Prices???
I am new to this site, but have spent considerable time in the past week or so looking through the auctions. I am looking to buy a shotgun for Sporting Clays. From what I have seen thus far most folks are way to proud of their guns. That is according to the 23rd Edition of Blue Book of Gun Values. What method of pricing is used to price items for auction? In most cases I find that the 'Reserve' price is not met until the bid exceeds the suggested retail in Gun Book for the condition described. It may simply be that alot of folks don't understand how condition is rated? LNIB is not NIB, LNIB cannot be over 98% and that 2% differance usually brings the price down 20-25% or more. I will continue to search the auctions for the shotgun I want at a price I feel is fair. [8D]
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First of all, welcome aboard. I believe all gun owners are proud of their guns. You also will be of that Sporting Clays shotgun once you have it purchased. When your proud of an item it will take "this price" to pry it away. Its possible that the seller overpaid and he's trying to get his money out of the item. Prices are in the eye of the purchaser/seller and it takes one price to get the two together. My FFL thought I overpaid for my last purchase. I felt like I stole it. FFL goes that I could have bought new for what I paid. New was not what I was after. What I was after was a early Python. The unusual thing was that it had factory nickel finish. Three years before Colt cataloged Python in a nickel finish. My point is that the Blue Book does not point out unusual circumstances such as this. There's a Python that I'd pay over $2000 to own. What's number 18 serial number worth? I don't know but I want this gun. Especially when it's unfired, box, tools, papers and original owner. There are other guns that I'd pay double what the Blue Book suggests because of the rarity. I realize your probably talking of purchasing a run of the mill SC's shotgun. When you find that right one you will pay the price and it will take that at least that price to pry it away from you. I don't rely too much from the Blue Book any more (although it seems to be the standard). I look at previous auctions. That IS the market.
Realize also that there is zero cost for listing on auction. Only when the gun sells is there cost to the seller. So a dreamer can keep relisting hoping that a buyer comes along that will pay that reserved price. All reserves are not over priced and many are within reason. To answer your quality concern. In order to maintain a high level of respect, I find that many sellers understate the percentage of quality of the gun. That way its a pleasant surprise to the purchaser and possible repeat business. Its also difficult to return due to quality because it was not misrepresented.
Hope this helps.
Vipereater0 -
Vipereater, thanks for your reply. You stated your point very well. I do understand that there are hard to find and rare guns that will demand a price that is whatever the seller is willing to pay. Heck, for that matter that is all any item will ever bring. However on the normal run of the mill gun, still in production, I think that the Blue Book is a good tool. It provides buyers and sellers with a means to evaluate the condition of their gun and price it fairly.
Thanks your your input... [8D]0 -
If you find the reserve price of a current prouction weapon too high why don't you go to your local gun dealer and order the weapon, pay the dealer his mark-up, go home and enjoy your weapon and in two years when you list your weapon we can read someone else's comment about your pricing. There is nothing wrong with someone wanting to recover their cost, however there also is nothing wrong with you making a counter offer. [:D] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by dkf
There is nothing wrong with someone wanting to recover their cost, however there also is nothing wrong with you making a counter offer. [:D]
DKF, I understand that we all want to recover as much of our cost as possible. I have bought many a car new from a dealer only to have the value drop 15-25% the minute it was titled to me, not when I drove it off the lot. The same concept holds true with guns. Unless you are fortunate enough to purchase that rare weapon that there was only a few made, or has some historical and/or collectable worthiness, values go down. You also mention that there is nothing wrong with making a counter offer. This is an auction site, I believe the agreement we agreed to when signing up for membership here says something about not making deals outside of the auction??? Maybe it would be acceptable to contact the seller after the auction ends if they didn't manage to sell their weapon and make an offer then.
Look, I am not trying to make a scene here. I simply feel that a lot of folks don't really know the worth of their weapon when they price it. Sort of like when most people trade in their old car only to find out it is worth considerably less than what they had hoped. Hoped is the key word here, there are ways to investigate and find out the value of anything, cars and weapons. That is where the Blue Book comes in. I apologize to anyone I may have offended, I am simply expressing my opinion. And yes, I will continue to spend time looking over the auctions in persuit of whatever may catch my eye. But, I intend to know it's value when making a bid or deciding not to.0 -
Trigger, here in the Houston area there is a gun show about every other weekend within driving distance (less than 100 miles). I also find that the online auctions cannot compete with gun show prices. If it is a common gun your looking for you may find that your local Walmart has the best price. I just bid $100 on a gun that did not meet the sellers reserve. I bought the gun at Walmart for $89 plus tax. There are plenty of good deals on the auctions. Finding a good deal on something you are looking for don't come along very often. 0 -
Most of the auction prices are daft as hell. I personally don't think it's a good way for a new guy to buy anything. Those Blue Book valus are at least a year or two old. It's the lead time required for printing, research, etc. hunter7737,'s got a good idea. Hit the gun shows. 0 -
I don't have the foggiest what my guns are worth. I let you good people set the value by bidding. The high bid at auction end is what it was worth that day, in this market.
People who routinely use reserves are overly cautious or else fishing.
SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the best gun auction site on the Net! Email davidnunn@texoma.net0 -
The simple fact of the matter is, what your are looking for is somewhat of a speciality gun. Not everybody has a sporting clay gun at home, say like a 30/30 or a pump shotgun. If you want a bargin shot gun wait for one of your buddies to sell his mossberg pump for $75.00. If you want a sporting clay gun you are probably going to have to spend a little more money. If you look regularly at the auction, you will find a bargin sooner or later. However these auction are not full of guy just giving their guns away. So you will just have to play the waiting game or pay the price. 0 -
I've bought four or five guns here at the auction and got good deals on them. The problem is you have to wait and find the right gun then hope no one wants it more than you. Most of the time I bid only on guns that have no reserve. Just keep looking you'll find one sooner or later.
JW
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If the gun sells, someone thought it was worth the price. Money in hand will win out over a "Blue Book" opinion any time. Study and know your market and set your price limit accordingly. Remember, if you win an auction, you paid more than anyone else was willing to pay. 0
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