Mod 66-2, 2 1/2” $700 cash rejected

[AveragEd]

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

 

[John Fugate]

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.

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.

 

[ABPOS]

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.

 

[Hithev]

You did well

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.

 

[G-Mac]

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'.

 

[AveragEd]

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'.

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

 

[Narragansett]

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.

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

 

[F75gunslinger]

Not trying to be negative about the OP in any way, shape or form. But just wondering why we pick certain items to feel like we can just make an offer. We don't go to a grocery store and put an offer on a gallon of milk or a clothing store and ask if there is any wiggle room on the price or call the electric company and offer less per kilowatt. I'm not saying I haven't done it but after thinking about this post it got me wondering.
Any thoughts?

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.

 

[jimmyj]

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

 

[G-Mac]

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

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

 

[ColbyBruce]

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.

 

[S42N8]

The dealer has money and the gun, anybody and everybody has money. But not everybody has that gun. You ever looked at it like that ? Id personally rather have that gun than 756.00 dollars,, that dealer is thinking the exact same thing. Take you 700.00 and get out on the hustle in search of you a clean 66 2inch, see how much time and gas you burn up trying to save 56.00 dollars.

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

 

[Leadcaster357]

I don't know about you, but I don't buy "used" food.

As to clothing, if it's used, it's price IS negotiable, just as any used anything is negotiable in price.

I'm not so sure what is difficult to understand about that.

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.

 

[sniper]

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.

 

[diyj98]

Or you could say, You lost the gun for $ 56.00

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?"

 

[John Fugate]

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.

 

[Xfuzz]

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

 

[John Fugate]

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.

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.

 

[22hipower]

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

 

[4530pop]

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.