Forum culture, politeness, and the price you paid for that gun

I think that they can be an indication of the state of the market, assuming that people are telling the truth.

"Look at this brand new Wonder Whiz Bang, I only had to give $1.98 for it. Do you think that I got a good deal?"

If we're talking used guns, it's useful and not at all crass or impolite (assuming the poster is being honest). It's apparent, especially when discussing the used S&W revolver market, that there are wildly fluctuating differences in price from region to region. Up here in the PNW, used Smiths command a premium. Judging from what some posters are claiming they're paying down South and in the MidWest, prices may be more reasonable.

We've all overpaid for things we've really desired. I'm the poster child for overpaying for something I want, so you won't see me bragging on scoring a 1964 Python for $750...

There's a guy on another forum who consistently puts up pics of his newest full-custom 1911s, Rolex watches and sports cars; I don't even open those threads anymore -- yeah, kinda falling into braggadocio there.

I find it interesting if it’s a recent purchase. I don’t get much benefit from knowing what someone paid for a gun in 1970 though.

I don't mind if folks mention it, I usually don't myself unless it's germaine to the topic on hand.

Doesn't bother me at all. I often find the info useful, though there's many times I just don't believe the numbers.

What was it J.P. Morgan said:
"If you have to ask, you can't afford it."
Last December I walked into one of my regular gun shop/ranges, there, waiting in the rack for me was a Weatherby Mark XXII, clip model, Made in Japan, near mint. $500 + $15 NICS. Those who know me know I am a bargain hunter, often brag of the quality items I have found for low prices at thrift shops-and have turned others onto thrift shopping. "Why pay more?"
That dealer is pretty savvy, knows his merchandise, the state of the market, etc. and I suspect he made a reasonable profit off that rifle-and moved it pretty quickly. I am a range member, there at least once a week, he knows he will keep my business.
OK, some bragging on my part. I paid $140.00 for my 6" S&W M-28 in excellent condition-in 1981.

I personally like when prices are mentioned about recent buys to gauge the market. But I cringe a little when someone asks a poster what they paid, my feeling is if they wanted you to know they would have mentioned it. In my opinion, asking if they haven't posted it puts them on the spot and may be a little rude.

Perhaps through a PM.

I’ll post the price I paid for a newly acquired gun merely so others can get an idea of what they’ll probably pay if they’re looking for one like it. I like it when others post what they paid, for the same reason.

Sometimes I get a deal. Most of the time I pay going rate. Every once in a while I’ll overpay a bit because I want the particular gun... and it’s either hard to get locally or Im bidding against like minded others on GB.

Stay safe..

Had an Uncle once that would light a rolled up $50 bill then light his cigars with it. As kids we were very impressed.....until we found out he never burned more than half the bill and could return it to the bank for a new one. It was his way of letting people know he had money and wanted to see their reaction. It worked...

Doesn't offend me and in some ways is informative to know what the market is.

pairof44sp said:

Do you think that it's crass or impolite when people say what they paid?

Or do some of you like to see that kind of numbers -- be it boast or be it lamentation -- included in forum comments?

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How about a third choice of, "Usually don't really care what someone else paid for a gun?"
About the only exception to that I can think of is if I happened to be in the market for a similar gun. And even then, I have my doubts about what someone else paid for a similar gun being a good indicator of what I'm going to have to pay.

I like that people are open about prices. It shows market conditions. Since THR is indexed by google it also may show up in searches for folks trying to figure out pricing whether buying or selling on the used market. It’s very interesting with collectibles to see what small things multiply the prices too.

I have to agree I like knowing prices. It helps everyone know what things are selling for. Plus I like to see someone getting a great deal as much as I like telling about getting one.

As a consumer, I like to know what things I may be interested are going for.

I don’t really care what someone paid for a firearm, car, or other item. There is too much regional price variation and too much “in between” that I don’t know about to make it relevant to me. Interesting, maybe, but I’ll likely be more interested in the gun itself or the rest of the story behind it.

of course, a question about worth or “is this a good price” will garner a response from me, but it will be measured and conditional.

Honestly, unless I have a real interest in owning the gun in question, where the price is concerned I just see "$#####" as I scan over it for other information. So it doesn't both me in the slightest.

pairof44sp said:

Do you think that it's crass or impolite when people say what they paid?

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Not at all. I am glad they do, in most cases. The times I don’t care for it is when I find out they got something that I bought but for a lot less money.
But seriously, no, I like it when people say what they paid for something. It makes for a good barometer on what items are selling for.

What I do think is crass is when someone pays a fair price for a gun and someone pops in to brag how much less they got the same thing for and obviously well below market value.
Example: on another forum a couple of years ago I mentioned that I bought a brand new S&W revolver for around $800. It wasn’t a deal but the price wasn’t bad either. This other fella pops in and tells me that I am a numbskull for paying that and that he got one brand new for $200 less. Total Bull! I questioned him on it and he refused to expound on his smokin’ deal on the forum. I’m not sure why he said that but I moved on.

As others have mentioned it’s a good way to get an idea about pricing on certain types of guns.

It doesn't bother me one way or the other. Personally, I wouldn't brag about what I paid for a gun, whether it was high or low. But if I'm asked, I'll give an honest answer "I got this for $x low price because it was on clearance, or "I paid $x because I really wanted this one, but it was $x higher than I should have ". That's just me, I don't take myself too seriously, so I tend to not let much offend me.

I don't care. if you don't want people asking questions don't put your business out there. simple if you ask me.

pairof44sp said:

... Do you think that it's crass or impolite when people say what they paid? ...

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Nope.

Nope.

You're over-thinking the curtains.

Sometimes, some folks' curtains are open - other times they're closed.

Doesn't need to mean a doggone thing.

Todd.

I like knowing prices.
The only time I find it offensive is when someone brags about taking advantage of a vulnerable person.
If you get a smoking deal from a pawnbroker, good for you but if you took advantage of your neighbor’s widow, shame on you.

I don't mind it. If someone got a good deal I'm happy for them. Besides, as others have said it can be a good way to keep tabs on what things are worth.