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06-27-2016, 08:08 AM
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SWCA Member Absent Comrade
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Have you ever told a seller?
His asking price was way too low or do you just scoop it and slap yourself on the back? I make a distinction between a dealer and a private seller. A dealer should know what he's doing and his price reflects what he paid for it. But an individual selling one or more guns may simply be out of touch on current values.
Sure, easy to say "well he should do the research" but I can't take advantage of someone even if he is making it easy for me. I have told sellers several times that they were asking way too little for a gun. I sleep better that way. I have never wanted a gun badly enough to sell my soul for it.
BTW- One time I told a seller that $195 was very low (about half) for a post war Heavy Duty 38/44 and he said that's what he wanted for it and stuck to the price. So I bought it. I tried to do the right thing but he insisted on selling it cheap.
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No life story has happy end.
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06-27-2016, 08:15 AM
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Can't recall ever being in that position with someone I didn't know, but I have offered more for a couple of guns because I knew the seller and knew the money was needed. You have a good point. I prefer transactions that are fair for both parties. That seems to be a minority view among gun hobbyists.
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06-27-2016, 08:18 AM
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A while back there was a guy with a nickel Model 19 (I'm not sure the dash number) with combats on it listed for a ridiculously low price. I can't remember exactly but I think he listed it for in the mid-to-high $300's range.
I PM'ed him and told him that the combats alone were worth half his asking price. I hated to see him undercut himself like that.
He had no idea the combats were so valuable.
I don't know the outcome or if he ever sold it, but I considered it my good deed for that day.
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06-27-2016, 08:36 AM
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US Veteran
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Had this happen once. Forum member was asking about a 3” M-66 he had. I mentioned if he ever wanted to sell it, I’d be interested. Sometime later, I received P.M. advising a dealer had offered him $650.00 trade in value on it, and did I want it at that price?
I advised seller the gun was worth much more than $650.00 and I could not pay a fair price. Further advised him to list it here for $1,200.00 shipped. He did it sold in less than one hour.
The only thing that irked me, the seller never bothered to thank me for the suggestion.
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06-27-2016, 08:57 AM
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Walked into a gun show about a year ago and a guy had a 4" Python, as new, without the box for $950. It's in my safe now. I didn't even try to talk him down... :-)
MB
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06-27-2016, 09:02 AM
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Member
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I see a lot of this on buy and sell groups on Facebook. Guys have a used glock, with obvious signs of wear, and still want 500-600 dollars for it because it's a glock.
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06-27-2016, 09:11 AM
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When I see dealers that over price their firearms, I tell them they are way low and should add a couple hundred to their prices.
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06-27-2016, 09:18 AM
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Nope. If I think the price is too high I walk on by or look elsewhere. Sellers are allowed to ask whatever they want. When I buy a gun from a seller I always thank them.
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06-27-2016, 09:34 AM
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Absent Comrade
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Saw a TV show where someone brought inherited guns to an LGS to sell. Two complete guns were sold, and then seller asked if they would buy a box of loose gun parts. He came back with a box of parts and asked $50 for it.
The owner looked inside, then called his gunsmith over to look inside. They proceeded to remove the parts from the box, and lay them out on the counter top. Moments later, a complete MG44 materialized from the parts, and they offered the oblivious customer thousands of dollars for it.
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06-27-2016, 10:45 AM
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Quote:
Have you ever told a seller?
His asking price was way too low
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YES!
A widow and her new boyfriend came to my table offering Remington 870 and Winchester 1300 in excellent condition for $150 each.
Told them that I could not pay that in good faith.
The looked disappointed.
Then I offered a FAIR price.
I did what I felt was right.
They were happy.
Bekeart
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06-27-2016, 11:02 AM
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When I am dealing with someone who should know the reasonable value, I don't go out of my way to tell them what it might be, but if I buy the gun I make sure I have asked more than once, "Are you sure this is how much you want for this?"
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06-27-2016, 11:05 AM
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Kudos to the OP and others who've done the right thing.
I told the story in May of being at a gun show where a private guy had a 1911 (no "A1") with the original shipping papers showing the gun left the factory en route to a hardware store. His price was ridiculously low, and I told him I thought so.
"Yeah, but I want to sell it," he said. Fair enough.
But... at another gun show... the pawn shop owner who was asking the used "-9" price for a pristine no-dash .22??? Like SaxonPig said, "... his price reflects what he paid for it," and now it's mine. Sort of feel bad for the seller who lost out when (s)he sold it to the pawn shop, but that was before I entered the scene.
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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob
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06-27-2016, 11:36 AM
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SWCA Member Absent Comrade
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I once got a shotgun out of an estate which the widow wanted to give me for $100. I had to twist her arm to get her to accept $200. It was a rather awkward situation; I felt guilty because the gun was still worth a hundred more, but I got the impression she thought I was just being nice in insisting to pay so much .
On the other hand, I once bought a nice Victory model with the finish intact from a dealer who apparently didn't know what a Victory was and what the phosphate finish looks like, because he offered it as an old M&P "with the bluing all worn off". I got it for at least $100 less than what I'd been willing to pay. No mercy there; if you sell guns for a living, you should know your product.
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06-27-2016, 11:41 AM
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I have on several occasions told amateur sellers with grossly underpriced merchandise, "You're not asking enough for that. I used to manage a gun store and I keep a pretty serious eye on the market. A great deal on it for a buyer would be _____. Look on GunBroker if you want comparables [sometimes I offer to help; it depends on how well I know them], but you'll be ripping yourself off if you sell it for that price. I have cash right here if you want to sell it for that price, and I won't feel comfortable unless I give you your asking price plus _____, but I would urge you to investigate its worth and price it accordingly. Beware of those people who would take advantage of you."
They generally take it off the market and sell it later for a better price.
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06-27-2016, 11:52 AM
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Had a guy come to my table at a gun show & asked if I was Jim C.I said yeah....guy said your rep.is good...can you tell me if this gun is worth $450! I'm not a gun guy,my Dad just passed & this is from his collection,a dealer offered me $450...is it worth that much?? I removed the cloth it was wrapped in! I asked IF...he would take a thou or 2thou etc.he was floored! Best 1st.gen Colt I have ever seen.He asked why...a dealer would offer what he did...I just told him I couldn't do that....offered him collector names who would give him fair deal!!
Jim
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06-27-2016, 11:59 AM
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I think that's honorable.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by SaxonPig
His asking price was way too low or do you just scoop it and slap yourself on the back? I make a distinction between a dealer and a private seller. A dealer should know what he's doing and his price reflects what he paid for it. But an individual selling one or more guns may simply be out of touch on current values.
Sure, easy to say "well he should do the research" but I can't take advantage of someone even if he is making it easy for me. I have told sellers several times that they were asking way too little for a gun. I sleep better that way. I have never wanted a gun badly enough to sell my soul for it.
BTW- One time I told a seller that $195 was very low (about half) for a post war Heavy Duty 38/44 and he said that's what he wanted for it and stuck to the price. So I bought it. I tried to do the right thing but he insisted on selling it cheap.
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Sometime people just want to get rid of something but if a person doesn't know what they have I think it's generous to advise them whether you end up with it or not. One story comes to mind was an estate sale where the widow had guns to sell. The way I remember a forum member helped and let her know the going value of the guns.
Now dealers.......both sides of the transaction are should know what they are talking aobut.
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06-27-2016, 12:21 PM
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Depends entirely on the seller. A dealer or adult who should know better, I'll take the low price and smile.
However, friends, co-workers, even casual acquaintances, I will point out their mistake and offer a fair price. I won't take advantage of a friendship even if its someone I rarely see.
I absolutely will not take advantage of a non-gun person who is trying to sell a gun inherited from a deceased loved one. We've all seen that story. "I got this from a stupid widow at a dirt cheap price! HA, HA!" To me that's just plain low.
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06-27-2016, 12:37 PM
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I was once offered a very nice old Marlin .44 mag for what the seller paid, $150. I gave him $350 and we were both happy . That was several tears ago.
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06-27-2016, 12:52 PM
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When I run across someone who has undervalued his gun for sale, I offer them magic beans in lieu of his cash price.
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SOS USA
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06-27-2016, 01:13 PM
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Banned
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jsha22lr
I see a lot of this on buy and sell groups on Facebook. Guys have a used glock, with obvious signs of wear, and still want 500-600 dollars for it because it's a glock.
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Give me a glock, and ill trade it for something else.
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06-27-2016, 01:15 PM
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Approximately 18 months ago, on Gunbroker.com a dealer in Alabama or Georgia had a BUY IT NOW price on a Shiloh Sharps 1863 carbine with a "B" prefix serial number. I called to buy and specifically mentioned that 1863 production had been suspended and was unlikely to return for perhaps five years - based upon Shiloh's previous suspension of 1863 production.
It turned out that the dealer was unfamiliar with any Shiloh Sharps rifle, and he was satisfied at the buy price because it was being sold on consignment.
Result: Everyone pleased. Buyer pleased and astonished.
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06-27-2016, 01:21 PM
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Banned
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Ive never been offered a gun under its value--just comic books and occasional piece of militaria. I had three diff comic book price-guides that I would show them and point out varying in prices. I always used the middle price-and never having deep pockets, I would offer to buy at the middle price-no haggling. I was never turned down on my offers. Same with militaria.
Back to your regular scheduled gun subject.
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06-27-2016, 01:23 PM
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In 2013, my then-local gun store had in his new gun display case "a brand new in the box with all the stuff" S&W Model 17 just received from the distributor priced at $279. I laughed, showed it to the owner, and told him, "Beings as you are giving it away already, I'd be a buyer at $250." He took the gun back from me, looked the tag over, and quickly remarked it at $789 after which he had a few words of instruction with his staff. He didn't even thank me for letting him know one of his folks had screwed up.
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06-27-2016, 01:24 PM
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I've never came across a gun for sale that was greatly undervalued for what it was.
The true value is often realized once you have it home or it makes it's first trip to the range in your shocked hands.
Almost all I've seen lately are greatly overpriced that need to be passed on with a polite thanks but no thanks.
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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN
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06-27-2016, 01:25 PM
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Fella walked into a gunshow a few years ago carrying his Grandaddy's revolver. A dealer friend of mine asked me to look at it, and I asked the owner what he knew about it. Said he had been told it might be worth "a little bit of money." I asked what he thought it was worth and he said, tentatively, "maybe $1000?" I told him I would give him $1200 on the spot, he said "Really??" I think he would have sold it to me. I said "no, not really." Then I told him what he had and what I thought it might be worth. Point of my offer was just to illustrate to him that he shouldn't just jump on any ol' offer that came along. He was nice enough to let me take a picture of the gun. I've shown it before.
He also had the mailing tube for the certificate and an old shoulder holster. No box. I think that was about the nicest thing I did all day that day.
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06-27-2016, 01:27 PM
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Junior Member
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SaxonPig
Have you ever told a seller...
... His asking price was way too low or do you just scoop it and slap yourself on the back?
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Oh yes. Absolutely I have done that a few times. But in all cases, it was for a gun that I had no real burning interest in... or it was for a gun I couldn't afford anyway even at the well below market asking price.
The latest example was a consignment Model 52-2. I knew damn well that the owner was clueless and the shop really wasn't all that current on 52-2 selling prices. Didn't matter to me because it was out of my price range regardless.
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06-27-2016, 02:44 PM
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I think that's honorable.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by SaxonPig
His asking price was way too low or do you just scoop it and slap yourself on the back? I make a distinction between a dealer and a private seller. A dealer should know what he's doing and his price reflects what he paid for it. But an individual selling one or more guns may simply be out of touch on current values.
Sure, easy to say "well he should do the research" but I can't take advantage of someone even if he is making it easy for me. I have told sellers several times that they were asking way too little for a gun. I sleep better that way. I have never wanted a gun badly enough to sell my soul for it.
BTW- One time I told a seller that $195 was very low (about half) for a post war Heavy Duty 38/44 and he said that's what he wanted for it and stuck to the price. So I bought it. I tried to do the right thing but he insisted on selling it cheap.
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Sometime people just want to get rid of something but if a person doesn't know what they have I think it's generous to advise them whether you end up with it or not. One story comes to mind was an estate sale where the widow had guns to sell. The way I remember a forum member helped and let her know the going value of the guns.
Now dealers.......both sides of the transaction are should know what they are talking about.
Who remembers the story from the forum member who sold his co worker a gun at a good price because he was buying it 'for his son'. The member later saw the was flipping it at its REAL value.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
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Last edited by rwsmith; 06-27-2016 at 02:50 PM.
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06-27-2016, 04:26 PM
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SWCA Member Absent Comrade
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I was banned from a local gun shop when I told a prospective seller that the gun store owner was offering way less than 10% of what his rifle was worth. Store owner was flat-out lying to the man ("Well, it's been modified, it's worn out, you can't get ammunition for it, blah blah blah..."). The old man looked shocked and rolled the rifle back up in an old blanket and ran out of the store with me behind him and the owner screaming curses at me. Outside, I offered to tell him where he could get an honest appraisal so he really knew what he had and what it was really worth.
The gun shop went out of business not long thereafter but the owner became a gun show promoter and was later convicted of arms trafficking.
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06-27-2016, 04:28 PM
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Two stories..........
Went into a LGS about 10 years ago.......looked at a couple of guns.... the owner said "Here's one you might want to look at"..... Tag read....
"Used"
"6 inch S&W N-frame .357 magnum with holster"
" $325".
Asked about the history.... Wife told the husband to "Get rid of his Father's gun before the baby is born".
Looked it over ...... went home ....... came back the next day at opening time......... "Reg. 4629"...... wrote a check for the full asking price!!!!
Second story.....
Stopped in at a LGS/Gunsmith....shooting the breeze.... older guy comes in and wants to put a pre-17 on consignment for $400......
Gunsmith said "I can do better"
Old guy says "I just want to get it sold"
I signaled the GS if I could get involved..... he nodded yes......
I told the gentleman "I'd gladly give him $400 if that's what he wanted....the gun would make a great gun for one of my boys when he turns 21"
After the deal was done ...... the gentleman left..... the GS told me the gentleman had terminal cancer and was bring in a gun every week or so.....so his wife wouldn't have to deal with them......... I left a check with the GS to pass on........got a nice note in the mail about 3 weeks later.
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06-27-2016, 04:52 PM
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Being a newby to S&W revolvers after selling my old Model 10 years ago, found "one" at a local GS that was on consignment. Salesman said it was a parkerized Model 10. Having no experience with earlier S&W models, picked up a mint Victory .38 special for $350. Lettered it and found it was in original shipped condition in June, 1942. Seller got what they asked for, my ignorance paid off. Got a near mint Ruger 4-inch stainless Security Six .357 for $380 and the usual DROS/sales tax recently, again, on consignment. I don't argue with good deals on consignments since I am not dealing with the owner, but a middle-person. If it were an eye-to-eye deal with a seller, I probably would be more likely to offer advice as to the value of the weapon, even if it puts it out of my financial reach. But sometimes ignorance pays off, in my case.
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06-27-2016, 05:16 PM
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Nothing to do with guns, but in all the years I owned a music shop, I tried to be fair and open with trade values and purchase prices of used gear. I never wanted the unscrubbable stigma of being greedy or dishonest.
But then things like this happen:
20 years ago, a young Goth guy came in carrying a Gibson guitar case. He walked up to me and said: "You work here"?
"Yep, what can I do ya for?"
"I want to trade this *** guitar for something cool. It was my dad's. He was a Nam vet that just died of cancer. He sat around playing that 70's BS and I hated it."
I opened the case. Inside was a Gibson Historic '59 re-issue 5A flame top Les Paul Standard, worth about 2 grand.
"Whadaya want for it?"
"Anything. How 'bout that?"
He pointed to a new Japanese Fender Heavy Metal Strat in bazooka joe bubble gum pink, tagged at $349.99 w/gig bag.
"You have a deal."
I later sold it for 3 grand. I kept $500.00 and took the rest down to the DAV and traded it for a pitcher of beer and two rounds for the house.
Best deal I ever made.
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06-27-2016, 05:25 PM
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For an honorable individual, I won't take advantage. But a big name chain had a wrong price on a Kimber .45. I bought it, and they didn't realize they had made a mess (-$400 worth) until checkout. I insisted, and the tag was there, so they sold it at that price.
I am one of the cancer crew, so sell stuff to pay for chemo when funds are short. Sold one gun to my doc, priced it much lower than market because he helps a lot (outside of what he bills me for). But he had looked on GB, and sent me an add on check a few days later. Called me, gave me a dressing down.
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06-27-2016, 07:02 PM
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Adults are allowed to set their prices. If it seems low, I suspect there is a reason.
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06-27-2016, 07:09 PM
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SWCA Member Absent Comrade
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There may be a reason for a low price. Seller wants a quick sale (that's what happened on my 38/44). Or there may be something wrong with the gun (if so seller is dumb to mark it down and raise suspicion).
I'm talking about those instances where the seller is not knowledgeable or is out of date. I simply can't take advantage of that situation. Damned morals...
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06-27-2016, 07:10 PM
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SWCA Member Absent Comrade
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PS: I have also had the experience of selling a gun real cheap to a friend who flipped it for a profit within days.
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06-27-2016, 09:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SaxonPig
PS: I have also had the experience of selling a gun real cheap to a friend who flipped it for a profit within days.
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Yup. That is one I don't forget, particularly because in my case I didn't really want to sell, told him so several times, and finally told him I was only letting him have it because I considered he was a good friend. He "promised" he only wanted the gun for himself and if he ever decided to sell I would have first refusal. I found out that he had sold the rifle within less than a week.
I still speak to him when I see him but you can imagine when his next chance to buy a gun from me will be...
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06-27-2016, 09:21 PM
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A couple of years ago I was getting out of my car in the parking lot of the Tulsa Gun Show as the guy parked next to me was getting out. He pulled out a nice looking USGI M1 carbine. I asked him if he was going in to sell his carbine and he said yes.
"Can I take a look?"
"Sure, do you know anything about them?" He asked.
"Yeah, this is a nice one. What'cha asking for it." It was a nice one, early issue spring tube Winchester in very nice condition.
He said, "I don't know. It belonged to my father in law who recently passed and my wife wants it out of the house. We don't believe in guns. Do you think I could get $150 for it?"
It was a really nice one so I told him, "if you find the right buyer inside you could probably get $900 for it . . . maybe a bit more."
He looked up at the line get inside and said, "I've never been to a gun show before and I really don't want to go haggle with strangers about something I know nothing about. What about you, are you interested in it? I'll take $400 cash for it right here."
I pulled out four $100 bills and paid the man.
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06-27-2016, 09:41 PM
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Yes. I've got to live with myself. Hard to be proud of cheating someone. Like winning a golf game by cheating, always know you got it dirty.
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06-27-2016, 09:58 PM
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At the Lakeland show a couple of years ago I was cruising the aisles and spotted a beautiful set of Ropers attached to an old Colt ( still got no idea of what it was )..
I asked the old gentleman if I might see it he said sure, it had a $300.00 price tag on it . I explained to the seller that the grips alone were worth more than that.
He thanked me and took it off the table.. never did find out if he sold it or how much.. really don't care. At least he did not get taken. Good deed done
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06-27-2016, 10:51 PM
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Depends upon the seller. I have paid more than the asking price from several sellers I knew. Probably the most outstanding was when I bought a like-new Ruger .44 Blackhawk from a guy I worked with. He offered to sell it for $100. I gave him $250. Both of us were happy. A very similar situation involved a fairly nice M1 Garand about 10 years ago. Seller offered to sell it to me for $300, I gave him $500. Again, we were both happy.
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06-27-2016, 10:59 PM
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I've got guns that I got great deals on and guns that I've paid too much for. Have sold a few at a loss and a few more at a slight profit. I figure it all somehow averages out in the end.
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06-28-2016, 07:06 AM
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I have always looked at it like this; there is no such thing as too high or too low...quit worrying about what someone else lists for a price. There is only what you will pay, so you either buy it or you walk on. Whether or not the seller is too high or too low is his problem, you should only be concerned with whether or not the price is right for you. I have gotten a few deals that were fantastic and I made money. I have also paid way more than I knew something was worth and took a bath because the item was something I just had to have. Either way, I was happy with the deal.
Bottom line, worry about fixing things or making things right for yourself, the rest is the other guys problem.
Last edited by msinc; 06-28-2016 at 07:07 AM.
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06-28-2016, 11:24 AM
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When I was a kid my Dad preached honesty as well as being what he called "decent" to people. I think "kindness" was too feminine a word for him.
I have lived my life that way and being honest as well as decent, or maybe understanding...it's never hurt me.
Twenty Five years back a neighbor offered me a Winchester M-61 but had no idea of pricing. I searched Shotgun News and called a Winchester collector and got a fair price....which is what I offered him. He was amazed at the offer as he paid 1/4 of that for the gun, years back. We did the deal.
Few months later his neighbor died and the widow contacted me...Same deal...Got her a fair value on several guns and bought one for myself.
About a year later the Widow calls and asks me to stop by. She found two GI foot lockers full of powder, ammo and bullets in the garage. There were several unopened 8 pounders of IMR powder, several thousand assorted primers as well as dozens of boxes of assorted bullets and loaded factory ammo for everything from the .222 Rem, .30-30, .45 Colt, .44 mag to .300 H&H.
She told me she wanted me to have this as I'd done her such a good turn on the guns. I refused and told her it was worth several hundred dollars. She would not allow it.
I know several guys from the LGS, the Trap Club and my gun club that literally make a living preying off of widows and the uninformed with gun buys. HOW they can sleep at night escapes me.
Last edited by Frank237; 06-28-2016 at 11:26 AM.
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06-28-2016, 01:51 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BUFF
I was banned from a local gun shop when I told a prospective seller that the gun store owner was offering way less than 10% of what his rifle was worth. Store owner was flat-out lying to the man ("Well, it's been modified, it's worn out, you can't get ammunition for it, blah blah blah..."). The old man looked shocked and rolled the rifle back up in an old blanket and ran out of the store with me behind him and the owner screaming curses at me. Outside, I offered to tell him where he could get an honest appraisal so he really knew what he had and what it was really worth.
The gun shop went out of business not long thereafter but the owner became a gun show promoter and was later convicted of arms trafficking.
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If that were in Texas? that would have been either gabbas gun shop-or the outdoor country--both long since out of business. One wqas because the County sheriff shut him down, the other was because of a spotty reputation at best-and way too high prices, Shame too, cause I liked doing and did-do much business with the outdoor couuntry.
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06-28-2016, 02:24 PM
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Slightly off topic, but: a couple of years ago there was a pocket watch on eBay with a Buy It Now price at about 1/2 of what it was worth. It had been there for a few days and the seller was experienced with about 300 positive ratings so I didn't feel too bad about the purchase. It was in good condition and I still carry it when I'm in the pocket watch mood.
Jeff
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06-28-2016, 03:05 PM
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Curious if y'all do this with other things, or just guns?
If you were looking for a used car, and went to the address of the ad in the paper, with your copy of The Blue Book in hand, and the guy wants 2000 for a car that books at 4300, would you say, "I'm sorry sir, you're not asking enough, let me pay you four thousand", or would you ask if "a check was okay or did he want cash"?
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06-28-2016, 06:40 PM
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SWCA Member Absent Comrade
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Only car that might cause me worry would be something rare and valuable and the seller had no idea. But usually a car is a different animal from a gun. So much potential for trouble with a used car I figure a low price means the seller knows something I don't.
Maybe 1977 a guy had a 1968 Plymouth Roadrunner in his yard with a sign asking $1,000. I looked at it. Clean, bench seat, 383 and four speed, no luxury options like AC or power steering, nice but not spectacular. I gave him my number and said the car is worth more, maybe the asking price, but I can pay $400. If he didn't sell it for more and decided he was willing to take my offer, call me. He called 3 days later and asked if I would go $450. I did.
I never felt like I was trying to cheat the seller. I felt that I could afford $400 and offered to pay that if he didn't get a better deal.
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06-28-2016, 07:31 PM
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I am known in my community as a collector of militaria. I do not advertise, as word of mouth has served me well. I have had many referrals over the years to buy collections of WWII veterans. Generally I consult with the seller which is often a surviving widow. I will look at the items and assess a general value in my mind. At that point I will also determine my level of interest to own or resell, perhaps some of each. My suggestion is this: Contact the three people who advertise in the paper that say they buy this stuff. Get an offer from each one, and I will likely top their offer substantially. Along with that suggestion I tell the seller not to sell anything to them that they want to take along individually. It's the whole ball of wax or nothing. Cherry picking will destroy the value in a heartbeat, as there is usually only a piece or two that has a high value. Once the offers are in, I usually see fit to double the high offer which still brings me in at around 70% of value. I have never had an unhappy customer. I feel good at 70% as I then have the legwork and effort to piece it out.
One recent referral was to a local woman who had recently lost her husband who had served in WWII at the battle of the bulge. I was told to get to her place immediately as she was "cleaning out Harry's war stuff" and there may be some things I would be interested in. I got the address and arrived ten minutes later to find a 85 year old woman dragging huge plastic trash bags to the curb. I told her who I was and why I was there. She said to just take the stuff. I looked in one bag and said no, I couldn't, there is some real value here. I took it back inside and did an inventory list and sold the items to individual collectors. It was all Nazi swords, flags, bayonets, etc. I retained 30% including several pieces. She got a new carport out of it and I had a ball selling and got a few nice pieces. Everyone was quite happy and I sleep well at night. She has referred several friends as well. Treating people fairly reaps its rewards.
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06-28-2016, 08:08 PM
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I have worked for a large box retailer for almost 9 years buying and selling guns. The first or second week I had a person come in selling a gun her father had owned and wanted $100 for it. I told her I could not give her $100 but would be glad to give $1000, she was astonished but I explained what it was and it's value. I have talked people out of selling family guns, told them to check with family members to see if anyone wanted a remembrance of a departed relative. One fellow brought in a WWII 1911 with clear grips made from damaged airplane windows and a picture underneath. I explained what it was and said it should stay in the family, his son was with with him and said he would love to have his grandfather's gun, so his Dad said it's your, I was very happy! Bad Karma cheating people in my book. I did sell a rifle to a co-worker he said he needed for his collection and 2 weeks later he sold it to the store at a profit, needless to say we had a different relationship after that.
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06-28-2016, 08:13 PM
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Absent Comrade
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I purchased three k frame S&W revolvers. They had light orange freckling. These were cheap because it looked like Rust. I light cleaning with simi chrome polish and there in 99%+++ condition now. It was dried oil.
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