It's always interesting to see capitalism at work. Buy low, sell high... right?
Last year I bought one of the new S&W Nightguards, the 327, and gave it to my Son In Law as a HD gun. Last weekend he called me and asked if I minded if he traded it off for, something a little smaller.
"Go For It," I replied. "Let me know how your dealin' goes, OK?" I told him what I paid for it and left it at that (knowing the lesson soon to be learned)
He called back later that evening and was a little indignant. The guy only offered him $560 on a trade in (I'll call it 66% value... not bad actually). I asked him "Whadyaget in trade?"
"Nothing. Was he ripping me off?"
We then proceeded to discuss wheelin' and dealin', making a livin', keeping the doors of his favorite (maybe not now) gunshop open, price of ammo & guns currently, dickerin', FTF sales, throw in to boot, etc. (whence does "throw in to boot" come from, I wonder?)
Now that's one thing. chuck's experience/situation was another. I'd figure from the $250 ?offer? proferred that the dealer was thinking he could move it for $750ish, maybe some wiggle in there. Markup on used guns (in good shape) v. markup on new being somewhat higher, yes? (typically). Ya wanna pay for a real appraisal? That ain't free either IIRC.
Good on ya chuck. "What's it worth?" To whom? is the right frame of mind to keep when asking or having been asked that question.
To chuck (and others) the 27-2 was worth a lot more than to this guy who plans on holding it for awhile then hopefully moving it without too much money being held up too long. LNIB isn't NIB or pristine/unturned. Used is another matter altogether be it lightly used, terribly used & abused or just one cylinder thru it.
Wonder how much $$ the old man had tied up in it? What did they sell for new back in the day? (not that I know he bought it new back in the day or anything... just wondering)
Caveat Emptor works both ways.
Never did find out what son in law got (if anything). Maybe I should have given the kids one of my Glocks... ya think? Also wonder if the old man in the OP could actually get $1K from a buyer in the amount of time he has left. Maybe in an auction... maybe not.