Anyone have experience with gun auctions?

[Tiller]

I discovered a local auction taking place in a couple of weeks with a TON of guns, antique furniture, knives, etc. They have a pic of all the guns available and there are A LOT that I would love to have. My question is if any of you have ever been to a gun auction before? Are they a good place to get good deals or should I stay away from them? Any advise of from ones who have experience?

Here is the link to the auction page for more insight. Any advise helps. Thanks

Upcoming Auctions | Terry Posey Auctions – Real Estate and Property Auctions in SE Tennessee – Bradley County, Polk, Meigs, Hamilton, McMinn Counties, Cleveland, Benton, Ocoee, Chattanooga, Athens, Decatur, Charleston.

[GsxrBots]

I'd never steer anyone away from buying more guns.

[GsxrBots]

Just looked through the pics! I'll be there in a bit!

There could be some good deals there to be had! If you can get it cheap enough, make sure you don't pass up that HiPoint carbine, those things are a BLAST! (pun intended)

I'd be like a kid in a candy store there. Too bad TBB is out of town.. :down: Sounds like he's missing out!

[Tiller]

Just looked through the pics! I'll be there in a bit!

There could be some good deals there to be had! If you can get it cheap enough, make sure you don't pass up that HiPoint carbine, those things are a BLAST! (pun intended)

I'd be like a kid in a candy store there. Too bad TBB is out of town.. :down: Sounds like he's missing out!

Yea that's why I was asking. There is a lot of great GUN PORN at this auction. Even if I couldn't score a super deal, I feel like it would be fun to check it out.

Yea TBB is supposed to be coming home sometime that weekend, but not sure if it would be by auction time.

[skydivr]

I can't look.....

[Tiller]

I can't look.....

Because the link doesn't work or your lack of self control?

[stolen417]

when it comes to auctions its hit or miss... sometimes guns go cheap and sometimes people will bid them up higher than you can get them for new... either way its worth checking out

[Warchild]

Because the link doesn't work or your lack of self control?

In my case.... both!

[Tiller]

when it comes to auctions its hit or miss... sometimes guns go cheap and sometimes people will bid them up higher than you can get them for new... either way its worth checking out

This is exactly what I was thinking. Whether or not the prices are driven up or not, I don't think I can not check it out

[Blanca BusaLess]

I've worked auctions, I've appraised for auctions, and of course I've bought at auction.
First is there a Pre-viewing available? Most certainly there should be. If so go and handle and inspect every gun you're interested in. Snap your own pics for later reference. Get any and all maker stamps or date marks that arent already visible in link above. Now go home and do your own research to find what each one is selling for on other places like gunbroker. You should be able to silent bid in advance and have a set maximum of how much your willing to pay or you can go to it on auction day. Myself I have better luck silent bidding because I get easily caught up in the 'competition' of trying to 'win' and prove I'll bid more. If you are good with self control than go in person. You'd be surprised what you can get deals on. I got the very first stainless steel factory Colt 1911 ever made for production to the public. It came out of the Colt Archives right from them. It was taken right off the line after being made and put into Colts Museum. I bid max $900 on it silently. A few days later I had all but forgotten about it and got an email saying I'd won item number 4848484. When I clicked I couldnt believe I'd won it. Let me dig up a pic or two. Unfortunately I needed some cash a couple yrs ago and sold it on gunbroker. I had no idea of what it would bring. Started it at a penny and it sold for almost $3800 in seven days time.

Post or pm me the items/guns you're interested in I'll be happy to help.


Edit: Some guns may have a reserve and if so it will say so. Is this a no reserve auction?
Also added pics, one I def miss

[Tiller]

I've worked auctions, I've appraised for auctions, and of course I've bought at auction.
First is there a Pre-viewing available? Most certainly there should be. If so go and handle and inspect every gun you're interested in. Snap your own pics for later reference. Get any and all maker stamps or date marks that arent already visible in link above. Now go home and do your own research to find what each one is selling for on other places like gunbroker. You should be able to silent bid in advance and have a set maximum of how much your willing to pay or you can go to it on auction day. Myself I have better luck silent bidding because I get easily caught up in the 'competition' of trying to 'win' and prove I'll bid more. If you are good with self control than go in person. You'd be surprised what you can get deals on. I got the very first stainless steel factory Colt 1911 ever offered for sale to the public. It came out of the Colt Archives right from them. I bid max $900 on it silently. A few days later I had all but forgotten about it and got an email saying I'd won item number 4848484. When I clicked I couldnt believe I'd won it. Let me dig up a pic or two. Unfortunately I needed some cash a couple yrs ago and sold it on gunbroker. I had no idea of what it would bring. Started it at a penny and it sold for almost $3800 in seven days time.

Post or pm me the items/guns you're interested in I'll be happy to help.

Thanks for the info Blanca. It doesn't look like there will be a silent auction prior to the real thing (at least there are no signs of it on the website). And it does say on the website that all are sold with no reserve. I know I am interested in the Ruger LC9 and they have a couple of those. I know how much those are going for so I believe I can handle bidding on them; however, it the other Semi-auto handguns that I am unsure about. Some of the guns in the pictures look like something I want but I am not exactly sure what gun it is. I am interested in the 9mm & .40cal semi-auto handguns in "relatively" compact size. But, I may jump on a rifle or shotgun if the price is JUST RIGHT..

I think what is going to help me is I am going to set a pretty small budget and if I don't see one that I can even get for the small amount I set aside then I won't buy. I would love to find a great deal but I think I will go more for the experience.

[Blanca BusaLess]

Do your research and just dont overpay. check edit above.

[chrisjp]

I go to the local ones when i see something intresting...most of the time they get bid up way more than they should... i did miss out last time on a m1 garand (springfield model) only went for 600 and i chickened out.

[RussellJ]

Wow that looks like a fun auction. I see a few pistols in there I wouldn't mind owning. At the bottom it says all auctions have no reserve so there are probably some deals to be had there!

[card16969]

ive bought alot of guns through auctions before you bid make sure of all the fees involved, if its a local auction there will be paperwork fees and you have to have a purchase permit if one is required by your state. Also there are ofter purchaser fees to go along with it