Classified people... please read.

[Python73]

Look, I know everyone wants top dollar for their used guns. That's great. And maybe your gun is worth a bit of a premium because you did some upgrades to it, or it is hard to find, or has desirable accessories. Fantastic.

HOWEVER... the vast majority of guns being listed are cookie cutter modern guns that are easily found in every gun store, gun show, and online. I'm talking to you, Glock 17, 19, 26, etc people. And Beretta 92fs, Sigs, Rugers, 1911 people also. People want these guns and that's good. What isn't good is somehow thinking you can ask gun store prices. Do yourself a favor. Go to gunbroker.com and search for your gun/model. Click the heading that narrows the search to guns only (not parts or whatever) and then click the price column to sort by price. Now look at the first few adds for buy it now prices.

After you have a good idea what Joe_gunbuyer can pay for your gun, look at what the gun costs new. Finally consider that buying only will cost shipping (typically $25) and transfer ($20 in my area). Now do some math:

Gun x used online = $400
Used Gun x shipped + xfer = $445
Gun x new online = $600
New Gun x shipped + xfer = $645

In the example above, you need to price your gun below $425 for someone to be interested. Why would I buy your gun for $500 when I can get the same gun for $445 from a dealer? And note that I said $425. Because I'm going to have to add the $20 transfer to your price, assuming you'll meet me at the good xfer guy and not some dbag store charging $40 for a 30 second phone call.

And since people STILL don't do this, another tip: POST PICTURES OF YOUR GUN. Not stock photos from the web. Not links to the mfg site. Stop your lazy bullshit and take actual pictures of your actual gun and post them. Seriously. Do it.

[DBZ220]

I wish I could find somewhere to ship a pistol for $25. Fedex charges me $55-$75 on most pistols, weight pending. This being for me as a non-FFL to ship to their FFL, having to go priority overnight.
But yeah, I've noticed several sale ads for used SIGs lately, several being Certified PreOwned models, for $700-$750, when they were $575-$599 at gunshops...I don't get it sometimes either....

[ar15jules]

Look, I laugh at prices on here too, but people can list for whatever they want as far as I'm concerned. I think I recently saw a Glock 21 for $700.
Jules

[son of the revolution]

Originally Posted by Python73

Look, I know everyone wants top dollar for their used guns. That's great. And maybe your gun is worth a bit of a premium because you did some upgrades to it, or it is hard to find, or has desirable accessories. Fantastic.

HOWEVER... the vast majority of guns being listed are cookie cutter modern guns that are easily found in every gun store, gun show, and online. I'm talking to you, Glock 17, 19, 26, etc people. And Beretta 92fs, Sigs, Rugers, 1911 people also. People want these guns and that's good. What isn't good is somehow thinking you can ask gun store prices. Do yourself a favor. Go to gunbroker.com and search for your gun/model. Click the heading that narrows the search to guns only (not parts or whatever) and then click the price column to sort by price. Now look at the first few adds for buy it now prices.

After you have a good idea what Joe_gunbuyer can pay for your gun, look at what the gun costs new. Finally consider that buying only will cost shipping (typically $25) and transfer ($20 in my area). Now do some math:

Gun x used online = $400
Used Gun x shipped + xfer = $445
Gun x new online = $600
New Gun x shipped + xfer = $645

In the example above, you need to price your gun below $425 for someone to be interested. Why would I buy your gun for $500 when I can get the same gun for $445 from a dealer? And note that I said $425. Because I'm going to have to add the $20 transfer to your price, assuming you'll meet me at the good xfer guy and not some dbag store charging $40 for a 30 second phone call.

And since people STILL don't do this, another tip: POST PICTURES OF YOUR GUN. Not stock photos from the web. Not links to the mfg site. Stop your lazy bullshit and take actual pictures of your actual gun and post them. Seriously. Do it.

Tried to give you some well earned rep, however the Obamaoist system says I need to spread some around first.

That being said, I've long noticed this with lots of things, not just firearms and Ive never understood it either. I haunt craigslist quite a bit and thus far have yet to have a single bad experience buying or selling. That being said, I immediately pass up any postings that dont have pictures and I have long pondered what a potential seller is thinking in asking new retail prices for their obviously used items.

I get that times are tight and everyone is trying to maximize their profits, but some of the stuff is so way over priced as to be absurd and I honestly wonder if someone really is stupid enough to pay the inflated asking prices.

Why in the world would I pay say, 500 bucks for your one or two year old, used , LCD 720 P flat screen when I can get a brand new LED,1080P, 3D capable one, with a warranty for a couple hundred more ?

[capitolcop]

Maybe they are hoping what P T Barnum said is the truth

[jcabin]

You can't blame people for wanting to atleast break even with what they spent. That isn't entirely unreasonable. However, those who try and profit from an "upgraded" gun, via trigger/spring upgrades or because they have a red dot/optic on their rifle are only fooling themselves.

Realistically, when selling a gun that's been used/carried one should expect to take a loss. I figure it this way. If I've bought a gun, shot the heck out of it, carried it every day, then it's served its purpose if it's time to part with it. If your handgun cost $600 and you had range time with it regularly, and carried it often or daily, then selling it for around $450 isn't that big of a deal. The gun served it's purpose and for whatever reason you have decided to sell it. Be grateful that you had a quality weapon (and if it wasn't, be honest in your post when selling it), and now it's time to move on.

My advice is that one should attempt to sell the weapon as a package. ie, gun, holster, possibly some target ammo, mags, etc. If not, then sell each item individually.

Back to the OP, I agree with everything you're saying.

[Guns4Fun]

Ha Ha,

I love it when someone wastes words telling people what they can charge for their possessions.

It's F'ng America, people are free to ask whatever they want.



How do you know that the spousal unit isn't bitchin at him to sell some of his guns? Being a good husband / boyfriend, he lists them for sale and tells the spousal unit - look, no one has even made me an offer to buy it I have to keep it.

[60-15]

So, 3 seconds after I post a classified, (with no picture) I read this thread. I didn't post a picture because when I fist joined this forum, I spent countless days trying post a picture of my .357 as my avatar to no avail. I'm certain it requires some kind of super powers to achieve said picture posting. I've decided that if your interested you'll send me a pm and I can send you some pics.

On the pricing thing, I'm with you. Just because you payed too much when you purchased it, doesn't mean I'm willing to do the same. But to each, his own.

[mike231]

I'm all for a free market. If you want to charge $700 for your Glock feel free to do so. What really makes me laugh is the extreme low-ballers on here. I had a Glock 21 and a Ruger 10/22 for sale on here a couple of weeks ago for a fair price. I was getting offers like $250-300 for both and they said I needed to ship them and pay for all transfers/shipping cost.

[thebearpack]

Originally Posted by Guns4Fun

It's F'ng America, people are free to ask whatever they want.

I agree with the OP but of course agree with this too. It's sort of free entertainment: I get to read all the ridiculous asking prices and chuckle.

But as long as we're on the subject, here are my pet peeves:

1. "Absolutely no shipping... I will only do a FTF within 30 miles of X". That's great if it's an item in demand and you're selling at a great price. But when you've bumped it 17 times, maybe that's a good indication that the 20 people reading your ad within "30 miles of X" don't want your item. Take the hint and be a little flexible. No one is asking you to ship for free. There have been times I've been more than willing to pay to have an item shipped to me but won't even ask when it says "absolutely no shipping".

2. Not responding to a PM. This means either I asked a real question about something that wasn't clear in the ad such as "does it include the so and so" or we have been negotiating back and forth and all of a sudden you stop responding. Tell me to piss off if you'd like; I'm fine with that. But don't have the decency to take 30 seconds to respond and I will label you a douche and never do business with you. Ever. You just lost a potential customer for life. I sell lots of stuff online (lots!) and I've gotten some crazy questions but I've politely responded to every one. It's not that hard.

There... I feel better!