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What would you do?

Jolly Green

Jolly Green

Well-Known Member
I have a question to ask you you guys.
My son and recently went to an annual Militaria Show close to here. We've been going since he could barely see over the tops of the tables and I spent most of my time keeping his hands off stuff. He's now 26.
We had just gotten there for the opening so we could find any good deals while they lasted. Walking up the second aisle I spot a blue old style 60mm mortar round. A guy coming from the other direction, ONE step ahead of me picks it up and holds onto it till the seller got back from wherever he was. I sculk around browsing till the seller gets back and get close. They talk price. It's a lot less than I expected and the buyer still talks him down. After a brief pause the seller agrees. Done deal. I want to puke. I move on.
Here's my question to you.
During the brief pause between when the buyer asks if he'll come down and when the seller states what he'll take I considered jumping in and offering more than the original price. Not much, but more. I didn't know the buyer and in my eyes is the enemy at this point.
Would this be considered unethical in our world?
I've been kicking myself in the butt ever since for not jumping it.
At the time I figured it was their business I shouldn't butt in but I sure do regret it.
Any opinion?
 
I guess I would let it go - the other guy got there first - or approach him straight after the transaction and offer him more than what he paid for it, making sure that you are aware what he paid. In doing it that way, the original seller has sold it albeit for a bit less than he would wish, the buyer has saved money by not paying the asking price and has made an instant profit if he chooses to sell to you, and you have the thing you want, for around the same price you were prepared to pay.
 
I have had someone try to gazzump me like that,i had offered the seller a fair price and he was happy to sell, then this other guy jumped in and tried to get it.
Fortunately the seller took offence at that approach and sold to me!.I
have since been very wary of this other guy,as i've seen him try this on other occassions.
You have to be fast in this game sometimes, you snooze,you loose.

I would let it pass,most collectors worth knowing are very fair and i think if you treat them with this sort of courtesy it'll be rewarded,somewhere down the line.In my experience anyway!
 
I thought I was "doing the right thing" but it sure didn't feel like it later.
I'm big on Karma and let it go.
 
Absolutely the right thing. The guy got a good deal, end of story. There are few feelings more frustrating to be in a deal with someone and someone else steps up and tries to beat your offer. Big violation of the collector's code.
 
Its a hard one if someone done it to me id feel like hes cutting my grass and probably got escorted away by the police .
You done the right thing .

Cheers ken
 
Ring the terrorist squad and tell them there's a guy walking around with a bomb in his bag:wink:....................................just joking!
 
smle2009 said:
Ring the terrorist squad and tell them there's a guy walking around with a bomb in his bag:wink:....................................just joking!
Click to expand...

'All the while yelling and pointing "THAT"S HIM!!! THAT'S HIM!!!"
(not joking :xd:)

On a side thought, how would "doing that" be any different from an auction, of sorts?
 
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Hi Jolly green,You did the right thing,just bide your time and something else will come along,and the wait will be worth it,
Regads,
Don,
 
US-Subs said:
Absolutely the right thing. The guy got a good deal, end of story. There are few feelings more frustrating to be in a deal with someone and someone else steps up and tries to beat your offer. Big violation of the collector's code.
Click to expand...

I couldn't have put it better myself, 100% agree.

Dave.
 
I'm with US-Subs. You did the right thing. If it is in the guy's hand then leave it be. I've seen situations where guy A was interested in something, and was holding it. Guy B walks up, who knows guy A, and asks to see the item guy A is holding, then guy B approaches the seller and buys the item. Guy A is pissed to this day, and guy B is still a scumbag to this day.
 
Slick said:
On a side thought, how would "doing that" be any different from an auction, of sorts?
Click to expand...

Mostly because, it's not an auction. Don't go to a church and behave like it's a bar. Don't go to a militaria show and behave like it's an auction.
 
US-Subs said:
Mostly because, it's not an auction. Don't go to a church and behave like it's a bar. Don't go to a militaria show and behave like it's an auction.
Click to expand...

Not sure as I get the church/bar analogy as an argument of propriety in an ordnance buy, and both acts would certainly raise eyebrows, BUT to damn the "auction" process in this instance would be premature. Have never done it, but the scenario as noted would lend itself to competitve bidding, all things considered. Not sure as it would be so horribly wrong to offer a higher "bid", if one wanted the item. If the low-baller gets pissed; oh well.

Do we stop bidding on an auction as soon as we're outbid, because of the "code"?
 
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John,
I know it really sucks to have lossed it but I look at it like some of the responders here with a few exceptions. There will be another time for you in being in the right place at the right time. It will happen again buddy and you will be there and ready.

I forgive people for what they do to me no matter how bad though with just a few exceptions. Sometimes, I even have problems trying to forget. Don't do anything else to the situation, that means stop thinking about it and quit beating yourself up over it. Life is to short my friend for this "BCs" to be bothering you. More important things in this world to think about than a lousy Mortar round!!!! Hope this helps too!
 
Slick said:
Do we stop bidding on an auction as soon as we're outbid, because of the "code"?
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Well...I've not bid on things that a BOCN brother had already bid on. :biggrin:


Thanks for all the kind words guys. I knew then and know now that I did the right thing. That little guy on my shoulder kept at me though.
devil-smiley-037.gif
 
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