QUICK: Gun sale etiquette

[Quoheleth]

Need some FAST gun sale etiquette info...

I've got a pistol for sale on various boards. I've had several nibbles but no definite "I'll take it."

Am I obligated to honor the first inquiry and give him 1st dibs, or does money talk and "I'll take it" get it.

Q

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Hehoo

He who comes across with the cash first gets the prize.

 

[rondog]

IMO and experiences, he who first says "I'll take it, please give me your contact info so we can make arrangements" is the one who has the first right to purchase or refuse. I've bought a lot of things, from a lot of people, on a lot of forums (not just gun related), and every transaction has been stellar.

There's been a couple of times when I've said "I'll take it", and the seller just kinda vanished, but I've never had anything sold out from under me that I know of.

 

[wrs840]

If you accept the offer, and the buyer does what he/she says they'll do, within the time-frame you both agree that they'll do it, I think you're morally obligated to your acceptance of the offer.

Maybe I don't understand the question.

Les

 

[Six]

If they're still asking questions, or offering lower amounts, or will "get back to you", they're behind the guy who says "I'll take it".

 

[DHJenkins]

No. The first "I'll take it" takes it.

Now, if you tell someone that you accept their offer, then IMO, you should honor that instead of waiting to see if you get a better one.

 

[kingpin008]

Yup. If a buyer wants to "kick the tires" before deciding, they're gonna have to accept that someone might come along with cash-in-hand and grab it out from under them.

"I'll take it" wins every time.

 

[Quoheleth]

Clarify: I've had some "I'm interested" -type inquiries, but no "I'll take it," yet. I've made no deals, only responded to questions.

So first that says "Yes" gets the gun.

Thanks. This is why I love THR. Quick answers needed...quick answers given.

Q

 

[Fat Boy]

I agree with what has been written already. In my understanding the process is that you offer an item for sale at a stated price; if a buyer says "I'll take it" they are first in line.

It might be beneficial to state clearly some criteria for the sale, like a time frame for conclusion, and whether or not offers lower than the stated price will be considered, etc.

Clarity in the listing seems to help avoid lots of confusion....

 

[Oro]

+1 on above, and also keep in mind how exchanges work to clear sales on a fair, efficient system:

1) Price
2) Time
3) Size (of order if above two are equal)

Thus, someone who posts and says "I'll take it" then pm's you and dickers on the price looses if someone else emails you during the dickering and offers your asking price.

"size" is used with stock and commodities to break a "tie" if the first two conditions are the same - two offers at the exact same time. But it wouldn't apply in this case unless you had multiple guns for sale.

 

[rondog]

Same goes with gun shows and garage sales. You may have it in your hand, hemming and hawing over it, and if someone looks over your shoulder and says "I'll buy that!", guess who gets it? He who snoozes, loses.

 

[danprkr]

NO cash NO sale!

 

[jarhead]

I’ve bought and sold some firearms on a forum… “haggling” doesn’t constitute a commitment, but as soon as someone sends acceptance for an offer you have made you should follow through.

I sold a handgun on this forum a few weeks ago and got a decent offer that was below what I was asking, I held off replying for a day or so before accepting to see if anyone else made a better offer… I finally ended up accepting the offer – of course, not 30 seconds passed and a better offer came through. I felt fully obligated morally & ethically to honor my agreement to the first offer and told the 2nd (the better offer) that he would be first in line if the deal fell through (it didn’t).

If you agree to a deal – stick to a deal… but if you are just “negotiating” with someone, you are open to accept all offers.

This is just my opinion – I’m sure there will be other opinions just as valid.

 

[browningguy]

The first "I'll take it" wins.

 

[Quoheleth]

Again, thanks.

I sealed the deal this afternoon.

To complete my thread, I had several "I'll think about it" and "When can I see it?" and "Would you take..." emails. But last evening I finally got a "I'll take it; when can we meet?" email.

I had communicated with the preceeding emails. I negotiated with one gentleman, but he still "had to talk it over with the misses" before committing. He might get back to me in the next day or so...

So, with a cash offer in hand, I took it. It was a bit below what I wanted, but I accepted it just to move it. I then communicated with the gentleman with whom I negotiated and told him the truth - he was "thinking about it," but the other gentleman wanted it NOW. I took his offer.

That's my story. Feel free to critique.

Couple lessons learned: One, be specific about who gets dibs ("First I'll take it..."); two, indicate what communication is best/will be honored first; three, politeness may not sell it, but it makes for a more pleasant experience on all parts.

Q

 

[Bruno2]

Yes as soon as someone offers terms and pricing that are acceptable to the seller then that constitutes the buyer . I usually respond with the word "Deal" when somebody offers something I like .

Look at it like this ; I dont make hasty decisions on major purchases I look for trucks for at least 6 mos before buying one to make sure that I know the market and the value of a dollar I dont just buy the first thing I see . Everytime I buy a truck that is carefully researched for quality and price it never fails after the paperwork is finished shortly thereafter there is always a better deal right in front of me . Some of these forums have feedback sections that can be researched when wanting to deal with a member I wouldnt deal with one that has backslid on a deal with someone else . When its all said and done and we leave this earth all you have to be remembered by is your character .

 

[Jamesshot]

I've had many situations where the first interested party says 'I'll take it' so you then tell the other interested party(s) that the item is no longer for sale and then for whatever reason the deal falls through and you end up with no buyers. So now, I call the first party, tell them its still theirs if they want it but there is other interest so you need to confirm they are still buying and if so, arrange for payment. (i usually ask sometime in the immediate future. you can usually tell the genuine buyers as the uncertain start to back off at this point). Hope this helps

 

[Balrog]

"I will take it" is nice, but it must be followed up with a definite plan and timeframe to make it happen.

If the plan or timeframe can't be established quickly, and the sale completed, then "I will take it" really means "I ain't got no money but would sure like it".

 

[ghoster]

absouletely not !!

you must,---- apon price agreement with potential customer,--- pm the ghoster and then accept his much lower price if it is somthing he wants.


money talks---winers- well they just wine.

 

[achildofthesky]

"I'll take it" always trumps inquiries request for more info or pix. I put that statement in my ad's so there are no surprises or chance of hard feelings for the buyer or seller alike.

Patty

 

[NoleMan]

Whoever makes the first offer, that you agree to, or states "i'll take it", gets the gun. That's how I operate anyway.

 

[Balrog]

So what if someone tells you "I'll take it" and then you respond OK, and then they tell you they can't meet for a month, or need to sell their car first, or want you to take Paypal or some other crap like that?

"I'll take it" is just a starting point, and it is up to the buyer to quickly close the deal before someone else does.

 

[Blackbeard]

A contract is made when an offer is extended, accepted, and consideration (something of value) changes hands. "I'll take it" is acceptance of an offer, but it's not binding until either he gets the gun or you get the money. As Balrog points out, he could disappear for weeks. That doesn't mean you have to wait for him if someone else shows up with cash in hand.

Out of courtesy, I would allow probably a week for the buyer to make good on the payment. I'd tell any subsequent buyers that the sale is pending to the first buyer, and that you will contact them if the initial deal falls through.

 

[jakemccoy]

Listen to me only.

Need some FAST gun sale etiquette info...

I've got a pistol for sale on various boards. I've had several nibbles but no definite "I'll take it."

Am I obligated to honor the first inquiry and give him 1st dibs, or does money talk and "I'll take it" get it.

Q

A contract is not formed at that point. The fact that you said there are inquiries indicates that your gun advertisement is not definite enough to be an offer. Your advertisement of the gun is an invitation to make an offer, in this particular case, because you're not a regular professional seller and the ad is not definite enough. The buyer would have to make the offer, even though you may be advertising a price. You may accept the offer in a number of ways, including, for example, receiving the money or saying that you accept. A contract would be formed when both parties agree on the price (and other essential terms), you accept the particular offer to purchase, and money (consideration) changes hands.

You're OK.