Lets be honest here. The system wasn't broken, some people just got a little more greedy.

AA said they asked around, well they didn't ask me, and I would like an honest answer as to how many buyers were contacted and how many buyers thought this was a good idea.

There are so many other items available on the other site compared to AA, and it isn't because they have the 15 min rule. A good self examination of who and what is being offered on AA, and what AA is doing to promote the site would be far more beneficial than tinkering with the format

If sellers want a "fair market value" for there items they should check the various sources to see what they are selling for and mark their items accordingly. No matter what site I look at, I will avoid any Reserve auction unless it has a buy it now because you have an auction in an auction. You want fair market value than put a fair price on it and put a "buy it now" on it.

Right now the seller is and always has been in the drivers seat. He puts the price on it that he wants to sell it for, or at least he should. If you don't want to have a real auction put your items in a classified or on a site that puts a price on it and thats what you pay.

AA seems to be the "good ole boys" site when you look at the forums and discussions, same old, same old. Gunbrokers seems the more professional site with less BS'ing sniping and more selling. If you want a site to be nothing but forums for the lonely fine, but don't go crying and tinkering with the format when the profits aren't meeting expectations.

The system at AA wasn't broken, and if it isn't broken, it doesn't nee fixin.

gun brokers and auction arms may be the same we don't know do we

Damn!!! Kan do,you may be on to something"The Great Gun Auction Conspirecy"

The one thing I found unique about AA was the ability to fix your sights on something you really wanted, then hunt it down at a bargain. I have done the countdown to end and scored some good deals, and I have had a high bid that lasted til the last minute and then got beaten by a buck. Either way there was sort of a "thrill of the hunt" sort of thing that didn't exist on the other sights. All win for sellers, loss for buyers.

Well I just did that today on a couple of beaters so I can redo them and sell them to a couple of guys that wanted me to do so And now I get to order another cylinder for one of them as well--ain't it grand fun fun fun

Pete`s guns, you`re right that the SELLER is not "raping" us. However, with a ghost bidder he can up the price every 10 minutes. If the other bidder bites, he sells it for more. If not, no sale to the deadbeat ghost bidder. With a timed auction you get every buyers ( including snipers ) best bid.

Qdog-What seller,in his right mind, is going to have a shill(ghost) bidder bid during the 10mins in order to raise a bid-if the shill wins the auction the item is tied up for two weeks-man you guys are grasping at straws.

If AA catches,which occasionally they may do, a shill bidder they ban him for life.So what seller, who sells regularly here ,is going to take that chance for a few measly bucks????

Hart not all of them are what you refer to as "in their right mind" There has been two auctions I was bidding on that I suspected had shills in them--both had names that seemed rather strangely to refer back to the seller and suddenly popped up while I was bidding but not as I would expect a sniper but I let it pass---now I make no guaratees they were such but as I said I suspected such and yes there are some that are unethical enough to do so. Granted the vast majority of the sellers here are great guys but it does open things up to more of the same just a touch too. But we have had the debates about the pros and cons of the new rule and no one is going to change anyones mind on it so I shall just say I respect your point of view and your right to it while I do not hold with it and I will not insult you or berate you because you don't deserve it,  I just differ

BNPHunter - Nice post. You seem to be a gentleman to be admired for your attitude.

Bubba J

whodo you think the goast bidders are. well then i rest my case.