Anybody seen this???

P14 on Gunbroker. Remington Enfield P14 1914 volley site pattern auction #216776982. Item disc: chambered in .303 and all matching. Buy it now price $3000 Curret bid $2850. I don't know very much about the P14/ 17 rifles, not really my cup of tea, so I'm obviously missing something here but what besides being in really good condition makes this particular P14 worth $2850? Judging by the wear on the bolt it's not unissued or unfired and the metal finish is turning brown in a few spots.( muzzle area, bolt handle and probably floorplate) A friend of mine tried to sell his Winchester P17 last year for $750 and did'nt even get a bite and it's in better overall condition than the P14. My question is what makes this rifle worth $2850?

Plain and simple, that rifle is NOT worth that price. Yes, P14's with intact volley sights are worth considerably more, but that price is completely out of line. As to why anyone would pay it, well they need their heads examined.

One simple question: is the seller offering other, similar rifles or has he offered similar items in the past? In the antique business, it is not unknown for stooges to buy items at wildly inflated prices, say 3000 for something worth 1000, so that the next sucker that comes along thinks he has a bargain when he buys the next piece for "only" 2000. Same trick is used at boot sales - offer one at a barmy price, so that the others (also overpriced) look favorable in comparison. Just my nasty cynical mind, of course, and apologies to all who may be irritated by that ... I blame it all on years of experience!

Patrick
:wave:

Another thing I've seen happen at auctions is the seller has his buddies make phony bids to jack the price up.

I think the US expression is "shill bids". Yes/no/maybe?

:wave:

That auction has been running for months. :yikes:

Yes. It is called a "Shill" Bid. They are unethical and on some sites Not allowed. It can mean expulsion if You are caught doing it. There are alot of strange things going on with collectibles these days. Anything British seems to be bringing high dollar..any input on as to why....BTW This price is ridiculous...

Get caught Shill bidding in S.C. and you get a trip to jail and/or the E.R., sometimes both.

shill bidding isnt against the law, it bad business, and shady...but the law could care less,,,,it would be pretty tough to prove...