November 7, 2015
I went there with no intention of bidding but must admit a few offerings late in the day Saturday and Sunday made me squirm a bit. My running buddy will probably need to hire a freight company to haul his acquisitions home. I know better than to buy something just because it seems to be a good deal. They were worried that they had too many Colts but in my opinion bidding remained strong. We watched a bidding war between an online bidder and a phone bidder over an item clearly described as refinished, it sold for many times the value of an honest gun. Even the guys running the phone/online desk were shaking their heads. Many items went for well over the estimates but they were extraordinary offerings.
I don’t know what to think of prices these days. We may be seeing a new normal for certain segments of the market. How this will trickle down to our respective areas of interest remains to be seen. I think the RIAC put on a great auction. The facility is first rate, hospitality was fantastic with complimentary food and drinks and the staff was friendly and helpful.
Mike
I started going to their auctions in Rock Island in the early 90’s and have bought many good guns from them over the years. Rock Island being only 60 miles down the road was easy to attend live and pick up. The higher prices, buyer premiums and shipping costs have resulted in my purchasing less though this is the first auction in years where I did not bid.
November 7, 2015
TR said
RIA at Rock Island were always good people putting on a good auction. It’s good to hear Mike’s comment that they are as nice in Texas as in Illinois. T/R
Quite a few of the folks working last weekend’s auction still live in Illinois. I believe Kevin and his dad have moved down here but several of their employees were staying at the same hotel I stayed in. I know the girl working at the bar is local but she may have been a temporary employee. I can see why RIAC brings their IL employees down here for the auction, folks with this level of professionalism don’t come along every day. The ones I talked to would like to move down here, I hope they’ll get the opportunity.
Mike
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