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

[ladder13]

K, I have two……..in the classifieds.

Bump after bump in the classifieds. Learn how to remove the previous 30 bumps so I don’t have to scroll down.

Removing the listed price with Sold/SPF.

 

[Sam McCord]

It's taken me years to become very reliable at buying high, selling low, and trading down.

I'm to the point that I make it look easy.

That means that I pass on many deals because they seem too good to be true.

But...you make it up in volume. There's also the, "I screw the other guy and pass the savings on to you." approach that I have been the recipient of many times.

 

[hkcavalier]

I think the way it's done here is as close to the right way as one can get in a public forum where all of the advice is free of charge. Once we start establishing firm guidelines, we start delving into providing a service. While not nearly as serious as a doctor or lawyer doling out expertise for free, it has its potential drawbacks.

The "push-pull" system here means the poster seeking info gets what they want if they provide the info that the Forum members want. And the most interesting examples get the most info and, sure, the most opinions. Most of the "my granddad's old .38" posts that end up being a chopped and nickeled Victory usually get 5-8 replies and it's done. The guy with the nice odd barrel length Registered Magnum he picked up at a garage sale might get 100 replies or more.

There might be some estimates or info way out in left field here, but it pales in comparison to the S&W groups on Facebook or even the odd corners of non-S&W specific gun forums like AR15.com. The number of people spouting off complete guesses as facts is staggering, really. These seem to be the modern version of the old guy hanging out at the gun store all day telling tall tales and with completely made up "facts" re: guns to anyone who will listen.

 

[beagleye]

It's a great forum, consider the alternative.

 

[4K2022]

It's a great forum, consider the alternative.

I agree “it’s a great forum.” And IMO the OP is one of the reasons!
Maybe it’s the moon

 

[chief38]

I am not hesitant at all to ask the OP for more details.

Asking for more details isn't a huge deal. What puzzles the living heck out of me is people's mindset! How would someone expect to get a realistic value on ANYTHING without details such as "milage", finish and mechanical condition, accoutrements included, caliber, barrel length, year or at least close to when it was made! Hmmmm.

And BTW, how much is my house worth including my vehicles?

 

[mrchick]

Asking for more details isn't a huge deal. What puzzles the living heck out of me is people's mindset! How would someone expect to get a realistic value on ANYTHING without details such as "milage", finish and mechanical condition, accoutrements included, caliber, barrel length, year or at least close to when it was made! Hmmmm.

And BTW, how much is my house worth including my vehicles?

Review past online sales to get a good idea[emoji1]

 

[StrawHat]

Asking for more details isn't a huge deal. What puzzles the living heck out of me is people's mindset! How would someone expect to get a realistic value on ANYTHING without details such as "milage", finish and mechanical condition, accoutrements included, caliber, barrel length, year or at least close to when it was made! Hmmmm.

And BTW, how much is my house worth including my vehicles?

What color is the house?

And what color are the vehicles?

Kevin

 

[4K2022]

And BTW, how much is my house worth including my vehicles?

Do the vehicles have wheels?

I have an example, and I am an example! FWIW I’ve read the entire thread and realized that’s ME. My oldest brother retrieved a robin (bird) he had shot while wondering around the barnyard with a rifle,,,, (exactly) like this one. That was sixty years ago! Our grandfather told us a robin was a songbird and are not to be used for target practice. We spent weekends and most any night during the summer there. But whenever we did return, the gun was gone! We asked our grandfather, he was confused but remembered the previous experience and said,” I don’t remember “
This story is sixty years old and “Gramp” was right,, he didn’t remember THAT when my brother and I left the gun with him he simply stood by a door turned to his right and leaned it against a wall stud ,,,, partially concealed by a chicken nesting boxes.

I sent this picture (internet) to my brother, he agrees this is what he has.

It’s a bolt action, not a falling block. With an (ejector, extractor
22 caliber

 

[4K2022]

This is the rifle my brother killed the robin with. We never saw a forearm on this rifle,,

 

[raljr1]

I think the push-pull of getting the information necessary to give a reasonable estimate, is the best part of the learning process for new posters. Yeah, most of them never come back, but some do and become collectors. I am a case in point of the latter. When I joined the forum in 2011, I owned a 19-3, a 29-3, a model 60 and 63, and a k22. I had just purchased a model 53. Since that time, over 75 Smith & Wessons have passed thru my hands and my collection of 50 S&Ws includes some very collectible pieces. Plant seeds, they don't all grow, but some will.

 

[SF VET]

I have never replied with a post to someone asking about a new to them firearm's value, because I have NO experience in firearm values. SF VET

 

[BB57]

The one that gets me is when somebody buys a gun; then, asks "Did I get a good deal?" in a Forum. I often wondered what they would do if he gets 50 "Oh, man you were ripped off!!!" Then, what? LOL

I do that a lot just to read the room on various forums.

For example a decade or so ago I bought a a first year (1978) near mint condition, no box 9422 XTR. I posted pics details and price paid knowing it would bring people out of the wood work claiming that was way too high. At the time it was not a deal but a fair market price. Today a comparable 9422 XTR will sell for $1100-$1300, about twice what I paid for it. It’s hard to call that a bad return.

The low ball estimators forget three things:

- not everyone is interested in immediately or almost immediately flipping a firearm for profit (and those doing so, legally and ethically need to be operating under an FFL);

- If you really want one and there are not many out there, get it now, even if the price is too high in other people’s opinion. You’ll have it now to enjoy rather than spending years looking for another one and ultimately paying just as much or more; and

- when a firearm is no longer made, it almost always appreciates in value. Thus you never pay too much, you just buy too early, and if you hold onto it long enough you’ll get your money back out of it.

——

That’s basically my response to the folks who are told the paid too much.

 

[JH1951]

The value of money over time is an interesting concept. Some of us may make money. Some of us will loose money, but be convinced that we actually made money.

 

[tops]

Good thinking! I worked to have money to buy the things I wanted. I would not go in debt for something I really didn't need but if I had cash I never let a few dollars hold me back. Larry

 

[CajunBass]

- If you really want one and there are not many out there, get it now, even if the price is too high in other people’s opinion. You’ll have it now to enjoy rather than spending years looking for another one and ultimately paying just as much or more;

A question I ask a lot (to myself and others)..."When did you last see one like it for less?" And "When do you next expect to see one at all?"

 

[CajunBass]

- If you really want one and there are not many out there, get it now, even if the price is too high in other people’s opinion. You’ll have it now to enjoy rather than spending years looking for another one and ultimately paying just as much or more;

A question I ask a lot (to myself and others)..."When did you last see one like it for less?" And "When do you next expect to see one at all?"

Sorry for the duplicate. computer hung up for a few minutes.

 

[Golddollar]

A question I ask a lot (to myself and others)..."When did you last see one like it for less?" And "When do you next expect to see one at all?"

Don't forget "Will it be here when I come back?"

 

[CajunBass]

Don't forget "Will it be here when I come back?"

That's when I throw a few bucks at it, and stick it on layaway. If I change my mind the deposit goes onto store credit. I'll use it sooner or later for something.

 

[Aukula1062]

My buddy owned an auto parts store and I would hang out there all the time. People would come in ask about car parts, get prices, buy the parts then ask him "can I do this"? One time a guy came in and asked for an oil filter for a red and black Suburban. I was behind the counter and my buddy was behind the partition. I saw his eyes roll so I told the guy I would look up the part. Rummaged through the catalogs like I knew what I was doing then I told him "nope, we only have the oil filter for the green and tan Suburban". The guy had no clue, he was a doctor, said thank you and left. My buddy spit his coffee half way across the office and almost peed his pants laughing. Bottom line is some people always want someone else to do their thinking for them.