Ridiculously High Priced Used Guns - Do you make a reasonable offer?

[Moo Moo]

Hello Everyone

Down here in Australia, naturally the price of New Guns are higher than the USA. (Currency exchange and shipping fees, etc).

Lately, on-line gun sales have listed Used Guns at ridiculouly high prices. I just saw a private seller advertised his LNIB Ruger Standard Pistol Mark VI 70th anniversary listed for $1400 AUD ($1088 USD). Aussie shooters seem to automatically think that just because a Used gun has an anniversary date on it, then it's valuable. Also, just because something is rare, it also automatically makes it valuable. I'm not talking about historical Guns. It's more like New, LNIB, and excellent current Guns. Another example was a listed Walther PPS M2 advertised for $2000 AUD ($1555 USD). Some of these people think they are sitting on gold.

So my question is, do you bother making a reasonable offer or do you just forget about it and let them live in their fantasy world? I'm happy to pay a little more if it's something I really want but I'm not going to pay double/triple what it's really worth.

Am I just being a spend thrift?

 

[schutz5]

California is no different for various reasons.
If you don't need it,its not a deal at any price!

 

[Rudi]

At the present time, here or down under, me thinks it is a seller's market. But yes, always make a counter offer. Some of these prices are just nuts.

 

[Onomea]

I always ask, "Would you consider a lower offer?," first. Some sellers are touchy about being asked to lower their prices.

 

[Breakaway500]

If the ad says "firm" I move along. If it's something I really admire I may make a reasonable offer..but don't hold my breath.

 

[df06]

If it doesn't say "firm", there's no good reason not to make a sensible offer. I've done that. Sometimes you get a no, sometimes a yes, sometimes a counter offer. And sometimes, no response which is no.

 

[double-dipper]

Yes if i'm interested in the gun I will make them a resonable offer.
I dont mind haggling over price.
I've got a few that way.

 

[CrankyThunder]

I like the local adds to trade

My favorite is "Trade high quality lawn mower for bolt action 30-06 rifle. Show me what you got, lawn mower needs minor repairs". and the pic attached with the article shows the connecting rod sticking out of the side of the crankcase.

 

[glenwolde]

I might make an offer if I see it sits around for a long time.

 

[03hemi]

Depends on the gun, rarity and how bad I want it for my collection?
I'm a haggler, but I won't let a few hundred bucks come between me and a gun I'll likely never come across again.
You have to ask yourself, what's a few hundred bucks averaged out over a couple years, nothing?

 

[ColbyBruce]

I personally do not bother with ridiculously priced firearms, unless there are obvious mistakes in the description. I will attempt to point out such errors and make a realistic offer.

I have purchased a Walther PPS .40 S&W and a PPS M2 9mm, both used but in VGC at $300.00 each. I wouldn't pay $1,555.00 for a half dozen of them.

FYI, there was a recall on some PPS M2 pistols a few years ago.

 

[Greyman50]

Always ask if thats their best price? In 3 local shops last weekend, saw 2 Smiths was interested in that IMHO were to high. Asked the question and got a "listed price is it" so walked out. Would think one would put a high price on whatever and if a serious buyer came along have a selling price. Guess most think buyers will pay whatever price they ask?

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

As said, you call always ask for a best price, or make an offer. I think some sellers ask super high prices for several reasons: they don't really know or care what it's worth, or hope for a buyer that doesn't know or care what it's worth, or they can always come down in price but not go up.
I usually ignore overpriced items. And I rarely ask for prices on untagged items or when the tags are purposely turned over or obscured. They are usually overpriced.

John

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I never expect anything, but I ask, "Would you consider an offer?"

If the seller says, "Yes"...

Sometimes it works, and

Sometimes I walks.

 

[mrchick]

I typically ignore ads with crazy prices.

 

[tops]

Make a offer less than what you are willing too pay. Maybe seller and buyer can meet in the middle.
The only time I can remember not making a counter offer was for a gun I really wanted and the seller didn't know what he had and how bad I wanted it. He offered it for less than half the worth and I would have paid more than the worth because I really wanted it. My arm hurt for several weeks because I reached so fast for my money sack. Larry

 

[M29since14]

It would have to be a gun I REALLY wanted before I would suffer to try to negotiate with some seller who thinks it's OK to vastly overprice his wares beyond any sense of reality. It's not worth it to me to try to deal with that type. I just walk. I'll pay $750 for a $600 gun sometimes, because I really want it, it's in great condition, and I know I might easily spend $150 in my time and money looking for another one that's just as nice. If the tag says $1200 or $1500, forget it.

 

[Golddollar]

Sometimes the entry to negotiations for a more reasonable price is to ask "What's the cash price?" The smell of cash money toward the end of a gun show may help to get a price in a more reasonable range.

 

[sigp220.45]

I usually don't bother with an offer on something that is unrealistically high. There is a 2 1/2" .38 Colt Diamondback at a nearby Sportsmans Warehouse. It is in horrible shape - the grips are wrong, the finish is a charitable 0%, and there is significant pitting. Even a desirable gun like a snub DB isn't worth much in that shape.

It was originally marked $1399, but the unrelenting chorus of guffaws apparently forced the price down to $899 where it continues to sit in all its speckled glory.

I would probably go $200 as a project gun, just because it would be cool to have a snubby Diamondback as a truck gun.

I'm not going to even make an offer. I have bought a few guns there and have always paid less than asking. I'm sure they wouldn't take a $200 offer, and I would only be hurting myself down the road as a serious buyer for other stuff they may get.

 

[k22fan]

Some home owners who strongly do not want to move have a for sale by owner sign at the end of their driveway with a price that would move them to a much better neighborhood or perhaps to a house on the beach. It costs them nothing. As is often said, a fool is born every day and a fool might drive by.