Should I or shouldn't I tell them...

[Ματθιας]

I found an antique firearm, but the local pawn shop doesn't know it's antique. I'm going to buy it, but I'm debating on telling them it's an antique and that I don't have to do a 4473 (at which point they will probably raise the price) or just negotiate the price they have on it, do the paperwork and be done with it. It's been sitting on their rack for at least two months. It's being held for me.

A friend of mine got burned by a shop affiliated with them after telling them what they had before he bought it.

What to do...what to do...

 

[bamabiker]

It's pretty easy these days to do a little research and find out what it is. They should learn how to do this.
Buy the gun if you want it.

 

[kozmic]

It is NOT your responsibility to inform the owners what they are selling. If the term "Let the buyer beware" is valid, then the opposite should be true. They based their selling price on what they paid for the gun and what profit they need to generate to keep the doors open. That's their job. Your job is to try to get it for less. Regardless of the actual value of the piece.

 

[zzzippper]

This isn't a widow trying to sell her late husband's guns. Do the paperwork and enjoy your purchase.

 

[therevjay]

I found an antique firearm, but the local pawn shop doesn't know it's antique. I'm going to buy it, but I'm debating on telling them it's an antique and that I don't have to do a 4473 (at which point they will probably raise the price) or just negotiate the price they have on it, do the paperwork and be done with it. It's been sitting on their rack for at least two months. It's being held for me.

A friend of mine got burned by a shop affiliated with them after telling them what they had before he bought it.

What to do...what to do...

It's their gun. They are the sellers. They set the price.... Buy it.

 

[KKECK5]

IT'S called 'Let the buyer beware"... They bought and aren't, you are aware.

 

[Mike McLellan]

And don't forget the pictures.

 

[Qball]

It's a Pawn shop.... get it as cheap as possible

If it was your widow neighbour who's selling it to get food on the table,
help her get as much as possible for it

 

[Ματθιας]

I don't want to do the paperwork just on the principle that it's an antique. That's the thing.

But life would be easier just to keep my mouth shut and negotiate based on what they have on it, especially given that it's a milsurp not worth a whole lot either way.

 

[GaryS]

A few months ago, I stumbled on a couple of 3913 magazines in good shape for $20.00 each. That's dirt cheap, even if I have to put a couple of new springs in them.

This was a FFL and he told me that he wasn't sure what they fit or what they were worth. I didn't say anything, but handed him $40.00. All he had to do was search s&w 3913 magazines and he'd have seen the going price.

The shop where the OP looked at the gun can do the same thing.

I doubt that if he walked in with a gun whose value he didn't know, they'd tell him it was worth way more than he wanted for it.

It is NOT your responsibility to inform the owners what they are selling. If the term "Let the buyer beware" is valid, then the opposite should be true. They based their selling price on what they paid for the gun and what profit they need to generate to keep the doors open. That's their job. Your job is to try to get it for less. Regardless of the actual value of the piece.

 

[zzzippper]

A few months ago, I stumbled on a couple of 3913 magazines
This was a FFL and he told me that he wasn't sure what they fit or what they were worth. I didn't say anything, but handed him $40.00. All he had to do was search s&w 3913 magazines and he'd have seen the going price.

Except that he didn't know what they fit. He got what he wanted for them, probably more than he gave, and you got a deal. Good on both of you.

 

[sipowicz]

I got an almost new pair of giant silk bloomers for only a dollar off my widowed neighbor after his wife passed....seller beware!

 

[gregintenn]

If they aren't knowledgeable enough to know what it is, I'm betting you won't ever convince them they don't have to do a background check.

 

[ErnieDeBord]

Im perplexed here....If i could save a bunch of $$$ I would just fill out the papers, get it at the "lower Price" and be happy. Regards Ernie

 

[Jessie]

Just tell them its old, so old you don't even need to do the paperwork on it.
In fact, its so old you're not sure you even still want it at that price and offer him less.
Don't mind me, I have no scruples.

 

[deadin]

One of the better deals I ever made was with a pawn shop that had a 1st Model American (oil hole) for $400.00. They wanted me to fill out a 4473. No Problem!! (I didn't even try to tell them it was made in 1870-71)

I have found that a good many shops just get defensive if you try to tell them that a particular gun is an antique and you don't need to do the paperwork. It's a lot easier to just swallow your pride (and knowledge) and go with the flow..... Your gain and their loss.....

 

[Philadelphia Patriot]

I don't want to do the paperwork just on the principle that it's an antique. That's the thing.

But life would be easier just to keep my mouth shut and negotiate based on what they have on it, especially given that it's a milsurp not worth a whole lot either way.

Pre-1899 Mauser rifle?

 

[LoboGunLeather]

The definition of a fair price is what the seller is willing to accept and the buyer is willing to pay, neither party acting under duress.

There is a price quoted for the item by the seller. You, as the buyer, are willing to pay that price. This establishes fair market value beyond any further discussion.

Go forward without any mental reservations.

 

[johngalt]

It isn't antique, it's old and obsolete. Isn't that what stores tell you when trying you are trying to sell your antique items?

 

[Ματθιας]

Pre-1899 Mauser rifle?

The prefix and sn puts it at 1896-7.