Carlos Cabeza
Member
Original comment Deleted.
Opinions wanted on my LGS experience
- Thread starter ATBackPackin
- Start date
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Waywatcher
Member
I think the folks defending the Gun store's actions while decrying someone who offers to buy it have no sound footing. If it's a break of ettiquette to outbid the gunstore, then it's certainly a break of ettiquette to lowball someone. What law would be broken by outbidding a gunstore that's lowballing a guy?
There's "fair business" and then there's "taking advantage."
Just because the seller agreed doesn't make it fair. The seller might need the money for cancer treatment. Then is it unfair for a third party to outbid the gunstore? What if the seller needs the money for his 3 year old's cancer treament?
I think this is not so cut and dry as some would like to think.
There's "fair business" and then there's "taking advantage."
Just because the seller agreed doesn't make it fair. The seller might need the money for cancer treatment. Then is it unfair for a third party to outbid the gunstore? What if the seller needs the money for his 3 year old's cancer treament?
I think this is not so cut and dry as some would like to think.
jimmyraythomason
Member
I really don't know how to respond to that. I guess The High Road is just a sometime thing to some.
Carlos Cabeza
Member
It might not make you a new friend, but you just bought a well made, reliable pistol that you could confidently defend yourself, family if necessary. If your intentions were to sell it for a profit then I'll throw the "ethics" card !
jimmyraythomason
Member
It is in my mind. You have to satisfy your own sense of fairness.
Carlos Cabeza
Member
I guess I'm not fast enough. I deleted my comment for poorly worded content. I apologize for my lack of "think twice , post once" thinking.
Mr. Cheesehead
said it better !
As far as my infrequent visits to THR goes, It's a PC problem. I guess I'll have sell my SP101 to the gunstore guy and buy a new computer !!!!
Mr. Cheesehead
said it better ! As far as my infrequent visits to THR goes, It's a PC problem. I guess I'll have sell my SP101 to the gunstore guy and buy a new computer !!!!
jimmyraythomason
Member
I am SURE you know that is NOT what I meant by that.
oneounceload
member
It seems the sellers were poorly informed as to their situation - sucks to be them........if it had been the other way - you walking into your LGS and getting some smoking deal because THEY missed something, you'd be here crowing about your smoking deal......
Business is business, and they made an offer the seller accepted. Remember your attitude when you go to the gun store or gun show and try to low ball someone........really............get a grip
Business is business, and they made an offer the seller accepted. Remember your attitude when you go to the gun store or gun show and try to low ball someone........really............get a grip
earlthegoat2
Member
I would buy from them.
I would not sell to them.
I would not sell to them.
Carlos Cabeza
Member
Soooooo, Jimmy Ray. You're able to pass judgement on a person just by a few posts on a Bulletin Board ? I thought we were all brothers here ??????? Sorry, emotions play no part in my decisions when my business hat is on !
Sorry to hijack the OP's thread.
I thought we were all brothers here ??????? Sorry, emotions play no part in my decisions when my business hat is on !Sorry to hijack the OP's thread.
Mxracer239y
Member
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2008
- Messages
- 108
I think it does. The buyer made an offer. At that point it is the responsibility of the seller to accept, counter-offer, or deny. He made his decision.
It is not the LGS' responsibility to know this. Anyone selling a gun needs money for something; another gun purchase, cancer treatment, or their electric bill. The LGS should not pay more than the 'value' of the firearm, or more than they would were anyone else selling. Can you imagine the confusion if the seller's life situation were calculated into market vale? Fortunately, it is not. The gun is worth X to the LGS. The seller will not let it go for less than Y. If X > Y, then why are we having this discussion?
killchain
Member
I wouldn't even buy a Beretta that some guy just "lost the guide rod and recoil spring."
And we all know on here that if you're looking to make some $$$ on a gun sale, do it privately. A business is going to throw you on the tracks if they can.
And we all know on here that if you're looking to make some $$$ on a gun sale, do it privately. A business is going to throw you on the tracks if they can.
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killchain
Member
Oh, stop with the "High Road" thing already.
Sometimes the "High Road" is telling someone when they're doing something wrong.
jimmyraythomason
Member
Yeah,I guess you're right since it no longer is applied. I guess we all have our OWN code of ethics.
ATBackPackin
Member
Thanks for all of the opinions. I read all of the posts and the first thing I want to say is that there is no right or wrong answer, I was just seeking peoples opinions.
Secondly, I understand that obviously nobody forced the sellers to agree to what I considered a low price. Most people seem to be focusing on the Ruger deal, which was eh I thought $350 would have been more fair, but the one that I thought was way off was the two gun deal. While I didn't think that I insinuated that they did anything illegal or even wrong, maybe just immoral. We'll get back to that in a little bit.
I absolutely agree that the whole point of a business it to make a profit and to some it is to make the maximum profit. That's is kind of my point. Greed. Is it illegal? Of course not. Is it wrong? Well that is kind of a moral stand point.
As a consumer, not just the shooting world, I really like to support local commerce as long as I don't feel like they are trying to pay their overhead with every individual sale. I would say that I do 98% of my business in brick and mortar stores even though I could most likely get it cheaper on-line and the only thing gun related I have ever bought on-line is a magazine for my PA-63. I can appreciate their mercantile skills, but I think there is a fine line and anything over that line is nothing but greed.
I guess my bottom line is this, why should I pay more money for the same product to a local business that I think is greedy. If it is all about max profit to them, then it should be all about max savings to me. I would rather patronize a local business that I think deserves my money.
I understand that this is merely a moral view, but if it is my money it's going to be my morals.
Thanks again for the opinions,
Shawn
Secondly, I understand that obviously nobody forced the sellers to agree to what I considered a low price. Most people seem to be focusing on the Ruger deal, which was eh I thought $350 would have been more fair, but the one that I thought was way off was the two gun deal. While I didn't think that I insinuated that they did anything illegal or even wrong, maybe just immoral. We'll get back to that in a little bit.
I absolutely agree that the whole point of a business it to make a profit and to some it is to make the maximum profit. That's is kind of my point. Greed. Is it illegal? Of course not. Is it wrong? Well that is kind of a moral stand point.
As a consumer, not just the shooting world, I really like to support local commerce as long as I don't feel like they are trying to pay their overhead with every individual sale. I would say that I do 98% of my business in brick and mortar stores even though I could most likely get it cheaper on-line and the only thing gun related I have ever bought on-line is a magazine for my PA-63. I can appreciate their mercantile skills, but I think there is a fine line and anything over that line is nothing but greed.
I guess my bottom line is this, why should I pay more money for the same product to a local business that I think is greedy. If it is all about max profit to them, then it should be all about max savings to me. I would rather patronize a local business that I think deserves my money.
I understand that this is merely a moral view, but if it is my money it's going to be my morals.
Thanks again for the opinions,
Shawn
Waywatcher
Member
Bear with me if you will, for a realistic hypothetical.
Let's say you live next door to a really nice old couple. George and Patti are both in their mid 80's. Let's say you are on a first name basis with them. You and George hit it off because, as it turns out, George is into guns almost as much as you are. Patti never really cared one way or the other and barely knows the difference between a rifle and a shotgun.
Let's say one day you stop by to visit and an obviously distraught Patti answers the door. You find out that George has passed on. Patti asks you if you would help sell off most of his guns, since you were close to George and shared similar interests.
Let's say George had a particular gun you have always been fond of, an absolutely superb specimen. You know that the fair market value for such a piece would be around 700-800 dollars.
How much would you offer Patti? If you offered her $150 and she accepted, would that be fair?
Sounds like a great place to negotiate a fantastic price on a used gun!
If the seller didn't think they were getting reasonable value, they wouldn't part with their guns.
I don't care if he offered him $5 for the Beretta 92...if $5 was worth more than keeping the gun to the guy doing the selling, then it's a fair trade.
If the seller didn't think they were getting reasonable value, they wouldn't part with their guns.
I don't care if he offered him $5 for the Beretta 92...if $5 was worth more than keeping the gun to the guy doing the selling, then it's a fair trade.
killchain
Member
So let's say you're riding a bicycle down the street. You have on a helmet that's made out of chain mail. You ride by, stop, and ask me, "Hey, what do you think of my helmet? Safe huh?"
Do I:
a) Tell you a chainmail helmet is stupid and when you crash it's going to turn your face and brains into hamburger, or
b) Smile, make some observation about the quality that it's made and the possible uses for your helmet (including a tactical defense item)
Which one's "The High Road?"
Guess what. "The High Road" doesn't mean "be nice and don't hurt my feelings." It means "be honest and do the Right Thing."
You, sir, are wearing a dangerous helmet and it's going to hurt you.
See, I did the High Road.
jimmyraythomason
Member
I agree. It also means respect a man's place of business and don't compete with him under his own roof.
evan price
Member
Seriously, what should they do? Offer 110% retail? They have bills to pay too, and if the seller doesn't like it, he's free to walk out the door any time.
Just be lucky that those guns are being sold to a place to be resold, I know of several nice guns from deceased individuals that got turned in to the police by heirs to be destroyed at a gun buy.
Just be lucky that those guns are being sold to a place to be resold, I know of several nice guns from deceased individuals that got turned in to the police by heirs to be destroyed at a gun buy.
Waywatcher
Member
Everyone should ask themselves one simple question:
"Am I treating others as I would like to be treated?"
In other words, am I following the golden rule? Or another phrase that comes to my mind, WWJD (What would Jesus do?)
I treat everyone I meet, even strangers, as I would like to be treated. That means I don't take advantage of others, even if they are desperate or I could get away with it. I guess it's just a matter of principle.
I understand businesses need to profit, but they don't need to profiteer.
"Am I treating others as I would like to be treated?"
In other words, am I following the golden rule? Or another phrase that comes to my mind, WWJD (What would Jesus do?)
I treat everyone I meet, even strangers, as I would like to be treated. That means I don't take advantage of others, even if they are desperate or I could get away with it. I guess it's just a matter of principle.
I understand businesses need to profit, but they don't need to profiteer.
TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
We've wandered off the path here. I think the OP's questions were dealt with, so we'll call it done.
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