Little John’s Auction Service Inc.

I purchased 2 lots during the December 14 – 15 Antique firearms Auction totaling over $ 3300. The main lot I was excited to receive was a rare Frank Wesson watch fob derringer that was auctioned with the original purse holster. This lot alone totaled over $ 2800. When I received my purchase, the holster, which had probably accompanied that derringer for the past 100 years or more, was nowhere to be found. Little John’s had somehow managed to lose it. After numerous phone calls to Little John’s, a representative told me they would reimburse me $ 300 to make up for the holster. That would have been fine if it had been just any old holster, but this was the one that had the wear patterns that only the Frank Wesson derringer could have made over the past century! I was basically told to take the $ 300 or send the derringer back for a refund. I took the $ 300 because I had searched for this particular gun for a long time and wasn’t about to give it back. I was very disappointed with the way this situation was handled and I feel that I was short-​changed. I have seen this particular type of derringer previously sell in the $ 1200 to $ 1800 range by itself, with no holster. The reason I bid so high was because I thought it was rare to find the gun and holster together.
To add insult to injury, I was also charged $ 61.39 a second time for shipping, three weeks after I had already received the items. I just happened to be looking at my bank statement and found the second charge, otherwise it would have gone unnoticed. I wonder how many more times they’ll try to skim money off my credit card without me knowing about it?
I’m sure over a million dollars in firearms were auctioned during the December event… I wonder if anyone else had a similar, extremely negative experience.

My dad is an avid gun collector and he’s purchased from Little John’s Auctions more times than I care to remember (he’s not from OC, so he stays with me) and his experiences have all been very positive. The staff is super helpful, knowledgeable and professional.

We’ve enjoyed many transactions with John Gangel and his staff. Their knowledge is encyclopedic, their customer service without peer, and their auctions are some of the best entertainments available. Go, and learn.

I just completed approximately my 10^th transaction yesterday at Little Johns. I have been doing business with this company for approximately 4 years. Customer Service has always been over and above excellent. John Gangel on several occasions has gone over and above to meet my needs.
Yesterday was a bucket list experience for me that I must share — I go into pick up my gun and brought my 4 year old grandson with me — my grand son loves to watch «Roy Rogers». I told John about this. He told us to wait a moment because he wanted to show my grandson something. He brings out a Roy Rogers Silver engraved Colt SA .45 and let him hold out. THEN— He hands my grandson a matched pair of Silver Colt .45 SA revolvers to hold. These two revolvers belonged to none other than President Ronald Reagan. And then if that were not enough — we had Popsicles and talked about guns for 30 minutes!
I am customer for life with Little John’s ! His prices and fees are absolutely fair. Customer service excellent. Product knowledge — John is the go to man for any weapon information.
Do not hesitate use this establishment!

Shipping is unbelievably slow. Customer service though friendly, is of little help. The Shipping department is woefully understaffed. In addition they are not up to date on current firearms laws. They will not ship a long gun C&R to a California C&R, even with a COE. After several negative experiences with them. After several negative experiences with them-​, I’m pretty much done.
THis is too bad as my experience with most of the other online auction houses, (including their local competetor), has been uniformly 100% positive.

I felt compelled to post a review of this business, after being made to feel like I was an annoyance, not a potential customer.
My Mother asked me to contact several auction houses after the loss of my Father, as she had some antique firearms and art work she wanted to sell. Here’s how the exchange went:
Me — send a cordial email to see if there was any interest.
Then — after two days, «send photos»…no greeting, no thanks.
Me — send photos that day
Them — no response
Me — two days later, send follow up email to ask if they received the photos.
Them — no response
Me — after waiting 15 days, sent another email.
Them — no response
Me — called to ask if they received the photos.
Them — I’ll see if I can have someone take a look at them.
Them — two hours later, an email «not interested»
If you want to experience frustration, and be made to feel like you’re an annoyance, go ahead and use this business. If not, go elsewhere!

I have to say very nice people, but they will NOT transfer more than one pistol every 30 days. Even though the guns are consignments and they could legally transfer it by PPT like all the other auction houses and ffl dealers they will not.
The prices are also sky high, if you are into revolvers and 1911’s expect to pay a premium. They purposely value the guns far below fair market value to garner interest then come auction time it sells for 2x the value. In my book that is shady but to each there own. Unless your looking for a one of a kind $ 50k rifle, spend your money else where.