At what point is the line crossed between being an informed buyer, and overly demanding?

QUOTE: I basically would respond that if they could get it for less why even respond to my ad.

Good point!

FWIW there are times when sellers are trying to pull a fast one and a few key questions will bring that to light and save a big headache. For example I was looking at an SKS some years ago at a flea market. It looked really clean and good and the price was lower than expected. To me that's more reason to suspect a problem than someone asking too much. I politely asked if I could remove the receiver cover so I could see the bolt and action and the guy snapped at me like I had shot his dog. After saying to him it was a minor request he grabbed his rifle, jumped in his truck and took off. When someone won't do something that simple I always smell a rat. Too many rifles have been gummed up with a river of WD-40 and gun powder residue. I've seen other SKS's where the bolt wouldn't even open and close for the gunk. I just wanted to make sure all the parts were there and it was a 5 second operation to remove that cover. I didn't feel like I was badgering the guy. I just didn't want to buy a pig in a poke but for some reason he took offense. I figure there was a reason he didn't want that cover off. Maybe I'm wrong but I would have wasted some money if I wasn't wrong and bought it anyway.

Trust is everything in a transaction. If I don't trust someone I ain't buying what they're selling period.

Are these unusual guns or semi-rare guns? Are you using GunBroker? Just list the gun with a fair description, maybe a trigger pull value, any obvious blems, a picture of the crown and bolt face. And a lot of pictures for their reference.

I use a medium green background, slightly darker than lawn grass. Seems to be soothing to the viewer. It's also dark enough that the blueing and dark woods don't get washed out, but still show well.

It's up to them to figure out if they want it ... Yeah, everybody wants to be a flipper now days ... Get it cheap, sell it for more. But I'm not a feed source for flippers ...

I price my reserve on what I'd pay for the weapon, knowing it needs a good clean and inspection. Won't go below that. Sometimes they won't sell - OK by me, I tried

As a buyer, I always try to act professional (I negotiate multi-million dollar contracts for a living, and personal buy habits are just as important as professional to me). I buy much more than I sell. Likewise, as a seller, I always try to act professional. There will always be those who try a bottom dollar grab, or kick tires, or try to wear you down through endless questions and requests. In either role, though, I am never afraid to walk away. There's always a nice way to do it if I need to. That being said, I always hope I run into a seller who is reasonable and willing to listen to concerns on used items-I may try to negotiate if there is an issue, but only for enough equitable adjustment to fix the issue (like replacement of a broken grip, or something), and only if the starting price warrants it. For guns and other personal buys, I never mind paying the asking price, if it's a fair one. Otherwise, I don't have a reason to be there in the first place. Goes for my sales prices, too. I might haggle a little bit, if I want to, but I can always take my gun and go home. If I have an item priced wrong, I'm always willing to listen to reason.

LoonWulf wrote:
This last round or sales has been vexing. Im used to being asked for lots of pictures, and info. Lately tho it seems like everyone ... is trying to pick stuff apart and low ball every offer.

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The large number of sellers who in one form or another bet on a Hillary victory to continue to panic buying are in distress right now. This attracts bargain hunters (or bottom feeders) who are looking for inventory they can acquire cheaply and turn over quickly, so they are much less concerned with the actual history or condition of the gun than they are in getting to a certain price-point. The bottom feeders will clear out of the market as the number of distressed sellers decline and prices return to more normal levels.

I suppose you could classify me as a bottom feeder. Although I'm not looking to become a "back porch gun dealer", I am not adverse to getting a good deal from someone who bet the wrong way on the market. I have cash. I can pass a background check. And if you have a pile of guns you no longer want, can't afford or need to liquidate, I am willing to enter the market if the deal is attractive enough.

I wouldn't try to buy a collectible gun from a widow who had no idea what it was worth - I still have to look myself in the mirror - but the guy who bought ten ARs intending to sell them for a tidy profit after they were banned and now sees $8,000 tied up in those guns, I'm more than willing to provide liquidity - but not at the $800 per gun he originally paid.