Author Topic: Best Packaging Ever Seen on an RIA Auction Rifle  (Read 434 times)

Offline Tanselman

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Best Packaging Ever Seen on an RIA Auction Rifle
« on: November 01, 2024, 12:13:44 AM »
I wanted to congratulate Rock Island Auction's newest location down in Bedford, Texas, for the best packaging I've ever seen from an auction house, short of building a wooden crate. I recently purchased one of their "bundles" of rifles, couple of clunkers to get a good one I wanted, and I was wondering how the guns would be packed and shipped from Texas, since it was the first time I've purchased from that new location.

The guns arrived in a single carton, and when opened, it had two individual cartons snuggly fit inside, and when I opened them, they had the best, tightest bubble wrapped rifles with film wrap over the top that I've ever received from an auction house, each with great "bumper pads" built up at both muzzle and butt end, and all fully supported with an overload of foam peanuts. Perhaps not a big deal to most, but I've had a number of rifles, including several important ones, damaged in transit [arguing with UPS currently on a broken Felix Settle rifle out of KY]. Since Bedford is RIA's newest location, I thought a small pat on the back was in order for their superb packaging. It was so strong and tight, you could probably drop the carton rather heavily with no internal damage... which is badly needed these days the way some carrier drivers handle long, slightly heavy cartons. Thanks to RIA at Bedford, TX, for doing a great job.

Shelby Gallien
« Last Edit: Today at 07:15:44 PM by Tanselman »

Offline AZshot

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Re: Best Packaging Ever Seen on an Auction Rifle
« Reply #1 on: November 01, 2024, 12:16:49 AM »
I agree.  I'd never bought a Rock Island gun, but got that heavy, 11.5 lb chunk gun recently from them.  It was packed extremely well in a snug pine box. 
Compare that to the cardboard box an antique side by side was shipped in by a small auction house a week later, which brock the extra fancy walnut stock at the wrist. 

Offline Cades Cove Fiddler

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Re: Best Packaging Ever Seen on an Auction Rifle
« Reply #2 on: November 01, 2024, 04:33:53 AM »
 :o :o... Post some good photos of the Beals rifle, Shelby.... hurricane Helene knocked my electrical power , internet and cell service out for 16 days here in Western NC mountains, or I would have made you stand tall on it... !!!.. regards... Cades Cove Fiddler...

Offline Tanselman

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Re: Best Packaging Ever Seen on an Auction Rifle
« Reply #3 on: November 01, 2024, 05:11:53 AM »
Cades Cove Fiddler,

You know I don't collect those old, clunky, walnut stocked TN rifles! I just chase the good-looking guns from Kentucky. The auction had the first-ever known [at least to me] under-hammer longrifle from Kentucky [a few pistols are known], nice looking rifle with good KY gunmaker's name on the barrel. I had to buy a "bundle" of clunkers to get it, but I was OK with it for the rarity and significance of the one good rifle. Best part was that RIA didn't recognize the name, suggested it was a PA rifle, so not much competition. I'll leave those TN rifles for you... unless it's another good-looking Bearden!

Shelby Gallien 
« Last Edit: November 01, 2024, 08:04:21 AM by Tanselman »

Offline Seth Isaacson

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Re: Best Packaging Ever Seen on an Auction Rifle
« Reply #4 on: November 01, 2024, 10:25:46 PM »
It wasn't me this time  ;), but I'm glad it is in the hands of a happy customer who I know will appreciate that rifle.
I am the Lead Historian/Firearms Specialist at Rock Island Auction Co., but I am here out of my own personal interests in muzzle loading and history.
*All opinions expressed are mine alone and are NOT meant to represent those of any other entity unless otherwise expressly stated.*

Offline Avlrc

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Re: Best Packaging Ever Seen on an Auction Rifle
« Reply #5 on: November 01, 2024, 11:13:30 PM »
Yeah, I have bought a couple of things from them since they started using wooden box packaging. The shipping cost was not much more than it would have cost me to make a box, so I was pleasantly surprised. They have upped the game.
Far better than paying a third-party shipper to collect, package & ship.  The little things add up.

Offline Cades Cove Fiddler

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Re: Best Packaging Ever Seen on an Auction Rifle
« Reply #6 on: Today at 02:40:46 AM »
 ;) ;)... HaHaHa... was hopeing you had gotten that nice, sleek 48" barrel Wm. N. Beals Unicoi Co. TN rifle, Shelby... and that you would offer it to me at a bargain price...!!! .... still having dreams about that Bearden... !!!... Regards,...CCF