Wonder if the Seller or Buyer will get what they want price wise.

I'm betting on the Seller.

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Doesn't hasta call me Johnson

I bought a couple of 66 snubbies a few years back. I think I paid $425 each. Dealer won’t budge on price and I was okay with it.

We could go in to deep discussion and it might even be an enjoyable discourse.

If we want to make it quick and tidy we could simply say that the used gun trade has been done this way since before I was born.

Don't know how long you have been buying, selling and swapping guns but this is long established. Cars and houses are this way also. And none of this has ever been a secret.

OP, do me a favor and PM the name/address of the store. I'd like to give the owner a piece of my mind.

To me, it's easier for the owner to "lose" the sale than for the prospective buyer. The owner has every day to sell that gun, while it may be the buyer's only chance to get it. Yes, there's always another one down the road, just maybe not that one. I'm definitely in the market for a 2 1/2" 66 or 19, but not sure I want to cough up $756 either. A year or so ago my local LGS had a 2 1/2" 66 on their website for $275. I got in the car and was there 5 minutes later, but of course it was gone. I'll never know if there was something wrong with it or what, but it looked good.

"I offered him $650 cash, which he turned down. I said that I didn’t know what he had into it, but gave him a final cash offer of the $700 that I brought. He said that it didn’t matter what he had into it, but said he wanted $700 plus tax. So he lost a sale for $56?"

Some might say that you lost a buy for $56. His price was not unreasonable.

"I thanked him for his time and left. In the past year or so I made several reloading supplies from his store."

So what.That hardly makes you his number one customer. His shop,his gun.He doesn't have to lay down for everyone or because you spent a few dollars sometime in the past.
As someone said earlier in this thread, it was a non event.You weren't motivated to pay more.He wasn't motivated to take less.That's the way the cookie crumbles.C'est la vie.

I took My 66 snubby to a gun show about a year ago and put it out for $850. Had the box with everything. Got lowball offers all day Saturday and one guy asked if I would trade. I replied that I only trade for something I want to shoot and He told Me He'd be back Sunday. One of the more obnoxious of the lowballers came back late and said He'd take it and started counting out cash and I told Him to keep His money because He really Pixxxx Me off and I wouldn't sell to Him. Trade Guy actually came back early Sunday and offered Me a 1911 straight across. Said it was his dad's that used to shoot IPSC. I knew His Dad and I made the trade. The 1911 was a Pachmayer made in 1980 that His Dad paid I think about $1600 for. Really good trade for us both as the son was new DPD.

You lost the acquisition over $56. I used to do things like that, but since realized life is way too short. You were actually looking for this out of production gun, and he just happen to have it. If you want it, go back there and get it...even if he makes you pay the tax. In your head the $700 is already spent. Now, do you want $56 or a 66-2 snub in great condition? You know what I would do.

Haha, LOVE that a jerk came back with all the cash and you denied him. I regularly attend a phenomenal gun show, the kind of show that all haters and complainers should be royally jealous of, and all I really want to do is ENJOY the interactions I have with other folks who share my interests. The lion's share of my time spent there is precisely that and I've also made many great deals along the way.

It seems to me that the snotty folks are likely always that way, all week long no matter the venue or subject. Meanwhile, I typically have a completely enjoyable show.

I put the cash into my savings account today. I appreciate all of your comments. Food for thought for me. That 66 was the fourth one i’ve seen in the past year and a half. Sometimes you feel right about a decision. I feel good about this one. Thanks, guys. God Bless.

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Fide Et Amore

Oh, I get it - everyone loves a good deal. I even got one very much by accident on the almost exact same gun.

Four or so years ago, I saw a 2-1/2" 66-4 on GunBroker advertised as in average condition with a minimum bid of $416. I assumed it would take off in a bidding war but days later, it hadn't so I thought I would do the seller a favor and get things started. A few days later, I was surprised when I received the "Congratulations, you won..." email from GunBroker. The gun turned out to be in absolutely like new condition. It could pass for unfired.

The ironic part is that I'm not even a snubbie fan. I had no intentions of owning one but I now do own that one and it's probably one of the most potentially profitable guns in my safe. I can only guess that the "average condition" description scared off bidders.

But I would never count on something like that happening again.

Ed

If your traveling that close within your finances, that's probably your best bet. Put your money away for a rainy day. Kroger's and Walmart seem to always take cash, I have never seen either of them trade for a model 66. You will make the right deal on the right gun in due time, patience.

I read pretty much all the comments and I've got a few of my own.

First off, I don't see anything wrong with what you did. If making a humorous comment offended him, that's his deal. And we don't even know if it did.

I'm not sure I'd consider 650 a "lowball" offer that should be offensive.

I think someone stated sarcastically that a 66 2.5" is an over rated gun. Well, IMHO, they really are.

Now, I may be full of doo doo but I really don't get the whole target sights on a 2.5" barreled gun. For me it just makes the foot print larger and more gangly and something to jam into your sides. Secondly, I'm not really convinced that .357 in such a short barrel is gaining you that much over .38 +p. I'm sure there is more energy. But there is also more flash. And more recoil. Yes, the weight of a 19 or 66 might help mitigate recoil, but my Dad has the very gun being talked about and shooting .357's in it, I don't really find all that practical. It is way more of a handful than any other carry and service gun I've ever fired. Yes, shooting +p's in my 442 is probably along the same lines, but it all depends on what .357 load we're comparing.

And furthermore, it's just heavy. Not an ideal carry gun. May be more suited as a home defense gun. But for me, I'm using .38 +p's in a gun like that and you might as well just go with a Model 10 or 12 with a 2-3" barrel.

To me, the big draw to 19's and 66's is more status symbol than actual practicality. Now if they actually shot better than 10's for some reason, I'd say then obviously there is a reason for everyone going ga ga over them. But honestly, I just don't see it.

Having said all that. I don't own one, and I only shot my Dad's once. I do own a 6" 19 and it is a great gun. I just don't think it's any greater than a solid model 10. Which demands much less of a price and are less oogled over.

You did well.
My feeling is you were not fully convinced. You’ll find another one you like more and keep you fully satisfied.
A deal is not just a matter of bucks, but involves place, time and relationship.
Unless you are dealing with something exceptionally rare and/or valuable/needed, you always have a second chance.
A vendor needs selling to survive, you may live exact the same with one gun more or less.
You don’t necessarily build a friendship at every store you patronize.
You may simply frequent it at your convenience.
Outside very special instances, you decide how much is OK with you to spend for an item: the request is equal or less you buy, otherwise you don’t.

66-2 snubby with a canted barrel for $756.00? I'll bet the vast majority would pass on this deal. I would. No question. Just sayin'.

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'Merica!

IF the barrel actually was/is canted. How many guns from that time period have you heard of having canted barrels? This one is my first.

Ed

We are one of the few countries that pay what a seller wants, and the old MSRP. Negotiation is a way of life in other countries. It goes on every day all day in this country, just not on the consumer level. Construction purchasing, factory purchasing, the contract bidding process, and on and on. Personally, I bought millions of dollars of electrical materials in 40 years, never do you pay MSRP. Companies that say they cannot discount because the manufacturer will not let them is baloney. Personally I never pay list price, although I admit, I have overpaid for quality and rarity on occasion. Never be afraid to negotiate

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

Basically, anyone who has any experience in the gun industry ( buying and selling at gun shops ) knows that they pick up used guns pretty cheaply.Many times a gun will come in with someone who has had it for 20-30 years or a family member of someone deceased who has no idea what the gun may be worth.So a GOOD shop will try to pay a fair amount for the gun and still leave profit to be had. A dishonest shop will try to get the gun for nothing and then jack the price up as far as they can.

A small gun shop makes most of their money on used stuff.There isn't a ton of profit in new guns when they have to compete with a big box store or a major chain like Dick's or Cabela's that can buy the guns at a discounted rate because they buy them by the pallet instead of one at a time.My favorite LGS pays more for many guns at their cost than the big stores are selling them for retail.So generally new stuff is harder to make money on.

To answer the OP's original post...a couple of comments.

I am curious why a gun shop would have something " in the back " instead of on display.Unless it was his personal gun ( it may have been ) or it had just come in . I don't think the joke about not having a price on it was in poor taste.

I agree that it is always good to ask what the seller wants BEFORE throwing out an offer. I've sold a few things over the years ( thankfully very few guns ) and someone who shows up or messages me and offers half what I am asking is immediately ignored.I am nice about it but have no interest in dealing with someone like that.A few bucks depending on price is reasonable. The higher the price the more I am willing to work with someone ( If I sell something for $1000 and they offer me $500 go pound salt.If I am selling something for $10,000, $500 isn't so much then ).

I always ask what the best price is on used guns.The worst they can tell me is what is listed on the tag. But if they do tell me that, then it's either yes or no. All depends on how much I want the gun and what I feel it's worth.

My other suggestion with something like this...walking into a LGS and asking for a specific ( VERY specific ) used gun is a sign to the seller that you are hunting for it and may be willing to pay more. They smell blood in the water so to speak. Perhaps in the future simply ask if they have any Smith and Wesson revolvers and see what they say.

Sorry...long winded response guys.

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1st smiles,lies.Last,gunfire.

I would have paid the asking price plus the tax if I had really wanted it.

I'm just taking the original poster at his word, Ed.

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'Merica!

I sold my S&W 66-2 about 4 1/2 years ago for $650.00, no box or papers. I had acquired a 65-3 and a 65-5 which I preferred to carry and shoot. In my area the 2”- 3” K frames usually bring big money. The OP may find a better deal tomorrow or never see another gun like that, at that low a price, the rest of his life.

Some people “never pay a man’s asking price”. These people tend to walk faster than I do; and should. The roll of cash in their pocket weighs less than the firearm I just bought.

Agreed...and this gentleman speaks with authority. Words to heed.

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50 Years of DSOTM

You offer good a good view in new vs used. As mentioned after reading all the posts it got me to thinking and was wondering others point of view. That being said I wasn't having difficulty understanding.

Much ado about NOTHING! Why take the OP to task for trying his best, then saying "Nope" to the purchase. $56? So What? Guns, or most anything else are like Buses...there'll be another one along in a little while.

In my former business, I had to deal with attorneys constantly. The rule was "Never, but NEVER take the first offer, and don't bid against yourself!" ( Advice from our tame Attorney) combined with a bit of wisdom from Vince Lombardi..."Always make the second effort!" It worked in Football, and worked for me...some days.

Despite my best efforts, one family I offered $150K to, hired an attorney. Months later, after some negotiation,we finally paid the $150k, which left the family with ~ $100k after their attorney received his 30% (or more) cut.

A polite "Is that the best you can do" generally won't raise hackles, and may lead to further discussion. Then vote with your feet/money.

Other folks are convinced that some old item is worth a king's ransom...not so in most cases...value is actually "market value, less depreciation". Some things may have appreciated way beyond the initial value, which is the attitude of many in the "gun culture" which in some cases, is justified.

When I was in Europe, I walked into a Swiss gun shop, and was looking at a pristine Luger with Swiss proofmarks...I asked how much, and the owner/clerk(?) thinking "RICH Amerikaner" offered a very inflated price. I knew that Lugers in fine shape were selling for ~$150 in the States.

My attitude? NEVER lose a "good deal" for $5, $50, $500 or $5000!

EVERYTHING is negotiable! If selling, I set my price with a little "wiggle room". Shylock in the "Merchant of Venice" said it best; "What's the Price of a thing? Just as much as it will bring!" Probably a lousy paraphrase, but go looking with at least some idea of the value of whatever it is you are looking for.
Don't try to be "funny", because sales persons deal with that and worse multiple times a day, probably ad nauseum at Gun Shows, and/or it just may be a bad day.

Good point. I've had prospective buyers say "so you're going to let $xyz keep you from selling it?". I always say "so you're going to let $xyz keep you from buying it?"

Exactly, its a two way street.

Doubt I would pass on a desirable gun
over what amounts to a bar tab.

I am like this in my firearms business buying and selling, I set a price and you can buy it or pass, and you can set a price on your gun and I can buy it or pass. I can and will and will make a cash offer in the event you ask for one. Buying a couple thousand guns a years that is about all the buying and selling tactics I have time for. Keep it simple and keep it rolling 24/7/365

I don't operate like the Shylock in the "Merchant of Venice" I don't have enough hours in the day be clever.

I'm late to the party on this one but will comment anyway. It is irritating to be in a retail establishment looking to buy and have items presented without a price. Ask the owner and you often get a "not sure" or "haven't priced it yet" (sometimes for items that have been in the store for weeks). I guess they're waiting for an offer and if they like it they'll take it; but why? I've bought several guns at great prices from one LGS that does this repeatedly; guns sold at well below retail value. Other guns at the same shop are priced and are way high and sit there for months. I can understand the OPs comment about "not being priced so its free" and the shop owner shouldn't be irritated; he's the one trying to sell items with no price tag and why wouldn't he expect a low ball price if he doesn't show an asking price? As to the value of the 66-2, I wouldn't have paid the final asking price either. Last two 2.5 inch 66-2s I bought were $500 and $450 OTD although a couple year's ago. Prices are generally softer now than they were then, where I shop anyway, more to be had for $600 or less. Now, a 2.5 inch Model 19 in nickel, probably not.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

To knowingly buy a canted barreled revolver doesn't make sense unless you intend to spend more money then $56 to make it right.

If you're not going to fix the alignment, then it's accurate to say this is a status symbol purchase and not for practical application.

I would love buy all the clean original unboxed 2.5 66's I could for 650.00 each pinned or not. I don't much believe the prices are softer now than then anywhere. I travel from the US looking for this stuff, Most used 66 2.5 inch guns these days you find are priced 850-1000 ,, That is if they are cleans and right and not police trade in's. I have sold several 2.5 inch NIB 66 no dash and dash-1's for 1350-1500 I am getting 575-600.00 out of clean used 60's, Not trying to play up the market but its 2018 and the less than 600.00 dollar 2.5 inch 66's are no more. Let a good clean one for $650.00 hit the classifieds on a major site and see how many are standing in line. A bunch I am here to tell you, because I call in the first 5 minutes and I am usually 3rd in line.

Since nothing is ever "perfect" I read that to mean the barrel was indexed just fine (certainly within spec) and that he was trying find something, anything, wrong with the gun to use as leverage.

I remember most gun prices took a nosedive and stayed down for several years after the last financial mess in 2008. And I keep reading it's not going to be a pretty picture starting around late 2019/early 2020.
Nothing at all wrong with hoarding cash and being patient. There will be better deals soon enough.

That same gun during the next recession might go for $500, maybe even less. After you already own 1 or 2 guns, the hobby is all about want vs need anyway.

Maybe the difference is you're in the business and don't care what you pay as long as you can flip it for more. I'm not a dealer and buy for my collecting and shooting enjoyment. Consequently I walk from the high prices and don't get in to bidding wars with folks who just have to have it. I look a lot and buy occasionally; only nice items at good prices. As someone said above, another one will be along shortly if the price isn't right on this one. Good luck in the business and I understand why you're pumping up high prices. Many of the LGSs I visit these days are really quiet and have laid off staff; just not many folks buying.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Pretty much just like you walked away over $56.

Wow, 85 posts for a gun deal that never happened. We must be bored...

I'd like to think of this as being a post about a very popular revolver that some have... and many wish they (still) did.

I'm happy to say that I'm a proud owner of a 2-1/2" Model 66-1 in immaculate condition... that I had to pay "today's price" to get.

$700 would seem to be approaching a bargain. Here's my track on the model:

Smith & Wesson 66 2-1/2 inch barrel. Revolver in .357 Mag. Blue Book of Gun Values (39th Edition) indicates between $578 in 95% condition and $ in 100% condition for this gun. I have 112 recorded prices for this model gun from $423 to $1095 over a period of 6 Yrs 7 Mos ending June 27, 2018. The average price as of that date was $711. No refurbs, no refinishes, regular sights. All represented as 95% or better. No distinction for import location or engineering revision, if any, no special editions, no distinctions for box, papers, tools. Current or last MSRP is $614. The last 10 prices I have for this model since 4/29/2017 range from $575 to $925 averaging $780.

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Bob

Can't tell anyone what to do with their money.
Two examples of nearly walking a way from a deal...
I about passed on the 66-2 (left) because the $350 asking price was on the high end at that time.
Same goes for the 66-1. They wanted $600 + tax, plus i already had the -2. But the dealer said that it came from the local Sheriff's Office (a letter confirmed that).

Attached Images

IMG_20180227_072906461.jpg (86.1 KB, 264 views)

I have a 66-2, 2.5" that I bought at the local gun show about a year & half ago. It was calling out to me when I saw it sitting there. The price tag had $795 on it. That was not going to happen! Offered the seller $725 OTD. He accepted. More than I wished to spend, but had money in my pocket burning a hole. No box or extras. Bob

Attached Images

	66-2 013.jpg (67.3 KB, 30 views)
	66-2 008.jpg (59.1 KB, 30 views)
	10&66 5-1-17 007.jpg (157.1 KB, 40 views)
	10&66 5-1-17 020.jpg (137.0 KB, 32 views)

I owned this for a while, unboxed. Sold it two years ago.

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Bob

bananaman, what are those wooden grips on your 66? They look good on there.

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'Merica!

They signed a contingency agreement for money already on the table? Yikes.

Tonight on the S&W site a 4 inch blue 19 is $826. Which would you rather have. Even at $756?

I am not pumping up prices , I am just stating what the U.S. market is actually supporting. It wouldn't be in my best interested to pump up high prices, for every gun I sell I have to buy that same gun somewhere. The fact that many of your local gun shops are quiet and have laid off staff is not because people are " not buying" as you stated. Its because these shops don't have the merchandise " actually the right kind of merchandise" to support a staff much less a gun shop.


Do the math and be conservative, it just doesn't work. You or I or anyone else can't sell enough new Glocks and AR's in a local market to make rent, much less pay a staff. Exception to that rule is when Obama was in office, everyone became an overnight Firearms Specialist/Expert. That perfect storm turned thousands of Wanna be gun dealers into Wanna be gun dealers with FFL's. That show has been cancelled.

The bottom line is and this is a fact, people are standing in line for the right kind of guns and paying up for them. This modern market is coast to coast and its robust. Mayberry has been out run, or run over. However you want to look at it. Sad but true. But not that sad if you live outside of Mayberry and have a cable modem.


J.F.

Leverage or just a nervous novice eye ? Whatever the case may be.

It cracks me up, people expect these mass produced Smiths they are paying a couple thousand dollars for to be on the same quality level as a 100K Purdy shotgun or a 30K Rolex watch. When somebody receives their new purchase and tells me,

" I just got this 1975 NIB Smith 27-2 in today and if I hold it at just the right angle in just the right light I can see machine marks on the face of the recoil shield thingy and I am not very happy about this. I paid good money for this gun and its not perfect and you said it was perfect. This is my very first Smith and Wesson and you promised me a prefect one,, Besides that the little pin that goes in the barrel is proud, and not flush. Someone amateur must have worked on this gun. This has been just a complete train wreck all the way around for me. " Nothing you can say or do is going to make me happy right now.

" Now hang on just a minute Mr Smith just take a deep breath. What exactly are your seeing ?? Trust me, I think this is going to work out for both of us.

This thread isn't about a snub nosed 66 and the poster's decision not to buy. It's pretty much a primer about human nature, free market economics and deciding what to do with one's money.
I bought a gun from Mr. Fugate years back, a BSS. Probably-no, I did-pay top dollar(REALLY TOO MUCH BUT I HAD THE MONEY AND I WANTED IT) for it but it was what I wanted, I had just settled a case, and the condition was perfect-if it had been fired you couldn't tell it. (however if you held it just right you could see a tiny bit of overrun on a part of the checkering and one of the points in the checkering appeared to have a tiny bit of flattening ).

Point I'm trying to make is that the poster would never have been happy with the gun as he would always feel that he overpaid. I always live by the rule that "if it happens it was meant to be-if it doesn't happen there will always be a better deal (or more importantly one that I will feel better about) somewhere along the line. If you're happy about the outcome-it was a good outcome-period.

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Forum consigliere

In the Lounge area of the site we complain about movies and actors, we post about today's lost youth and we tell each other what we had for breakfast (while we snark on the people who use Facebook...)

I don't see much of a hassle of 85-100 posts on a Smith & Wesson revolver opportunity had, passed, and gone, especially as the OP detailed the scenario and specifically asked for thoughts.

Sometimes we have to take a break from posting about cars we used to own and actually talk about a gun here or there!

So now that we are officially off the rails. Anybody want to post a pic their Hod Rod or Lunker Large mouth bass. We have all but forgot about that model 66 with the canted barrel that has been bona fide a solid 56.00 dollars too high. Lets see some Muscle cars. The OP left us a long time ago, he was satisfied at exit,. So technically this thread cannot be labeled as Hi Jacked,,, it just a little diverted, brought back to life, reformatted. REVIVED. Were going in a whole new direction,,,, just as any good CEO would put it.

Fish and Cars,,, only. No guns. Thank You

And to think this all started by the OP asking for our thoughts,,, he opened a can of worms there.

Onward to lounge, said the man in the Stetson Hat.

In all fairness we have another option. We can reel all this nonsense back in, refocus and get back on this 66 snub with both feet ? If that is the path we take, honestly I don't know if I have it in me, I may have to punt. I'm still liking the car thing.