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

It's not impolite to mention that you paid xxx , but bragging that you bought a gun for xxx (large amount) makes it seem like showing off.

I'm always interested in what items cost but I don't ask, what someone paid 10 minutes ago has zero to do with what you'll pay right now.

I like it when folks post bargain prices. It keeps my spirits up knowing good deals are still out there to be found.

Obturation said:

It's not impolite to mention that you paid xxx , but bragging that you bought a gun for xxx (large amount) makes it seem like showing off.

I'm always interested in what items cost but I don't ask, what someone paid 10 minutes ago has zero to do with what you'll pay right now.

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I'm embarrassed to admit if I paid too much for a certain gun, certainly wouldn't boast, but I would still tell you if you asked.

[QUOTEDo 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?[/QUOTE]

All you have to do is go to Gunbroker.com to see what the market price is for a particular gun. If someone has found a supplier that's selling for less than gunbroker, I appreciate their bringing it to the community's attention although that just rubs salt in the wound for people like me who have to pay jacked up California prices, particularly for "off roster" guns. And just in the spirit of letting the community know some details about that scam, I really wanted a Beretta Storm sub-compact, a gun that those in the Free States can get for around $500 but I had to fork over $800 to get it. The Sig P365 is also a scalper's wet dream right now, with people in California paying $1500-1600 for a gun that sells on gunbroker for around $550. And do you know who the scalpers are? Cops. Because they are exempt from the California roster and can buy whatever they want. So many of them are engaged in a side-hustle, trafficking in off-roster handguns.

That is a nasty accusation you just made , off topic too. The thread is not about scalpers.

Be careful painting with a broad brush ...

I find it useful when people post prices. It shows what the market is like across the country.

One of my pet peeves is someone asking how much a gun they just bought is worth, but not saying what they paid. If you're going to come out and ask for peoples knowledge at least be willing to share yourself.

On topic , I enjoy learning about pricing , and I have shared that kind of info here myself. I do agree with the comment made by Reddog , a two way street seems fair.

Waveski said:

That is a nasty accusation you just made , off topic too. The thread is not about scalpers. Be careful painting with a broad brush ...

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The OP was asking about people posting prices and why it's relevant. What people in California pay and why seems responsive to the inquiry. And why are your undies in a bunch -- are you a California cop with side hustle selling off-roster handguns, perchance?

Why is the price relevant unless you're using it as the basis of your braggadocio? However, it is nice when a blowhard cuts right to the price -- huge sign not to waist any time there!

FL-NC said:

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

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IMO, these prices you see mentioned online are skewed low. IME, waiting for a particular firearm, at a good price could take years, and so I'd rather pay a little extra, than fart around another 18 months, or more, searching hi and low, and waiting for a rock bottom price. Many of these guys whom paid high for a particular model either aren't going to want to admit it, and claim they paid less, or not mention the price, at all. Needless to say, if somebody got a great deal, they are going to want to brag about it; ergo, you are always going to see the mean price of a firearm, on the Forums, you may be less lucky, finding that price, in real life.

pairof44sp said:

Forum brethren and sistren, do you like it when posters mention what price they paid for the gun that they're talking about?

I ask because I like to put that information in, but I noticed that most posters are mum on that subject.

Of course if a fellow comes on here every single day of the week asking people whether they prefer his new FK BRNO to his new Korth, and by the way he's going to tell you what he paid for them, then he should probably cut that posting habit back to once or twice a month. But just in general,

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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The ONLY problem I see here is the potential embarrassment that might come from posting a price that a person paid for a gun that is ridiculously too high.....

I like to see the prices paid, gives me some info I might need when I'm scouring the area for good deals. I paid 850 for my last one and about 100 bucks for ammo

The prices of new, production-line firearms, isn’t to hard to figure out. Custom shop prices is a bit fuzzy. Something from a local gunsmith is the real puzzle, in my opinion, since this smith could be the jolly guy who does it at cost plus a very small additional amount. He could also be the one who knows he is the only shop in the area and can get away with much higher prices because he wants more money.
Luckily, I know where the good natured smith is who does it for fun as well as being completely befitting the stereotype of the gunsmith who has parts all over the place and gives you more choices than a fully stocked candy store.

I don’t care if anyone doesn’t like it when I name the price I paid. That’s there business.

upptick said:

The OP was asking about people posting prices and why it's relevant. What people in California pay and why seems responsive to the inquiry. And why are your undies in a bunch -- are you a California cop with side hustle selling off-roster handguns, perchance?

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Unless you have absolute proof in the form of credible documentation this is happening (police officers flipping off-roster firearms for profit), you'd be best served to keep that sort of claim off this forum. As well, accusing another member of getting his "undies in a bunch" is a quick way to discredit anything you might possibly have to post.

Back on topic: I admit to having wondered about the used gun prices some have claimed to have paid in the past; basically, I take my Blue Book prices and factor in the price of a 100% specimen plus two hundred dollars when I find decent used guns up here. In other regions, seems the prices are more realistic.

Old Dog said:

Unless you have absolute proof in the form of credible documentation this is happening (police officers flipping off-roster firearms for profit), you'd be best served to keep that sort of claim off this forum. As well, accusing another member of getting his "undies in a bunch" is a quick way to discredit anything you might possibly have to post..

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Well, I've bought a firearm from a cop under exactly the circumstances I described. There is nothing illegal about it so I don't know why "absolute proof" would be necessary to describe a business practice that exists because of a ham-handed attempt at gun regulation (i.e. the California handgun roster) that actually results in an arbitrage opportunity for those exempt from such regulation, namely, police officers. And as far as being "discredited," I hate to tell you but it appears that everyone on here is posting anonymously which means any brand-building is feckless at best which also means what matters most is issue identification and presentation of supportable facts and not so much the source of such information. Like I said, it's revealing that someone is getting their undies in a bunch over information about a legal business practice that sheds light on a twisted attempt at firearm regulation although now that I think about it's really me who has his undies in a bunch over the BS that goes on here in the non-free state of California.

When I post price, it’s often just as a recalling of the good old days.

Like my Python that retailed at $535 after tax.



But even that was expensive for a revolver back then. I think my first 686 was $280 or $250 back then.

I post the price I paid for most guns. Once or twice I've had someone bring up a 10+ year old post when I'm trying to sell a gun, complaining about the current price. That's when I give the "Due diligence discount" and raise the price $200. Joe

upptick said:

-- are you a California cop with side hustle selling off-roster handguns, perchance?

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Your suggestion as to who I am and what I am engaged in is entirely baseless. It would be best for all concerned if we stayed on topic here.

If you really are hot on the subject of "side hustling cops" , start a separate thread on the subject , see how long it lasts.

I don’t think it’s crass or impolite when normal, truthful people tell how much they paid for a gun. It’s useful to help me understand what the market is. What I do hate are those people who claim to have paid 50% or less of market value for every gun they own. Usually those are the same folks who claim to have gotten amazing deals on their cars, tools, lawnmower, etc. In other words, lying braggarts. Everyone knows at least one of them. I don’t want to hear from those people.

I try to let people know when I find an amazing deal others can also take advantage of. A couple of years ago Buds was selling the metal framed Kahr K40 for $302 when the 9mm version was still near the normal price of almost $600. I posted about it in the Kahr forum and probably here too in case someone else wanted to take advantage of the bargain. I wasn’t bragging, I was trying to share my good fortune with others.

It really doesn't matter much to me what others paid for their guns as that's their business, not mine. If they want to share that information or not is entirely on them.

Not trying to detract from this thread, but relaying information:
I live in California as well. Just so you know, if a police officer is buying and selling guns the Office of the Attorney General monitors these sales as all legal guns sales are monitored by the OAG’s office. If an officer is abusing this he or she will get a visit from the OAG’s office. Now, what constitutes abuse? That I am not sure if, but a policeman I know sold 5 guns in a year and he was questioned by an officer of the OAG. They were guns he was just getting rid of to guns a motorcycle.

Also, lots of people move to California. It’s a big state. Lots of people coming and going. When I moved back here from Oregon I had 4 off roster guns. I had guys at the range offering me $1200-$1600 for my G19X. Crazy!
Lots of people move here, find out they have a treasure in off roster guns and sell them FOR WHAT THE MARKET WILL BEAR. It’s called “free enterprise” and “supply and demand”.

My experience is usually proclaiming 'What I Paid' is crass. Not evil, so much, just bad taste. At the moment I'm talking about buying anything. Cars, motorcycles, houses, transportation (fares) or firearms. When done in a manner of information, its not so bad and I can see the argument of 'sharing information'.

Truthfully, I have overpaid for some things (guns and powertools, mainly) and I have bought some things for really bargain prices (my house, for instance). But neither are particularly germane to most conversations.

I suppose I'm old fashioned in this matter. But I am aware not everyone thinks as I do. And one can recognize someone just bragging. I prefer not to sound braggadocios.