doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Good manners

I was not asked to do anything. When I realized that Tom was bidding on the gun I simply said I would not bid against him.

If I recognize somebody from this forum who has already bid on a gun I find online, I generally dont bid unless that person is out of the bidding. If I find the gun first or am the first bidder I bid regardless of who else may bid. It seems plain common courtesy.

Apparently some of you have never been to a live auction with friends before. If you were physically at the auction and your friend had already placed a bid on something, would you bid against him?


Ross

Hello Ross,

Agree completely. Of course I wouldn't!!!

In my view it is the whole point of Tom's post, i.e. members of The Board consider the rest as friends even though we may have never met personally.

JC

Well, this certainly has gotten a life of it's own. I feel it's a topic worthy for discussion but I regret bringing it up in this thread. Perhaps Dave can switch this to another thread, I certainly didn't mean to throw "a turd in the punchbowl".

Jaycee, buyers can communicate with each other through email or telephone. Unless I misread Tom's post, this was an online auction on Gunbroker, not a live auction that three friends walked into together.

"It seems a GB seller had posted for sale a very seldom seen example of the SAC 20-bore A Grade ejector with Krupp barrels. This little gun is well-used and retains very little original finish; but was intact with original stocks. I immediately placed a bid; but it wasn't long before my bid was topped. I happened to recognize the second bidder's handle; it was forum member Ross Berck with whom I had communicated often regarding SAC guns. Considering it foolishness for Ross and I to be bidding against each other, I contacted Ross regarding my interest in the gun. Without ever being asked, Ross volunteered that he would not bid against me. I was thrilled at his generosity; but told him that my bid would be limited to a certain amount (far below the amount Ross said he was willing to bid); and to be sure and not hesitate to bid on the gun in the event my break-point was exceeded. Shortly afterwards I was contacted by another member of this forum, Harry Sanders, who also expressed interest in the gun. When I explained to Harry the above "game plan" Ross and I were endeavoring to execute, Harry generously volunteered not to bid. "

You have three potential bidders who came up with a "game plan", obviously emails or phone calls were exchanged. "Considering it foolishness for Ross and I to be bidding against each other, I contacted Ross regarding my interest in the gun." Foolish perhaps to bidders but not to the seller.

I appreciate the the sentiment behind not bidding against a friend, but the fact remains it is against the GB terms I posted above, and in live auctions it may be illegal, depending on where the auction takes place. I will grant you it's near impossible to enforce this at an auction but nonetheless it's still a violation. I once went to an auction of some antique Oriental carpets. I noticed a group of Middle Eastern men in conference and asked the auctioneer about them. I was told they were dealers forming a bidding ring, he explained to me how it worked. I asked if it was allowed and was told it was actually against the law but he couldn't prove anything so he let it go on.

I should have followed Yeti's advice and used a 2x4. As nice as the gesture was, it can get you banned from GB so probably not a good idea to broadcast it.

Maybe we should move this in a different direction. It is amazing the friendship and camaraderie evident on this board of strangers with essentially one common interest. I have met and made close friends through this board and think warmly of most. The above is just an example of how friendship works and it should be left at that and the thread should head in a new direction. I have seen the earlier temporary animosities subside and a warmer trend recently. I suggest it continues for the benefit of most here. I think we should be careful for a few weeks and proofread our posts so as not to unintentionally create new havoc.

Rob,
I think the difference is the contact was not made via auction. Tom and I have emailed each other many times and he knew exactly who I was and contacted me via an established history of communication. He has helped me many times in the past in the pursuit of information that he worked hard to obtain.

In contrast if I was to contact a bidder who I had never communicated with before with the intent to let the person with the highest intention buy the gun without any competition I think that would be a violation. That scenerio would have the bidder who was willing to bid the highest be allowed to buy the gun at a lower rate with no competition with a desire to defraud the seller. That is not what happened here. I simply decided I would not bid unless Tom was outbid, nobody suggested that I not bid, I just find it improper to bid on something a friend is bidding on.

I do not take your response to be an attack and feel that you are presenting a reasoned intellectual discussion.
Respectfully,
Ross

Come, why that long "obituary"? It's LLL or 3xL ie LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH.

As the Old Coot used to say, "If you need to be told how to be a gentleman, you ain't one. And neither is the guy who's telling you."

Not if you were up wind.

Thanks Ross, that's the manner in which it was intended.

Let's put it to bed.

Regards,
Rob

Hi Rob,

This not being the most adequate place, to bed it goes.

Best,

JC