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

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Kliegl said:
Not wanting to step on anyone in particular's toes, but I've noticed here, and elsewhere, that many people buy a gun, shoot a few hundred rounds through it, except they usually say "threw it" (which I really hope isn't true, because throwing a gun is not a good idea), then list it for more money than you could buy a new one for off of gunbroker or a good gun store.

I think it's because of two reasons. People that don't know buy guns at near the MSRP price, then ask for just under that when they sell it, not knowing that they overpaid in the first place and that they are asking more than it goes for new in some places. Also, I don't think people understand gun values, that 100% still goes for less than unsold, and shooting something 10 or so times lowers the condition to 98%, which is worth less. After a few hundred rounds, and maybe a careless cleaning, the condition is 95%, and is still less.

An example: MSRP on a pistol is 1000, some dude overpays for it at 950. He shoots a few boxes THROUGH it, then his wife says she's pregnant again and he needs cash. So, he puts it up for 900 dollars on a gun forum. Problem is, he never checked gunbroker where they go for 850 new, and he never looked at the blue book to see that, at 95%, the gun is worth 750. Then, he either doesn't sell, or he gets upset when people offer what it is worth, not what he is asking.

Sorry to rant, but it annoys me to see used ads for more than they go for new, because it just causes grief all around.
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Why don`t you take a look through here, then ask why, firearms don`t go down in value, they only go up.

http://www.google.com/search?q=old+...8CILq0gGx7oyUCQ&ved=0CCQQsAQ&biw=1680&bih=870
 
The question isn't really why people ask more for a used gun than what you'd expect to pay for the same one that's new (the answer, more often than not, is greed). The real question is why some folks agree to pay that price, which only encourages others to ask for more money for a used gun than the amount you'd expect to pay for the same model, new. It's a chicken/egg thing.
 
Whenever I overpay it's due to my ignorance. If others choose to take advantage of my ignorance then they win a few dollars. At least I have my integrity even though my ignorance is openly exposed. What I've learned is that it makes little difference because 2/3 of anyone I deal with have no integrity and the odds are not improving in my favor.
 
Whenever I overpay it's due to my ignorance. If others choose to take advantage of my ignorance then they win a few dollars. At least I have my integrity even though my ignorance is openly exposed. What I've learned is that it makes little difference because 2/3 of anyone I deal with have no integrity and the odds are not improving in my favor.
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Charging what the market will bear is not a mark against integrity. If someone buys a commodity and then sells it high have they done something that undermines their integrity?
 
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We had a LGS here that was stocked with the same overpriced items year after year; occasionally one would be brought, but I was among several customers who walked out discussing where the true value shops were located. The collection was good; just ridiculously overpriced. Running the store was the owners hobby and he didnt care what you thought about his prices and I never saw him haggle. He's out of business now(when HE was ready to quit).
 
rellascout said:
Charging what the market will bear is not a mark against integrity. If someone buys a commodity and then sells it high have they does something that undermines their integrity?
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I half-heartedly agree. I've been on both sides but my auctions (not gun-related) always started at fair market value. If someone bid higher than market value then I gladly took their money. I certainly don't want to appear as a hypochrite though I realize I'm walking on thin ice here. I just think forums are a bit different than auction or classified ad sites. My "opinion" is that we're a somewhat more closely-knit group and a certain amount of "fair play" is expected, at least by some. What I've learned over the years is that no more than 1/3 of any given population of even the very best folks feel the same way as I do. I'm not entirely sure why this depresses me but it does.

At any rate, I do get cheated due to my ignorance. It does bother me but I don't blame the seller any more than I do myself.

Anyone want to buy my factory stock Saiga-12 for $1500. I'll throw in 250 rounds of Rio buckshot for free if you'll pay the $300 shipping fee!!:rolleyes::neener:
 
As mentioned by others I think a huge part of the problem, is people getting ripped off by unscrupulous dealers. Then there are people who are fishing for a sucker, case in point on a local classifieds site I saw a S&W Sigma 9 listed for $800, at that price, it is obviously someone looking to rip someone off.
 
oneounceload said:
If they paid the price willingly, they did NOT overpay for it - it was worth what they paid to them at the time
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Exactly.

I could list a Jennings 22LR pistol for $1000.00 - if I sell it for that price, and the buyer is perfectly fine with it, then what's the problem?

Why do people list used guns for less than the price of a new one? I dont' know, ask them - you'll probably get a ton of different answers. Some could say that they didn't know their price was too high, or they're hoping for more profit.
 
I think we need to be careful with claiming that a seller is "ripping some on off."

If they are misrepresenting the product (i.e. claiming custom work that was never done, actively concealing damage or abuse/misuse, or outright selling forgeries) then they are "ripping some one off."

If they are asking $800 for a Sigma, well... they are not ripping anyone off, IMHO. Just seeing what the market will bear. The example given is a bit extreme, but so long as the product is accurately represented, then anything between two consenting participants is fair game.
 
I think we need to be careful with claiming that a seller is "ripping some on off."

If they are misrepresenting the product (i.e. claiming custom work that was never done, actively concealing damage or abuse/misuse, or outright selling forgeries) then they are "ripping some one off."

If they are asking $800 for a Sigma, well... they are not ripping anyone off, IMHO. Just seeing what the market will bear. The example given is a bit extreme, but so long as the product is accurately represented, then anything between two consenting participants is fair game.
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I understand that in this day and age it is on the buyer to research what they are buying and its value, however selling something used for 3 fold what it sells new for, is an attempt at deception and ripping someone off, IMHO.

I wouldn't feel right doing it, and in my book it is the same as offering someone way less then something is worth because they don't know what they have.
 
I understand that in this day and age it is on the buyer to research what they are buying and its value, however selling something used for 3 fold what it sells new for, is an attempt at deception and ripping someone off, IMHO.
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In this day and age.... Can I get a pair of those rose colored glasses you are using to look back at the past. People have been trading and bartering forever and the phrase caveat emptor has applied for a during that entire span of time and should apply forever. IMHO
 
The "this day and age" comment was referring to the ease at which someone can look up values online today.

I understand the concept of something being worth whatever someone will pay, it just makes me angry to think of someone getting turned off to guns because they were taken advantage of by a member of the firearms community.

Wouldn't you be upset if you found out someone sold you a gun used for $800 that was worth $300 new, just because you were new and didn't know any better?
 
"it just makes me angry to think of someone getting turned off to houses because they were taken advantage of by a member of the real estate community."

"it just makes me angry to think of someone getting turned off to cars because they were taken advantage of by a member of the hot rod community."

"it just makes me angry to think of someone getting turned off to lathes and other tools because they were taken advantage of by a member of the amateur woodworking community."


I could continue ad nauseam. Honestly, I don't carry such a burden. I don't feel like I owe anyone any favors, nor was I ever owed any, because I am a part of any community, real or imagined. I wouldn't be upset, per se. I would simply feel foolish.
 
@Cards81fan,

I don't see us agreeing on this. I don't feel I am owed any favors, but I do believe in being honest when it comes to my dealings and this entails not taking advantage of others. Selling a used gun for 2-3 times its new value is just that.

If you are ok with yourself doing that to someone, then that is your prerogative, I just wouldn't go over well if I was the buyer.
 
I will agree to disagree, certainly.

Let me clarify that I personally don't engage in such behavior, I just have bit more "laissez faire" towards those who do. Oddly it just doesn't particularly bother me.
 
I will agree to disagree, certainly.

Let me clarify that I personally don't engage in such behavior, I just have bit more "laissez faire" towards those who do. Oddly it just doesn't particularly bother me.
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We are somewhat polar opposites in that regard, I go out of my way to inform the seller and others what a fair price is. I kind of wish things like this didn't bug me so much, going to give myself high blood-pressure..:cuss:
 
A few years ago I paid $425 for a Taurus 24/7 PT Pro Comp. That's about $100 too much. It was also when I still trusted in the integrety of the pawn shop owner who was related to me by marriage. After learning that I could buy them all day at $335 or less I didn't do business with him again. I have no problem with a business making a profit, but this seemed a bit excessive to me. Also found out the gun wasn't new but had been returned by the previous owner, cleaned up and then sold to me. The owner and the workers at the pawn shop got a good laugh out of that. But I have since bought/traded 20+ more guns mostly from a shop where the owners do treat me fairly and have made an honest profit. That's profit the other business would have gotten from me (and everybody else I've talked to since) if they hadn't been so greedy. It cost them much more in the long run.
 
Some people are willing to pay up for features, or lack of features, on older guns.

For example, I have a mint condition Sig P226 that was made in West Germany and is without an accessory rail. I mention that, and there is always someone in the crowd whose eyes widen and ask, "Is it for sell?"

Without a doubt, I could sell that Sig for more than I paid for it in 1994.
 
robMaine said:
Selling a used gun for 2-3 times its new value is just that.
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Selling a used gun at or near its new price isn’t taking advantage of anyone. Some guns hardly get shot at all and are basically new anyway.

Add in the cost of accessories and used guns can easily exceed the cost of a new gun. I sold a few used guns above new price because they came with additional items. I don’t expect to recoup all my expenses on magazines, scopes and ammo but I do expect to recoup some. You may not want the gun to come with upgraded sights or 5 extra mags, but if you want to buy the gun I’m selling it’s a package deal; take it or leave it.

That, and new price can vary widely. An asking price may be above Bud’s list price but that doesn’t mean it’s out of line with local prices or Bud’s after factoring in shipping and transfer fees.
 
If its a collectible older version I think that's obvious.

If its new, there's 3 possibilities, imo.

1. Guy paid way too much for it, and is unaware of its true value, is basing his sale on his previous cost for purchase.

2. Guy is knowingly marking it up, hoping to score on a rube.

3. Guy is knowingly marking it up, hoping that someone is willing to pay more for a gun they either do not want trackable, or perhaps could not legally own.
 
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