Figuring Out a Fair Price

[royrapoport]

Hey guys,

Realizing that I've got more shotguns than limbs, I figured I'd sell my least-used shotgun -- an 870 express with a vang comp barrel, side-saddle, and hi-viz mag follower, with ridiculously few rounds shot through it (I'm a lefty, and never adapted it for lefty use).

I don't really want to do the gunbroker thing -- I'd rather have this be easy and local. Which means that, since I'm not going to auction it, I need to figure out a fair price for it.

How would I go about doing that?

-roy

[appagohm]

what's the gun new, take ten percent off it and sell it

[TZL]

Where you located?

Hey guys,

Realizing that I've got more shotguns than limbs, I figured I'd sell my least-used shotgun -- an 870 express with a vang comp barrel, side-saddle, and hi-viz mag follower, with ridiculously few rounds shot through it (I'm a lefty, and never adapted it for lefty use).

I don't really want to do the gunbroker thing -- I'd rather have this be easy and local. Which means that, since I'm not going to auction it, I need to figure out a fair price for it.

How would I go about doing that?

-roy

[royrapoport]

In the Bay Area (Pacifica, specifically).

I ended up doing completed item searches on gunbroker.com for the shotgun and for the Vang Comp barrel, and ended up listing it at $600 here. That felt a little high, but I figured I'll see if anyone goes for that price; otherwise, I'll either lower or see if someone offers something reasonable in PM anyway. I'm not desperate (and on the flip side I'm not trying to gouge anyone).

Thanks for the help,
-roy

[uw06670]

Don't get hung up on starting the price too high. You might have to endure abuse by other posters, but opinions are like belly buttons...

If you get no hits, lower price. Rinse and repeat. I did that selling my AK on here. I was going to lower the price every couple of days or so that I didn't get any inquiries. Only had to lower it once though.

If someone will pay the price, seems fair. No one making them buy it.

[royrapoport]

uw06670, thanks for the encouraging words.

Amusingly enough, about two hours after I posted the shotgun, it sold.

So hey, I guess I did alright, price-wise

[uw06670]

Cool, congrats. Now you'll only have to wonder "crap, did I screw myself out of more money?" LOL

[royrapoport]

Well, it's sort of funny. After I posted, I mentioned to a friend of mine I was selling it, to which he responded with "OMG, I've been looking for JUST that shotgun for months!"

I ended up selling it for a little less than what I posted it for -- trying to compromise between "best price I can get" and "treating my friends and family fairly." As it is, I think I ended up getting about 20% more than I paid for the shotgun (and the barrel) new, so ... I did alright

I have to admit that -- weirdly -- I'm starting to really like this whole "selling firearms" thing, especially right now. In the 90s, I stocked up on firearms with more of a collector's mindset. Paring down to focus on the firearms I'm actually interested in shooting (and using the money to upgrade or get more of the models that I actually like) feels very rewarding. And it's a good time to sell.

[appagohm]

i stopped selling and buying for a few months, then i needed some extra cash i ended up selling one of my guns and within that month baught about five.... it's a never ending game. I sell this because i want to buy that, but wait i missed this so i should buy it again, then what should i sell......etc.