This all started slightly over a week ago. About three years ago I bought a rifle from the husband of a co-worker. It was a good price in a model I like and a caliber I did not have, so I bought it. The usual embellishments about what a tack driver it was, sub MOA groups etc, etc.. Well my factory loads did not match his and it was maybe 1.5 or worse at 100. It becomes a safe queen. So I run into him last week and he tells me how if I ever want to sell it, he would like to buy it back etc etc. I think about this for about 5 minutes and as I have no particular attachment to that rifle, I will sell it back to him. A day or so later, I tell the wife that I can drop it off that weekend and just let me know when. I cross paths with the husband a day later and he tells me he wants to buy the gun back if I want to sell it but NOT RIGHT NOW! But if I ever want to sell it in the "future", etc etc,
I mentioned to the wife that her husband's ardor had cooled. She was a lot more forthright and said "Yes, We can't afford that right now."
In my stupidity, I ordered a rifle I wanted and was planning to pay for it with the proceeds of the sale of the safe queen.

Anybody else got a similar tale to relate.

"Money talks and male bovine excrement walks"

YMMV

My father ran his business on the basis that the sale wasn't complete until the money was in his pocket.

A lot of people will promise a lot of things, but as you note for the most part it's horse manure.

I'm sorry that you're in a bind and hope it's not too much of a bind.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

I bid on two ~$400-500 rifles on GB on the basis I would only win one of them. Of course, the market was slow and I ended up with both. My FFL here in town took a shine to one of them so instead of transferring it to me he bought it. My late wife said she was very proud of me, but confessed that she would not have been all that mad if I showed I really wanted them both.

No, I got over spending money that was't in my po kr a long time ago.

Best way to handle these 'future' sales I so terms that st s time limit : eg 'I'll sell to you in x weeks for y but i got two other guys interested at z and they want an answer in x minus a few days. I'll bold 'em off for -- days the ill have to sell to them. Let me know if you want it and give me the $ by --- date certain.

Thanks!!

Things have a way of working out! The endontist over-charged for the root canal and sent a refund check and the state income tax refund showed up so the pain is not so great. Not painless but only a mild twinge.

I probley have more storys like that than I can remember. About 1971 I bought a new s&w model 40 from a small dealer. Maybe two months later I seen him at a gun show, he asked me did I still have the gun. I said yes, he said he would buy it back from me for what I gave him as he had a good customer that wanted one right now. I said okay, I will drop it over tomorrow as I seen something else I wanted at the show and I wouldnt feel guilty about spending the money as I could always buy another model 40. Right after that I mentioned the transaction to someone at the show. They said smith just announced they are quiting makeing the model 40 and the prices are going out of sight! The next day I took the gun to the dealer but let him know I knew why he really wanted it. I didnt need to but I prided myself on keeping my word. I replaced it finaly with another about 6 years ago.

You are a man of your word. That counts a lot among other men of their word. Not so much with anybody else.

I've always played by the "never count your chicken before they hatch"

Maybe they have layaway where you bought, it might be worth asking.

I have counted many a chicken that never hatched.

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Georgia On My Mind

Sell the rifle somewhere else and do not worry about it. If the guy asks about it in the future, just tell him you sold it to buy your new rifle.

That is a miracle indeed.

I have never before heard of a dentist retuning money once they have it.

I don't see the problem. If you ever decide to sell the gun, just tell him and see if he will buy it. If not you are free to sell it to whomever you please. This would be the case even if he had not got you to commit without being up front with you about the time frame.

And tell him you sold it for half of what he wanted to pay.

So, I'm curious... What is the make, model, caliber of the rifle you don't like???

Ruger #1 22 hornet.. Just not as accurate(in my hands) as claimed.
As I now have the reloading dies, 200 rounds of brass, etc. I pick up a Savage light varmint with a thumb hole stock.. in 22 hornet Saturday. I will try some hand loads with the #1 and maybe I will get a MOA or better out of it. Even better , maybe with both of them

I am in the early stages of reloading for the hornet. Quite interesting to say the least.On Rimfire Central a fellow named Vincent has some posts on his reloading of the Hornet. He helped me alot.
RJ

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Feet on the ground

For me it's always vehicles. "Man, when you get ready to let that truck go, call me I've got to have it." Then when I call.......crickets, crickets.

Real easy to talk. Real hard to come up with the $$$$$$.

This is pretty accurate. I've had this happen a few times myself. The interested party makes like the money is no object at all, and how they have this and that, almost to the point of bragging. Then I hear nothing after a verbal agreement has been made. I know things happen, but I think the $50 millionaires oughta keep their mouths shut.

Or at least pre-clear this with the person that is wearing the pants and holding the purse strings.