I Keep Finding Deals On Nice Scopes... Passing It On

[rookhawk]

Please delete or move if inappropriate.

On the usual auction site there are two different dealers that are in Germany that keep offering cleaned/refurbished Zeiss and Schmidt & Bender optics. The high-bid prices lately have been pretty low on the dozens of scopes sold.

Some highlights:

Zeiss 6x fixed Diatal in near mint with a rail mount: I bought for $157

Schmidt and Bender Klassik 6x fixed scopes are selling around $325 (msrp around $1000)

Schmidt and Bender 1-4x straight tube dangerous game scopes around $650 (msrp around $1400)

I don't know these people but I've purchased from them. One dealer photographs all their scopes on a blue background, the other on a magenta one. When you can buy near mint German glass for Leupold/Burris prices you have to take a second look.

 

[sierraone]

OK RH, you've created the interest, now give us the web sites!

 

[rookhawk]

Not trying to violate any rules of AH here, but it is on eBay and the dealer with all the S&B scopes name is
20abrakadabra12

He typically posts 8-12 scopes every Sunday night. The prices realized continue to drop as more people buy them and exit the competition as bidders.

Some of today's examples: http://www.ebay.com/sch/20abrakadabra12/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

And for all my AH brethren one more piece of advice: Download the free app and signup for AuctionSniper.com. I think they give you 5 free snipes and then they charge you a buck each or so. You put in your ebay credentials in their app and the item numbers. You set your max bid on the item and set the bid time as 2-5 seconds before the closing bell. It prevents the price from being run up by you in back-and-forth bidding as you swoop in at the last second.

One more philosophical pointer: I go in and bid on every one of these guys premium optics every 10-14 days when they list. I always bid at least $150-$200 for the sole purpose of scaring away "bottom feeder" interest. I know the scopes always go at least $225-$350 but there is that 1:100 chance I'll win it with a super lowball and I know that I have a better chance of winning them at $300 if I can scare away other bidders by jacking the prices to at least $150-$200 immediately upon listing and then sniping them at the last minute with a realistic bid.

Yes, I'm sick in the head when it comes to auction strategy. Yes, I also have an affliction where I must buy all fine glass in existence if the price is right, even if I don't need any more glass. Don't hate me, its a disease and I can't control it.

 

[vinnymbogo]

Not trying to violate any rules of AH here, but it is on eBay and the dealer with all the S&B scopes name is
20abrakadabra12

He typically posts 8-12 scopes every Sunday night. The prices realized continue to drop as more people buy them and exit the competition as bidders.

Some of today's examples: http://www.ebay.com/sch/20abrakadabra12/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

And for all my AH brethren one more piece of advice: Download the free app and signup for AuctionSniper.com. I think they give you 5 free snipes and then they charge you a buck each or so. You put in your ebay credentials in their app and the item numbers. You set your max bid on the item and set the bid time as 2-5 seconds before the closing bell. It prevents the price from being run up by you in back-and-forth bidding as you swoop in at the last second.

One more philosophical pointer: I go in and bid on every one of these guys premium optics every 10-14 days when they list. I always bid at least $150-$200 for the sole purpose of scaring away "bottom feeder" interest. I know the scopes always go at least $225-$350 but there is that 1:100 chance I'll win it with a super lowball and I know that I have a better chance of winning them at $300 if I can scare away other bidders by jacking the prices to at least $150-$200 immediately upon listing and then sniping them at the last minute with a realistic bid.

Yes, I'm sick in the head when it comes to auction strategy. Yes, I also have an affliction where I must buy all fine glass in existence if the price is right, even if I don't need any more glass. Don't hate me, its a disease and I can't control it.

Have you actually mounted and used any of these scopes yet on heavy recoiling rifles? If so, have you have any issues?

 

[rookhawk]

Have you actually mounted and used any of these scopes yet on heavy recoiling rifles? If so, have you have any issues?

No problems whatsoever. Any reason to be aware of about this topic you can share? Have you seen dodgy scopes come up that can't handle recoil?

 

[vinnymbogo]

No problems whatsoever. Any reason to be aware of about this topic you can share? Have you seen dodgy scopes come up that can't handle recoil?

Just had some bad experiences with a couple of used scopes many years ago. The reason I ask, I purchased a S&B from this seller a couple of months ago but haven't had the time to mount it on a 416 Rigby....just waiting on some QD Alaska Arms rings. (we may have been bidding against each other!)

 

[BRICKBURN]

Great information.

 

[siml]

@rookhawk , thanks....now you going to make me break the bank!!!!

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Before purchasing, remember that there are lots of counterfeit out there from top manufacturers... Not saying that these above mentioned ebay guys are part of the bunch but no matter what please check out the following links:

- WARNING: ZEISS COUNTERFEIT SCOPES: https://www.africahunting.com/threads/warning-zeiss-counterfeit-scopes.24350/
- Internet Scam involving ZEISS products: https://www.zeiss.com/sports-optics/en_us/hunting/experience/news.html

 

[rookhawk]

Before purchasing, remember that there are lots of counterfeit out there from top manufacturers... Not saying that these above mentioned ebay guys are part of the bunch but no matter what please check out the following links:

- WARNING: ZEISS COUNTERFEIT SCOPES: https://www.africahunting.com/threads/warning-zeiss-counterfeit-scopes.24350/
- Internet Scam involving ZEISS products: https://www.zeiss.com/sports-optics/en_us/hunting/experience/news.html

Jerome is absolutely correct. There is a swath of FAKE zeiss scopes on eBay starting at a couple of bucks. They appear to be made by the same folks that make BSA scopes in china as I see similar parts on both.

The scopes I referenced appear to be reclaimed scopes from used rifles and/or from official Deutsch shooting clubs. (the hunter safety exam typically uses the models I keep seeing for sale which explains a lot) Be advised that these scopes are positively reworked. The tubes are refinished and look like new but the gloss paint on the pupil objectives will still have scratches and dings. Definitely real scopes. Definitely reworked/refurbished as well.

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

@rookhawk, Thank you for the details provided, there are certainly deals to be had out there!

 

[rookhawk]

Just had some bad experiences with a couple of used scopes many years ago. The reason I ask, I purchased a S&B from this seller a couple of months ago but haven't had the time to mount it on a 416 Rigby....just waiting on some QD Alaska Arms rings. (we may have been bidding against each other!)

So you're the jerk that revved up the price on that Schmidt and Bender 1-4x dangerous game scope to over $600 last week? ;-)

Perhaps we should negotiate terms? I promise not to bid on anything for two weeks...your turn!

All good fun. Happy bidding. Awaiting that little 1-4x for my daughter's first rifle, a pre-64 model 70 featherweight .243 Win I'm building out for her with a custom 11-1/4" stock. She gets it as a graduation present from hunter's safety next Wednesday and gets to use it on her first hunt for some does in Texas next month. SO THANKS FOR MAKING ME PAY MORE FOR A SCOPE FOR A 7 YEAR OLD Vinny! LOL!

 

[vinnymbogo]

I'll try to stay out of your way for awhile....heavy emphasis on the "try"! LOL

 

[rinehart0050]

@rookhawk thanks for sharing! Of course, there go all the great deals now that a bunch of AH nuts are going to be scrambling for some great glass at an unbeatable price!

 

[Foxi]

Zeiss Diavari is an old ,but good Zeiss(Germany West) production line.
Since years this type was never produced anymore.
By this price I would say ,you cant go wrong.
The modern ones are more compact today, but -for me- not better.
Scratches on the peeps (right word ?) ;I would look for.
I have the 2,5-10x52 on my 6,5x57 Heym SR 20 and I love it,my best rifle and my best scope,Im working with it since decades.
Foxi

 

[Clayton]

Yeah lately eBay seems to be loaded with lots of what seems to be bargains. A buddy just got a NIB Zeiss for a song. He's happy as a pig in a wallow over it but a little sick thinking what he paid for his other scopes.