Was I reasonable, or stupid - AR sale

Status
Not open for further replies.
jmace57

jmace57

Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2011
Messages
956
Location
Texas
I sold my (one and only) AR15 today. I built it myself from all PSA parts and finished it last April. I had never shot it as I live in the middle of a big city and had just never gotten around to shooting it. Becuase I gradualy built it when components went on sale (and the old PSA free shipping deals), I figure I had about $650 into it. I had bought a red-dot sight, a MBUS flip up sight, a carry bag, and 6 x 30 round mags (steel and aluminum both).

I sold it to a local firefighter today with 300 rounds of .223 for $1650. One of the things the buyer said to me was..."why are you selling it so cheap - you could probably have gotten $2500 for it with these extras".

I guess I felt a little dumb, but I just said I couldn't see screwing somebody that badly...that I think the AWB isn't going to happen and there are going to be a lot of people regretting having bought $800 ARs for $2000+ dollars.

Between the extras and 300 rounds of ammo (that I bought for $7 a box), I figure I had about $900 into everything. I told the guy what I had paid, and how I thought a $750 profit was more than satisfactory to me. I am as much of a capitalist as anyone else, but just couldn't bring myself to gouge somebody that bad.

I'm also selling my leftover .223 to co-workers for the $7 a box I paid for it. Is my logic flawed? Anyone else feel the way I do, or was I just dumb?
 
If you got what you wanted, and the buyer was willing to pay what you ask, I would say you both walked away happy.
 
I sold my one and only a few weeks ago. I'm with you in the thinking that the ban won't pass.

You sell it for whatever you think it's worth. Anyone who can get .223 for less than $20 a box will be more than happy. The market has declared what it is willing to pay, don't feel bad about it, your buyers aren't. It's a gamble. You are betting that the ban won't pass and they are betting that it will. They would like to own an AR now incase it does pass and are perfectly happy to pay what they need to in order to have that peace of mind.

Now go and buy a gun (or something else) you've had your eye on and enjoy it. Hoarding a gun that you never shoot or enjoy isn't any fun.

I bought a LCP for the wife and a Volquartsen .22.
 
I commend you sir, while you did "take advantage" of the scare by selling it for a profit, you didn't join the crowd and screw them over. And selling the .223 to your coworker for the cost you got it for shows character. If only everyone thought like you, we wouldn't be in this mess.
 
In terms of selling price versus your original cost, you did well. In terms of selling price versus replacement cost, maybe not so much.
 
I sold my DDM4 V5 and remaining ammo I had with it for $3,000. Rolling the dice with you guys as well, I guess in a few months we will find out one way or another if we made a bad gamble or not.
 
Did the same thing recently. I thought i needed one originally but it sat in the safe for years. Sold it for double, the buyer was thrilled, and i was relieved. I will not miss it. You did the right thing and helped keep the temporary prices low. If everyone stopped selling and the lgs is out, then the price will jump to the point where someone decides they cant afford to keep it.
 
I'm also selling my leftover .223 to co-workers for the $7 a box I paid for it. Is my logic flawed? Anyone else feel the way I do, or was I just dumb?
Click to expand...

If it's for their own personal consumption then you're a great guy. :D

If they are just going to turn around and resell it again for a profit then...
 
SOunds fair. And you'll probably be able to buy it all back for the original costs in a year or two, heaven willing.
 
You both apparently walked away satisfied, so in my humble opinion, it was a good deal for each.

Well done, sir. You made some profit to cover your overhead (your time & materials), so a tip-of-the-hat also for your pricing to others on your (now surplus) ammo.
 
Last edited:
At the last gun show i saw many AR's sitting on tables for ridiculous prices and the vast majority just sat there. Many people mistake what people are asking for what people are regularly paying.
 
I sold an AR last week. Stag Model 3. I didn't really get a lot out of it. I priced it [on gunbroker] just above what I had put in it, . . . and that is what it sold for. Only one bid. I think it would have sold for more if I hadn't had it Cerekoted with Burnt Bronze. Thought I was going to keep it, before all this happened. Didn't really WANT to keep it, but had no success in trying to sell it before, . . . not even when I dropped the price below what it was worth [at that time]. So, in a way, I was able to get the money out of what it would have sold new, as well as the cost of the finish and the magpul pieces on it.

I'm happy it sold, and glad I was able to [at least] get my money out of it. Moral of the story, if you sell an AR-15, . . . . you will get far more bidders if it is left in black.
 
Sounds like you were both happy with the deal. That's the best kinda deal! I had a teacher in college, who was a likable fellow, tell our class one time that a fair deal is one you and the buyer/seller both feel good about.
 
You left $900 on the table. I wouldn't call it stupid. It's your money and your choice.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

1KPerDay
  • Locked
I thought AR-15s were supposed to be EASY (learn from my stupidity)
2 3
Replies
65
Views
5K
dvdcrr
D
T
  • Locked
I sold the WASR today...8*(
Replies
10
Views
683
tju1973
T
R
  • Locked
PSA PA-15 Inexpensive AR
Replies
14
Views
2K
MagnumWill
M
JShirley
  • Locked
AR Range Day
Replies
11
Views
992
JShirley
JShirley
V
  • Locked
New to ARs and question.
Replies
19
Views
820
unterlegend
U
Back
Top