Tough time to sell guns?

[trbon8r]

For you guys with for sale ads, are you finding this to be a particularly difficult time to sell guns?

I've sold several guns in the past and they always went relatively quickly. Right now I've got some nice guns for sale, but nothing is moving. With the rising energy costs, and troubles in the housing market I think a lot of people are really throttling back on their discretionary spending right now.

I've been watching the for sale forum closely of late and some of the guns I've seen people have for sale would have been quickly snapped up a year or two ago. Fortunately I don't have to sell my items. If they don't sell at a fair price then back in the safe they will go.

 

[Hokkmike]

It has been but I have found that posting a picture has made a BIG difference. (as many people advised me it would)

 

[CletusFudd]

Heck, I sold a S&W and a Para-Ordnance last month in two days. Of course this was on my local RMGO website so the folks could come and look at them. It broke my heart to sell them.

 

[strat81]

The holidays might make it more difficult as "gun money" gets diverted to Xmas gifts.

 

[Animal Mother]

Keep in mind that Chrismas is just a few weeks away. I know I've always put my gun shopping on hold until I finish buying for everyone I need to. I suspect I'm not alone.

Of course that could change, come this time next November, depending on who is going to be POTUS.

 

[Joe Gunns]

As a guy who deals in used stuff (used, rare and out-of-print books) for a living I can tell ya that demand is cyclical and affected by a variety of factors. Fashion, latest move/tv fad, stock market performance, political events, the phase of the moon, novelty of discovering something is available, etc. etc. Often due to the "lag effect" changes in demand do not appear immediately and may last much longer than the "trigger" event. Makes it difficult to nail down exactly what the cause is at any given time. The used market in general for antiques and collectibles has been declining since 2001 and has been particularly bad for about a year. I imagine that the used guns market is being similarly affected. It will get better eventually, but it could take a while. Got a friend still waiting for the oak furniture market to return to what it was eight years ago, cant sell his last purchased stock for what he paid for it, much less at a profit.

James

 

[davera]

Well, this is when I like to BUY guns as people like to part with one or more to have Christmas money. I got my Garand at a gunshow where I heard a guy say "selling my private collection of M1s". (the friend I was with said he thought I was going to induce whiplash I spun around so hard )
Just a couple of weeks ago, I found a nice 1959 vintage Marlin Golden 39-A.

 

[Vaarok]

It's fall, fall is buying season. Spring is selling season.

 

[98C5]

Well, this is when I like to BUY guns as people like to part with one or more to have Christmas money

+1

 

[Starter52]

+2 to what davera said. I buy in the fall. I've picked up seven S&W and Colt revolvers since Sept. 1st. Prices were great.

 

[Ala Dan]

I buy quality guns anytime of the year, if the price is right~!

 

[browningguy]

I think it's just the same old thing. People want to buy cheap and feel like they stole it. I know that sounds harsh, but when buying a used gun it needs to be a good deal or why bother to most people. It's a little different in collector or high grade guns, then when you see what you need (want) you pay whatever it takes.

As an example I paid almost $1k last month for a slightly used Browning 1885 Traditional Hunter in 45-70, and a week before that a LNIB Browning BDA .380 in nickle finish for $350. But I wouldn't pay a grand for a used AR15/RemChester/Tikka/CZ/whatever. The 1885 was made in low numbers, and only up to 2001, if you want one you pay the price. But I can buy an AR anytime, to even consider a used one it would have to be 60% of new price, otherwise I'd just pay the extra and get a new one. I did that with the Savage 12FV I also bought last month, looked at used prices and then just bought new since the savings were so slight.

And I mean 60% of what I can actually buy a new one for, not MSRP. And I've bought 4 or 5 new and used rifles and pistols since September.

 

[CrawdaddyJim]

For me there is no season. I dollar cost average my gun purchases.

And who in their right mind would sell a gun? I'd sooner sell my dog...

 

[Standing Wolf]

We're selling guns by the bushel basket at the shop where I work, and handling transfers the same way.

 

[esmith]

I don't sell guns to anyone, but i often check whats on the trading post here on THR. I have to say it is almost imperative to have pictures of what you are selling for me to sit here and say, "I would be interested in buying that." Im am definitely not going to buy something that i won't see until after i part with my money. No pictures is like going into a used car lot blindfolded, finding the nearest car and saying to the salesman, "I'll take it!"