Deceptive on gunbroker?

You answered your own question. Unfortunately this happens everyday. You have to really pay close attention.

breakingcontact said:

Why are people posting images with multiple items (say 4 magazines) when the auction is only for one?

I'm pretty computer savvy, but I can easily see how this could confuse some into thinking they are buying 4 magazines while the auction is only for one.

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Its all part of a secret conspiracy to dupe you...

Why are people posting images with multiple items

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Because they are filthy liars who are trying to steal your money.

Impureclient said:

Because they are filthy liars who are trying to steal your money.

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Let me guess, you don't have any ammo, and its somebody elses fault isn't it?

All eighteen year old cheerleaders are sixty year old plumbers too.

While auctions are always caveat emptor, I would agree that showing a picture of a larger quantity of something or other items that won't be included, then mentioning the actual quantity or list of included items in a small subtext at the bottom of the ad is pretty unscrupulous.

Personally, I think GB needs to revisit their policy, and either be clear that the exact item description must be in the headline, or the picture must be 100% representative. Otherwise, their gonna end up with a bad rap over such conniving auctions.

MachIVshooter said:

While auctions are always caveat emptor, I would agree that showing a picture of a larger quantity of something or other items that won't be included, then mentioning the actual quantity or list of included items in a small subtext at the bottom of the ad is pretty unscrupulous.

Personally, I think GB needs to revisit their policy, and either be clear that the exact item description must be in the headline, or the picture must be 100% representative. Otherwise, their gonna end up with a bad rap over such conniving auctions.

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I've never used GB to bid or buy, but I agree. That's a straight-shooter policy if ever there was one. No pun intended.

I agree. Depict what you're selling, straight up; no BS.

The real shame is they are asking $49-$55 for one P-Mag, if I was asking that kind of price I would have a photo with 4 magazines too.

On a side note, this is exactly the kind I look for before bidding on GB. (Non-representative photos, unfocused pictures, lack of close up details, etc.)

I haven't actually bought anything on GB yet, because I've been outbid on everything I've bid on so far. (I establish the maximum I'm willing to bid before I place my first bid and refuse to get emotionally caught up in the bidding wars that may ensue.)

I've watched a lot of auctions for identical things on that site, and I've noticed that the ones that go the highest are precisely those that do a darned good job of photodocumenting their item very clearly and in great detail.

In today's day and age, it's utterly incomprehensable to me why people cannot take plenty of good digital photos to document the exact condition of their product for internet sales. Anybody who is too lazy, or unscrupulous, to do this simply doesn't get a minute of my time.

So I strongly suspect that many other bidders comb through the chaff in much the same way I do. Very likely, this is why the items thoroughly documented with good photos continue to grab the higher bids.

So, instead of being upset, or frustrated, by this, silently thank these people for helping you weed out undesirables.

Are you sure it wasn't a Dutch auction where you bid on a per item basis, but can buy one or more of the item? I have seen that many times on the various auction sites, especially when it comes to magazines. The seller may have 100 of them, you bid on the price for one, but if you win, you can buy 1 or 100 or somewhere in between at the per item price

I've been on gunbroker for over 10 years, and as a rule, I refuse to purchase from any seller that does the following:

1. Provides no pics at all of item
2. Provides generic image of item instead of actual
3. Provides misleading or inaccurate pictures that differ from item description

Example........from GunBroker?

Many folks selling new stock do use a generic stock photo from a maker, but they also state that in the ad

Since this is a GB complaint thread I'll add that I've run into a couple instances where companies are posting auctions for items they don't actually have in stock. I used a buy it now option for a simple 7 round P238 magazine and after questioning them one week later why it hadn't shipped they informed me it was backordered. They did allow me to cancel and after another week finally credited my ccard.

LG-Outdoors, do business with them at your own risk.......

There's no requirement that the picture be "accurate" as long as there's something in the text that clarifies anything the picture might imply. There's no requirement for a picture at all. So the buyer must read the text. That's what matters.

"Let the buyer beware" is always the best advice.

When in doubt simply click on "Ask seller a question".

The way the description of the item is listed may make perfect sense to the seller and maybe even 90% of other viewers but if you are not sure what you are bidding on just click on the "Ask seller a question" link.

There is a firearm on Gunbroker that I sent a message to the seller two days ago asking for more information. In fact I have been looking for a particular firearm like this for a long time but the seller has not answered my message and the listing which is ending in a few hours now finally has one bid. However it will not be getting a bid from me.

Bottom line is although the seller has a A+ rating I will not purchase anything until all of my questions have been answered so I will not be negatively surprised if I win the auction.

breakingcontact said:

Why are people posting images with multiple items (say 4 magazines) when the auction is only for one?

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Odds are, oneounceload answered your question. While you may be bidding for one, you may also have the option to buy all 4 at the price you bid. Or you can buy one or more at the "buy it now!" price. If the seller clearly states that the bidding is for one mag, I see no misrepresentation.

it sounds like all the threads condemning the evil ammo hoarders and price gougers have been beat into the ground, thank goodness, and now we are moving on to the evil auction sites.

You have to be on your toes when buying guns, ammo or anything from an online source whether it be eBay, Gunbroker, Craig's List, Guns America, etc... There are always going to be unscrupulus and shady characters even in the best of times. When a crisis or panic occurs, you will see even more. Plus you will see the honest people who are just trying to maximize their profits in times like these get lumped in with the undesirables.

There are some "confusing" listings on gunbroker, but not all of them are always the fault of the seller.

For instance, there is an auction right now where "80% lower" is listed in the title and description, and only 80% lowers are shown in the picture. However, this lower has markings and a serial number (not sure how that works) and there are pictures of multiple lowers because they are in different stages of anodizing and paint and have different serials.

Based on the current $405 bid for one in the raw, serialized, 80% lower, I can only assume that the winning bidder is going to be disappointed expecting a functioning lower. I also cannot help but wonder if this is how the "you can buy guns on the internet and have them shipped to your house with no background check" stuff gets started.

Sometimes it's just because its easier. I had only one picture of my pmags when I put them up for auction. I did an auction for one pmag and used the one picture I had. The FIRST word in the title was ONE(1), and it said the same thing as the first word of the description. If you miss that then you deserve it.

I also have up M1 carbine mags on there right now, they are new manufactured mags so they are all identical. I have a couple good pictures of one magazine on the auction and the auction is for five magazines. I guess it should be assumed that the winning bidder will be stunned and amazed at my generosity when he receives five magazines instead of the one pictured.

Jed Carter said:

The real shame is they are asking $49-$55 for one P-Mag, if I was asking that kind of price I would have a photo with 4 magazines too.

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You are obviously very young, too young to remember the original AWB, when simple Glock magazines soared from $15.00 to $150.00 per mag! So with all due respect, quit the whining, because $50.00 Pmags are a steal by way of comparison.

mjw930 said:

Since this is a GB complaint thread I'll add that I've run into a couple instances where companies are posting auctions for items they don't actually have in stock. I used a buy it now option for a simple 7 round P238 magazine and after questioning them one week later why it hadn't shipped they informed me it was backordered. They did allow me to cancel and after another week finally credited my ccard.

LG-Outdoors, do business with them at your own risk.......

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LOVE my new P238; got a 7-round mag on GB too from Independence Firearms in TX. It's become my full time CCW.