Gunbroker question-

[NorcalGSG]

So I am looking at a piece listed on GB. Zero bids. I think the seller is too high. Is it better to contact the seller and make an offer before it closes so he can adjust the starting bid? Or wait until it closes to make an offer? Ask to list it with a buy it now price? I am not sure the options available to seller's.

[RTE]

I'd say contact the seller earlier than later.
Gives you more time to negotiate or not waste your time of the seller won't deal.

[Oldmandan]

After, most bidders wait to the end to bid, so as not to run up the price on themselves

Experienced sellers know this, and will want to wait to see what happens at the end of the auction.

[The Gleam]

After, most bidders wait to the end to bid, so as not to run up the price on themselves

Experienced sellers know this, and will want to wait to see what happens at the end of the auction.

The fact that the seller has priced it too high out of the gate indicates the seller is not experienced.

Now if the auction started at .01 or a really low price, that would have been a sign the seller knows how Gunbroker typically works.

So I disagree; if there are no bids, the inexperienced seller then may not know to wait to the end, getting antsy over it and would be more ripe to take an offer early, and especially since he started off with an opening price that's too high.

Therefore, for a buyer that were to reach out and make an offer, he would want to do that BEFORE the auctions ends and as soon as possible before a bid is placed. Once a bid is placed, the seller will gain confidence he priced it accordingly - and that could happen.

Putting in an offer after the auction ends would be too late to strike a deal. And if the seller declines, and the auction ends without a sale, he is then convinced he at least has a back-up buyer waiting in the wings.


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[NorcalGSG]

Thanks for the constructive input guys. Unfortunately for me, with a couple hours left someone else put a single bid in. So now I have to decide if it want to pony up or not

[Dan_Eastvale]

After, most bidders wait to the end to bid, so as not to run up the price on themselves

Experienced sellers know this, and will want to wait to see what happens at the end of the auction.

I would always wait till the final minute to bid so that it doesn't give others much time to think about it. Of course, depending on the item, it could start a final period of bidding wars.

[rg_1111@yahoo.com]

Some of the seller's on GB price high to see if they can find a sucker.
Just be careful not to over pay.

[ar15barrels]

So I am looking at a piece listed on GB. Zero bids. I think the seller is too high.
Is it better to contact the seller and make an offer before it closes so he can adjust the starting bid?
Or wait until it closes to make an offer?
Ask to list it with a buy it now price?
I am not sure the options available to seller's.

You can only contact sellers through active listings so contact the seller before the listing closes.
You will not be able to contact the seller through the listing after it ends.
If the seller has other active listings after the listing ends, you can contact them through one of those active listings but that's confusing to many sellers.

[ar15barrels]

Thanks for the constructive input guys.
Unfortunately for me, with a couple hours left someone else put a single bid in.
So now I have to decide if it want to pony up or not

There will always be another one.
Even if it takes a very long time, another one will eventually appear.