Question:Used Pricing Rules of Thumb?

[Chindo18Z]

What percentage off of retail shop price do you use for your starting point when negotiating a non-FFL deal (private purchase of a used weapon in NRA excellent condition)?

In years gone by, I was always told that a generic new firearm drops 15-20% of retail value as soon as it leaves the gunshop door. I realize that this doesn't apply for desireable firearms models which are in short supply.

What is your working price range for starting negotiations and how do you arrive at it?

Do you consider the TOTAL figure of original retail + sales tax + NICS or just use retail price to arrive at your magic number?

Just wondering how it works in your neck of the woods. Thanx in advance...

 

[cratz2]

I buy almost all of my new guns from a single local shop that has very good pricing - good meaning his displayed 'no haggle' prices are better than most of the other shops will sell at even if you do bargain them down.

Most of the guns I buy are reasonably desirable - no weird calibers of funky options. I usually try to sell it for $40-$50 less than I paid if it's original shelf price was below $500. Haven't lost more than $50 on many guns and that loss has been more than offset by the profit I've made on most of my 'bought used' guns.

Like you said, desirability has a LOT to do with it. You're going to lose more money on a P32 than a P3AT. And you'll lose more money on a Series II Kimber than on a Series I Kimber.

 

[Jiml3]

Check around and see if you can locate gun shops that post their prices on a web site, then compare. Of course it helps if you know the mfg. suggested list price. One place I regularaly check is The long Island Shooting Center. Their web address is lisc.net

Good Luck!

 

[ajacobs]

I have a couple of different ways I look at it.

I never sell guns but I do look at the internet auction sights using there compleated auction feature to see what ones have sold for recently in similar condition. They might be worth a little more given people are taking into account shipping and transfer fees with their bids.

If it is a currently made gun in excellent condition i expect about a wholesale price (a tactic my dealer uses when pricing used guns).

 

[Edward429451]

What percentage off of retail shop price do you use for your starting point when negotiating a non-FFL deal

Half price is a good starting point. I got an unfired 700BDL 30/06 once for 250. doing this. They usually wont go this low but it gives you some haggle room and yet, sometimes they do go for it.

Can't hurt to ask.

 

[Billmanweh]

If I'm buying a gun, I check the auction sites to see what similar guns are actually *selling* for. That, and I want to pay an amount that I can turn around and get my money back out of it reasonably quickly if I don't like it.

Once it's left the shop, I think the new retail price is irrelevant.

 

[buttrap]

Yes about 50% of the factory price is a good place to start unless its a bit rare or a really hot item.

 

[redneck2]

Most common

is the "Blue Book". Dealer's equivalent of the auto traders "Used Car Value Guide" (or whatever it is)

Don't know that you can go by a percentage. Varies by rarity and how bad people want it. And, more importantly, how bad the dealer wants to get rid of it. There's a local dealer here selling new for 25-40% off list. That'd push a used one to less than 50%.

Simple answer though...as above, I'd probably start at 50%. And, let the dealer know you're serious, as in "If I could get that ___ for the right price, I'd get it today..."

No charge for NICS around here. Tax is usually on top of the price

 

[TarpleyG]

Used Pricing Rules of Thumb

It's always worth more if it's yours and it's always worth less if it isn't yours. How's that???

GT