" and starting bids that are higher than I want to pay.

 

[aka Hunter]

As one who currently has an "auction" going on GunBroker, I wouldn't take the chance of listing something for .01, with no reserve, that might not be in high demand. If that were the only option sellers had there probably wouldn't be near as many transactions consummated.

As for your rant, many "real world" auctions have minimum starting bids and/or reserve prices.

 

[barthowes]

I get what your sayn but think of it this way, would you sell your gun for .01 starting with no reserve. There are two ways IMO to setup you auction. Start @ .01 with a reserve or with a starting figure your willing to accept. I personally like the latter as anytime I see a reserve on something I like I just shoot a PM and ask what it is so I can at least start around there if I'm willing to go that high. If you think people should be selling guns for nothing, I wanna ask what guns you own as I'm interested :twisted:

I have found many deals on GB as my last four guns were purchsed there. Just took some time and patience. My dealer couldn't believe the deals I could get.

 

[300WSM]

Bart and AKA hunter,
You both missed the point on this really bad.
I wasn't suggesting you sell your gun for .01 and also list it at no reserve.
But where are the auctions that do start at .01 and have a reasonable reserve ?
Let's just even talk about the reserve for a moment. Where is the reserve. The reserve is a joke. The reserve is there in word form but basically everyone..and I do mean everyone uses the reserve as a starting bid. I would be willing to bet that greater than 90 percent of GB listings...have the actual reserve as the starting bid.

If you just want to sell your gun for a certain amount how about Shotgun News.

But hold the phone..that costs money for a classified ad. :roll: See what I'm saying here?

People want to get top dollar for every gun being sold...oh and spend nothing on top of that to sell it?

The spirit of Gun Broker was never to have what it is today. It is no more than a classified sight for guns and the like. The spirit of GB was to have an EBAY type of site for guns and ammo.
So much for that.

 

[barthowes]

I was being sarcastic with the starting point of .01. But I believe you have unrealistic goals. As I said I have found many deals there that my dealer was pissed about. He couldn't even get the guns for those prices. yes some people want top dollar, but many of the guns say they're NIB so why do you expect they should be sold for second hand price. I think it is very entertaining you think everyone should be selling their guns for low discount prices. It isn't pawstars where everything is sold for half of their actual value. Don't get me wrong sometimes there are some way off prices, but it's a free country still right,I get a good laugh at some of the prices, but If they can get it great for them.

 

[300WSM]

Bart,
I know you were being sarcastic and yes, if someone can get too much for something then good for them. And I mean that.

But the point to all this is the normal has become to do exactly that...and no longer use the site as an auction but just a FREE full price classified.

 

[aka Hunter]

Bart and AKA hunter,
You both missed the point on this really bad.
I wasn't suggesting you sell your gun for .01 and also list it at no reserve.
But where are the auctions that do start at .01 and have a reasonable reserve ? There are plenty of such auctions, and many of them have no reserve. Let's just even talk about the reserve for a moment. Where is the reserve. The reserve is a joke. The reserve is there in word form but basically everyone..and I do mean everyone uses the reserve as a starting bid. Not me -- I always leave a nice gap between the two. I would be willing to bet that greater than 90 percent of GB listings...have the actual reserve as the starting bid. I don't know about 90%, and I agree that a lot of listings have starting prices near the value of the gun; however, I've sold several items on GB with a starting price way below (percentage wise) the reserve price. In fact, my current auction had a starting price $350 below the reserve -- and the bidding has reached the reserve.

...

People want to get top dollar for every gun being sold...oh and spend nothing on top of that to sell it? Yes, that would be great -- where can I find such a place?

The spirit of Gun Broker was never to have what it is today. It is no more than a classified sight for guns and the like. The spirit of GB was to have an EBAY type of site for guns and ammo. Thank goodness GB exists and that we don't have to rely on ebay

See comments in bold above.

 

[300WSM]

Bart and AKA hunter,
You both missed the point on this really bad.
I wasn't suggesting you sell your gun for .01 and also list it at no reserve.
But where are the auctions that do start at .01 and have a reasonable reserve ? There are plenty of such auctions, and many of them have no reserve. Let's just even talk about the reserve for a moment. Where is the reserve. The reserve is a joke. The reserve is there in word form but basically everyone..and I do mean everyone uses the reserve as a starting bid. Not me -- I always leave a nice gap between the two. I would be willing to bet that greater than 90 percent of GB listings...have the actual reserve as the starting bid. I don't know about 90%, and I agree that a lot of listings have starting prices near the value of the gun; however, I've sold several items on GB with a starting price way below (percentage wise) the reserve price. In fact, my current auction had a starting price $350 below the reserve -- and the bidding has reached the reserve.

...

People want to get top dollar for every gun being sold...oh and spend nothing on top of that to sell it? Yes, that would be great -- where can I find such a place?

The spirit of Gun Broker was never to have what it is today. It is no more than a classified sight for guns and the like. The spirit of GB was to have an EBAY type of site for guns and ammo. Thank goodness GB exists and that we don't have to rely on ebay

See comments in bold above.

Ok. Then you must fall into the 10 percent. But for the other 90 percent of listings then what?

Going back to your bold reply on the "where can i find such a place"...umm here is a thought...how about spend a few bucks and put it in shotgun news. That would just be terrible to do huh.

And thank goodness GB exists so you dont have to rely on Ebay?????

I have no love affair for Ebay but what is wrong with it? It is a real auction site and sometimes you REALLY win and sometimes you wind up paying a little too much for it if you really have to have it. Sometimes you can really score and sometimes not. Someone else does. As far as GB goes...nobody scores except for the seller. In almost every case the seller scores...but only when he actually sells something on there. There are only thousands upon thousands of dead but current listings that are going no where.

 

[onesonek]

"Personally I no longer use GB to find a deal but rather a way to find something hard to come by. "

Pretty much my thoughts as well.

 

[aka Hunter]

Going back to your bold reply on the "where can i find such a place"...umm here is a thought...how about spend a few bucks and put it in shotgun news. That would just be terrible to do huh. Why do that when I can use GB? Also, I trust you're aware that GB charges a selling fee.

...

I have no love affair for Ebay but what is wrong with it? (1) It's anti-gun -- try buying a gun, or brass, or bullets on ebay; (2) its fees are too high; and (3) it forces sellers to accept PayPal -- which also charges fees that are too high. It is a real auction site ebay allows high starting prices also, so how is that so different from GB? and sometimes you REALLY win.... Sometimes you can really score and sometimes not. Someone else does. As far as GB goes...nobody scores except for the seller. Apparently, you haven't see muleman's "This is going to go for a good price" thread -- it looks like he "scored." In almost every case the seller scores...but only when he actually sells something on there. There are only thousands upon thousands of dead but current listings that are going no where. So, ignore 'em.

Again, see comments in bold above.

 

[300WSM]

Going back to your bold reply on the "where can i find such a place"...umm here is a thought...how about spend a few bucks and put it in shotgun news. That would just be terrible to do huh. Why do that when I can use GB? Also, I trust you're aware that GB charges a selling fee.

...

I have no love affair for Ebay but what is wrong with it? (1) It's anti-gun -- try buying a gun, or brass, or bullets on ebay; (2) its fees are too high; and (3) it forces sellers to accept PayPal -- which also charges fees that are too high. It is a real auction site ebay allows high starting prices also, so how is that so different from GB? and sometimes you REALLY win.... Sometimes you can really score and sometimes not. Someone else does. As far as GB goes...nobody scores except for the seller. Apparently, you haven't see muleman's "This is going to go for a good price" thread -- it looks like he "scored." In almost every case the seller scores...but only when he actually sells something on there. There are only thousands upon thousands of dead but current listings that are going no where. So, ignore 'em.

Again, see comments in bold above.

That is just it. You can't. If you really think I meant go to ebay to sell your guns ....ummm...ok I am done with this conversation with you on that note.
The ebay reference was made because it is a real auction. Sure the fees are there and becasue they have so many users they go above and beyond all means to make sure things are done in an honest manner.

Oh and the next real world auction you go to that doesn't charge both the seller and buyer will be the first.

GB just needs to rid the site of reserve prices, starting bids, etc etc and all that fancy auction talk and just be a broker. Period. Put buyer and seller together at the set price. Which is what they do now in basically every case. :roll: Just rid the auction talk and stop giving the perception to Joe public that this is an auction house.

 

[aka Hunter]

The ebay reference was made because it is a real auction.

...

GB just needs to rid the site of reserve prices, starting bids, etc etc and all that fancy auction talk and just be a broker. Period. Put buyer and seller together at the set price. Which is what they do now in basically every case. :roll: Just rid the auction talk and stop giving the perception to Joe public that this is an auction house.

Given your dislike for "starting bids," why do you say ebay is a "real auction"? It allows high starting bids.

As for what GB "needs" to do, why do you think you know what it needs to do? I suspect it's doing quite well for itself with its current format. As you know, it offers absolute auctions with .01 starting bids and reserve-price auctions -- "real world" auctions offer those also.

BTW, you have not acknowledged that muleman "scored" on a GB auction. :shock:

 

[barthowes]

GB just needs to rid the site of reserve prices, starting bids, etc etc and all that fancy auction talk and just be a broker... Just rid the auction talk and stop giving the perception to Joe public that this is an auction house.

This is the last I will say in this thread. But ALL auctions have reserves, starting prices ect. If you don't grasp this you are just trolling. I stated earlier you have unrealistic goals and ideas as to what GB should be. It works great the way it is. You keep stating people shouldn't be starting @ near full price or that there should be no reserves only means the seller is going to get screwed.
PS
You have yet to PM me with all the cheap guns you want to get rid of since that is how you feal everyone should sell them. :wink:

 

[Greg Nolan]

I've had good results on Gunbroker and dozens of buys and sells completed. I like the rules and control they have on the auction better than some other free for all sites. I have bought from other sites but never with the confidence I have on Gunbroker. As far as reserve prices I don't see a purpose to start at .01 with a $1200 reserve. They should just open with $1200 in my mind but it's their choice. I know I'm getting the largest audience possible without taking as many chances on getting cheated. They do have the most complete selection by far of any site and I can get the lowest dealer price by saving sales tax and brick and mortar overhead. IMO
Greg

 

[300WSM]

GB just needs to rid the site of reserve prices, starting bids, etc etc and all that fancy auction talk and just be a broker... Just rid the auction talk and stop giving the perception to Joe public that this is an auction house.

This is the last I will say in this thread. But ALL auctions have reserves, starting prices ect. If you don't grasp this you are just trolling. I stated earlier you have unrealistic goals and ideas as to what GB should be. It works great the way it is. You keep stating people shouldn't be starting @ near full price or that there should be no reserves only means the seller is going to get screwed.
PS
You have yet to PM me with all the cheap guns you want to get rid of since that is how you feal everyone should sell them. :wink:

Bart,

Not going to play the little game with you on the trolling term. Give me a break. The point of the rant flew right over your head.

Reserve prices are fine. Starting bids are fine. The problem is how they are set up. Nearly every "auction" because they aren't really auctions in this specific case... are as follows...

zero bids. 0.00 NO RESERVE Oh but wait...so if a person bids one cent he is in the lead. Right? This doesn't have a reserve. Right? Wait a sec....there it is. You cant bid on it unless your bid is $740 or XYZ ....so this is a no reserve auction...but you cant bid on it unless you actually bid a reserve of $740...but wait a sec...this doesn't have a reserve. So this doesn't have a reserve but the starting bid is all of 100 percent of the blue book value of said gun. :roll: See what I mean?

They aren't all like this...just every one of them are. :wink:

Explain this. Please.

The seller will be happy with what he gets in the "auction" since he is not listing any reserve....but he won't let you bid on the item unless you give him full blown 99 percent condition money. :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

Oh and Bart, I never suggested people give stuff away. I never suggested they don't have a reserve. Or they don't have a starting bid.

But you know exactly what I'm talking about with the format as is and how people abuse the original spirit of the site.
Better yet, where are the sales with a low starting bid and no reserve. They don't exist. Oh and one or two or three out of thousands upon thousands of listings doesn't count. :!:

 

[barthowes]

Oh and Bart, I never suggested people give stuff away. I never suggested they don't have a reserve. Or they don't have a starting bid. Better yet, where are the sales with a low starting bid and no reserve. They don't exist.

GB just needs to rid the site of reserve prices, starting bids, etc etc and all that fancy auction talk and just be a broker. Period.

This is exactly why I said you were trolling. You keep saying others aren't getting your point or that it flew over their head...basically belittling others... Hard to do when you constantly are contradicting what you say from one reply to another. Any of these auction site eBAY, GB, Auction ARMs, ect end up being the same. People put items for sale for what they are worth.It's a tough economy and people want as much as they can get for things. When you buy a new car does the price start high then go low, It's get put on GB first for a high price and more often than not they come down later when they reauction.Have you ever tried to trade or sell a gun in to your local dealer. More often than not they can only give you little more than half the value because they need to mark it up to sell it because they have overhead.

 

[300WSM]

It's a tough economy and people want as much as they can get for things.

Really? Please don't go there. Just please don't. If Joe Lunchbox is having a hard time buying milk and bread he is going to sell his gun for top pristine dollar :?: He wouldn't be happy to get anything for his sale item since this is such a lousy economy...oh no...he is gonna hold out for the max :?: :?:

I will echo this one more final time....
I think GB is good from the perspective of giving people an outlet to buy and sell guns across the net. Guns are a touchy subject with certain folks so having a place like GB is great where buyers and sellers can go to make a transaction.

Having said that the issue is that people abuse the spirit of the original intention of the site by running auctions just like the one I listed earlier. The problem is that example is not the exception on GB but sadly it has become the norm. Auctions with no reserve but starting bids at 99 percent or even higher of blue book. GB needs some long overdue revisions.