RoyB wrote on Feb 1^st, 2014 at 7:48pm:


Roy, I thought for sure you'd hang with the big dogs on this one.  Huh? !   

     Joe. 

I wouldn't go too high on any auction site where I couldn't personally view the firearm, but I don't see under $2300 for a #9 Ballard as too high; they sure go more than that at local shows in this condition. We'll see where it finally ends once the dust settles.
The last one on Gunbroker recently went for under $1900 if I remmeber correctly, and wasn't nearly this condition, and I thought it was a bargain price personally.

marlinguy wrote on Feb 3^rd, 2014 at 11:15am:


That last #9 sold for exactly $1900
Admittedly it was in a lesser condition, but it was RIGHT.
The bore was decent, plus it had period sights; at least the rear was an early Lyman with windage in the base.
No one could question it's authenticity, that's for sure.
I don't think it was too much; but a bargain ?? I don't know...

The thing about GB is, you have to pay attention to the details of the auction.
Make sure the seller has good feed back, and offers an inspection.
And above all ask questions !! Then get it in writing (email); I never call the seller.
IF the seller is on the level, they should have no problem answering intelligent questions;and even supplying extra photos if need be.
If they don't want to play along, then they are either not motivated sellers, weasels, or too dumb to know any better.
Lord knows I've bought some stinkers off of there, but if I played the game right, and I find something wrong, I can go back and twist the knife a little and get some of my money back, or return it completely.
That's one thing you ain't gonna do at a public auction, or at a gun show.

Redsetter wrote on Feb 3^rd, 2014 at 9:40am:


That has not been my experience with Gunbroker.  Have purchased several very nice antique rifles at very reasonable prices through Gunbroker.   

One was ridiculously low. 

      Joe. 

   

westerner wrote on Feb 3^rd, 2014 at 5:21pm:


Don't know how you do it--except maybe by a lot more perseverance than I'm capable of.  Most of the items that I've taken an interest in don't even meet the seller's reserve, & are relisted again & again; if fairly priced, almost any item will probably sell the first time it's listed.  Just today I called a dealer about a Model 52/A5 combo that had been listed at least twice starting at $1400 & got not a single bid; offered $1200--no sale, even though he'd save paying GB's fee.

I've purchased very few guns off of the various online auction sites, but the ones I've gotten were all great, with one exception. It was so cheap that I ended up parting it out and just absorbing my loss. Wasn't worth the effort to go back on the seller, but I put him on my don't buy from list!
The others I've bought were mostly "buy it now" prices, and I was lucky enough to pull the trigger on them before previous buyers could make the decision. I often wonder when I see something that's a huge bargain, and then see it has a couple dozen views, why none of them hit the button to buy it? The last one I got was a Ballard #6 Schuetzen with Stevens 368 scope, and Pope scope rings, and the seller had almost no firearms knowledge at all. He was so tickled I did the buy it now that he paid shipping and insurance too.
Most of the good buys at online  auctions are just being in the right place at the right time. There are a few where the bidders seem to be asleep at the wheel, but not many.

Redsetter wrote on Feb 4^th, 2014 at 12:40pm:


That's my problem also. I rarely look anymore, as I grew weary of spending so much time looking at overpriced junk. Unfortunately that means I've missed out on some bargains that come up on rare occasions.