New to the forum needing direction

tmgrmike · #1 03-13-2012, 11:56 PM

Hello everyone. I've been shooting something most of my life, but never had the opportunity/need to sell a gun before.

Here's the situation. My wife has a friend who got a divorce and has a revolver she doesn't want. My wife brought it home for me to look at and it is a Model 38 Airweight .38 Special CTG in like new condition (serial number indicates 1981 birthdate). It is a sweet revolver. I'm not a collector, have a S&W .38 special that I use for one of my concealed carry handguns. The more I handle this gem, the more I like it.

The object, however, is to sell the revolver for my wife's friend above what she was offered by some gun stores and I know nothing about how to do this. This gun is located in Houston, Texas. Any suggestions or direction would be greatly appreciated.

murphydog · #2 03-14-2012, 12:06 AM

If you or your wife can take photos, a Wanted to Sell/Trade ad here on the Forum with the photos included should bring a good price. If it does not sell local to you, a dealer will have to ship it to the buyer via another dealer, and you should note the buyer is responsible for the shipping cost and having the gun transferred. Hope this is helpful.

tmgrmike · #3 03-14-2012, 12:26 AM

Alan, thanks for your advice. I've got a photo, but it was taken with my phone (blackberry) and the quality sucks. I'll try to get a better set of pics and post.

qballwill · #4 03-14-2012, 11:40 AM

Email and PM sent.

Tyrod · #5 03-14-2012, 02:51 PM

I started doing transfers with a new FFL on monday. This new FFL just happens to be a pawn shop. While I was there, a young lady with beau in tow brought her LNIB 642 no lock in to sell. The fellow behind the counter looked up his cost on a new 642 no lock on Lippy's and found it to be $315 on sale. Her 642 looked in pristine condition with plastic box (I rekon that was 2010 production or earlier), lock and all paperwork. Based on that, he offered her $150. She refused but went on to say that the gun store where she bought it only offered her $100. She only wanted $200 and if I was in need of another 642, I would have snapped it up for that price.

Later, when the guy was doing my paperwork, the conversation continued. He went on to say that If he had bought a new 642 for $315, he would have only been able to mark it up $20 or $30. Hence, his acceptance for doing transfers. Same amount of profit, no cash being tied up.

Here's the part that boggles the mind. He's willing to take $20 or $30 profit on a new gun, but wouldn't take $50 profit on a used gun. I think he could have gotten $250 for that used 642 all day long. I doubt that at $250 LNIB 642 wouldn't have been in his shop over a week. In fact, he prolly could have gotten more than $250.

Additionally, based on my experience and her reactions, he prolly could have haggled her to $175 or $180. She was kinda desperate for cash and he didn't try very hard.

But, if ya can't screw someone over on a used gun it just ain't fun.

qballwill · #6 03-14-2012, 02:58 PM

I spoke with tmgrmike a little bit ago and made a tentative deal on the gun. I had one of these years ago and the frame cracked on me. S&W replaced it with a current 638. I have been wanting one of these model 38s since. I am meeting him this evening to do the transfer. Will post pics tomorrow. I am very happy to have another one of these in my safe.