Gun Values - PM's - Offers

[Ripon83]

Being relatively new around here I've yet to buy a gun from the "market" place but I look routinely. There are a few hand guns on my list of "wants" and I have the resources to buy them - in fact I could order some from gun shops or online dealers at most any time. Guess I was hoping one "might" hit the market place and I'd save a few bucks.

A few weeks ago one did and there were 5 PM's taking it within the hour - I missed out. Yesterday a rifle I coveted for a long time hit and there were 3 or 4 PM's taking it within the hour too...fortunately I just had bought a new one and so don't feel like I missed anything - the idea of "two" crossed my mind.

Today a relatively common 1911 45 hit the market place for an asking price that would not generate an instant response - at least I can't imagine it doing so. I clicked around and found 2 places online willing to ship to CA at the very same or even lower price - I assume it'd be the same with shipping. I guess I'd have to pay the sales tax then, but otherwise not much of a savings for a relatively new gun someone else already tried out? Kind of makes me wonder too...why'd someone buy a new gun and only put a box of shells through it - then want to sell it?

I don't want to be rude to the seller and say - he you want a $1,000 but at Buds its brand new for $979 with free shipping - or should I be rude and say just that? (those are not the real numbers so don't bother asking witch post because I wouldn't want to do that to the seller). To me - $900 might have been a "deal" but since its even more (no extra accessories either) why bother? Do you send a lower offer on what you are willing to pay and if he you get "low baller" YELLED at so be it?

[Cyc Wid It]

Many things are overpriced, it's why the other items you mentioned sold very quickly because they were good deals. While it's natural to try and recup as much money as possible, many things should be considered sunken costs IMO. Also, many guns purchased locally in CA shops have high mark ups that people tend to pass along. Just PM what you're willing to pay if their post states accepting offers.

As far as your example, I'm guessing he's saying $1000 for a gun he maybe tried once or twice and decided he didn't like it. Bud's is $979 with free shipping + $50-$75 transfer fee + tax. Ultimately you won't save much, but in this particular deal, you would be saving a bit.

[rromeo]

Remember tax and transfer fee so you'll add around $150 to that price. I shop locally for the gun and offer 10% less than average new cost.

[toby]

One thing on here some guy's try to re-coup their sales tax and transfer fees? to me thats not right...IMO... If you like a gun, make an offer VIA PM and go from there and yes if it looks like a good deal you need to jump on it and not look for the same thing somewhere else then come back and hope it's not gone. You need to know your prices first. I have gotten some great deals and made some others happy with great prices.

[Ripon83]

We use to be able to save the sales tax....my preferred dealer has said BOE is demanding he pay sales tax on guns I buy from out of state....SNAFU

[ptgarcia]

It seems used guns sell for way more than the typical used item in terms of percentage of average retail price. In most cases they are so close to retail to me the risk of buying used isn't worth it. And like you stated, the good deals go fast.

[brianm767]

I say if you don't like the price, you can make a reasonable offer of what you are willing to pay if the add does not say "FIRM" , but if the price is way over market value, and your not willing to pay it, then just move on, low balling some one, whether the asking price is reasonable or not, will normally just T them off.

I personally would not say, well you want X$ but I can get it at Buds for Y$, because as a seller, I will then just say, then go get it at Buds.

And I can tell you as for my self, I have lots of guns that have zero or less than 50 rounds through them, I always say, I cant afford to shoot them, I just buy them and put them in my safe.

I will either be putting up my new LCP or Kahr P380 in the for sell section soon, (Deciding what to do) and the LCP only has 18 rounds through it, and the Kahr has a total of 44 rounds through it, I sold a Rem 870 a while back with Zero rounds, my XD40SC with, I think it was 32 rounds and so on, I'm sure there are others like me , maybe not many, but they are out there, My son has an XD40SC that I bought for him a few years ago, he has yet to shoot it either.

I love all of these gun as well as others I've sold with Zero or low round counts, they've been sold for reason ranging from. I needed money to help my kids, I just never shot the shotgun and I wanted some thing else, and for the LCP and P380, I love them both just bought them to try out, now one will probably need to go to buy some thing else.

[DannyZRC]

guns in general hold their value fairly well, hell they even track inflation some.

so yeah, if you're saving like 5-10% vs a new gun on a nearly new gun, especially when you're comparing prices to volume internet retailers instead of behind the counter prices, I'd say you are doing well.

they're not cars, they don't drop a boatload of value as soon as they're out of the case.

if you want a gun, you can always make an offer, even if the ad says firm, they may come back to you if it doesn't sell.
I wouldn't mention the buds gun shop listing, that'll just make them sad+mad, no reason to qualify your offer and complicate things.

[ih8ca]

When I buy guns I ask what they want. I try to have as much information on the market of the gun. I am not scared to say what other people are charging. If they don't lkle my number, I will take my money any buy something else. Its business and nother personal. I buy a ton of guns every year. I look at them as an investment.