Blind evaluation

[Quoheleth]

Stopped at Wally World the other day and for the fourth time in as many visits expressed my disgust at the complete lack of affordable .357 range ammo for my Ruger GP100 and quipped, "Almost makes a fellow think about handloading." With a conspiratorial grin, the sales lady gave me her number and said, "I've got a bunch of my ex's stuff for sale. Call me after he moves out."

I saw her again this afternoon, and she reminded me to call in a few days. I asked her what she all has and what she wants for it. She couldn't recall specifics, but she knew it was an RCBS (she didn't know if it was a single or multi-stage) that was about ten years old. He had a half-dozen different dies, including 45ACP, 38 Special, 38 S&W, 357, and a couple of rifle dies. He also had several different boxes of components (various cases, bullets, etc.) and several bottles of powders. She suggested I shop around and come up with a price, she'll figure out a price and we'll go from there.

So, here's the blind part. While she will let me see it first, at this point I haven't seen it. Based on this EXTREMELY broad description she gave, what would be a good starting figure? I know a progressive press will be worth more than a single stage; the more dies, bullets, cases & powder, the more the value, too. On the flip side, what is too high for a complete 10-year old RCBS set-up?

While the machinery can't go bad just sitting there, and neither will the bullets or brass, what about powder? It's been stored in a mini-fridge, she said, so it has been at a constant temp for whatever time it has been.

Would $100 be an insult of a low-ball? While I don't want to rip her off, at the same time I *am* looking for a start-up bargain.

Preacher Man

 

[KHawk]

Is the $100 for just bullets? If not, it sounds a bit low. OBTW, I just got back to reloading last year after after a 25 year layoff do to my employer requiring too much of my valuable time. At retirement my Red Dot and Bullseye powders had been stored on a dry shelf in a dark basement and worked just fine with receipes from my old loading records.

 

[hoghunting]

Don't get your hopes up too high as there is no guarantee that the guy will leave his reloading equipment. If he takes it, you're out of luck.

 

[ReloaderFred]

"Going out of marraige" sales are good places to pick up reloading equipment and guns, since both parties usually need some quick cash. They are almost as good as "going out of life" sales, sometimes known as estate sales.

Your best bet is to let her set a price and then haggle a little bit if it's higher than you think it should be. Your offer may be more than she's going to ask, or it may be fair.

Check around ebay and see what things are going for, or go to a gunshow and check the tables. Either of those should give you an idea of what the stuff should go for.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[griz]

Maybe tell her it sounds like more than $100 worth, and go up from there depending on what you see. If it is as decribed and want all of it* it should be worth over 100. It really depends on how may components and which press. And thank you for not trying to take it for a song. I suspect she has a minimum value in mind and anything more would be gravy, but it's wrong to lead her to believe that it is worth ten percent of the real number.

*Buying dies or brass for a caliber you don't own is never a bargin, and can lead to unplanned gun purchases.

 

[Walkalong]

I bought a .44 Spl. once cause I got some brass in a deal and it looked cool.

Charter Arms Bulldog - Still have it.

 

[Quoheleth]

Possible value

After cruising Ebay, the value of the equipment alone - not counting bullet components - could be over $250.

I'll see what she has to say & when I know more if it's OK with y'all, I'll post again and get further opinions.

Peace,
Preacher Man

 

[Sunray]

It isn't hers to sell. The last thing you need is to get in the middle of somebody else's marital issues.

 

[tbtrout]

I agree with Sunray, watch your @ss. If he is leaving in a few days, he might stop by now and then to get more stuff or for who knows? Last thing you want to do is get in the middle of some emotional divorce rollercoastal where one may be armed and think you are the new Boyfriend.

 

[jeepmor]

I don't buy used stuff without at least a 30% discount on items like this. If I can't beat that for discount, I go buy retail (unless big ticket items) so I can save a receipt and know I'll have some recourse should something be defective or need returning.

As far as staying away from the ex, well, duh. As far as getting a deal, I don't think I'd go over $150-$200 myself. I see guys on Craigslist trying to sell reloading equipment for over retail value constantly. Some people think stuff is gold, others junk. Being she's in a divorce, I'm leaning toward the junk angle.

Maybe you can buy his Porsche 911 for $911, could be some smoking deals in your future. I'd follow up, and be careful during pickup. Don't get too excited, it may be a deal that gets squashed if he comes around when your trying to get the supplies.

 

[SSN Vet]

"I've got a bunch of my ex's stuff for sale. Call me after he moves out."

who does this belong to....."my ex"

is her ex dead? no.

So.....the $64,000 question is.....

why does she have to wait untill he moves out?



Drop ~$200 on a NIB Lee Classic Turret set up and be happy, happy, happy.

 

[Quoheleth]

A bit more info

Sorry for the confusion. From my 20 minutes of talking with the gal, it sounds like a "peaceful" divorce and they are dividing the property 50/50. I don't think I would be met at the door with the business end of a shotgun, but one never knows!!!

She told me at our first visit that he told her to sell it, so apparantly he doesn't want/need it. However...you do make a good point that he could change his mind, and if he has that much ammo-making product on hand, one would assume he also has the weaponry to fire the ammo. Things that make me go "hmmmmm..."

She said she would be willing to work with me. I'll go see what she has, we can talk turkey, and see if the numbers work. If not, I walk away and I go with plan B - maybe a brand new Hornady kit.

Again, thanks for all the words of advice...

Preacher Man

 

[Walkalong]

The last thing you need is to get in the middle of somebody else's marital issues.

A cops worst call. They hate him/her and are trying to kill her/him until you get in between. Then they want to kill you.:banghead: