I don't get auctions

wayne8661 · 07-31-2016, 04:24 PM

I spent the past two days watching and bidding on items at Morphys auction. A few decent military items. I won absolutely nothing people were paying so much for common items and then paying a buyers premium on top of that. By the time they pay the premium they paid more than retail for the items they won

Makes no sense!!!

Just my time on the soap box

Edward Tinker · 07-31-2016, 05:15 PM

I have won a few items on auctions (on-line auction houses, gunbroker has different players)

Many ties I have been out-bid on things that made no sense. I knew the value, low and high and have been amazed at what things go for, although like I said, have won some items. Sometimes getting a good deal, other times paying more than I should have.

On gunbroker, I never seem to make a huge amount of money, usually a loss

DonVoigt · 07-31-2016, 06:17 PM

It is "easy" to explain away as auction fever, no doubt some bidders get caught up- I have on occasion.

Then if you really "need" or want the item, and have $$- why not?

It is pretty much impossible to buy below market at an auction- unless you take a chance on a poor description or poor pictures and roll the dice- JMHO.

I bid on about 20 items at Morphy's, bought two; paid more that I wanted to for each but will be in them "at the market" when delivered.

The two or three dealers present on the floor make sure no one will buy a good item at below "wholesale".

I watched some of the bidding on the web cast- pretty entertaining and educational. I would not have "won" the two I did if I had not been watching them and bidding "live".

By the way, a floor bidder will win the auction if there is a tie bid with a previously submitted online bid- unfair but them's the rules.

sheepherder · 07-31-2016, 08:20 PM

Walter, If you've been reading the Happy Birthday posts, you'll notice that many of our members are getting on in age...There ain't all that much time left to them...

I'm close to that magic number...I can't afford to wait for a 'good deal' to come along...If what I really want is offered, I'll jump on it...

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonVoigt

Then if you really "need" or want the item, and have $$- why not?

By the way, a floor bidder will win the auction if there is a tie bid with a previously submitted online bid- unfair but them's the rules.

I've been caught out by that floor bidder that Don mentioned...I got all excited when I saw my absentee bid listed as the winning bid...Only to be crushed when I found that a floor bidder had bid the exact same amount and like Don says, them's the rules...

wayne8661 · 07-31-2016, 09:02 PM

Gents I hope I didn't come off as a sore loser. Wasn't my intent
I understand the points you all have made I guess this auction just didn't present anything
That I felt I had to have.

Oh well some days you eat the bear some days the bear eats you

sheepherder · 07-31-2016, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayne8661

Gents I hope I didn't come off as a sore loser.

You didn't. *I'm* the sore loser!

Quote:

Oh well some days you eat the bear some days the bear eats you

Ain't that the truth!

Edward Tinker · 07-31-2016, 09:11 PM

oh, and get to know some other 'buyers' - I have talked to friends with 'like' interests and tried not to bid against each other.

As on-line, our handles are not there, so its easy to bid against each other.

Ed

Zorba · 08-01-2016, 04:09 PM

I always say that there are two kinds of idiots on eBay and other auction sites: Idiot sellers and idiot buyers. Sellers that want $50 for a $10 item, and buyers who will bid up WAY past the price you can buy the item for brand new!

They often find one another...

07-31-2016, 04:24 PM	#1
wayne8661 User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kennett Square Pennsylvania Posts: 591 Thanks: 15 Thanked 334 Times in 104 Posts	I don't get auctions I spent the past two days watching and bidding on items at Morphys auction. A few decent military items. I won absolutely nothing people were paying so much for common items and then paying a buyers premium on top of that. By the time they pay the premium they paid more than retail for the items they won Makes no sense!!! Just my time on the soap box

07-31-2016, 06:17 PM	#3
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,678 Thanks: 1,441 Thanked 4,348 Times in 2,038 Posts	It is "easy" to explain away as auction fever, no doubt some bidders get caught up- I have on occasion. Then if you really "need" or want the item, and have $$- why not? It is pretty much impossible to buy below market at an auction- unless you take a chance on a poor description or poor pictures and roll the dice- JMHO. I bid on about 20 items at Morphy's, bought two; paid more that I wanted to for each but will be in them "at the market" when delivered. The two or three dealers present on the floor make sure no one will buy a good item at below "wholesale". I watched some of the bidding on the web cast- pretty entertaining and educational. I would not have "won" the two I did if I had not been watching them and bidding "live". By the way, a floor bidder will win the auction if there is a tie bid with a previously submitted online bid- unfair but them's the rules. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

07-31-2016, 05:15 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	I have won a few items on auctions (on-line auction houses, gunbroker has different players) Many ties I have been out-bid on things that made no sense. I knew the value, low and high and have been amazed at what things go for, although like I said, have won some items. Sometimes getting a good deal, other times paying more than I should have. On gunbroker, I never seem to make a huge amount of money, usually a loss

07-31-2016, 09:02 PM	#5
wayne8661 User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kennett Square Pennsylvania Posts: 591 Thanks: 15 Thanked 334 Times in 104 Posts	Gents I hope I didn't come off as a sore loser. Wasn't my intent I understand the points you all have made I guess this auction just didn't present anything That I felt I had to have. Oh well some days you eat the bear some days the bear eats you

07-31-2016, 09:11 PM	#7
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	oh, and get to know some other 'buyers' - I have talked to friends with 'like' interests and tried not to bid against each other. As on-line, our handles are not there, so its easy to bid against each other. Ed

08-01-2016, 04:09 PM	#8
Zorba User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Merritt Island, Fl Posts: 951 Thanks: 776 Thanked 526 Times in 289 Posts	I always say that there are two kinds of idiots on eBay and other auction sites: Idiot sellers and idiot buyers. Sellers that want $50 for a $10 item, and buyers who will bid up WAY past the price you can buy the item for brand new! They often find one another...