Wheelin & Dealin

[wbraswell]

I've gone to gun shows for decades, and bought many items over the years, but I've never done much trading or selling there, and most the trades I made I never felt I made a good deal for me after I thought it out. So, I want some opinions about it. If I take a NIB gun that sells at stores for $1300 (a 3rd gen SAA), how much would you think I should expect to get for it, if I can't find a trade.

 

[wbraswell]

I've gone to gun shows for decades, and bought many items over the years, but I've never done much trading or selling there, and most the trades I made I never felt I made a good deal for me after I thought it out. So, I want some opinions about it. If I take a NIB gun that sells at stores for $1300 (a 3rd gen SAA), how much would you think I should expect to get for it, if I can't find a trade.

 

[pred]

About 1/2 at a shop.
One place near me offers 80% of Blue book.
Another place asks you to bend WAY over.
There is always the Classifieds here or Gunbroker.
Peter

 

[NFrameFred]

As much as we all hate to acknowledge it, it's unreasonable to try to get top dollar selling your gun to someone knowing they are buying it to sell, i.e., a gun shop, a gun show dealer, etc.. These guys have overhead , aren't generally doing it for their health and have to make a profit.

If you want the best price you have to aim at an end user, someone who wants it for himself and would rather pay you a few dollars less for yours than what he would pay full price at the store.

 

[toroflow1]

Yep, a shop will bend you over most every time! The gunshop I used to frequent every week usually gives LOW blue book for any gun brought to them to buy, even if the gun is in perfect shape! I saw them give a guy $100 for a T/C Contender in .44 mag that was in 98% condition. The same gun went into their showcase the next hour at $495! If I was the seller, I would be pissed if I saw that!

Of course, $100 is what the fool agreed to sell it for...and the gunshop is in business to make money...but my God, a 500% mark-up?!?! This is one reason why I don't frequent that shop anymore!!!

If you can't sell you gun at a show or a shop (neither is recommended...it will only piss you off how badly these fools "low-ball" you), then sign up on GunBroker and sell it there...you can probably make MORE than the $1300 you want out of it!!

 

[wbraswell]

I understand the mark up part. A dealer has to make money or he won't be a dealer long. The best example I know is fine antiques. You don't sell that many items, but your rent and bills don't understand that, so you have to buy at low prices and have a big mark up on the few items you do sell. That's not screwing anyone, that's just trying to be successful. Then again, when you have a big mark up, you can usually be flexible on your price.

 

[GatorFarmer]

You should be able to sell it for about a grand to someone, or trade for similar/slightly greater value. Strangely, Colt SAAs are one of the few guns still to be found somewhat easily in the current gun buying frenzy. Finish, bbl length, and caliber will of course influence how desireable it is.

 

[toroflow1]

Originally posted by GatorFarmer:
You should be able to sell it for about a grand to someone, or trade for similar/slightly greater value. Strangely, Colt SAAs are one of the few guns still to be found somewhat easily in the current gun buying frenzy. Finish, bbl length, and caliber will of course influence how desireable it is.

I don't think its strange...lots of folks right now want tupperware junk guns that hold lots of rounds in a magazine...a Colt SAA doesn't fit this description, and doesn't owe itself to being fired rotated 90 degrees from upright!

 

[danski]

In the case of a SAA, whatever barrel length or caliber, you can't expect a dealer/shop to pay you as much or more than he can get one from the factory. When they were selling for around $1,300, a little less or more, dealer was, I believe, about $950.

I've since seen them creeping up to $1,500, a little more or less, so dealers now are probably paying more than $1,000.