Auction House

[Waveski]

Here a sad and familiar story…
A good friend passed away recently , leaving behind a very nice collection of firearms.

The reason I mentioned that is to lead into this inquiry:
Can anyone here comment on Rock Island Auction? There website looks impressive , but I am hoping to get first hand experience commentary from someone in this broad group.

A good man , combat veteran, mentor…
gone but not forgotten.

 

[bullpup-addict]

Auction houses around me charge a $10.00 per firearm listing fee and a 20% commission based on selling price.

 

[Riomouse911]

Lock, Stock &Barrel sells a ton of estate-liquidation firearms on Gun Broker. Give them a look-see, they may be able to offer his collection to a wider audience for a lower commission. (Not affiliated with them, I just peruse their auctions and occasionally bid on their offerings.)

Stay safe.

 

[Meeks36]

You could list them on here. Give it a week or two and those that haven’t sold take them to the auction. Could get more at auction. Might not. It’s a gamble. But givin today’s climate. I would bet you would get more.

 

[KY DAN]

Find a ffl and list then on gunbroker. Everything goes crazy money and a ffl should only charge 10-15 percent of sale price.

 

[dcloco]

List here and then gunbroker.......keep the money in your pocket.

 

[CapnMac]

Probably worth some time on GB to see how many other examples are for sale out there of the items.
Finding something rare or middling unique, often does better on RI or Morphy, as you are putting things in front of people with moola.

Now, the common, or lower-cost, items, will wind up bundled by an auction house, and might not do as well as in individual sale.

At which point, our own Trading Post will likely be better.

Selling on GB is complicated if you do not have an established history in either buying or selling.

Consigning to the LGS can be a frustrating experience.

 

[Demi-human]

Can anyone here comment on Rock Island Auction? There website looks impressive , but I am hoping to get first hand experience commentary.

I am, also, unable to give first hand knowledge of the inner working of Rock Island.
But, man, do they have some lookers!

I am sorry for the passing of your friend. If they are to go to RIA they must really be something. I hope they are sold well. My condolences to you and his family.

 

[tark]

I can very definitely comment on the Rock Island Auction Company, having dealt with them in the past. I live 30 miles from their facility and I know several people there. They are the # one auction co in the country, if not the world.
They are the best, IMHO.

In 2020, I consigned 28 guns to them. They sent a van to pick them up and the guns were listed and carefully packed. When they arrived at the auction house, they were inventoried and I was E-mailed a receipt. The guns were assessed for condition and estimated hammer prices were determined. I felt that their assessments were correct and fair. Long story short, The guns sold for more than their estimated hammer price, in all but a couple of cases. I received a lot more money than I expected.

Either one of these two ladies can answer any questions you might have.

 

[PapaG]

Rock Island brings surprisingly high prices. Good thing considering buyer and seller premiums

 

[Waveski]

Several well meaning folks have recommended GB , THR or consignment. There is no one in this particular situation that is willing or able to undertake a liquidation that would play out incrementally for a long period of time. The desire is to wrap up the estate in a timely fashion.

I have a pretty good feeling about RIA (special thanks to Tark) , and will recommend that route to the appropriate person.
Thanks to all who offered input.

My gun owning/shooting world is a lot smaller now than it was when my friend was here. A limitless fountain of knowledge , enthusiasm and generosity has gone dry.
So it goes.

 

[Big44mag]

Rock Island also purchases outright, so your friend's family doesn't necessarily have to wait for an auction to be listed. I think the consignment timeframe for them to pick up, photograph, estimate, advertise and add firearms to an auction catalog is a few months though. So if they were to give them to RIA today, they won't hit an auction block until probably mid Mar to May, and payment is sent a month after the auction closes. As of right now, the upcoming Feb auction deadline was Nov 15th for consignment pieces.

Depending on the size or cost, you might find someone on here that would be willing to purchase the entire collection. Out of curiosity, how many firearms are you estimating?

 

[Poper]

My gun owning/shooting world is a lot smaller now than it was when my friend was here. An limitless fountain of knowledge , enthusiasm and generosity has gone dry.

I can relate to this very well.
The passing of my best friend some years ago still leaves a similar hole in my life. For me it is a wound that has never quite fully healed.
I understand perfectly and sincerely express my condolences on your loss.

 

[hso]

Explain to the family that anything of high value or of significant collectability will do well on RIA or Morphy's.

Standard items should be consigned through an FFL. Best if that FFL has a strong Gunbroker involvement.

It is a great deal of effort and questionable legality for you to involve yourself in selling your friend's guns. Especially online.

 

[thegatman]

Contact Hessney Auction. Very fair. https://hessney.com/

 

[Waveski]

questionable legality for you to involve yourself in selling your friend's guns. Especially online.

Completely agree.
I have no desire or intention of undertaking that task.