The prices individuals think their used rifles are worth...
- Thread starter Macchina
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When I see prices I find to be unreasonable, I don't complain or attempt to rationalize it...thats time wasted that could be spent looking for an actual "deal". If its too high...don't buy and move on. if you can buy new cheaper than the cheapest used you can find...buy new. I guess I don't understand asking about why people price things the way they do when there are multiple answers, all of which COULD be correct to some degreee.
hamp sandwich
Member
Well, if they customized them with UTG rails, tapco stuff, cabela's gear, paint and what not, they're worth more...
Yes, I'm joking.
Yes, I'm joking.
I've seen Yugo SKS's for sale for the low price of $650, complete with one extra duckbill mag...
If these folks are serious, I feel sorry for them. However if they're like me when folks ask if I want to sell my 65 chevelle, they aren't really interested in selling anyway so they give an outrageous price. But then again if they really weren't interested in selling why did they post the ad?
I haven't been around too long, but it seems like the "gun community" as a whole has become flooded with folks only interested in making a profit in firearms or ammo. Not necessarily anything wrong with that, but it would be more pleasant if we were more prone to helping each other out that taking advantage of the inexperienced. Just my take on it.
If these folks are serious, I feel sorry for them. However if they're like me when folks ask if I want to sell my 65 chevelle, they aren't really interested in selling anyway so they give an outrageous price. But then again if they really weren't interested in selling why did they post the ad?
I haven't been around too long, but it seems like the "gun community" as a whole has become flooded with folks only interested in making a profit in firearms or ammo. Not necessarily anything wrong with that, but it would be more pleasant if we were more prone to helping each other out that taking advantage of the inexperienced. Just my take on it.
The storage auction shows are the worst. AAHHH, used Nike shoes - "easy hundred bucks".
Look around there are some deals. I will add that buyers loooking to get new rifles for under 300 are the reason nicer bolt guns are being produced in fewer numbers and fewer calibers. Pretty quick your choice will be black matte, black plastic in 223, 22-250, 243, 270, or 30-06 and thats it.
HankB
Member
Couple of years ago, the Cabela's store in Buda, TX, had a "Gun Show Weekend" where they had a bunch of used guns laid out on tables in the middle of the store. (Just like a gun show - get it?)
The price of some of these USED guns was higher - sometimes hundreds higher - than the identical brand-new gun fifty feet away at their new gun counter. And I'm not talking about "old" guns being better like a P&R S&W vs. a new MIM version with lock - I'm talking common Rugers, Bushmasters, etc.
I guess they figure there's a sucker born every minute . . .
The price of some of these USED guns was higher - sometimes hundreds higher - than the identical brand-new gun fifty feet away at their new gun counter. And I'm not talking about "old" guns being better like a P&R S&W vs. a new MIM version with lock - I'm talking common Rugers, Bushmasters, etc.
I guess they figure there's a sucker born every minute . . .
henschman
Member
Armslist is definitely a seller's market. I have done pretty well on there and on forums.
I've never tried Armslist after hearing a bunch of stories from people who have. Like getting asked to meet after dark in an abandoned factory parking lot, or being bombarded by messages like "ILL GIVE YA A BUCK FIFTY AND A BAG O THE DANKS."
MachIVshooter
Member
With very few exceptions, Armslist is a joke. I glance at it once in awhile, but it's mostly people trying to get 95-100% of their money back out of a gun or guys slapping PSA kits together on stripped receivers in an attempt to turn a profit, not realizing (or caring) that what they're doing is illegal. Just saw one the other day, guy trying to sell a PSA MOE Freedom rifle kit ($399) built on an Anderson lower ($50) with a Magpul MBUS rear sight ($35) for $1,000.
Unless a seller changes the price for a particular buyer, there is no way to insult a potential buyer by pricing an item.
There are prices a buyer is willing to pay and prices a buyer is not willing to pay. Neither is insulting.
There are prices a seller is willing to accept and prices a seller is not willing to accept. Neither is insulting.
People who think that a number insults them if it doesn't meet with their expectations/approval should give up trying to buy and sell. They only cause themselves stress and complicate the process for the rest of us.
I reserve the right to price things at ridiculously high prices-especially if I'm not in a hurry to sell. If someone wants to pay that much they're welcome to do it. If they make me a lower offer I'll keep it in mind and get back with them if no one offers more. We might both end up with a deal we're really happy with--but not if they decide to be insulted by my price or are afraid of insulting me with their offer and therefore never make contact.
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redneckrepairs
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IMO .. If you are not finding guns priced where you want them to be then your idea of " reasonable " might just be skewed a bit . There have always been outlier high prices and low prices in the gun market . However when " everything " is priced to high to suit you then it most likely isn't an issue with " everything " . Its an issue with your expectations . If someone prices a gun at more than I am willing to pay I just move on and wish them luck with the next guy looking at it . Either I will find one in my price range , do without the gun , or adjust my price range to reflect the prices . They are free to ask whatever they want , and I am free to fold my cash and put it back in my pocket . No harm , No foul in either case .
*NOVA*
Member
I live 20 miles from Washington, DC, where many things costs more than they do in other parts of the US. I know a few local gun enthusiasts who have relatively high incomes and can easily afford to pay a higher price for a particular gun they really want. They might be well aware of what the 'market', 'retail' or 'street' value is - they don't care! Back when the Ruger SR1911 first came out in 2012 a local gun store had one available priced at $50.00 above MSRP. My co-worker bought it because he did not want to wait for more to become available. I waited a year and bought mine in 2013 for under $600.00.
But even here in Northern Virginia I found a great deal at a pawn shop. The guy seemed to have almost every other gun priced at typical pawn shop prices, but this one Sako Finnbear Deluxe (AIII) in mint condition had a Leupold VXIII scope on it was priced at $1,300.00. I talked him down a hundred bucks. He must have bought it from somebody who inherited it and sold it to him at a low price, so he could afford to sell it to me at a price I was willing to pay and still make a profit. Win- win situation. Gun came with the scope, a box of ammo, a sling and the protective case.
But even here in Northern Virginia I found a great deal at a pawn shop. The guy seemed to have almost every other gun priced at typical pawn shop prices, but this one Sako Finnbear Deluxe (AIII) in mint condition had a Leupold VXIII scope on it was priced at $1,300.00. I talked him down a hundred bucks. He must have bought it from somebody who inherited it and sold it to him at a low price, so he could afford to sell it to me at a price I was willing to pay and still make a profit. Win- win situation. Gun came with the scope, a box of ammo, a sling and the protective case.
If you are surprised by what people ask for used guns, go to a few auctions and watch what people actually pay. I've seen many guns sell for well above 'market' value. Ammo and reloading stuff can make your head spin. Part of the reason, of course, is availability. Watched 8 lbs of H4198 sell for $180, which at the time could be had at my LGS for $150....if he had any. And .22 LR ammo can just go nuts on price. I personally almost never buy used guns; too risky in terms of the risk of buying someone else's lemon.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
I went to an estate auction last week. There was a Colt Government MK IV Series 80 gun in the lot. Told my buddy, even advertised as unfired I would not bid over $750 to maybe $800 on the gun. I put the value around $1,000. I quit bidding at $800 and the gun sold for $1,400. The guy who won the bid even commented he went too high. Do you think? Wasn't like I really wanted the gun as I favor the older Series 70 Colts but I must admit I was surprised the gun blew through $1,000 and sold for $1,400.
Ron
another pake
Member
Two years ago I was in the market for a new Baer 45. I found an ad for one, locally billed as LNIB. I contacted the seller who sent pictures and the lowest price, which was $200 more than you could get a brand new one from "Crazy John". When I brought that fact to his attention he said, "this one has already had 400 down the pipe. It's broke in. That 's what the ammo cost."
I shook my head and laughed to myself, ordered one from CJ that same day and broke my own Baer in.
I shook my head and laughed to myself, ordered one from CJ that same day and broke my own Baer in.
henschman
Member
MachIVShooter said:
Yes, but there are lots of people who presumably don't know about PSA and don't know how to or just don't want to build, who will pay those prices. I've done exactly what you say -- put together a PSA kit on a stripped lower, threw some furniture and accessories on it, threw it on Armslist, and made several hundred on it.
I've had people on forums pay me factory new prices for guns. I think a lot of people seek out "paperless" transactions. I am that way myself. I always prefer to buy guns without a 4473 if possible, and would even pay a little extra for it.
hamp sandwich
Member
I've been thinking about this, and there is another side to this coin.. The low ballers.. I know it's been mentioned, but there are those that want to convince you to take pennies on the dollar just so they can turn a good profit on your stuff, and I'm not talking about gun and pawn shops. Of course, it's probably the same guy that wants more for his own guns than what they cost new..
It's your gun. If they offer you less than you want for it, just say no.
No need to get emotional about it or to guess why they might be making a low offer. MAYBE the real reason they want you to take pennies on the dollar is because their old hunting rifle wore out and they don't have much money to replace it so they can go out and hunt to feed their family. I mean, if you're going to make up motives, why not make up motives that make you feel good about the person making the offer.
Seriously, if the offer is too low, just say no and get on with trying to sell your gun.
People get WAY too worked up about this.
Went to a big gun show in Phoenix a number of years ago. Saw several Kalashnikovs for sale at one table for $1600 plus. I was curious about the high prices, so I asked. He said they were to keep the "gang bangers" away. If I was serious about buying one, we would have another discussion. Made sense.
M
M
Redlg155
Member
It's simple.
It is mine and I value it as "X" dollars. If you want it you will pay what I think think is reasonable or you find somewhere else to buy it.
Do the uninformed get taken advantage of sometimes? Yes. It happens all the time with everything from guns to groceries. Either learn or pay the piper.
During the last panic I visited a local gun shop to buy some ammo and watch the craziness. $800 AR15s flew out the door at $2500 each. Customers came in one after the other, credit card in hand wanting to buy an "assault weapon"(terminology not mine) and were turned away as they were sold out. On the shelf was a complete railed upper for $800. In the case was a Rock River complete 2 stage lower with 6 pos. stock for $450. The dealer could not legally put the two together for sale as this constituted manufacturing a rifle. A somewhat educated buyer could have put the 2 halves together and saved over $1200 on what the store wanted for a complete rifle. But then an educated buyer would have already purchased an AR prior to the panic.
It is mine and I value it as "X" dollars. If you want it you will pay what I think think is reasonable or you find somewhere else to buy it.
Do the uninformed get taken advantage of sometimes? Yes. It happens all the time with everything from guns to groceries. Either learn or pay the piper.
During the last panic I visited a local gun shop to buy some ammo and watch the craziness. $800 AR15s flew out the door at $2500 each. Customers came in one after the other, credit card in hand wanting to buy an "assault weapon"(terminology not mine) and were turned away as they were sold out. On the shelf was a complete railed upper for $800. In the case was a Rock River complete 2 stage lower with 6 pos. stock for $450. The dealer could not legally put the two together for sale as this constituted manufacturing a rifle. A somewhat educated buyer could have put the 2 halves together and saved over $1200 on what the store wanted for a complete rifle. But then an educated buyer would have already purchased an AR prior to the panic.
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