I have paid the inspection fee for several guns that I did not bid on. If I had not paid the price I would have most likely bought and been very unhappy. Each gun had several real major problems that would have made them a money pit which we all need to avoid. All were honestly described, well photographed and each had major flaws which would have cost more than the top bid price to fix. Win a gun for 1K, drop another 1K into repairs and then pay to have it shipped for 500 more. Your steal of a deal becomes a over priced gun that you will be lucky to ever get your money out of.
What are the real odds that you can buy a gun based on a internet photo, a fifty word or less description from the auction house and find a better value than a person in the room? Less than slim. The bargains, if they even exist, will be bought by those right there. You can tell the real value of a gun only in person and then if you have spent years evaluating guns and spotting flaws. Not very likely to happen over the net.
What you will end up doing, if you are not real careful, is over pay for guns with minor to major flaws that will only be found when you take delivery. Then waiting for months to get them fixed in the States. In general I have found it pays to get them fixed over there. More "good" smiths to fix the guns and the cost has been less than it would have cost here.
