Sale of a Lifetime

[Robin Henderson]

I just ran across this on another forum and was wondering if anyone around here knew anything about this. Moderator, please forgive if this is not appropriate for this forum as there is a little "modern stuff" included.

https://www.estatesales.net/TN/Germantown/38139/1628484

[n stephenson]

Man, You aint  kiddin !! That is awesome!!

[490roundball]

wow - lifetime collection- lifetime sale

[Molly]

Amazing!  How can one get more info that just the photos.  It seems some sort of detail would be available...guess a call is in order.

[T*O*F]

How can one get more info that just the photos.  It seems some sort of detail would be available

This is how these are usually conducted around here.  It's an "estate sale" with the address being given the day before the sale.  The next morning, you get a number which dictates the order you will be allowed into the sale.  The earlier your number, the better chance you have.  They only let so many buyers into the sale at a time, allowing others in as some leave.  Prices are fixed, but you can leave an offer and if the item doesn't sell, they will consider it.  Previews generally aren't allowed.  You have to be there in person or have an agent present.  I doubt there will be an individual item listing as at auctions.  You can bet that at 8am the day of the sale people will be already lined up around the block waiting for numbers.

[Avlrc]

Sounds like a store not an auction. Never heard of one being ran that way.  Great collection.

[okawbow]

Wow! I may be in Memphis that weekend. I'd like to go, just to see the rifles up close.

[spgordon]

Sounds like a store not an auction. Never heard of one being ran that way.  Great collection.

It's not an auction. It's an estate sale. I go to these sorts of things all the time in Pennsylvania and New Jersey--there are a half dozen or so within an easy drive every weekend--and they all work exactly as T*O*F* describes.

When I first looked, I thought it was in Germantown PA. No such luck!

[Shreckmeister]

I sure wish it was closer and I didn't already have plans.  Some nice looking rifles there and I can only imagine the smalls he might have.

[oldtravler61]

  Wow talk about a collection....!!
 If I could make it. I'd be there at midnight or the day before.
 Seen only one other sale like this an the line was over 3 blocks long to get in....!  Oldtravler

[somehippy]

Wow, just wow...

[AeroE]

I was checking in to see if this sale had been mentioned here.

I'm considering a trip to attend, but I have to admit I've never encountered an estate sale conducted as described above.  I guess this explains the reason one of the major auction houses didn't get the job, but it seems odd, an auction is more efficient for this huge number of items.  That also explains the reason I couldn't find a telephone bidding number. 

Fixing the prices ahead of time seems like a good method for having most of the inventory left after three days.

[JCKelly]

Tryin' not to lean over the keyboard as I drool

[Carl Young]

I haven't made up my mind to go or not. I'm not interested in going on a lark; if there isn't a reasonable chance of making a flintlock purchase it would not be worth the effort to me. I'm not looking to find something cheap, I can afford to play, but I am not willing to throw money at them.

It's half a day's drive, would need to go a day early to get a spot in line, and I don't know what to expect on pricing of guns? Have never been to a fixed price sale like this.
Will they be reasonably priced by someone knowledgeable (I know that's subjective) or "yea-haw Daddy's stuff is worth a fortune" priced by someone who is ignorant? Will they herd us through, or will there be time to look and handle items? Not knowing the answers leaves considerable doubt in my mind.

I would be interested in hearing what others think.
Carl

[Top Jaw]

Carl, its all those unknown considerations and more that made myself and my buddy pull out of attending.  I think this approach might cost them several folks who would have attended but are throwing in the towel for the reasons you stated. Good luck to the rest of you.  You can have our spot in line down the block!!

[WadePatton]

How can one get more info that just the photos.  It seems some sort of detail would be available

This is how these are usually conducted around here.  It's an "estate sale" with the address being given the day before the sale.  The next morning, you get a number which dictates the order you will be allowed into the sale.  The earlier your number, the better chance you have.  They only let so many buyers into the sale at a time, allowing others in as some leave.  Prices are fixed, but you can leave an offer and if the item doesn't sell, they will consider it.  Previews generally aren't allowed.  You have to be there in person or have an agent present.  I doubt there will be an individual item listing as at auctions.  You can bet that at 8am the day of the sale people will be already lined up around the block waiting for numbers.

Even if I was rolling in collection-building dollars, I don't think I'd attend such an event.  The sheer number of items and attendees will likely negate any real bargains and maximize disappointment.  Fixed pricing, cattle-call preview.  Not me.  Even though it's only 4 hours away (assuming perfect traffic).

I HOPE they all get into the hands of folks who understand preservation and sharing. 

[debnal]

I live about five hours from the sale and was considering going. Then I looked at the pictures again and tried to see if I could see any of the prices. The one price I found was for a North Model 1819 flint pistol. I was $3750. They can't bring a bid of $1500 on gunbroker. If all the prices are like that then it would be useless to go.
Al

[n stephenson]

Awesome collection!! Like others here , I don`t want to risk a few hour drive and , a few hours wait in line . Only to find out that they are wanting a war pension for something. I prefer an auction, if there is little interest ,you can pick up a deal , but, I`ve seen bidding wars fetch some outlandish prices also.

[JTR]

Evidently the owner of this collection has done this before, sold everything off and started over. I'm not saying that's what's going on here, because I don't know. Obviously, the owner is very well known, has a good eye, has the funds, etc.

So true, if you think your gonna offer up $125 bucks for a $5000 rifle, you'll no doubt be disappointed... On the other hand, most antique prices are currently on the low side.

John

[spgordon]

Typically, prices are cheap at estate sales and everybody is happy with the procedure. It is standard. I was at one this morning in New Jersey that worked exactly like this and got exactly what I wanted (some copper pots: saw the things in the pictures posted ahead of time) at a terrific price.

If the owner or the estate sale company has overpriced the items--as may be the case, given what debnal wrote--it won't be a successful event for anybody. But if the prices are good, it'll be successful for everybody, especially the folks who do show up early, wait in line, etc.

[Jesse168]

They will post high prices for the first day then cut price by 20% on second day then go to 50% off final day.  On some items they will put out bidding sheets.
That's the way it usually goes here at our sales like this.  I have been to several here in Memphis that were run this way.  The folks that don't know any better pay way more for items the first day than they are really worth.  Guns that aren't sold go to local gun shop and sold.

[T*O*F]

You can bet that Dixie Gun Works will be there buying big and there are also a lot of Civil War collectors in the area who have deep pockets and know the variants and values.

[Shreckmeister]

If I was within a 6 Hour drive  and they had put up some good pictures of the Kentucky's where I can actually see the engraving and condition I'm sure something there would have peaked my interest.  A collection like that should've had a catalog with decent photos. There were a couple WestMoreland County looking guns that I might have Gone for. Maybe they'll have a secondary auction. 

[jdm]

[quote author=Shreckmeister  There were a couple WestMoreland County looking guns that I might have Gone for. Maybe they'll have a secondary auction. 


Rob, Maybe you can buy them from the person who buys them. I'm sure the mark up will be reasonable.

[Molly]

Just hope someone attends and reports back on what everyone else missed.