Why would anyone try to sell a used gun shipped for more than the new gun price? Or, with this economy, why would anybody buy any gun for appreciably more on the classifieds, than from an online reputable dealer? Do people not shop or compare prices anymore? Now, I'm not talking about FTF deals.
Gun Classifieds still irk me
- Thread starter bearmgc
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hemiram
Member
I don't understand it either. There are tons of guns on Gunbroker where the seller has the price of a used gun for about $100 more than a new one right above or below it on the search page. They usually seem to have "rare", "hard to find", or something similar in the ad too. Then there are the folks who gouge on shipping.
LHRGunslinger
Member
Question: Why would someone try to sell a gun for more than it's worth?
Answer: Greed.
Answer: Greed.
Zoidberg523
Member
Cause there's more greed in the world than money.
Because pre 1970-ish guns tend to be made better and with better materials then current models (Win '94 as an example). Lots of companies started using plastics and MIM parts around that time. The quality is generaly considered better for guns manufactured when the word "Pride" ment something.
Or maybe it is just greed.
-Boxcab
Or maybe it is just greed.
-Boxcab
+1
Besides, what's up with you people? You say greed like it's a bad thing. As to 'greed' well I'm one of those evil capitalist that thinks greed is a good thing. If I agree to sell a gun for:
YPV (your perceived value) + X
And a buyer agrees to buy it for that price we were BOTH greedy me fore the money, and the buyer for the gun. Which means that to us that
gun's value = YPV + X
It does not mean that either of us was right/good or wrong/evil. It just means that our valuation of a given gun was different than yours. The value of any item is what someone will pay for it at a given time. So, regardless of your perceived value if a gun sells for
YPV + X
at that time the value of the gun WAS
YPV + X.
Sorry, like the man said simple economics. Don't get your panties in a bunch when you see ads where others value a gun at more than you do. Simply move on to the next ad. It's not worth getting worked up over.
Dan
Apple a Day
Member
I believe there's still a "bubble hangover" on EBR's from the great rush of '09. A bunch of people bought guns at inflated prices during the boom and are now trying to get rid of them at the same price/sell for a profit even through the prices are dropping. I'm seeing phrases like "never fired", "new in box", "only a few rounds though it"...
The market has hit saturation. Some folks haven't gotten the message yet. They're going to be even more disappointed later as the value keeps dropping.
The market has hit saturation. Some folks haven't gotten the message yet. They're going to be even more disappointed later as the value keeps dropping.
rbernie
Contributing Member
Sometimes the ads are for the same thing. But many times they are not.
For example, do a search for a S&W Model 12 on Gunbroker. Look CAREFULLY at the revolvers. The sharp-eyed among you will notice that some are round-butt and some are square-butt, in the same barrel length and the same finish. Most folk will pay more for the round-butt, but if you aren't familiar with that specific example you might not understand WHY two items could have disparate pricing. Same goes for pre-lock guns vs. post-lock guns, and so forth.
Then again, online sellers are no different than brick-n-mortar sellers in terms of needing to make a profit. The online seller may have overpaid for an item and simply cannot sell it for less without losing too much margin. In that case, they are no different than the example storefront - they put a big pricetag on it and hope that a buyer comes along when there is little competition for similar items.
There is not gouging, if the guns are not selling at those prices the market will take care of it (no sales for those vendors). If they are selling at those prices they will continue to charge it. Thats not gouging or greed, its a free market system.
If you don't want to pay those prices then don't, the market will sort it out.
If you don't want to pay those prices then don't, the market will sort it out.
bababooey32
Member
Oh good grief, here we go again...:banghead:
How on God's green Earth could there be price gouging at an auction site?
Why are they idiots? Maybe their priorities are different from yours.
That is certainly an answer...It's wrong, but it is an answer. The correct answer is "because they can". A corrolary question would be "If people are selling the gun 'for more than it is worth', what does that make people who sell it for less?" Answer: idiots.
Another corrolary question: Who gets to decide what a gun is "worth"?? Seems to me if it is selling at $X, then the gun is worth $X at that point in time. You can jump up and down and say it is worth more or less, but a market-clearing transaction just told you, in plain terms, precisely what the item was worth.
Acera
Member
Here is a perfect example of what you are stating.
Auction: FN FAL L1A1 DSA Receiver-Brand New
Starting bid: $695, buy it now price $795
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=179177846
(now this one just ended, without a sale, wonder why??)
Now here is the exact same thing, from the manufacturer for $449!
Members of certain internet boards get an extra $100 off that, so in reality it's $350.
http://www.dsarms.com/DSA-L1A1-Receiver/products/42/
Buy it now from either place $795 vs. $350??
Internet seller is more that twice as much, are you serious dude??
Some of these gun sellers take us for idiots, or are at least hoping to find the random one wandering around and get lucky by taking advantage of them.
Auction: FN FAL L1A1 DSA Receiver-Brand New
Starting bid: $695, buy it now price $795
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=179177846
(now this one just ended, without a sale, wonder why??)
Now here is the exact same thing, from the manufacturer for $449!
Members of certain internet boards get an extra $100 off that, so in reality it's $350.
http://www.dsarms.com/DSA-L1A1-Receiver/products/42/
Buy it now from either place $795 vs. $350??
Internet seller is more that twice as much, are you serious dude??
Some of these gun sellers take us for idiots, or are at least hoping to find the random one wandering around and get lucky by taking advantage of them.
cambeul41
Member
Perhaps the gun owner really does not want to sell, but is under spousal pressure to do so.
(Notice the non-sexist wording.)
The high price has two effects: 1) lowers the probability of gun loss by sale; 2) lessens the pain of the loss if someone does buy at the inflated price.
(Notice the non-sexist wording.)
The high price has two effects: 1) lowers the probability of gun loss by sale; 2) lessens the pain of the loss if someone does buy at the inflated price.
mcdonl
Member
P.T. Barnum would tell you why people ask more for a used gun than a new one.
MinnMooney
Member
from O.P :
Nothing wrong with TRYING to get a lot for your weapon but if you look further into the "What actually sold" section, you'll see that most of those high prices just don't fly. Most remain unsold for months and months and only take up space in hopes of making a killing. I've noticed that almost all on-line shoppers are pretty savey when comparing prices.
I was watching one gun that came with a ton of accessories and he was dropping the price every other list period. Just when it hit my "I'll buy it" price, I noticed that all of the accessories were removed but the price stayed the same! The accessories were worth 30%-40% of the deal !! I wrote and asked if this was an omission and he said, "No, I sold the accessories to a friend." What a rip.
Nothing wrong with TRYING to get a lot for your weapon but if you look further into the "What actually sold" section, you'll see that most of those high prices just don't fly. Most remain unsold for months and months and only take up space in hopes of making a killing. I've noticed that almost all on-line shoppers are pretty savey when comparing prices.
I was watching one gun that came with a ton of accessories and he was dropping the price every other list period. Just when it hit my "I'll buy it" price, I noticed that all of the accessories were removed but the price stayed the same! The accessories were worth 30%-40% of the deal !! I wrote and asked if this was an omission and he said, "No, I sold the accessories to a friend." What a rip.
rbernie
Contributing Member
This is a good example of an item that will not sell, right up to the point where DSA doesn't have them in stock and the GB seller has one. At that point, the GB price looks a whole lot better. Up until then, the savvy shopper looks elsewhere.
It's called a free market. Pretty neat, huh?
trailgator
Member
You should go to an estate auction, at least around here, and see what people are willing to pay for a gun. It's unbelievable.
Onward Allusion
Member
It's all supply & demand
It's not price gouging on the auction sites. Price is determined by the market. Keep in mind that prices are MUCH higher in some parts of the country than others, therefore some starting bid requirements only seem out of line to you.
As for brick-and-mortar having high prices, they either stay in business or fold. There will always be someone willing to pay the high prices either for the stellar customer service or they just don't know any better. If not, the store goes under or lowers their prices.
Even during the 2009 panic, prices were set by the consumer. If there wasn't demand, the prices would not have been high. The bottom line is that guns, ammo, & accessories are commodity products.
It's not price gouging on the auction sites. Price is determined by the market. Keep in mind that prices are MUCH higher in some parts of the country than others, therefore some starting bid requirements only seem out of line to you.
As for brick-and-mortar having high prices, they either stay in business or fold. There will always be someone willing to pay the high prices either for the stellar customer service or they just don't know any better. If not, the store goes under or lowers their prices.
Even during the 2009 panic, prices were set by the consumer. If there wasn't demand, the prices would not have been high. The bottom line is that guns, ammo, & accessories are commodity products.
Who doesn't add a bit to the price they're willing to accept for a firearm?
"This $750 DSA receiver is on hand- you don't have to wait six months for it."
"My sick wife and seven starving children would never forgive me for paying more than $250 for it."
"My sick wife and eight starving children would never forgive me if I sold it for less than $650. You could join the Files and get it from DSA for $350. If you don't mind waiting till the second coming."
"Not a bad idea. By then my wife should be better and my kids growed up and out of the house..."
"This $750 DSA receiver is on hand- you don't have to wait six months for it."
"My sick wife and seven starving children would never forgive me for paying more than $250 for it."
"My sick wife and eight starving children would never forgive me if I sold it for less than $650. You could join the Files and get it from DSA for $350. If you don't mind waiting till the second coming."
"Not a bad idea. By then my wife should be better and my kids growed up and out of the house..."
oneounceload
member
There can never be gouging when two parties willingly enter into an agreement - no matter WHAT it is
AnArmyofRon
Member
I have a real russian WWII vintage Mosin Nagant with bayonet, sling, oil can, and a vintage tool worth $10,000 dollars, if only I could find someone dumb enough to buy it. Some suckers pay the high price to a patient seller. Good for me that I am patient enough to find good deals. Craigslist is my best gun buying site. People need the money. Greedy people will wait for the right person to pay their price. I love America for both reasons.
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