[Snake Eyes]

I recently offered three guns up for sale in the handgun section on this board. The posts had over one thousand combined views. I got ONE offer to buy, after I had rescinded my offers to sell. And that one offer I found to be borderline insulting/ludicrous.

I know the prices on two of the items was very good (the FN HP was probably priced too high, but I don't follow those much so I based the price on what I paid).

So tell me why you didn't buy my guns. I'm really curious.

If you want to review the ads, here they are:

Python (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33713)
Gold Cup (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33718)
Hi-Power (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33717)

[Chupacabra]

Snake Eyes - I would love to take that Hi-Power off your hands but funds are lacking.

Sorry no one bit. :(

[eotp]

Another option that you didn't include in your poll was that none of the guns were currently on my "need to get" list at the time.

[Sisco]

You should've put "Wasn't interested" as a choice.

[DontShootMe]

You will most likely regret selling those fine firearms.

*telling grandkids*
"Once upon a time I had a nickel-plated COLT PYTHON - the ones banned in 2015! I even had a GOLD CUP .45! They would've been worth over 25,000 dollars each by now, but I sold them for under 1,000 each!"

[boing]

Some people just like to window shop in the For Sale sections.

[45Badger]

Can't speak to the others, but that SS Gold Cup price was unimpressive. New ones (with better sights) go for about what you're top dollar sale was.

That gun, in that condition may bring $600.

Series 70 guns in excellent condition will bring more.

My $.02

FWIW, I sold my Blue Gold Cup in excellent condition for $650. Had it listed here and other boards, on and off for several months.


Eventually, somebody will want exactly what you're selling and think it's worth what you're asking.

[Matt G]

No offense. They weren't aweful prices. But they weren't the kind of prices to make me stand up and say "I've got to get in on that!"

Besides, I have a nice Gold Cup, and I have access to a coupla nice HiPowers. The Python definitely is interesting, but in truth, I've other things higher on my "to spend my money on" list.

To the ads? They were (apparently) honest, amusing, and well-composed. The photos were okay, showing more than most of the ads do (though a couple were out of focus.). Nothing wrong there. This isn't sour grapes or a feeling of personal rejection, is it?? I'm assuming not, which is why I'm letting the thread stand.

[redneck2]

you want the truth...or you wanna hear something to make you feel good??

my $.02....with the number of companies making quality 1911's (i.e. Kimber), the value of used guns is questionable...particularly if they're not box-stock. Doesn't mean that the new ones are as good as a Gold Cup, just that most people think they are.

You can take a 1962 Corvette to a custom shop and pay $20,000 (or whatever) for a super one-of-a-kind paint job...and drop the value of the car by the same amount.

I bought a custom .25-06...really nice Fajen stock, Winchester Mod 70 action, Timney trigger, Douglas barrel, and Burris scope for $375. The scope alone was worth more than $375.

I think the "I don't need one" may well be the "most correct answer"

Also, I'm in sales, and people just aren't buying....anything

As above...you can probably sell them, and the prices may well be reasonable, but in today's economy, unless it's cheap, and I mean REAL cheap, you gotta be patient

[jsalcedo]

Times are tough. Money is tight.

I already bought a .357 revolver, 2 .45 autos and a hicap 9mm.
Focusing on types I don't have.

[DragonRider]

Window Shopping

John

[Mannlicher]

nothing personal, but while I like looking at guns online, I only buy when I can handle them.

[Brian Williams]

High prices and I do not want a Gold Cup I prefer 1911a1 Govt model
I have held and checked out better and cheaper HP's
Python looked ok but I do not like nickle.

[Orbital-Burn]

I just looked at your gold cup for the first time today. I don't usually look at the page you had it listed. I would have given you maybe $675 for your Gold Cup. I've got a blued one in a lot better condition that wouldn't fetch that much but I've wanted a stainless

[Snake Eyes]

This isn't sour grapes or a feeling of personal rejection, is it?? I'm assuming not, which is why I'm letting the thread stand.
No, not at all....More "market research"

I've been collecting guns, mostly Colts, for a couple of years now with the intention of becoming a dealer at some point.

The two Colts are priced below any comparable model currently available on Guns America, Gun Broker or Auction Arms. And substantially below the gun show prices I've seen in this area. The HP was a flier--a gun I don't like and haven't paid much attention to pricing on. I clearly overpaid for it.

I was just curious as to why they didn't sell--for future marketing purposes. I suspected I would get more sales for better prices at gun shows than on the internet, and it appears I was right. By the way--that was the reason for only running the sale a few days and offering a "bulk" discount. Two days is the length of most shows, and you might expect to get a discount if you bought more than one item from a vendor.

You should've put "Wasn't interested" as a choice.

I guess I should have. I didn't because I was interested in hearing from people that looked at the ads, and I made the assumption that they wouldn't look if they weren't interested. For instance, I have no interest in S&W guns, so I wouldn't even look at a WTS post for a S&W.

Also, I'm in sales, and people just aren't buying....anything
Red, I'm in sales too. I'm currently having my third straight record year and my company (nationally) is having its best year in the last 25. People are buying all sorts of stuff, and some of them are buying more than ever. Sorry that's not true for you too.

Anyway, thank you all for the input. I'm not even offended by the people that think I'm an idiot (I voted for that one too!)

[blades67]

Besides the fact that your asking prices are way out of line, the fact that you have dictated terms such as "If we do this deal in person you MUST have an AZ CCW. I won't sell to you if you don't." will cause many folks to look elsewhere. Not everyone has a CCW, even though they could get one if they wanted. :scrutiny:

[Standing Wolf]

I'm always in the market for another Python, but nickel doesn't trip my trigger. I'd be willing to pay $300 or $400 for a nickel-plated Python, but for $700, I'd want a solid action, excellent trigger, and a blue finish in tip-top shape.

[Atticus]

This is a tough board to sell on. People seem to be looking for something very specific, or a steal.
No offense but your wording does come off a little like the local mega Ford dealer. " I'm gonna do you a favor today my friend- bring your checkbook because today is YOUR lucky day." Sellers who make demands are gonna have a tough row to hoe.

[Parker Dean]

First and foremost I don't have any cash right now. Well I do, but it's supposed to be for other things like bills :D

Secondary issues are:

1) The Python is nickel. The only TRUE Python is in blue :D Plus it looked a little rougher than I want.

2)The GC looked really rough. I don't think I would buy that one at any price. It might be a good shooter but if I want ugly there are always Glocks.

3)The High Power. Simple. It's a 9 and it's French. :D

[dav]

I think research on gun prices is a good idea. I check most of the guns for sale ads. Just to keep up-to-date.

But I would only buy, as others said earlier, if it was exactly what I was currently looking for, or if it was a genuine steal.

Your offerings met neither of those qualifications, so I didn't bite.

[10-Ring]

I didn't buy them because I'm not looking to buy ANY guns right now...

[JohnKSa]

People who are insulted when they don't get offered what they think is "reasonable" make selling things difficult for the rest of us.

I can't tell you how often I've wanted to sell something and couldn't even get an offer because the potential buyer was afraid of insulting me (inevitably as the result of a previous bad experience.)

It's my gun--it's your money. If I don't like the price you offer, I keep my gun--you keep your money. (Or vice versa)

What's to get insulted about?

[Mike Irwin]

How about another option?

You didn't have anything that I wanted.

I don't do stainless steel guns.

I don't do nickel guns OR Colt revolvers.

I have a High Power.

Strike three, yer out.

[C.R.Sam]

Nuther vote for...
I don't do bottom feeders.
Nor stainless
Nor Colt.

Sam

[pyrguy]

I just had major surgery and am on disability.


Can you say, "No money? ... I knew you could."


With apologies to Fred Rodgers. :p

[Billy Sparks]

Timing is everything. Sometimes I put a gun up for sale and it goes nowhere. Wait 2 months put the same gun, same price out there and I wish I had a warehouse of them. I do a lot of window shopping on here and a fair amount of purchasing but with the economy the way it is, I am hesitant to do anything.

[DMK]

I just like to window shop and look at what's out there.

If something really grabbed me, I'd buy it but I don't buy a lot of guns from private sellers online.

[Navy joe]

First, you're new. You should have offered some form of reference to someone you have done business with in the past, E-bay, another gun board. If that's not possible, keep the ads more low key, more internet trouble has started with unknown folks selling hyped wares...

Second, Fire sale with no fire sale prices. I don't own any cartridge revolvers so no comment there. The BHP was 100 too high, I have 2 FN MKII's, not quite as nice as yours, but both came with a FN 13rd mag, 1 for 400, the other for 390. This from a pawn shop. The Gold Cup? Most folks don't get too spooled up about SR80 GC's. No sense having a target 1911 and then gooning up the trigger with that un-needed firing pin block. I might pay 700 if I had to have it, tops.

Most problematic was the fact that you backed out of your sale. I checked back to see how you were doing and the offer was closed. That makes me leery of future deals, "maybe this guy will agree to sell and then decide not to." Leave the ad up, bump it to the top, add more accessories or drop the price if it doesn't move. This board is a great resource, give it a chance.

I read the F/S boards everyday not because I am buying, but to keep up with what the market is.

[Topgun]

thing to try to get any money out of.

Gun folks are "Gun-a-gits." As in "I'm a ....gun-a-git.... a new gun an need help in deciding."

Nothing could be more frustrating than owning a GUN shop. Looky-lous, hammer snappers, blowhards, ignorant macho geeks who have READ a gun rag...........aaaaarrrgh.

And USED guns??? Hahaahhahahahahhahaaaaaaaaaaa

Wanna know the worst item a widow can have? Hubby's gun/s!

Gun folks will ONLY buy a used gun if it is a STEAL. They constantly kid themselves into thinking they have an investment.

Guns ain't WORTH....... sh-ot.

[.41Dude]

Had a .45 auto, sold it, got tired of chasing the brass.
Had a Python, sold it, great gun and all that. Just did not give me a big wow.
Had a HP, sold it, no wow.
Good ads. Fun to read. Good prices.
Have a couple of Model 57's One Blue and one nickel.
Works just fine for me. Love those N frames.

[Monkeyleg]

For what it's worth Snake Eyes, I thought your ads were clever and entertaining. I'd love to have another nickel Python, but just don't have the money right now. (And, to those who say that nickel Pythons aren't real Pythons: :neener:

[HSMITH]

I don't like Pythons, I have seen them broken, 3 in less than a minute. I am not going to argue with the Python crowd, I saw it and it happened. Believe what you want. A wonderful shooter and superb target gun but I just don't buy frail revolvers. Urban legend? Not when I saw it with my own eyes. They ARE frail, but for PPC or something like it they are fantastic. Would not keep it if it was given to me, would trade it off.

I don't need a Gold Cup. I feel that they are way over-valued for what you get, and only those that are a little dense or way too brand oriented would pay what one costs. It is very easy to duplicate the performance for a lot less money, and it would fill a duplicate role in my collection. I have a tack driver of a 45 already and cache in guns is not something I value heavily enough to pay for more than I get.

The High Power? I would not keep one if it was given to me. What a super gun, too bad it is a 9mm. The only reason I can think of for a 9mm in my life is for a range beater or a really compact carry gun, the Hi-Power is neither. A 40 cal might be worth a look......

I am not trying to act like a crank here, but you asked in plain english so I told it like I see it. You just happened to list 3 guns that are in my top ten "bad buy" list. A gold mine the eyes of one man may be a cess pool to others. Each of us has our own views and experiences, and they affect us all a little differently. The audience you reach with your ads is large, but the number of them that realistically might be interested in buying your guns are really pretty dang small. Don't take it personal, that is just the way it works.

[Kenneth Lew]

If you want to unload in a faster time period, you would have to lower price. 3 days is not enough time to sell anything.

Kenneth Lew

[goon]

Just because you look doesn't mean you have to take action.
I frequent gunshops, but I only buy a gun about once every three months.
Just cause I look doesn't mean I can afford to buy.
I have to prioritize due to lack of funds.
That, and at the moment none of the ones you have offered will do anything that I don't already have a gun for.

[4v50 Gary]

Personally, I don't shop for guns. If I come across something now, it's on a whim. Got two Pythons already, one Hi-power (excluding my pop's which is also in my safe), one Gold Cup (I've lost count of the # of 1911s I have).

Last gun I bought was a Marlin 92 that was at the Dealer's. A double barrel Perdesoli is coming via US mail (blackpowder .58 cal) and I will be buying a Smith Enterprise M-14 soon. None of these were planned but on a "whim." Like Kirk told Mr. Sulu, "Half impulse."

[Mikul]

I wouldn't look at that Gold Cup. It's a good gun, but for the same price I could get a high-end Kimber that would probably outshoot it.

The Hi-Power I don't like because it bites my hand and because I've seen Belgian hi-powers in my local shops for $525.

When buying from an individual on-line, I expect a good price if for no other reason that the risk I would have to take from buying from an unknown person. Is it a scam? Will he take my money and run? Is the gun photographed really the one he's selling. Is the barrel shot out. Does it jam every 20 rounds? What if I have to send it back? If I can pay $50 more locally and get the same thing and not worry about these things, I'll do it.

The ads were also a bit goofy for my tastes and I don't know that I would buy from someone would couldn't spell nickel. I might feel differently if I was looking for one of these guns specifically.

Three Days?! That's nothing. I would give it at least a week and probably two.

[ElToro]

you should have had "I live in California" as an answer...
unlesss its over 50 years old AND a listed C&R i can only look, unless its a brand new gun on the drop list.
otherwise nice guns. You might want to look into selling them in PRK through a friend... they may bring those prices here.

[CZ 75 BD]

the AZ CCW. I will be in Phoenix next month and was interested but that statement killed it for me.

[ddc]

My thoughts which are worth exactly what you paid for them... :)

First of all I'm always looking for a deal on a hipower but I didn't see one here.

Secondly, even if there would have been an apparent deal the tone of the add turned me off immediately; I didn't even bother reading the other two adds until I saw this thread.

Thirdly, in retrospect it doesn't seem that you were really serious about selling; I'm wondering if you were just playing a game with us?

[280PLUS]

not interested in buying any guns right now,

never even saw the ads,,,

m

and i paid $625 for a NEW BHP last time i bought one,,,

[PAshooter]

Python - too big for my hands. Besides, I'm not a big fan of nickel guns... they flake... like yours.

Gold Cup - looking for a series 70... not a fan of the series 80 firing pin block thingey.

HP - got one. Looking for variety.

No offense dude - they all sound like nice guns. But you asked.

[HankB]

Python: These don't do much for me, especially if the finish is flaking off and there's pitting on the backstrap. I don't want to spend that kind of money for a "project" gun that hasn't been taken care of. (pitting?)

Gold Cup: Series '80 isn't desirable. You apparently bought this gun used - heavily used, if the rollmark is worn - and from your post you found it isn't reliable. I don't want to buy somebody else's troubles. (Give you a "plus" for admitting it jams.)

Browning: I really, really, like the BHP. But as you said, the price was a little high. Plus, if you're looking for a "shooter" the new ones are generally fitted tighter and have improved metallurgy in both frame and slide, as well as improved feed ramp geometry.

[Poodleshooter]

1. Python-neat gun, good price, but I don't care much for nickle plating on anything other than nickels. Add to that I already have a GP100 that I bought for $250, so I don't really need a Python. Still it's the most tempting of the three.
2. Gold Cup- A friend had one in high school. It shot on par with Norincos, and just about any other 1911 we shot it against. Possibly a commentary on our skills, but it never left me with a desire for anything other than a nice service grade 1911.
3. High Power-That's a good price for a real FN/Browning, but when there are "substitute standards" such as the FEG series of copies, it's hard to get a good price.
It's like trying to get more resale value for a Colt AR-15 than for a Olympic Arms. Sure, it's got name appeal, but is there $200 worth of qualitative difference?

[SelfProclaimedExpert]

Why would you pull the sale after 3 days, especially when the prices aren't very low?

I've never sold a gun in less than two weeks. I don't think anyone understands your thinking.

[willyjixx]

money talks. bull????? walks...............need any manure for your garden?