PET PEEVE - FROM GUYS ASKING ABOUT A SPECIFIC GUN'S VALUE

[chief38]

It is hard enough to try to accurately value a pistol or revolver just by looking at pictures here on the Forum and without handling and personally looking at the gun. Many post no pictures (or very poor ones) have little to no specific facts, dash numbers, year of manufacture, barrel lengths, or specific condition. They do not state exactly what comes with said gun such as the original box, paper work, tools, etc.

Then when one of us asks for pictures and more specifics, we may never get properly updated. I would request a "sticky" that provides guide lines to newbie's and less intuitive potential inquirers so that they fully understand what is required for us to assist them in determining a fair and accurate value. Leaving all the specifics and quality photos out is sort of a waste of time! Kind of like asking, "what's my green Ford pickup worth"?

Rant over.

 

[StrawHat]

I agree with your thoughts, but, what makes you think that “sticky” would get read any more than the stickies already there?

Kevin

 

[shamuscull]

I get that this can be frustrating but people just starting out are not familiar with all the things that affect value. These same people may become collectors or enthusiasts if they enjoy it here and people are helpful and nice. This forum has some extremely knowledgeable people on it and I learn new things all the time.

 

[tops]

A few years ago an acquaintance that is into cars asked me how much a 30-30 Winchester was worth. He had not saw the gun but he knew where one was for sale. I asked him how much was a 1957 Chevy worth. He said it depended on the condition. I replied it's the same with guns and without seeing it I didn't have any idea of the value. He stated that he didn't know that condition mattered with guns. Larry

 

[CajunBass]

I never thought it was that big of a deal to answer and say something like "Sorry, but we need more information. We need blank, blank, blank, and blank to even have an idea."

That's what the people who were here when I first got here did for me.

 

[ladder13]

Doesn’t move my needle.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

At the top of the S&W Revolvers group of sub-forums (all 4 of them) is a sticky on "Identify your gun"

Funny how you are here all the time and forgot about it, yet you complain about others not using it.

Ivan

Ivan

 

[ken158]

Invariably what frequently happens is that a keyboard appraiser will inject a high price into the conversation that makes other estimates look low. This now gives an impression that someone is trying to snipe a good item at a good price. Of course, the keyboard appraiser would never offer the price they quote so the whole thread is worthless.

 

[BB57]

Invariably what frequently happens is that a keyboard appraiser will inject a high price into the conversation that makes other estimates look low. This now gives an impression that someone is trying to snipe a good item at a good price. Of course, the keyboard appraiser would never offer the price they quote so the whole thread is worthless.

It also invariably goes the other way. Someone interjects a price they paid X number of years ago or quotes a Blue book price.

Neither reflects current market value. Blue book values were obsolete before they were printed and they were always written with the assumption the buyer was going to buy it in order to sell it and are a fraction of market value.

 

[chief38]

I agree with your thoughts, but, what makes you think that “sticky” would get read any more than the stickies already there?

Kevin

YUP - I get it!

 

[1sg]

Well, we were all Newbies at one time. Personally, I don’t mind responding to someone who asks “incomplete” questions. I think it’s simply part of the learning process…

 

[Ameshawki]

We were all new to the sport at one point in time. Unfortunately many in this sport forget that. The firearms world is worse than most in that regard. It isn't new and probably isn't going away anytime soon.

We need a steady influx of new people. There are segments of this sport that are literally dying off. My trap club has lost a dozen of the old guard in the last couple of years, no one has stepped up to replace them. Conventional pistol bullseye is all but dead in this area. Service rifle isn't far behind.

We need the new people. Be nice to them.

 

[The Norseman]

Overwhelming

Here’s what I do on a price inquiry; I usually
open the Thread. I first look for the bad
picture. No picture I move on.

I might read the inquiry, and throw a low
reasonable price on the rare, priceless, limited
edition gun, and what it would be worth to me.

I suggest a Title Line be made for just Gun
Price Inquiries. Lay some ground rules
down as mentioned above.

It seems there are more and more of the
price quotes, and they just plug-up the real
meaningful content within the Forum.

I vote for their own Title area.

End of Rant.

 

[Drm50]

I get more irritated by the peanut gallery interjecting into the pricing than new guys not knowing the ropes yet. Unless a guy is bragging about what he bought almost all are overly high prices. It’s always same guys chiming
in and I would bet you will never find where they bought a gun.
If you went to there house you would find they have a Jennings 22 pistol and a 16g bolt action shotgun( with no bolt ) but they are on top of gun pricing.

 

[Brian Parrish]

Investment or EDC?

I think I understand why this happens. Sometimes they just wanna check with somebody before they do something stupid. It might help these folks to give them a value range. It helps if you say how much you paid for a similar gun and why that works or does not work for you. It hurts to pay $1200 plus shipping for a gun and then see it somewhere else for $850.

So here are three principles I share with the youngsters and newbies for what it is worth.
1. VERY FEW people are able to buy a gun low and sell it high. It happens but it is not common. The thing about a gun you need to know is that it is never worth nothing. This is more than I can say about any other store of value including the US Dollar!
2. I am 67 years and I have never bought anything at any price that I didn't see it later cheaper. This is part of life. Get used to it. If you are happy with what you paid, then be happy for someone else who gets to pay less.
3. If you are committed to this weapon as your EDC, then pay WHATEVER it costs! a) You need to put an investment of time into it to gain the skills, and that "cost" will far eclipse any price you pay. b) The ammo you put through it, whether you are building skills or just having fun, will cost far more than the gun. c) If it saves your life, then it will be worth whatever your stinking hide is worth.

Think about this. You'll pay any amount to a lawyer to get you off the charges; you will pay any amount to the doctor who stitches up your bullet wounds, but you are going to skimp on the tool that more than anything else you will need if it all goes down!

I am a teacher and a preacher so TIFWIW.
Kind Regards Chief38 and All,
BrianD

 

[lowriderfxr]

Does that mean you can’t tell me what my grandpappie’s old S&W is worth ? I think it’s a 38.

 

[Bald1]

We were all new to the sport at one point in time. Unfortunately many in this sport forget that. The firearms world is worse than most in that regard. It isn't new and probably isn't going away anytime soon.

We need a steady influx of new people. There are segments of this sport that are literally dying off. My trap club has lost a dozen of the old guard in the last couple of years, no one has stepped up to replace them. Conventional pistol bullseye is all but dead in this area. Service rifle isn't far behind.

We need the new people. Be nice to them.

This^^^^^^^^^^ wether it’s the gun club or gun forums there always seems to be the “ older guys” looking down their nose at inexperienced gun guys. I’ve experienced it myself in my mid 20s at the gun club. If new blood isn’t introduced into our hobby then all your Registered Magnums and fancy engraved guns are worthless. There won’t be anyone to buy them.

 

[lkabug]

Many, if not most, of us came here to learn about one thing or another.
How often has someone noted "there is no stupid question"? We learn from our mistakes. Sometimes those mistakes are in the form of what the well informed construe as a stupid question. We all ask questions. We all were beginners once.
There are no stupid questions, just someone seeking knowledge.

 

[Yaworski]

My trap club has lost a dozen of the old guard in the last couple of years, no one has stepped up to replace them. Conventional pistol bullseye is all but dead in this area. Service rifle isn't far behind.

I've been told that bullseye and service rifle are boooooring. The reality is that it takes a while to reach a point where you think that you know what you are doing. I've seen many new shooters give up after a couple weeks because they're shooting 7s and 8s and the guy next to them is crying because he shot a 9.

In action matches, as long as you hit the target, you can tell yourself that you're doing well.

For my part, limping from station to station is a non-starter. Think Walter Brennan in Rio Bravo but not as agile.

 

[cololab]

Many, if not most, of us came here to learn about one thing or another.
How often has someone noted "there is no stupid question"? We learn from our mistakes. Sometimes those mistakes are in the form of what the well informed construe as a stupid question. We all ask questions. We all were beginners once.
There are no stupid questions, just someone seeking knowledge.

Well said. My opinion also.