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A question for buyers on GB

RickRick Member Posts: 25 ✭✭
edited September 2002 in General Discussion
Have been considering running more firearms on GB just to expand my possible customer base. I have seen auctions where the seller had put in "subject to prior sale". I am not to hot to trot on this approach but have been considering doing it but in a slightly different way.
I would list the item and leave it in the case/on the rack. If someone desired to purchase the item before a bid had been made I would close the auction. If a bid is made while still for sale in the shop I would remove from case/rack. I am on the computer quite a bit during the day so I could check often on the bidding. Also if someone wanted to make a purchase of a listed item I would immediately check the auction to see if a bid had come in since last checked.
Personally, I feel this is a very fair and ethical way to do business on both ends. I am sure some will disagree. I know some folks will say they prefer to wait till the last minute trying to buy at the minimum if it has no prior bids. To them I would simply say I am sorry. I start my auctions with very low minimums and no reserves so if you want it you better put in a bid. Other than that how about some of you giving some pro's and con's.
Thanks, Rick


Rick's Gun & Pawn Shop, Inc. Since 1972Loxley, AL & Foley, AL"We buy junk guns and sell quality firearms" ricksgp@gulftel.com
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Comments

  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    No offense intended, but it seems to me that by trying to expand your customer base you are playing both ends against the middle I do understand it is business, but frankly it seems that business often has little to do with ethics. It seems to me if you put it up for auction, then it is up for auction and not also for sale somewhere else. If I had bid on the gun, was the high bidder and you terminated the auction because you sold it out the door, you would never get another bid from me again.

    A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand
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  • RickRick Member Posts: 25 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    He Dog, go back and reread the post. If a bid is made the item will no longer be for sale in the store.
    I also would like to say that business has everything to do with ethics. I sincerely believe that my ethics is one reason I have survived over 30 years and seen many many other gun shop/pawnbrokers come and go.
    No, you make a bid on an item, it is now strictly an auction item.

    Rick's Gun & Pawn Shop, Inc. Since 1972Loxley, AL & Foley, AL"We buy junk guns and sell quality firearms" ricksgp@gulftel.com
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  • HighNoonHighNoon Member Posts: 444 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have purchased a few guns here and feel your approach is ethical.

    I have no problem with your idea.
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  • RickRick Member Posts: 25 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I appreciate your comments highnoon. One other thing folks could consider, this method will make more firearms available to the participating GB membership. All someone has to do to make sure a gun sold only at auction is make an initial bid.

    Rick's Gun & Pawn Shop, Inc. Since 1972Loxley, AL & Foley, AL"We buy junk guns and sell quality firearms" ricksgp@gulftel.com
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  • thunderboltthunderbolt Member Posts: 6,041 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Start by listing inventory that isn't moving well in your area. It might be just what someone a few states over needs badly!! List anything you have that is unusual or discontinued. Chances are someone will be interested if the price is right!
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  • RickRick Member Posts: 25 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yep, I think I'll give it a try. What you mentioned, thunderbolt, is what I primarly had in mind. Some of the items that are now attracting any attention in store.
    Thanks for your comments.
    Rick
    http://www.ricksgunandpawn.com/main.htm

    Rick's Gun & Pawn Shop, Inc. Since 1972Loxley, AL & Foley, AL"We buy junk guns and sell quality firearms" ricksgp@gulftel.com
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  • RickRick Member Posts: 25 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Oop's, make that NOT attracting attention in the store.

    Rick's Gun & Pawn Shop, Inc. Since 1972Loxley, AL & Foley, AL"We buy junk guns and sell quality firearms" ricksgp@gulftel.com
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  • RosieRosie Member Posts: 14,525 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Go for it Rick!
    BTW I still have that setting hen!
    Rosie the wheeler dealer
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  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    An item up for auction should not be for sale anywhere else once a bid has been posted. Before that, I don't see any problem with your making a sale and closing the auction, as long as you do it at once so you don't get a surprise when you try to close.

    eBay, of course, has strict policies about bids, withdrawing bids, the inability to cancel bids 24 hours before auction close, and non-performing sellers or buyers after auction close. 3 strikes and you're out, basically. They don't like to make refunds, and I believe they even have an insurance carrier now who is not going to be happy paying claims.

    I would think that anyone wishing to provide good customer service would automatically do what you're contemplating. If I bid on an auction with no reserve, I EXPECT to receive the item if the auction closes and I'm the high bidder. If a seller can't handle that, I'm sure the site policy trumps any personal policy he or she might try to make in the auction text, so they should be prepared for a neg and a complaint to management.

    - Life NRA Member
    "If cowardly & dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary...and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
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  • MFIMFI Member Posts: 7,899 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If we list an item for sale here we pull the gun from the store shelf and place in where it cannot be touched. We are not believers in listing a gun on the auction as whatever % then having it banged around on the shlef by customers while it is for sale here. I believe that if your gonna list it for sale on the auction then take it off your rack until the bidding is closed. Just our two cents.

    MARINO FIREARMS INC.
    607-637-3573
    NY STATE
    "Over 300 guns in stock ready to rock n roll "
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  • RickRick Member Posts: 25 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    offeror: You make a good point. I will remove from sale in store during the final 24 hours of the auction.

    mfi: I don't understand why you would allow it but I don't let my customers bang my guns around. If anyone receives an item from my store that is not as I have described it and shown pictures of, I will be happy to give them a full refund and I'll pay shipping both ways. I do appreciate your input tho.

    rosie: I'll see if'n I can come up with a RG14 not missing more than 3 parts to trade fer the hen

    Rick's Gun & Pawn Shop, Inc. Since 1972Loxley, AL & Foley, AL"We buy junk guns and sell quality firearms" ricksgp@gulftel.com
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  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Rick, my apologies. I withdraw my objection if it is pulled from the shop rack once an acceptable bid is made on the auction. Long as I am here, I am looking for a H & R 300 Ultra in .243 or .308, 95%.

    A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand
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  • BlueTicBlueTic Member Posts: 4,072
    edited November -1
    Hey Rick - just don't leave something in the rack with a "SOLD" tag on it. I hate that - why is it sitting here if it is already sold. If somebody needs the inventory that bad - go buy more. On the other side - if I bought that item and it was still in the rack where everyone could handle it - I'd be a little pissed. Ok I vented - done now...

    IF YOU DON'T LIKE MY RIGHTS - GET OUT OF MY COUNTRY (this includes politicians)
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  • RickRick Member Posts: 25 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yo bluetic, Nope, I wouldn't leave it out once a bid is placed. It would go in the vault. Sorry, guess I didn't make that point clear.

    Rick's Gun & Pawn Shop, Inc. Since 1972Loxley, AL & Foley, AL"We buy junk guns and sell quality firearms" ricksgp@gulftel.com
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  • SUBMARINERSUBMARINER Member Posts: 1,362 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Rick,if noone has put a bid in I dont see how anybody could *..as long as when a bid is placed it is no longer for sale in the store (which it sounds like that is what you are doing)I think it would ber a perfectly acceptable way to conduct business

    SUBMARINE SAILOR,TRUCK DRIVER,RUSTY WALLACE FAN AND AS EVERYONE SO OFTEN POINTS OUT PISS POOR TYPIST e-mail:WNUNLEY@USIT.NET
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  • WWllVetWWllVet Member Posts: 1,493 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Go for it Rick. You seem to have the right approch. Hope to see some of your inventory on line soon.

    Vet
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  • gskyhawkgskyhawk Member Posts: 4,773
    edited November -1
    sounds ok to me , let us know when you start listing and I'll take a look at your stuff, 1 thing to remember just keep your shipping fair, far to many seller charge way to much for shipping!!!! one dealer, pawn shop, who I buy from charges $20 for the first gun and then $5 for each gun after that, as long as they are paid for together and shipped together which I think is a very fair way to do it
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  • RickRick Member Posts: 25 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Mornin' Hawk, listed an item last night. Only gonna add one every now and then to spread them out. Me thinks my shipping is very fair, I'm paying it!

    Click Here For Rick's Website


    Rick's Gun & Pawn Shop, Inc. Since 1972Loxley, AL & Foley, AL"We buy junk guns and sell quality firearms"
    Click Here For Rick's Website
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