Economics 101: If I wouldn't buy it for what it will bring -- Shouldn't I sell it?

[chief38]

In order to find the answer to that question, "should I sell it" you have to ask yourself if you honestly want it. If it's a gun that you would NOT buy again (regardless of the ability to turn a profit) than I'd say sell it and use the money to buy something you've been "Jonesin' for". If you've gotten sentimentally attached to it, well, then keep it. It all boils down to you and how much you like owning the gun.

 

[bushmaster1313]

In order to find the answer to that question, "should I sell it" you have to ask yourself if you honestly want it. If it's a gun that you would NOT buy again (regardless of the ability to turn a profit) than I'd say sell it and use the money to buy something you've been "Jonesin' for". If you've gotten sentimentally attached to it, well, then keep it. It all boils down to you and how much you like owning the gun.

Correct!

Of my two Winchester riot guns I liked the Model 1897 better in every way.

So I listed the Model 12 yesterday, it sold this morning at the Buy-It-Now price, and I am very pleased.

 

[bluegrassarms]

In the past 20 or so years I have purchased probably several hundred thousand dollars worth of stocks and bonds. I have purchased several thousand dollars worth of guns. The guns values have gone up more than the stocks.

I would be better off had I invested in safes and guns, and I don't see that changing in the near term. If anything the volatility gap between firearms and the financial markets is increasing.

I say sell them if they aren't going to be likely to appreciate or will decline in value and you can buy low/sell high on them, but in any "sell" decision you have to consider what you'd do with the cash you got, and keeping it in the gun as an investment may be a better financial decision.

 

[gregintenn]

My wife doesn't seem upset with guns sitting in my safe. She doesn't shower me with accolades when I sell one; even at a profit. I do notice a raised eyebrow, however, when I buy another one. The longer I'm married, the more I become a buy and hold consumer as far as guns are concerned.

 

[K1500]

1. Unfortunately with all the red tape and government controls selling a gun is a lot of trouble these days. So you have to be willing to spend the time and deal with the hassles of selling, which many people just do not do. If you were a business it would be right to sell, but from what you have written I don't think you are a business.

2. Even if you do not have a personal attachment to the gun, it may serve some purpose such as a truck gun, a gun you leave near your sleeping quarters, or a gun you don't mind carrying in your tackle box.

3. Also even if you could get a little more for what the gun is worth right now, it is difficult to replace it with something less expensive and of the same quality. This is because buying on line you pay shipping and FFL transfer. Buying locally you pay sales tax. These fees and taxes have to be added in to the purchase price of a replacement gun.

4. Good quality guns serve as one form of hedge against inflation, with more utility than hard currencies like gold or silver. The gun may well be worth more in 5 or 10 years than the cash you get from the sale would be in 5 or 10 years.

5. In a worst case scenario of SHTF, guns will be on of the most valuable commodities to trade, next to ammo.

6. Law of gun inertia states, "Guns at rest in a gun safe tend to remain at rest in a gun safe."

This guy has got it right. After shipping and transfer or tax, you are out lots of cash on every trade. As long as they are appreciating and you don't need the cash, it is kind of like owning a stock or bond except you can take the gun to the range and use it as a tool.

 

[K1500]

My wife doesn't seem upset with guns sitting in my safe. She doesn't shower me with accolades when I sell one; even at a profit. I do notice a raised eyebrow, however, when I buy another one. The longer I'm married, the more I become a buy and hold consumer as far as guns are concerned.

This is also true.