Auction speak

[ithacaartist]

Originally Posted by alvin

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.

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.