Gun Auction Corrections

[RoninPA]

Does anyone here send messages to people that are auctioning off guns to tell them something is wrong?

For example, I saw an auction for a stainless steel Security Six, 4", 151+ frame. The ad said the s/n was 55-XXXXX and that it was made in 1966. Looked at all the pictures and it did not have the "Liberty" rollmark, so it wasn't a mistype of 1976. Didn't know if I should email the seller and point out the mistakes or not. I have in the past and never saw any sellers make any changes.

That and sooo many sellers that really do not know how to measure the barrel length of a revolver. I have seen 2 3/4" Rugers advertised anywhere from 2" to 3" (and I do know which of the Six series Ruger made in 3")

When I sell one, I try to be as accurate as possible on the description, I feel that a good description will help sell the gun.

Now I will say that several times I have benefitted from the seller not describing a Ruger correctly

 

[Jim Puke]

I have done it on many occasions when I noticed a gaff.

Most times, the sellers have responded very positively.

 

[Cholo]

Does anyone here send messages to people that are auctioning off guns to tell them something is wrong?

I saw a 7 1/2" Colt New Frontier .44 Special listed as a NIB 2nd Gen. gun. The serial # was clearly a 3rd Gen. gun and worth a hell of a lot less than a rare 2nd Gen. gun in that caliber. I'd have bought it in a heartbeat if it had been a 2nd Gen. gun! I explained to the seller how it was a common error to misinterpret the 3rd Gen. NF serial #'s as I did myself one time. I got a thanks but no change. I sent another polite email telling him his ad hadn't been corrected. No response. I'd even sent him links so he could see for himself. My 3rd email told him in no uncertain terms that I believed he was now intentionally misrepresenting the truth, and if he didn't correct his description, I was reporting him to GunBroker.

He changed the ad.

 

[Fox Mike]

Yes. Sent one just about a week ago to a gentleman that was selling a Bearcat and advertised it as a first generation . I explained that the very first ones were numbered 1-999 & A001-F482 and came out in 1958 but his was numbered as a 1961 model. He sent me a reply thanking me for informing him and did change the ad's nomenclature.

 

[contender]

Honest sellers will be glad to change things. Those folks who want to make more $$ & hopefully find someone who doesn't know the differences will not.
We see this all the time in many places beyond GB.
Go to ANY pawn shop that isn't staffed by knowledgeable gun people & you will see guns way overpriced & described as "rare" because of something they read somewhere & they THINK the gun they have is that rare variation. And yes,,, sometimes we do find a rarer gun priced as a common one as well.
It's not just GB,,, it's everywhere.
Sometimes, people will listen, and other times,,, nope!

 

[bobski]

i did it all the time on gb., until sellers started complaining and i was asked to stop by mgt.

and with that it appears gb encourages false advertising. just another reason i wont deal with them.

 

[Xsales]

"Does anyone here send messages to people that are auctioning off guns to tell them something is wrong?"

I do on occasion and just did 2 days ago

In almost all replies the Seller is very apprecitive to have more & correct info on what they are selling

X

 

[Mobuck]

Yes, I have and it's gone both ways.

 

[Dan in MI]

Misconceptions and or bad descriptions are in every avenue of resale. As stated some appreciate the input others don't.

I deal in old bows. You'd be surprised how many 1953 Bears there are. That's because most all Bear bows have the 1953 working recurve patent date listed in the silkscreen. Then every Kodiak from 1953-1970 is gold plated because 1959-1962 are highly desirable.