Do all gun stores insult you, or is it just some of mine

[redlevel]

I understand B&M stores have overhead and it may sit for a while, but honestly, for someone to take blue book, cut it in half, and then take 35% off the top is insulting.

I realize they have to make a profit, but especially for a trade, their profit is already built into their asking price and it makes no sense to make profit twice to me, it's insulting to my intelligence.

It is called Capitalism. The idea is to make a profit on every transaction. So, they make a profit on the gun they trade to you, then they make a profit when they sell the gun you traded to them. You think they are in business to break even? That's why it hardly ever makes sense to trade at a gun store. If you are in a state without too many restrictions, you can almost always do better selling to an individual that really wants your piece rather than to a dealer who would really rather sell outright.

 

[NFrameFred]

As much as I have traded, swapped and sold I see all sides of the equation. Sure, some are pretty set on getting a set percentage that many consider exhorbitant. Likewise, some think they should be rewarded or at least protected from their whims and their poor decisions, pulling the trigger and buying shiny baubles they quickly lose interest in because they didn't do their research or their golden treasure turned out not to be as golden as they hoped, so they expect others to pony up most of the cost of their mistakes when they trade them off.

If your goods are so valuable, surely you should have no trouble finding someone who wants it equally badly and will be happy to pay your price. Those who have never run a business with rent, taxes, utilities, labor, regulatory costs, and many other unforeseen expenses have no frame of reference for what it costs to keep the doors open and the lights on.

As I've said, I've done as much as anyone to trade, sell, and swap off mistakes and misconceptions over the years, and I learned early on all that glitters is not gold. And I learned to do my research, buy wisely, and try not to whine when it didn't work out in my favor.

 

[gregintenn]

If that hcks you off, take your car to a lot and get a cash offer. You'll be proud of your gun dealer.

 

[peyton]

Don't keep us in suspense. What are you trying to sell!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mkk41]

j,
not picking on you, but this always amuses me.

Tables at Tulsa are $150 each (I have FIVE), and at smaller shows they start around $75-80 and often go to $120.
So far, I haven't been able to find free gas or motels either. For a large, distant show like Tulsa, it is easy to spend over $1500, not counting meals. But then, gun dealers don't have to eat.
Oh- also, at Tulsa I have to pay in advance to keep the same tables. So, March 31 I had to pay the $750 for the Nov 10 show. Dead money for over 7 months.

This brings up a whole other furball. Gunshows used to be something else than they are today. They have become big business. Used to be mainly hobbiests and locals who would get a table or two at the local lodge or fire hall for a $10 donation. Sell their personal accumulations of gunstuff. Some guys did mounts and rings , others did scopes , some all other parts.

But they've gotten out of hand. Now it's a major production. Some set-ups take a lot of work. Bigger venues means bigger everything else. Exhibit halls , they ain't cheap. Table fees , promoter's gotta make money. Town wants a piece , gotta make up some 'ordinances' so we can charge licenses , permits , etc , so door fees go up. Gotta sell tables , so a lot of junk and trinket hucksters show up.

Now it's a big over-blown and overpriced flea market.

Now , gunshow weekends can make more for a dealer than the rest of the week , or even month. Some do nothing but gunshows. There's promoters who do nothing but organize gunshows. That's how they make their living.

I've seen the same with swapmeets.

Capitalism and commercialism at it's finest.

 

[GKC]

I mentioned a concern about FTF transactions at one of my local shops, where I have done a lot of business, and they said that I could have any local buyer pick it up at their store, and they would do a transfer for $20...that way, I don't even have to be present, and the paper trail is there. They will also ship it for me at their cost to another FFL, if the buyer isn't local.

I usually trade (and yes, I lose money) because I didn't want to deal with the hassles, and I want the "instant gratification", but now I need to sell a few to fund a custom 1911 I want, so I am going to use the service my dealer offered. Perhaps you can find a local gun shop willing to do the same.

 

[handejector]

I realize they have to make a profit, but especially for a trade, their profit is already built into their asking price and it makes no sense to make profit twice to me, it's insulting to my intelligence.

Why not?
He has to do TWO sales. Why should he profit on only one? Your old gun sitting in the showcase is NOT money in the bank.
IT is NOT capital available to invest in another new gun someone may buy outright.
So, he took his money, and bought the gun you wanted. If he trades with you, he no longer has the MONEY, and he no longer has the new gun to sell.
His capital MAY be limited, and he may not be able to replace the new gun for his inventory till he sells yours.
Your tradein MAY lose him a sell if someone comes in hunting the new gun you left with and he does not have another.

I sold a shop in 99.
Even back then, the nut each month was over $2000 month.
I never had employees, so not counting insurance, that was just:
Building
lights
phone
security monitor/maintenance
water/sewage
licenses
inventory tax
advertising

 

[labworm]

It's hard to believe any business owner would have to deal with overhead costs.

 

[mkk41]

The on-line auctions are a blessing and a curse. Ya can find most guns yer looking for , at a price. Sometimes ya can get a real deal. But generally reserve , starting bid , and buy-it-now are quite high. Many locals looking to sell to a LGS get unreasonably high expectation from listed auction prices. Someone will come in and say, "they're going for/asking $xxxx on GunBroker.

Yeah , but what are they SELLING for? Then figure shipping and transfer fees.

I've got Pawn Stars on the TV behind me , and they have items appraised by their buddy/experts , who will say that, ''in an auction , something could go as high as $4321'' , so now the owner wants $4321.

 

[writerinmo]

If I sell one, I use Armslist. Had no problems, we meet at the local gun shop that has a range, high traffic volume and most people in the parking lot are armed in some fashion so I feel pretty safe doing the transaction there, plus I have someone go with me that's armed as well. Every one I've sold in this manner I've been able to sell for basically what I gave for it. No reason to deal with people that are out to lowball you. 35% is high at least for this area, most shops only make 5-10% and make the difference up selling accessories

 

[redlevel]

we meet at the local gun shop that has a range, high traffic volume and most people in the parking lot are armed in some fashion so I feel pretty safe doing the transaction there, plus I have someone go with me that's armed as well.

I guess I'm just too much of a trusting soul. I guess I have bought or sold two dozen or more in the last five or six years to people who just came to my house, looked the gun(s) over, paid, and went on their way. At least a couple of folks rode with me in the golf cart to the back yard range and tried out the gun. Usually, we just meet in a parking lot in a fairly public place. I have never, ever had second thoughts about personal safety, or felt uncomfortable during one of these transactions. I have met some very interesting people, too.

 

[forresth]

35% for used doesn't seam bad at all. Nothing he did sounds bad. I am just wondering why your expectations are so high? That guy sounds like a straight shooter and you sounds like someone who expects that nobody else should ever make a profit when you are doing business with them.

 

[gregintenn]

I personally admire the dealer's honesty.

 

[straightshooter1]

nipster:

The only LGS in the Tampa area that does that type of transaction-worth, profit, your offer-is DeerHunter.

If that is the LGS, then they gave you top Blue Book retail and took 35% off of that.

That's not such a bad offer.

I'll swing by Monday and see if they remember the transaction.

Bob

 

[Faulkner]

I understand B&M stores have overhead and it may sit for a while, but honestly, for someone to take blue book, cut it in half, and then take 35% off the top is insulting.

I realize they have to make a profit, but especially for a trade, their profit is already built into their asking price and it makes no sense to make profit twice to me, it's insulting to my intelligence.

Ain't it great living in America . . . if you don't like doing business in a free market society where you perceive you have been lowballed and insulted you are free to leave and do business elsewhere. You are also free to go seek out some uninformed sucker who will pay top dollar for your used wares so as to sooth your bruised ego. Man, that's a win win for everybody right there.

 

[writerinmo]

I guess I'm just too much of a trusting soul. I guess I have bought or sold two dozen or more in the last five or six years to people who just came to my house, looked the gun(s) over, paid, and went on their way. At least a couple of folks rode with me in the golf cart to the back yard range and tried out the gun. Usually, we just meet in a parking lot in a fairly public place. I have never, ever had second thoughts about personal safety, or felt uncomfortable during one of these transactions. I have met some very interesting people, too.

I live ten minutes south of the southern edge of St. Louis, and I read the papers. Cautious to me is mandatory, all it takes is some thug thinking he'll just jack me of my gun and possibly vehicle as well, so I play it like that until such time as I don't need to. Both of my sales this year were just fine, one guy brought his teenage son along that would be the main shooter on the pistol I sold and it was great watching the kid's eyes light up. The other buyer was a school teacher that lived up in the city and the violence was spreading a bit too close to his home for him.

 

[DEG]

IMO I think you were insulted because you worried too much about how he came to his number and it's really irrelevant. Each buying and selling each party places value on the item and either can say yes or no. It's really that simple and nothing to get insulted about. It's not possible for either party to rip-off the other party. His mistake was indulging your inquiries into his business.

 

[bushmaster1313]

The LGS does not have to buy your gun
You do not have to sell it to your LGS
It's called economics

 

[chud333]

I think a lot of it is Pyschological. At least for me it is when trying to trade with some shops or at some dealers at shows, Whatever it is
you happen to be trading-- is the biggest waste of metal ever made. Even if you are trading a New in Box "Registered Mag" some guy will
sure as heck try to bad mouth your trade. And everything he has on his tables or behind his counter is the next best thing since sliced bread.
It's simple after that, just say Thanks and walk out the door.


Chuck

 

[GRIZZLYBEAR]

I don't sell many firearms. When I have a revolver that I want to sell/trade I determine my bottom line price for my firearm and that number is in stone. If the Gun shop can't meet the price we don't do business. I use the same method on the purchase of a firearm. I determine the max I will pay and will walk if that price isn't met.

I walked away from sells because we were off by as little as $5.00.

 

[blujax01]

...

I've got Pawn Stars on the TV behind me , and they have items appraised by their buddy/experts , who will say that, ''in an auction , something could go as high as $4321'' , so now the owner wants $4321.

And quite a shill job they do. A football program from the early days of the NFL surfaced in my hometown and a guy takes it to Vegas. On the air he gets $2750. Two weeks later, it's on Pawn Star's EBay site with an "appraised value" of $10,000 and an opening bid of $7500.

Sorry for the drift. Dem Boyz is crooks ...

 

[nipster]

Don't keep us in suspense. What are you trying to sell!!!!!!!!!!

That K22 outdoorsman I posted about a couple weeks ago.

 

[nipster]

I guess I'm just too much of a trusting soul. I guess I have bought or sold two dozen or more in the last five or six years to people who just came to my house, looked the gun(s) over, paid, and went on their way. At least a couple of folks rode with me in the golf cart to the back yard range and tried out the gun. Usually, we just meet in a parking lot in a fairly public place. I have never, ever had second thoughts about personal safety, or felt uncomfortable during one of these transactions. I have met some very interesting people, too.

I have gone to people's homes on occasion, but I would never sell something F2F at my own home., too many things could go wrong.

 

[nipster]

nipster:

The only LGS in the Tampa area that does that type of transaction-worth, profit, your offer-is DeerHunter.

If that is the LGS, then they gave you top Blue Book retail and took 35% off of that.

That's not such a bad offer.

It was Deerhunter actually. I'm not entirely sure he actually looked it up correctly in the blue book, he thought it was something else, even though I pointed it out in the SCSW for him. The guy wasnt rude or anything, but the whole process turned me off.

They were busy as hell for a Friday afternoon, and have several overpriced guns in there, including a pre-model 19 that is borderline shooter grade marked for over a grand. I just dont have much sympathy for someone offering me $250 and then throwing an $800 price tag on it like I know he will based on the prices of his other stuff.

 

[Gaffer]

I worked part time in a local gun store and their policy on used guns was establish the Blue Book value that the gun could be put on sale for and then give the seller 66% of that. In other words the mark up on used guns is 33%. That is what most gun stores do in my region. Even then they get burned by hidden problems that show up after sale.

I would not be offended by such offers but would opt to do a FTF sale if I could.

 

[SixGunHunter]

j,
not picking on you, but this always amuses me.

Tables at Tulsa are $150 each (I have FIVE), and at smaller shows they start around $75-80 and often go to $120.
So far, I haven't been able to find free gas or motels either. For a large, distant show like Tulsa, it is easy to spend over $1500, not counting meals. But then, gun dealers don't have to eat.
Oh- also, at Tulsa I have to pay in advance to keep the same tables. So, March 31 I had to pay the $750 for the Nov 10 show. Dead money for over 7 months.

Very well said.
Jeesum Guys, I would Never Ever set up at a gun show thinking that I am going to give deals all day just because I am not a full time dealer. I am there to make money and notheing else. I will try and undercut a dealer next door by $10.00 bucks to keep people at my table, but that is it.

To the OP, I thought your post was about customer service not the price of a used firearm.
I have been selling, trading and buying for more years than I wish to admit. I have lost my shirt and bought a wardrobe for nothing.
Your Local Gun store needs money to stay in business. The same store you go to get your ammo and cleaning supplies. They all have different pricing and you have to find the one that works for you when you do trade and it might be a different store that you buy at. It is for me. I currently have 5 stores I deal with. 3 in NH and 2 in Maine. Maine has a tax, but 1 of the stores ship across the border. All things you need to research ahead of time. You may even have to drive 1 hr. to get that price and again is it worth it.

If that still does not work for you then research shipping and perhaps Paypal, although I have heard that Paypal does not like firearms. Again research. Call Everyone that ships, even the same LGS. You never know.
Don't give up, you'll get your price.

 

[keith44spl]

Don't keep us in suspense. What are you trying to sell!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, whatcha tryin to sell?

If it's a RM or anything pre-war N frame, well I'm intrested...But, no plastic please.


Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[Nwmarc]

I wanted to trade a Taurus 605 in 357 for a Shield and went to two gun shops where they both were very low in there trade in price, said no thanks. Stopped at another place here that deals in not only firearms but in all kinds of sporting goods. They offered me 50.00 more than the other two so I said OK. Yea, I took a big loss even at that but was happy to get the Shield.
The first guy I took it to was a little rude about it but I just took it as just his personality. To me it's like anything else you buy then want to either trade in or get a dealer to buy it, they need to make a profit to keep the doors open.

 

[DEG]

And quite a shill job they do. A football program from the early days of the NFL surfaced in my hometown and a guy takes it to Vegas. On the air he gets $2750. Two weeks later, it's on Pawn Star's EBay site with an "appraised value" of $10,000 and an opening bid of $7500.

Sorry for the drift. Dem Boyz is crooks ...

But $2750 was an acceptable return for the original seller or they could have walked out, paid for an appraisal and put it up for auction themselves.

 

[straightshooter1]

You're right, Nipster, he probably didn't look it up correctly.

I assume it was Chuck, rather than his dad, Dan? Sometimes Chuck needs a little help on priceing.

Not that you will necessarily go back, but, if you do, and have something to sell, look it up in their Bluebook first so you know the page and place where it is.

They always do this: closest percent retail (i.e. 95%) less 35% equals what they pay for anything, trade or cash.

We have another member here that buys lots of guns from them, almost all pretty rare Smiths, and does quite well on the prices. I have bought many guns there and sold a few and can't complain about the way they've treated me.

Bob