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Frustrated with sellers on GB

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Greg11H20

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Location
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Might be in the wrong section, but as time marches on, sellers tend to know less and less about the revolvers they are selling....I recently saw an N frame that piqued my interest, being that there was only 2 pictures of the gun, I messaged the pawnshop who was selling it the following:

"Dear Sir, I hope this message finds you well today. Can you send me some clear pictures with the action open, of the cylinder face, underside of the top strap / forcing cone area, the recoil shield, and of the chambers / ejector? Does the revolver lock up the same on every chamber, or is one chamber looser than the other (side to side play)? Is the revolver in time on every chamber? Is there any end-shake (fore and aft play in the cylinder), Can you take a shim gage and measure the BC Gap and let me know what the measurement is? Is the ejector rod straight and depress and rebound without binding? Best Regards, GT."

That said, I would say the BC gap measurment would be a bit much to ask. If they don't want to answer, thats fine, I pass.
 
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Greg11H20 said:
Might be in the wrong section, but as time marches on, sellers tend to know less and less about the revolvers they are selling....I recently saw an N frame that piqued my interest, being that there was only 2 pictures of the gun, I messaged the pawnshop who was selling it the following:

"Dear Sir, I hope this message finds you well today. Can you send me some clear pictures with the action open, of the cylinder face, underside of the top strap / forcing cone area, the recoil shield, and of the chambers / ejector? Does the revolver lock up the same on every chamber, or is one chamber looser than the other (side to side play)? Is the revolver in time on every chamber? Is there any end-shake (fore and aft play in the cylinder), Can you take a shim gage and measure the BC Gap and let me know what the measurement is? Is the ejector rod straight and depress and rebound without binding? Best Regards, GT
Click to expand...

I believe you are asking for all the right things. Good luck on receiving all the answers/photos.
 
I've scored a couple of pretty good deals on Smith revolvers from sellers that posted ****** pics. It's an educated risk, but can work out well...

It is true that most sellers have only superficial knowledge of the guns they're selling. Saw an obvious aftermarket nickel on a 27-2 this morning that was listed as "original" nickel.

If you really want to make their heads explode make a reasonable offer on the ones that have been re-listed over and over for a year or more at an absurd price.... ;)
 
Rodan said:
I've scored a couple of pretty good deals on Smith revolvers from sellers that posted ****** pics. It's an educated risk, but can work out well...

It is true that most sellers have only superficial knowledge of the guns they're selling. Saw an obvious aftermarket nickel on a 27-2 this morning that was listed as "original" nickel.

If you really want to make their heads explode make a reasonable offer on the ones that have been re-listed over and over for a year or more at an absurd price.... ;)
Click to expand...

Can I get an Amen Brother!
 
Legit questions.
If an individual is going to buy a used gun at a shop, he'd be checking all those things out if permitted.
Online the buyer is at a tremendous disadvantage and every purchase is more or less Russian Roulette shopping.
I imagine everyone who has purchased guns thru an online source has been burned, not necessarily burned by the seller on purpose, but burned nevertheless.
 
On the times I've wanted info of this sort, I've actually phoned up the shop. If the person I speak with (not necessarily the owner or lister) has the item in their hand, I can guide them through a few simple questions that may answer whether I wish to continue to consider the pistol. Short and simple queries work best.
 
OP hate to rain on your parade but if I had a S&W revolver listed on GB with a few good pics I would ignore your detailed questions. Why? Many reasons. Taking a bunch of pics to appease one potential buyer is a lot of work. In selling guns along with other things over the years I have learned a couple of things. Buyers act like buyers and tire kickers and pic collectors act like tire kickers and pic collectors. Sellers expect buyers to know what they want and how to appraise it. The more pics they want the less likely they are to buy the gun. They are looking for an excuse not to buy, maybe because they are scared to make a decision. Posing as a discriminating and picky collector gets them a lot of attention what is really what they are looking for. Don't be surprised if your questions get ignored.
 
I enquired by email on a long out of production piece. The pics of the box are premier, the object not so much. When asked particulars, the seller replied: {the owner says this, the owner says that}, releasing himself from ethics. For the money I would need to examine it thoroughly in person, or have assurance from the owner, not a middle man with no skin in the game.
 
All of this is why I would only buy new guns on GB and not bother with buying or selling used guns on there. Too much hassle either way. Too many fees, too much idiocy. It's gotten to be like Ebay, which was a lot of fun back when it was new, now they've both lost their appeal.
 
alwslate said:
OP hate to rain on your parade but if I had a S&W revolver listed on GB with a few good pics I would ignore your detailed questions. Why? Many reasons. Taking a bunch of pics to appease one potential buyer is a lot of work. In selling guns along with other things over the years I have learned a couple of things. Buyers act like buyers and tire kickers and pic collectors act like tire kickers and pic collectors. Sellers expect buyers to know what they want and how to appraise it. The more pics they want the less likely they are to buy the gun. They are looking for an excuse not to buy, maybe because they are scared to make a decision. Posing as a discriminating and picky collector gets them a lot of attention what is really what they are looking for. Don't be surprised if your questions get ignored.
Click to expand...

This.
I’m a newbie.
I don’t know much, but I don’t feel like I’ve ever been burned.
One gun out of the 26 I’ve bought on GB with end Shake that I fixed with sims. Shoots great and looks good.
I bought because I felt like I was getting a deal and took the risk.
Couple of “beaters” mostly very nice shooters and a couple of collectors with all papers and box.
 
I love Gunbroker. I don’t like all the fees, taxes, shipping, transfer etc, But the local scalpers and gunshop employees in this area make getting a gunshop bargain impossible. I buy exactly the gun from Gunbroker that I want. I pay too much. But in a few years, what I thought was too much becomes a bargain. If you are buying appreciating assets like a nice old gun, Buy all you want. You’re not going to lose any money.

2 photos? That guy is either a scalper or an estate agent. The estate agent isn’t going to know anything. Roll the dice. It isn’t that much money. If you can’t afford to lose $500 (which is unlikely) you shouldn’t be buying guns you don’t need.
 
You might get told “It is in Bubba’s Pawn Condition 4325. That answers all your questions.”
 
I mostly shop estate or police auctions, so I expect a low level of gun knowledge. The silver lining is they often don't know what they have. I have seen some doozies, and every once in a while I'm the only one who sees the mistake and bids accordingly. But, usually, there's someone else in on it and we bid one another up. I'll take that over the Gunbroker "LOOK HERE ULTRA RARE S&W GRAIL GUN" type listings for desirable but fairly common guns.
 
Buying online is always a **** shoot even when the seller uploads lots of pics. I figure if the seller is too lazy to take good pics or won't answer questions, I assume they are hiding something and move on.
 
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