Why do people ask more for used guns then they cost new?

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If you really want to see some outlandish prices actually PAID for used guns, try going to an estate auction. I've been to two and gave up. Every winning bid was at least 25% to 50% more than the respective guns asking price on GB or the MSRP. And that's before getting dinged for a 10% buyers premium, sales tax, and FFL transfer fee.
 
The only privilege I enjoy is working hard for my paychecks and still being single enough to not have a lot of overhead.
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That was funny, you figured out not having to ask permission or forgiveness and still saving money.
I hardly ever buy a used weapon, mostly because I don't know what has gone thru the barrel and how it has been cared for. People are basically self serving(and greedy) so asking for more than its worth is to be expected and its left up to the buyer to decide just how badly he wants it and then its all about negotiations.
 
I shop around and just by pass the idiots who over price stuff. You have to be able to say NO and walk away. Example 2 years ago I when to the Fort Worth Gun show in FW TX. I saw 8 used Marlin 60's all used and most in Ruff shape. Lowest price was $110 one was $225. Time passed and last fall I found a really clean used M-60 at my local gun store for $65 dollars.
 
Last two guns purchased were used, bought through local acquaintances.
In each case I shot them through a couple matches BEFORE making the purchase.

There's no better way to know the value and condition of what it is you're laying out hard earned cash for.
 
Ascribing value to something, new or used, is totally subjective...

Heck, with the umpteen hundred round break in period on some pieces, buying one used may be worth a few buck more than new.... To someone.
 
I have a new in the box Browning HP bought years ago. It was made in Belguim. I have never fired this handgun as I ended up buying a nice used one shortly after purchasibg the new gun. That new gun should sell for more than a new Browning today.
 
While that is true, Smokey, the questions was why do people charge more for a used gun (yours isn't used) than the same one (yours isn't the same) goes for new.
 
The ads I laugh at list the gun and a bunch of modifications ending with $$$ INVESTED. There are a few guns you might invest in but a stock Bushmaster with a bunch of modifications is not what i would consider an INVESTMENT.
 
I think part of it is the price haggling process.

I hate (hate, hate, HATE) price haggling, so if a sale requires it I simply won't bother, but there are some people who simply will not pay the asking price for something. They're going to "talk em down" some or they're not buying it.

Some sellers build that into their asking price. It's $500 new, they want a fair $400 for it, but if they put a $400 tag on it then some idiot is gonna walk in and he's gonna want it for $350 or he's not buying. So, the seller asks $525. That way when the idiot does come in, he can "talk em down" to $400.

Seller gets what he originally wanted, and the idiot gets his gun and that smug satisfaction of thinking he got something over on the seller. It does really hurt the buyer who doesn't want to do that particular dance though.
 
Yeah, and it also hurts the buyer who gets butt hurt when you lowball him.
 
Not here, but on places like guntrader type pennysavers for gun sites. Many of the guns being sold are sold to people who cannot go into a store and buy it legally. Not all but some. They are willing to pay up for a "no paperwork" pistol or rifle.
 
If you need a good example, walk through gander mountain. They had a sigma sitting in the used case for $350 a few weeks ago. You can get them brand new for $300 all day. Sad thing is that some sucker bought it. I also saw a used M&P, and Glock 19 going for a little over new prices.
 
mgmorden said:
Some sellers build that into their asking price. It's $500 new, they want a fair $400 for it, but if they put a $400 tag on it then some idiot is gonna walk in and he's gonna want it for $350 or he's not buying. So, the seller asks $525. That way when the idiot does come in, he can "talk em down" to $400.

Seller gets what he originally wanted, and the idiot gets his gun and that smug satisfaction of thinking he got something over on the seller. It does really hurt the buyer who doesn't want to do that particular dance though.
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Folks do the same with cars. At least I do. I usually ask a bit more than I really want, so when haggling happens, I get close to what I actually want for the car.

The downside is higher asking prices will deter some buyers from even asking. Two sided blade on that issue.
 
I saw a well used Hi Point .45 at the last gun show here in Missoula for $250, I laughed and passed the whole stand by. The sales tax argument doesn't hold in states like MT without it. Around here the prices in the big box sporting goods stores are at or above MSRP and used guns are ridiculously priced especially if consigned.
 
If I'm not intentionally trying to make a profit (I don't these days) then I price it more than fairly and state in the ad the price is firm. I'm not going to waste my time haggling nor wait forever for something to sell.

So... While I don't fault others for asking new price for used guns (with no value added) I do find it a little irritating and I don't play those games.
 
Some people don't want one that must go through an FFL.

Also, some people sell their gun with all the "accessories" they bought for it....... holsters, mags, etc.
 
Some people place a higher value on a private sale gun because it avoids the paperwork that's kept on file at the gun dealer.

It effectively ends the trace trail on a gun, which some folks find advantageous in a worst-case government confiscation scenario.
 
Mr Davis Said it. If its a Private sale, That's a big factor. Some people will pay the extra buck.
Also, Count in tax and shipping. If A rifle is $1000 brand new and you buy it, you get $100 bucks in taxes.
Why not just take a slightly used firearm, for $1000 & not have to pay the taxes?
 
rarity? No reason if there are other avenues of buying for cheaper, but if you cant find it any more, it doesn't matter what they *used* to sell for.
 
I see this alot at gunshows. They have used, not collectables or antiques, just old guns priced above retail for new guns. Not only that, with a new gun you get a factory warranty.
 
Last time I checked we still were working under a relatively free market. You are not force to purchase any a gun at any price. If you feel a person has listed something too high simply don't buy it.

I do not see how this negatively effects you as a buyer or seller. The market value of anything is what "someone" is willing to pay. You are not willing to pay $500 for a used Glock that does not mean someone else is not.

This is a solution looking for a problem.... IMHO YMMV
 
Well I'll toss in a couple pennies.
S&W put a lock on the side of their revolvers. Some people, including me, don't like the reason the lock got there. We pay a premium for being picky. Some don't like MiM parts and pay a premium for guns that have forged or machined parts.
Some guns are not made the same way as the company used to make them and people do not like the new improved version.
And I'm assuming that the used gun purchase isn't a FTF so tax and transfer still apply.
What personally gets me is resellers of Garands and Carbines. Most all came out of the DCM/CMP at about half the price asked. Those rifles are not for me. i'd rather drive to Alabama and pay the 9.5% sales tax.
But that's just me, I'm an odd one, just ask anyone that knows me.
 
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