Register
Log In
Home
Dans Club
December 7, 2020
Offline
Stmstan 445 said
So I seldom message a seller about anything incorrect about listings but when it comes to fixed barrels I do. Why? Because it's kind of a big deal. I did not know about fixed barrels until I started reading on the forum. Most buyers of a Dan Wesson are expecting a gun they can put different barrels on. I can't imagine buying a Dan Wesson and then after it's delivered I find out that it's a fixed barrel when I was expecting a gun I could buy other barrels for. I also found that most sellers also do not know what they are selling is a fixed barrel. most of the time they reply to me thanking me for the info. Also most fixed barrel guns sell for less than a regular Dan so there is that fact! They are sometimes sellers who are hiding the fact I can't do anything about that but in most cases the seller told me he had no idea about fixed barrels. To his credit, this seller posted in large print the facts about it and thanked me for the info. In most cases buyer beware but when it comes to fixed barrel guns I will always shoot the seller a message to help both seller and buyer out with this important info!
From my POV: “caveat emptor”. If it is poorly listed, and not what the buyer expected then eventually it will be resold. Hopefully, at a lower price?
Dans Club
March 28, 2023
Offline
This is true but the gun has to first be shipped then sent back then re-listed. Expensive for the seller and buyer and a hassle! I'm trying to head that off at the pass before the gun is even sold. If the sellers don't really know what they're selling and buyers the same by messaging the seller up front and just giving them info on fixed barrel guns it sure saves time and money. Sure there are sellers that do know and do not want buyers to know but I think most are just unaware of what a fixed barrel gun is. Case in point I sent the seller of this 44 magnum He added the info once I let him know about fixed barrels. This is a unique thing that does not apply to most guns so I think it's a good or right thing to do by letting the seller know and if he is a reputable seller he will let the buyers out there know and then it's up to them to figure out what a fixed barrel is! Also with most fixed barrel guns worth less this is helping the buyer most of the time.
Dans Club
March 28, 2023
Offline
I thru $1151 at it i'm out! The current hi bidder can't make up his mind his screen name is fordandchevyman!
Supporter
Dans Club
March 25, 2013
Offline
Fordandcchevyman is a shill for Atlas.
Dans Club
March 28, 2023
Offline
Good to know thanks! I'm glad I got out before the price went over. You saved me some $$$$ Thank you Ole Dog! I wish we could identify more of these shill bidders! I guess these practices can backfire on sellers sometimes as they get stuck with the gun and have to resell it. don't they still have to pay the fees or do they just list the gun as non payment and go on/ I know GunBroker is not real good at policing their site!
Supporter
Dans Club
March 25, 2013
Offline
They have to pay the fees but it is not a large amount compared to how high they can drive a price up. Look at the suspect bidders feedback and you will see they have bought large amounts of the sellers guns in the past. Large volume sellers will share shills or act as shills for other large volume sellers. Atlas seems to be particularly egregious.
Supporter
Moderators
Dans Club
February 22, 2009
Offline
Ole Dog said
...Look at the suspect bidders feedback and you will see they have bought large amounts of the sellers guns in the past. Large volume sellers will share shills or act as shills for other large volume sellers. Atlas seems to be particularly egregious.
I do this frequently as well. It helps to glean info on what type of bidder they are. In this case, he's an FFL with an A+ rating and more than 2300 reviews- none as a seller and zero items for sale. RED FLAG
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
Dans Club
February 24, 2013
Offline
Thank you! This is great information. I’ll definitely starting looking at competing bidder feedback from now on.
Supporter
Dans Club
March 25, 2013
Offline
Myy dear departed S&W expert told me that all the big sellers use shills. He said most of them help each other. It's a wonder we get any deals at all. Best deals are from small FFLs and Pawn shops. With that being said, my dear departed Pawn and Gun shop FFL buddy occasionally had me bid on a couple of things. Most of the time I ended up buying and keeping the item🙄
Supporter
Moderators
January 24, 2009
Offline
rwsem said
Ole Dog said
...Look at the suspect bidders feedback and you will see they have bought large amounts of the sellers guns in the past. Large volume sellers will share shills or act as shills for other large volume sellers. Atlas seems to be particularly egregious.
I do this frequently as well. It helps to glean info on what type of bidder they are. In this case, he's an FFL with an A+ rating and more than 2300 reviews- none as a seller and zero items for sale. RED FLAG
How do you see a bidder has an FFL? 
Myself, I don't have a huge feedback number, but have also never sold a gun (or anything else on GB) & my feedbacks are always as a buyer. I know damn well that there have been auctions that have been snatched away from me on the final day thanks to shill bidders, but I haven't been able to prove that it actually happened. Am I an idiot somehow?
Wait, don't answer that last question... 
Supporter
Moderators
Dans Club
February 22, 2009
Offline
Charger Fan said
How do you see a bidder has an FFL?
He has an FFL badge in his profile...
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
Dans Club
March 28, 2023
Offline
The sellers can add a FFL icon next to their name. you have to enter your FFL license number and then the icon will show up by your listing name!
Supporter
Moderators
January 24, 2009
Offline
Thanks guys, that makes sense. Somehow I haven't paid attention to the FFL badge of buyers, but I will now!
Dans Club
February 24, 2013
Offline
I never knew about the badge icon either.
Dans Club
March 28, 2023
Offline
So after reading what Ole Dog said i did some snooping and guess what? This fordandchevyman is all over other guns Atlas Collectible Firearms other guns listed for sale. Now most people who are looking for guns stay in their lane pretty much but I found him bidding on several kinds of guns a lot of them he was in the lead so I'm sure what Ole Dog said is true. Makes me wonder how many other big sellers are doing the same thing and wonder how many guns I over spent on due to a shill bidder. I'm going to be much more hesitant of any auctions on gunbroker and will check any large sellers other items for sale to see bidders show up on several other items for sale that's a dead giveaway. I may just stick to guns international or other sites like it with no auction just a buy now situation. I was reading up on this and it happens on eBay also. I never sell auction style for that reason just buy now and I don't buy much at auction for the same reason. Boy you cannot trust anyone at any auction style sites!
Supporter
Moderators
Dans Club
February 22, 2009
Offline
Stmstan 445 said
Makes me wonder how many other big sellers are doing the same thing...
Nearly all the large volume sellers have similar, and it doesn't stop there; many of the auction houses also have their share of "helpful" bidders. That, coupled with the ridiculous internet bidding fees and the fact you aren't able to see/ hold/ check the item is precisely why I gravitate toward buying from individuals and cruise the brick-and-mortar LGSs and Pawn Shops... That, coupled with the fact I achieved my DW collection goal has really helped with remorseful purchases.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
Supporter
Dans Club
March 25, 2013
Offline
What Ron says!!! Most big sellers are doing it with help. I used to over pay but now only if it is really special. I think some big sellers are letting me have some deals, good customer discount?
I do like auctions though. It is my choice if I continue to bid and I don't have to haggle with unreasonable sellers.
My latest gotta have it gun is one of 300 made, appears ANIB, and I may never see one offered again. A S&W 940 chambered in 356TSW. I suspect a shill drove the price up🙄😏
February 22, 2017
Offline
I've purchased some guns on gunbroker for good prices, but they weren't highly sought after collectibles. I purchased two rifles through Rock Island auctions and that buyer's premium is brutal. I ended up getting both guns for slightly below average market price after paying the premium, tax, & shipping, but as Ole Dog pointed out, I didn't have to deal with any nuts and I could just go pick up the gun at their location here in Texas, which is about 15 minutes from my house. I've spent too much already this year so my gun buying is probably over at this point for the foreseeable future. I really need to start selling guns to ease the storage problem, but I get them out and fondle them and then they go back in the safe.
Jerry
10 Dans and counting...
1 Guest(s)
