When it comes to auctions I don't look at it as something I "win." I look at it like I'm buying something from a store. I have a set price in mind that I'm willing to go up to and not over. Sometimes I put that amount down right off the bat and sometimes it scares the other bidders away. But I don't look back if somebody out bids me because at the end of the day I still have the cash in my pocket and I know that there'll likely be something else coming down the pike real soon that will tug on my purse strings. And again, if I don't get it then I still have the cash in hand and as everyone I've ever know who is has been in the sales biz always says - "cash is king." There must be a damn good reason for that saying.
Sometimes when I lose an auction, I wipe the sweat off my brow and go "Whew, dodged that bullet. WTH was I thinking in the first place?" Sometimes when I win I say much the same thing.
At least with Gunbroker any bid received in the last 15 minutes adds 15 minutes to the auction until all bidding is done. Gives a guy a chance anyhow. Those snipers on eBay are scientists with their two seconds left bids!
At least with online auctions I can resist "auction fever" and not get carried away with my spending. It's the local live auctions, especially a certain gun auction I attend a couple times a year, where I confess to the "fever" overriding my good sense some times. Geez, I hate that! But sometimes those local yokels need to be taught a lesson (or I need to be taught a lesson)!!
At least with online auctions I can resist "auction fever" and not get carried away with my spending. It's the local live auctions, especially a certain gun auction I attend a couple times a year, where I confess to the "fever" overriding my good sense some times. Geez, I hate that! But sometimes those local yokels need to be taught a lesson (or I need to be taught a lesson)!!
Before the turn of the century I was in need of a butt stock for a 99A saddle gun. Alas! one day it is there on ebay. I bid immediately - and then I am outbid - and then I bid...and...
Near the end I put $1,000 on it and went to bed. I won and after putting the gun all back together I was able to sell it for only $10 less than I had in it.
Well, I made that dude pay dearly for that 30-30 takedown barrel.
Well damn, that's got to be worth something right there! Auctions are intended to bring top dollar to the seller and they generally are not the environ of bargains. Buyer beware!
Before the turn of the century I was in need of a butt stock for a 99A saddle gun. Alas! one day it is there on ebay. I bid immediately - and then I am outbid - and then I bid...and...
Near the end I put $1,000 on it and went to bed. I won and after putting the gun all back together I was able to sell it for only $10 less than I had in it.
Lesson learned on my part!
Wow, you must be old, Mike! I didn't know they made 99A Saddle Guns in the 1890's.
Oh, different century.
Neat when you stop and think about it: our Savages span 3 centuries now.
I did want that darned 30-30 barrel for a 99G I got from pwdr, but I quit about at about $300. I felt like a high roller, but alas someone else ate oats for breakfast while I had milquetoast.
I just got an extra bolt for my 1919 NRA on ebay. Mine was missing the cocking piece and this one had it. With about an hour to go some one else finally opened the bid at $34.99. With about 4 or 5 minutes left I put $50 on it. There were several more bids that got it up to $41 and time ran out and I got it. I didn't snipe them, and I don't have a bidding program to snipe them, but I do wait till the last minute. Tomorrow I'll be bidding on GB for a rifle,( Ratz, no posting live auctions)(no I'm not gonna tell you what it is, then you might decide you need one too)( not talking about you Roy, just poking fun at the auction rules), and I'll wait till the last minute and put my max $100 over the current bid and let the auto bid do it's stuff. I like the 15 min rule on GB, but it does take the fun out of watching two people bid 20 times, and then jumping in with 1 bid at the last minute and winning. I know they would like to scalp me, but it's all part of the game. Usually when I put my max bid down and let auto bid do it's stuff I win, for less than my Max. But I only buy one or two guns a year, so I go for broke, Joe.
I did want that darned 30-30 barrel for a 99G I got from pwdr, but I quit about at about $300. I felt like a high roller, but alas someone else ate oats for breakfast while I had milquetoast.
Unfortunately online auctions always put you up against the guy who has the deepest pockets and who is burning with the fever to take the item. And there's always a bunch of those guys out there who blow through Franklins like I go through dimes. So what are ya goin' to do?!
Before the turn of the century I was in need of a butt stock for a 99A saddle gun. Alas! one day it is there on ebay. I bid immediately - and then I am outbid - and then I bid...and...
Near the end I put $1,000 on it and went to bed. I won and after putting the gun all back together I was able to sell it for only $10 less than I had in it.
Lesson learned on my part!
Originally Posted by Lightfoot
Before the turn of the century I was in need of a butt stock for a 99A saddle gun. Alas! one day it is there on ebay. I bid immediately - and then I am outbid - and then I bid...and...
Near the end I put $1,000 on it and went to bed. I won and after putting the gun all back together I was able to sell it for only $10 less than I had in it.
Lesson learned on my part!
Dammit man, stay away from them post mil scrap heaps
I'm with S99VG--bid what YOU think it's worth and then let things work out. I guess since I'm not a collector, I never HAVE to have anything at any cost.
I just got back from Jalisco and noticed that even some Mexicans are starting to realize that not everyone loves to dicker and bicker--saw several stores with "Precios Fijos." One of them had a little sign that also said, more or less "This is our price; pay it and have a nice day!" Creeping gringoism....some of us "cold northerners" just don't need any extra drama (Those of us of the Scottish persuasion regard parting with ANY money as a damn' tragedy anyway....).
Depends. It might have been if you had a take down G needing a barrel, and then I'd expect it would take a little fitting. And then too I'd weigh the cost of the barrel against what the said rifle would sell for after the cost of the barrel, fitting and original cost of the non barreled assembly were factored in. If I didn't have the rest of the rifle then I would say that you are money ahead in letting the other guy take the auction.
So was a 99G? 22" takedown barrel in 30-30 worth more than $300 in used but decent shape? Should I have kept bidding???
I would have quit bidding long before the $300 mark, unless the bore were minty and I had $200 or less in the rest of the gun. Under those conditions I would go $300 but not any more. Decent barrels turn up with enough regularity for me to wait 'em out.
I must not be cut out to run with the big dogs. 