ocelot397 Posted November 13 Report Share Posted November 13 Hello all, First post, so here goes. I'm currently on the lookout for a nice 20/16g and thought an auction would be a good place for one. Fast forward a few weeks to the auction and I sat through most of it. To me it came across as utter madness! Things going for rrp, or higher, unsafe guns going for big money. I appreciate there are other factors to this, collectors, online only bidders speculating etc. but the whole auction followed the same pattern near enough. Anyone else had any expierence with this, or any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted November 13 Report Share Posted November 13 Welcome to Pigeon watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flippermaj Posted November 13 Report Share Posted November 13 Use holts. Sealed bid is best and if no luck look at the unsold lots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HantsRob Posted November 14 Report Share Posted November 14 Morning newbie I have seen this in auctions of all kinds, but remember an auction is not designed to give you the best price, it's designed to give the seller the best price. Whilst some think it's the place to get a bargain, remember there are multiple targets. An RFD who has already paid for his gunsmith may see a dangerous gun that's rare as an investment that he can fix in house, and mark up suitably Someone wanting that right piece of wood on a H&H will be willing to pay retail price, as he gets what he wants with the right spec Some people just get auction fever, a foolish and dangerous place to be I'd suggest the room had more people like you in it rather than people in trade, and maybe had a higher than average amounts of fools who either got into bidding fever, or have realised it's game season and don't have the time or money to have to go elsewhere later on to buy a gun if they don't get it there or then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Border1 Posted November 15 Report Share Posted November 15 Most of the auctions I’ve been to, run of the mill guns go for peanuts. Good guns are rarely a bargain once the VAT and buyers premium has been applied. Small bores (especially pump and semi auto) always fetch decent money. And ammo seems to be snapped up by dealers. I still like to go though, had a laugh one time with my mate. He bought 3 shotguns for £15, all full choke singles with 30 odd inch barrels, all about knackered. Couldn’t fit them in his cabinet so spent a couple hundred on a new one. Don’t think he’s fired the guns yet 😅 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocelot397 Posted Friday at 08:52 Author Report Share Posted Friday at 08:52 22 hours ago, HantsRob said: Morning newbie I have seen this in auctions of all kinds, but remember an auction is not designed to give you the best price, it's designed to give the seller the best price. Whilst some think it's the place to get a bargain, remember there are multiple targets. An RFD who has already paid for his gunsmith may see a dangerous gun that's rare as an investment that he can fix in house, and mark up suitably Someone wanting that right piece of wood on a H&H will be willing to pay retail price, as he gets what he wants with the right spec Some people just get auction fever, a foolish and dangerous place to be I'd suggest the room had more people like you in it rather than people in trade, and maybe had a higher than average amounts of fools who either got into bidding fever, or have realised it's game season and don't have the time or money to have to go elsewhere later on to buy a gun if they don't get it there or then! Yes, I think auction fever is most likely! It's still a shame though and I hope it wasn't the fool section buying the knackered guns (which I saw in person on the day) Holts sealed auction is a more hopeful candidate I feel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocelot397 Posted Friday at 12:35 Author Report Share Posted Friday at 12:35 5 hours ago, Border1 said: Most of the auctions I’ve been to, run of the mill guns go for peanuts. Good guns are rarely a bargain once the VAT and buyers premium has been applied. Small bores (especially pump and semi auto) always fetch decent money. And ammo seems to be snapped up by dealers. I still like to go though, had a laugh one time with my mate. He bought 3 shotguns for £15, all full choke singles with 30 odd inch barrels, all about knackered. Couldn’t fit them in his cabinet so spent a couple hundred on a new one. Don’t think he’s fired the guns yet 😅 It's the single barrel ones that went for silly money despite being knackered! I feel it's almost obligatory for Belgian.410s to be pitted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stimo22 Posted Friday at 16:46 Report Share Posted Friday at 16:46 The last Southams auction had loads of cartridges for sale, there was a lot of clay cartridges with some Gamebore Evo 21g which I generally use. I pay about £74 a slab buying 1000 at a time. The ones in the auction went for £77 a slab but then there was a 25%fee on top. Wish I could get the mugs name and I could make a killing selling on what I buy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted Friday at 16:52 Report Share Posted Friday at 16:52 My eldest Son was at an auction recently with two Mates. One bought a couple of guns in the first part of the auction, when the auction moved on to accessories, he went and paid and collected his guns. When he came back in to the auction room my Sons other mate waved at him and bid and bought some 20 bore shells, he is yet to return to buy a 20 bore gun though. Auction madness is rife and great fun to watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted Friday at 17:19 Report Share Posted Friday at 17:19 I once asked a local RFD what he did with all the sh trade in firearms he couldn’t shift. He told me that eventually he would submit them for auction where they often sold for higher prices than they’d been in the shop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theshootist Posted Saturday at 13:50 Report Share Posted Saturday at 13:50 I've had some absolute bargains and also overpaid when I've got excited. Auctions should be approached with caution but there's often a gem to be found. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted Saturday at 13:58 Report Share Posted Saturday at 13:58 (edited) Auction fever in some cases. I went to a shooting/fishing auction many years ago, and there were guys bidding way above the retail price for cartridges, not wanting to be beaten by someone else I presume. I always kept a maximum fixed price in my head and did not go above that, not even one pound. Edited Saturday at 15:04 by steve_b_wales Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dipper Posted Saturday at 14:40 Report Share Posted Saturday at 14:40 Went to a auction once at In Cheshire .I decided £250 was my top bid went to the guy running it to have a close look and ask him a few questions,So he knew I was keen I bid up to £250 then I stopped ther were 2 bids after mine .when it was over the auctioneer side kick came up to me asked me if I wanted the gun .I said sell it to the person who bid after me and walked out .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocelot397 Posted Sunday at 17:31 Author Report Share Posted Sunday at 17:31 I think the big thing working against bargains is online bidding; people just chance it without even viewing. Shame though, but some interesting stories from you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keeper96 Posted Sunday at 17:54 Report Share Posted Sunday at 17:54 It’s really hit and miss, I’ve had an anschutz 1717 .17hmr for £90 including fees and an army and navy sbs for £60 that’s my go to gun during the season but since those 2 I’ve really struggled in my hunt for a bargain side lock ejector and a nice o/u Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal50 Posted Monday at 13:36 Report Share Posted Monday at 13:36 I used to use Holts a lot and Southams. Usually only bid on Airguns and Sect 58 but I have got the odd rifle and shotgun and only online. I found it to be very 50/50, I've got some excellent guns for a bargain and others very questionable bug of course that's the risk you take. If you're not in a rush you could get a very nice gun for good money but in my experience 20 bore guns are very in at the moment and therefore there will be a lot of competition on the day for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocelot397 Posted Monday at 20:37 Author Report Share Posted Monday at 20:37 6 hours ago, Cal50 said: I used to use Holts a lot and Southams. Usually only bid on Airguns and Sect 58 but I have got the odd rifle and shotgun and only online. I found it to be very 50/50, I've got some excellent guns for a bargain and others very questionable bug of course that's the risk you take. If you're not in a rush you could get a very nice gun for good money but in my experience 20 bore guns are very in at the moment and therefore there will be a lot of competition on the day for them. Yes, you're right on 20s being the in thing at the moment. I think, as you say, patience will be key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted 12 hours ago Report Share Posted 12 hours ago I used to love auctions and like everyone else I have had some good buys and one or two not so good , the thing is nowadays you don't get as much rubbish guns as you once did , the reason is at our local auction house you have to spend £10 for a gun smith at the auction house to make sure it is safe for the buyer , this stop you putting in a cheap gun as you would be wasting your money , nowadays they get more guns to sell than they can handle so even the auction house can be a bit selective , with cartridges you have to remember that once they get to £50 they go up £5 at a time so if you put a bid in at £55 , then the next bid is £60 , if you wanted to bid again then with the fees they are going to cost you nearly mid £70s , I used to treat it as a day or a night out and stick to a price I had in mind , well most of the time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.