Weird dealer at a show.

[BCCL]

Was at a gun show today, and a dealer had a used Italian made Colt Single Action copy, nothing fancy about it, just a plain jane 45 Colt 4 5/8" barrel model.

He had a thick zip tie around the action, locking the hammer and trigger, which isn't uncommon at gun shows, but after I looked at it awhile and asked him what his best price was, I asked if he would cut the tie off, so I could inspect it further, check the action..etc....


He said "no...If you buy it, you can cut it off and check it over then, and if you don't like it then, we can discuss it"

At first I thought he was joking, but then I asked him did he really expect me to pay him cash money, and go through all the process of buying a gun, without getting to inspect it?

He wouldn't cut the tie off, so I set it down and walked away.

Either he's an oddball, or he knew there was something wrong with it???

 

[zoom6zoom]

Must have been part of the Pelosi family.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Either he's an oddball, or he knew there was something wrong with it?

There's a third possibility: both. That's the one I'd vote for.

 

[bannockburn]

Seems like a very strange way of doing business. Would you buy a car first before you even took it for a test drive?

 

[mortablunt]

Well, the thing is that at most gun shows, I believe that the guns have to be locked so that they cannot be used. It's just the rules.

 

[N003k]

I'm gonna agree with Standing Wolf...I don't detail strip guns before I buy them usually (get them from a reputable local shop, so don't feel the need to) but...if I got one from a show...I'd dang well want to make sure it at least functions properly before I paid for it...I'm not going to buy ANYTHING I can't check out at all before purchasing, let alone a gun!

 

[BCCL]

Just for the record, this show does not require guns to be secured like that on a dealers table.

 

[VT Deer Hunter]

Very true. It makes sense to try the gun first and see if you like it.

 

[Krogen]

The shows I frequent required zip ties. But it's OK to remove them for someone to have a look, as long as they get re-secured.

Some sellers are just plain cranky. It's as if they don't want to sell their stuff and would rather snap at you. You'll never know what's going on in their brain, so I just figure it's their choice and walk away.

 

[whalerman]

Unfortunately, for many reasons, there are a lot of folks in the gun business who have their head up their macho butts. This could have been a fine example. Who knows. You can think it to death, but there's no explanation for some people.

 

[1911Tuner]

There's another possibility.

Cycling a revolver leaves a bolt drag line on the cylinder. If enough "interested buyers" check the action, it won't be long before the dealer won't be able to convince anyone that the gun is new. Then, there's always the occasional John Wayne wannabe who just wants to cock a single-action...sometimes hard and fast...and that's not good for an 1873 clone.

Having been on the other side of the gun counter, I can understand his position.

 

[Mike1234567]

While I can see 1911's point... the dealer could have simply explained this to you. He didn't have to be such a jerk about it.

 

[1911Tuner]

the dealer could have simply explained this to you. He didn't have to be such a jerk about it.

True, that.

 

[BlackMagic308]

I would vote that something was wrong with it. I once went to a table where the guy wouldn't let anyone lift up the rifles off the table and refused to show them the side on the table. Considering they were all Mosin Nagants, I walked off quickly.

 

[manithree]

My son (11 yrs) and I went to a pawn shop recently. He was looking at on old milsurp bolt action, I don't remember exactly. He politely asked if he could remove the bolt so I could look down the bore for him. The woman behind the counter said no.

I took the gun out of his hands and handed it back to the salesdroid. I then explained to him (right their in front of her) how we wouldn't be doing any business here, because it's stupid to buy a used rifle without being able to inspect it. Then we walked out.

People boggle my mind some times.

 

[BCCL]

^Yeah, there are just certain things that I am going to check on any revolver, but especially a used one, or there isn't going to be any deal.

 

[jcwit]

Must of had a bunch of sales early on. Made all the money he needed in the first hour of the show. Don't blame you for walking, I would have done the same.

 

[Ignition Override]

A year ago I had some extra time during business trips to Little Rock.

On the north side of the river, just after you cross is a pawn shop.

They had several interesting milsurps behind their cage, up on the wall, but would not allow anybody to handle before buying.

They must have had somebody do something crazy with a concealed round of ammo. Otherwise, why the paranoia?

 

[FROGO207]

A couple of the gunshops I go to let you test fire them out the back door/range area if you are at all serious about buying the firearm. Even provide a few rounds of ammo. Gotta like those guys. BTW the OP said it was a used revolver, I vote for something wrong with it most likely.

 

[deadin]

I don't know... after I replaced a tie for the sixth or seventh time so some clown could play with my gun without any real intention of buying I thought of requiring the next guy to lay out the cash just to prove he had it before cutting the tie again.....

 

[shiftyer1]

We need to remember that while we try to respect guns and have OUR ways of inspecting them alot of folks don't. I have had several people inspect guns and I almost flinch. In my case i generally know what I have and stand behind it. Although it's easy to tell the difference between an idiot and someone serious. I don't go to gun shows but deal with quite a few gun sales in the pawnshop I work in. Knowing how people INSPECT guns makes it really hard to buy a display model!

 

[Inebriated]

While I wouldn't buy it, just because of the attitude, I wouldn't be that offended if he didn't let me check it out (provided he explained his reasoning).

Some people just don't want the deal.

 

[Bubbles]

The dealer doesn't really want to sell that gun. It's also easy enough to zip tie most guns so that the action and barrel can be inspected, but the gun can't be fired.

 

[Remllez]

Yea, I agree with bubbles....sounds like a bait gun to me. Gets your attention and attracts you to his table. He probably wanted a ridiculously high price for it, if he gets it good if not....oh well. His attitude was not warranted, but what ya gonna do.

 

[Vonderek]

I think a lot of the smaller dealers at gun shows are just hobbyists who like to be part of the show week in and week out even if they lose money. I used to see a lot of the same guys with the same stuff on their tables every month.