For the avid airsoft player, collecting guns and gear is always an enjoyable activity. You buy the latest AEG there, the latest combat gear here, and so on, and so on, until he/she finds out accumulated stuff over time. I for one experience this too, as sometimes I discover an unused battery here, and forgotten 300 round magazine there, and they’re found in some of the unlikeliest places in the house.

So if you don’t need them, what do you want to do about them? You can be generous to give it these out to your mates, or you can go at online classifieds at airsoft forums, or even eBay. You might be able to swap these out for something you want, or you can sell them for some money that you can save for the next big thing in airsoft.

If you’re sick and tired of eBay and want to find an airsoft auction site, then you don’t need to look further. Softair Bid is a Website based in Italy where you can put up your items for sale. If you are an airsoft business, you can also setup your own shop there, just like on eBay. It’s still a new Website, but you can help out by putting some stuff for sale, or announcing a stuff you might need, and someone might just have it.

We have gotten in touch with Giovanni Zaccone to explain to us further Softair Bid.

Popular Airsoft: Hi Giovanni! Can you tell us more about yourself as an airsoft player and what you do besides playing airsoft?

Giovanni Zaccone: Well, I started playing airsoft quite late already—I am now 37 years old—because I didn’t have the time then.

I have been traveling around Europe for 14 years, and being a military uniform enthusiast, I have collected battle dress uniforms (BDUs) for my private collection from all the places I have been. Browsing airsoft Websites and reading airsoft and airsoft-related magazines kept me abreast with the trends.

What made you get into airsoft? Do you play with a team? Where do you usually play in Italy?

I have been back home in Italy for about five years now, and bumped into old friends who share the same interests as mine—airsoft. In fact, they were the ones who gave me my very first airsoft gun: an M16A2 Systema Professional Training Weapon (PTW). The very next day, I was already up by 6am, excited to fire my M16A2. There was no turning back for me, since that day. I have a special liking for the sport and it is indeed for all ages.

Since then, Sundays have become airsoft day for me and a few friends, hence our team name: SUNDAYWARRIORS. I get up as early as 5am to have my backpack ready. We usually endure about 3hr to 4hr drive just to play airsoft, which is usually in and around Genova and Turin. As long as I have my M16A2, Dragunov rifle and Glock 19 GBB in tow, I don’t mind the long drives!

How is the Italian airsoft scene nowadays? Is it growing or having some legal problems?

Well, as with other people around the world, Italians think as they like and have their own set of beliefs. Some Italians look at us as some kind of “war junkies”; others think we are real military, while some thought we are rowdy and noisy. Many still do not understand the sport. Actually, we do not make as much noise as someone playing loud music on a Sunday morning.

We do not really care what others say about us. Yes, we love airsoft but we will be the first ones to condemn war. We like military uniforms and gears, the same manner as others like cars. Also, we treat airsoft as a sport, the same way as others have football or basketball.

In Italy, the legal limit for muzzle velocity is under one joule (or about 328fps). The red barrel cap should also be in place when transporting the AEGs. Like anywhere else around the world, permission from the police unit in the specific area or game site should be requested, and the perimeter of the game area should be properly marked. Most game sites here are in private properties.

What made you decide to put up Softair Bid? Do you run this alone or you have some partners?

Most airsoft sellers or buyers post their items or needs in various “airsoft market” Websites to have a better chance of selling or finding a specific airsoft gun, gear or accessory. So I thought to myself, why not create an Airsoft Auction Website where sellers post an airsoft item for buyers to bid on. That way, the seller gets the price he wants from a single buyer.

Although a lot of similar online markets are already in place, like eBay, none is specific to airsoft. So, I envision this Website to cater to airsoft enthusiasts, not only in Italy but also worldwide. One airsoft site. One meeting point, where the Website supports various languages so that sellers and buyers can communicate in a language common to both. Transactions here are free auction basis. Registered users can buy and sell items on the Website for free, allowing them to even set up their own online shop with just 15 items.

I started with this idea alone, but currently, there are already 10 people running the site. We really are not after commercialization, what we wanted is just to provide an online marketplace for airsoft buyers and sellers, at the same time, create an environment where airsofters around the world can meet-and-greet.

Can you explain to us how one can sell or buy at your Website?

It is really pretty simple. Just register at Softair Bid for free, then after choosing your language, you can post an item for auction. You can set how long the bidding will be and how long the item should be online. You have to understand that these things do take time. If your item has not been sold after the lapsed time, you can still relist it for free. As mentioned before, a registered user can create his own online “Airsoft Shop” for free and post as much as 15 items for sale. You can choose between 24 layouts to give your online page a unique look.

There are several “user package” available—the Standard Auction, Special Standard Auction and the Airsoft Shop. A Standard Auction package is free of charge, however, for every item sold through the Website, the seller pays 1% of the total price. Users under the Special Standard Auction category have add-on features to choose from (with minimal fees)—photo gallery for items being sold (€0.05), extra photos cost €0.02.

If you have an airsoft shop and you want to market your products online, the Airsoft Shop package is suitable for you. This category is classified into two sections: the Basic Store Package for shops with 200 items or below for sale (€3/month) and the Expert Store Package for shops selling 1,000 items or more (€9/month).

Upon registration, you are given a €5 free credit for use in special auctions. This credit can be replenished via PayPal, MoneyBook or via bank transfers. One a month, a voucher is given to all registered users, which they can use to post a special ad for free.

Softair Bid features various user interfaces that allow them to communicate with other buyers or sellers. The site supports Skype.

Is this open to everyone who has something related to airsoft to buy or sell?

Softair Bid is open to everyone who wants to sell and/ or buy any airsoft item—it could be individuals or shops. If I remember right, transactions via Softair Bid is tax-free.

Can you buy direct at Softair Bid or do you need to go through the bidding process?

Softair Bid is just an online service for individuals or shops that have airsoft items to sell or buy. For items not found on our site, we provide external links to other airsoft shop sites.

What’s your process of ensuring that there are no “fake” sellers and buyers?

The site is under the Italian Registry Department. Buyers and sellers have to abide by the Terms and Conditions, as well as the Privacy Policy stipulated in the Website. We have security measures in place, to check for IP addresses and duplicate telephone numbers, as well as email verification. These measures ensure that only legitimate buyers and sellers can do online transactions in Softair Bid. We will prosecute all
violators.

If I buy or sell something at your Website, how do I make payments? Is it direct to the seller or Softair Bid handles the payment process?

Transactions, including payments are done directly between parties—buyers and sellers, where buyers have eight payment options to choose from. For other requests not covered by the Terms and Conditions, online users can directly email us.

Softair Bid does not handle transactions between online users. We will just be there to assist them.

Do you take commissions from every sale and is there a fee structure for putting up more products?

Yes, we do take commissions, albeit very minimal— just enough to keep the Website alive. Commissions are usually in the area of 1% of the total sale value, which can range from €1 to €50.

The fee structure is detailed in our Website. Simply click on “FEES” to learn more about it. Fees are really cheap at Softair Bid.

Are you doing this fulltime now?

Actually, my day job is as a chef in a restaurant here in Italy, but I think I am spending more time managing the Website than cooking in my kitchen.

What are your future plans for Softair Bid?

We don’t look that too far ahead right now. All we’re focusing on at the moment is to provide airsofters worldwide a venue where they could meet, discuss matter about airsoft and, of course, trade airsoft stuffs.

Finally, what’s your tip to those who are planning to sell something via Softair bid?

My tip could be for airsofters to try Softair Bid, as it offers them a better opportunity to market their airsoft items. One important thing is that it does not cost a thing. Of course, I would love to see a lot of airsofters at Softair Bid, after all, the Website will give them a better chance to find what they are looking for, as well as sell items they do not need anymore.

Thank you very much!

You are welcome!