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I can’t believe some of the prices I’m seeing at this sale. Like $35,000.00 for a standard 1894, and $32,500.00 for a 15″ trapper, plus the “juice”. Sure does make Me feel good about some of My guns. On the down side I can’t afford to buy any of them 1890’s that I’m wanting however.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
RIA gets more for a lot of their guns than any other auction house. I don’t even look at their catalog. Something is going on and there are a lot of guestimations why. I know for a fact you can’t trust their descriptions.
RIA knows how to market guns. Their descriptions increase the desirability of the gun to the collector, pictures are favorable, and the catalogs takes the guess work out of what your buying. The staff answers all questions promptly and politely. Your transaction is handled honestly. Their buyers like that and are willing to pay for the service. I think they fairly and honestly represent the guns they sell. By pushing the prices they help all of us with quality gun collections.
That said, I cannot afford to pay the prices they get. I’m not as well-heeled as many of their buyers. This has not always been the case, but the deep pockets of their buyers has driven the prices while my pockets haven’t changed.
The answer is find an old honest collector and buy from him before he consigns to RIA, you both will do better. Since the decline of the gun shows not a simple task. Maybe the Forum can help.
When I sell a gun I figure value at 60% of RIA price realized on a past auction of a comparable gun. If I get a offer above that I and the buyer get a good deal.
T/R
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