Auction speak
 

so, this is an actual auction write up (I know there are worse but this one got me ;))

Is that the RIAC auction coming up in a few weeks???

They got any Luger carbines??? :rolleyes:

They have a little of everything. Their estimates are ridiculously conservative--most stuff won at their high estimate would be a steal, or so it seems. Some of the identifications are a hoot, too. Very scant comments in the descriptions, and only two pics per lot. Wasn't RIA better, not too long ago?

More than one people told me that their strategy is putting low bids on many items. They know that's unlikely to win. But who knows, sometimes, can win one lot or two. Sometimes, win none, then, wait next session.

Perhaps it has something to do with the disappoint results in recent auction(s) over at another auction house.

I heard - but cannot confirm - that lawsuits against the auction house were discussed.

High estimates certainly attract a seller to your auction house, with great disappointment when they are not reached in the actual auction...

Besides, lower prices drive traffic.

It is also the Regional - they quote low prices to sellers. Several years ago I sent two 1900's and a friend sent a couple of PPK's. They quoted me prices that were half of what I wanted and I could not do reserves (if I remember right).

The regionals bring less money.


Ed

RIAC regional auction is not supposed to create many surprises. US collectors normal activities still focus on 90% or higher condition ones, regardless of gun types (that's the case in the US market, probably due to US market has many nice guns, so that's possible. I understand that's not the case in every market around the world). There are many queries on lower condition guns, but all queries specifying strict corresponding narrow price range, flexibility almost does not exist. So, I guess regional auctions should be full of "ballpark" prices, or even slightly lower.

Alvin, I think I disagree - the descriptions in the RIAC big auctions are generally poor and the regionals are awful IMHO....

I think the 1 or 2 pictures could really be improved upon too - they did send me new pictures when I requested.

Regional auction occasionally has good stuff. Most items are not attractive. But quite a few collectors that I know focus on volume instead of quality -- the collection size is like a small warlord, and they have space to store various kinds of guns. RIAC regional auction must be a haven in that context.

But I don't quite understand why people sending their guns to regional auction for sale. For most gun, why not list on gunbroker.com or auctionarms.com. For many guns, it is hard to believe seller could get more in a regional auction session.

Yes, it goes something like this. A bid based on the information and images they give would be low. "Visible numbers match" means exactly that--no more, no less. Since we are not informed as to internal numbers, and do not have X-ray vision, an appropriate bid would be commensurate with the value if internals are all mis-matched. Bidding higher would be a gamble. Sometimes lots sell for even below the low est., but there is no way to predict this. I've actually done this to acquire the majority of my shooters, and although I experienced no sinfully advantageous bargains, I definitely did not over-pay. I set my limits, put in a proxy-style pre-bid, and let it ride. Results have averaged maybe one gun every third auction, over the past four years.

Yes, some interesting stuff. Pics below. 118 Lugers, all priced rediculously low as you mentioned...I put in a bid; no hope of winning (see last years auction explanation) but hopefully bidding will renew catalogs... :p

I think you may be correct about bidding/catalogs. When I did most of my bidding, I got the full color glossy premiere catalogs. Then they stopped coming for a year or so, then a few B&W regional 'logs, and last big auction back to the color.

BTW, if anybody is interested in a pair of shrunken Franzite grips--like the top pic--I have a couple sets that fit just like these! One each, for grip safety and not. I got them really cheap, just to check them out.

I bought a pair of Franzite staghorn grips for a good price from Numrich. Nice and not badly warped, but shrunk too much. But didn't return them, as that would have cost a couple more bucks and they were cheap anyway. I was thinking of using something to fill in at the bottom next to the screw. Something I could then file and sand down to fit BUT it has to adhere to the Franzite where applied. Anyone with experience with this? Auto bondo, or super glue with chalk or white paint mixed in?

I won a bid on a pair of Franzite grips that appeared to be new. I didn't have much in them and thought maybe I could use them. Anyway, when they arrived they were at least 3/16in. too short vertically......maybe more!! They were totally useless, as I couldn't figure out how to "stretch" them. I didn't figure the seller would do anything about them as he had a number of disclaimers in the ad. He said send them back and he would refund all of my money!! I did, and he re-listed them and got MORE for them than I had paid!! So goes life in the World of lugers.

I certainly thought of this. Especially as they have "P-08 Luger" on the inside and look so nice. But I would have problems committing mail fraud, unlike Numrich and probably others offering Franzite grips. Maybe try listing them as 'for cutting down to a baby luger as they are short.'? But I'd like to add plastic to the bottoms and make them fit.