HDAV Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 Just been looking through the catalogue for Holts auction on thursday. a few things that tempt me, but I doubt i can get to the sale (anyone been? some lovely stuff pictured lots of pairs etc) but how risky is it? Are Holts estimate accurate to the selling price? they (on the newer stuff seem varied compared to GT) is this to get people bidding or do they value off GT prices? Are silly bids i.e. a couple hundred for something with an estimate of £1k+ going to be accepted? There also seem to be a lot of guns shotguns, pistols, rifles so Holts must sell to abroad do they sell items from abroad? OR do unsold items just keep getting put into the next sale? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickmep Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 got my bergslagbossan pump from holts sale, the sealed bid one rather than the main auction. i believe you can put in a proxy bid for the main auctions, or can get a holts representative to bid, or do phone bidding. dont get carried away, you probably already know, but the price you bid has the auctioneers fees and vat added to the fee. works out around 30% of the bid price to be added. meant to go to the december sale to have a look but time and work got the better of me. unless you collect the shipping is quite expensive, especially if buying cheaper items. personally found them pleasant to deal with, went up and collected mine and they were nice people to deal with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandspider Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 Shipping was about £35 when I enquired last year, but that was for up to 3 guns. (Basically the shipping cost is per package, not per gun...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougall Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 Yep good fun BUT tread carefully.I went to London one Saturday telling the wife I was Xmas shopping for her...came back with a 1902 sidelock for me!! If at all possible go on previous day/inspection days so can have good look at gun.Also if you ask you will get bore measurements/wall thickness readings..if you do not ask you won't!The reason this is essential is the gun trade dump alot of their cr&p via auction. Buyers premium + v.a.t. also needs consideration of course. If you know a bit about guns and are prepared to put in some time there can be good deals,non ejectors from top makers seem daftly cheap at moment..no one needs ejectors they just think they do! If you are thinking of bidding online/not attending I think you are taking a big gamble. ATB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean12345 Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 I signed up for holts online bidding. took forever and in the end had to call on the morning of the sale to get the manager to sign me up. had to send copy of my licence too. was intrested in a pair of AYA. had a estimate of £2500-3500. my max bid was around £3500 + commission. the first bid was £3500. Some things go cheap like s/b/s boxlocks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1in9 Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 Low bids are worth a go if you feel like having a punt at something, I've seen guns go for well under the estimate, often in the bargain basement end of things. As mentioned don't forget the fees of 22.5% of the hammer price plus the VAT on the fees, plus RFD carriage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 hmm might see if i can go to the next one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 (edited) Looking at some of the realised prices they seem cheap, but then adding the fees £70-£100 on a gun selling for under £300 it's alot unless the gun was mint. Don't think my bids of £50 will get excepted... Edited March 23, 2011 by HDAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBL Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 HDAV - I have been to the viewing evenings for the past three years or so and have learnt a vast amount, as well as it being very enjoyable. You meet a lot of like minded folk, but equally get to see a huge array of different shotguns, firearms and accessories. It is easy to loose focus, but if you hage a certain type of shotgun in mind for example (i.e. good english boxlock), you can focus and develop your knowledge about what is, and is not a good purchase. However, if you are thinking about a purchase, it is £50 well spent to engage an expert to have a once over before considering bidding. Dig Haddoke offers this service and I have used him before to good effect - small price to pay to avoid purchasing a pig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy H Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 On the cheap side i managed to pick up a moderated 410 and a sxs 410 for £36-00 for both because they were in the same lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 HDAV - I have been to the viewing evenings for the past three years or so and have learnt a vast amount, as well as it being very enjoyable. You meet a lot of like minded folk, but equally get to see a huge array of different shotguns, firearms and accessories. It is easy to loose focus, but if you hage a certain type of shotgun in mind for example (i.e. good english boxlock), you can focus and develop your knowledge about what is, and is not a good purchase. However, if you are thinking about a purchase, it is £50 well spent to engage an expert to have a once over before considering bidding. Dig Haddoke offers this service and I have used him before to good effect - small price to pay to avoid purchasing a pig. I would like to do that, where are the viewings? Norfolk 5 hours drive each way..... I have a few things on my "wish list" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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