Unreasonable Prices - Why?

[The Marshal]

I saw a listing from a local dealer for a NIB SCAR .308 for a killer price of $4999.99

I laughed.

[Oldgringo]

I took photos today of my Kimber Custom Target II that I've decided to sell. But looking at all of the guns currently listed herein, this may not be a good time to sell. Everybody can look on the internet and see what market value is for just about anything. Like TAM, I'm not going to play games with the asking or selling price when it does get posted here - and elsewhere.

[92f-fan]

I gave up on gun broker for the same reasons

Amazed at what people will try to sell stuff for, especially new stuff. Im amazed in general at the used prices too ... I often see people listing used guns on various places including here for MSRP or close, in some cases they justify the price by lumping in a holster or other accessories - most of which have near zero value on used market ...

Im guessing they are hoping someone is in a place where they HAVE TO HAVE it

Guns or other wise - unless its for sale for ~60% of MSRP - Ill just pay the extra and buy new ... less risk

[WildBill]

If someone will pay that price, then that is its value. If nobody will pay that price, then that's not its value, and the gun won't sell unless the seller adjusts the price downward. But if somebody does buy, then your estimate of value is too low. That simple.

The same is true of any item for sale on the free market.

[Oldgringo]

If someone will pay that price, then that is its value. If nobody will pay that price, then that's not its value, and the gun won't sell unless the seller adjusts the price downward. But if somebody does buy, then your estimate of value is too low. That simple.

The same is true of any item for sale on the free market.

Is that why it's called a 'free enterprise' system?

[Rex B]

Yep, TAM has it right. If it's priced too high, it won't sell, and the prospective seller has wasted his time.

But you can still get some good deals on GB, particularly for less common items.
And popular items that are allowed to reach their natural level are still about the best way of setting a value on a gun. I look at "Sold Items", sorted by # of bids on a regular basis.

But if I'm looking for a specific gun, new, at a fair price, I often end up on GunsAmerica. I have bought more guns on GA that GB.

[SSwt00SS]

Remember, asking price and selling price are two different things.

OP, I understand completely where you are coming from. I see it on GB and Armslist as well. My approach is to keep an eye on the item of interest and should it end up being relisted, or reposted, I approach by saying, "I've noticed that this has been sitting for a while at $xxx.xx price". I'm interested in taking it off your hands by putting money in yours. So let's talk."

I knows that sometimes having money burning in your pocket gets frustrating, and it amazes me at the amount of people who you want to do business with, can't see a simple business transaction through, but sometimes you end up scoring a better deal in the long-run. Don't give up. Stay persistent.

[JSThane]

Just think of it as "online gun show pricing."

I still browse through Gunbroker, but I don't and won't bid on anything. It's entirely window shopping, just without the cranky dude behind the table demanding to know "You gonna buy that now that you got your fingerprints on it?" I've completely given up on the local gun shows; I think the last one I went to, I saw the same rifle I'd been seeing for the last seven or eight years, still with the price tag from seven years ago on it, and still with a number 3-4 times the value of the gun.

The phenomenon's nothing new. The cranky dude complaining no one's buying his overpriced stuff at the gun show's just moved his booth online.

[Abraham]

This thread reminds of the guys who complained they were being gouged for the cost of certain cigars.

I have no patience for this attitude.

As someone earlier mentioned: It's the free enterprise system.

Don't like the price?

Tough!

No one is forcing you to buy.

Some would welcome price controls on everything, but not me.

As a consumer, you're required to do your due diligence when buying anything.

If you're too lazy or slow to perform this task, again, tough!

Also, again, it's called the free enterprise system.

[mojo84]

Just a little rant. I am getting pretty sick of people trying to sell guns way over market price. For example, just about every gun I am interested in is listed on Gunbroker at least $100 over Bud's price (with delivery included for Bud's). Day after day, I see virtually every gun listed on these auction sites expiring with no bids. I often see the same tactic on texasguntrader (though not to the same degree). It just seems so pointless. I have cash, you have a gun, but we can't get together because you think your used firearm (along with the risks and inconveniences of a FTF sale) is worth 125% of NIB value or are hoping that at some point you can victimize an uneducated buyer.

That is why I like this forum - I am much more likely to find a firearm at a price that approximates value.

Asking price is just the starting point for negotiations. Make them an offer you are comfortable with and go from there. Embrace the free enterprise system because it's huge element of Liberty.

[Cedar Park Dad]

This thread reminds of the guys who complained they were being gouged for the cost of certain cigars.

I have no patience for this attitude.

As someone earlier mentioned: It's the free enterprise system.

Don't like the price?

Tough!

No one is forcing you to buy.

Some would welcome price controls on everything, but not me.

As a consumer, you're required to do your due diligence when buying anything.

If you're too lazy or slow to perform this task, again, tough!

Also, again, it's called the free enterprise system.

I'm not averse to that. More averse to the bids that are frankly insulting, cluttering up the sites...

[anygunanywhere]

I took photos today of my Kimber Custom Target II that I've decided to sell. But looking at all of the guns currently listed herein, this may not be a good time to sell. Everybody can look on the internet and see what market value is for just about anything. Like TAM, I'm not going to play games with the asking or selling price when it does get posted here - and elsewhere.

I'll give you a buck 2.98 for it.

[Keith B]

The way I look at it, it is a free country and capitalism is in play. If an individual wants to mark their gun up 3 times the realistic price and list it, then more power to them. No one has to buy it at that. My only requirement is that they follow all rules and laws for the sale.

Personally, I made a good profit on a couple of AR stripped lowers during the first Obammer run. Lowers were going for $250 plus, if you could find them. I put mine out on a table at a gun show and sold them both for $500 total. I had originally paid $69 each for them. The guy that bought them showed me his CHL.

[Abraham]

Keith B,

Bingo!

[JSThane]

The way I look at it, it is a free country and capitalism is in play. If an individual wants to mark their gun up 3 times the realistic price and list it, then more power to them. No one has to buy it at that. My only requirement is that they follow all rules and laws for the sale.

Few years ago, I was acquaintances with a fellow who owned a pawn shop in the city I used to live. Dude was a big-time gunnie, and apparently his wife was getting tired of him "bringing home the merchandise," and told him to sell off some of his guns. So, he put them up for sale in his shop, marked 1.5x MSRP, so that if anyone wanted -that gun- badly enough, he could take the profits and go buy another. Someone actually bought a couple of them! A Magnum Research BFR in .45-70 was marked - used, mind you - at ~1400-1500 dollars, and it sold!

No, I don't like the ridiculous mark-ups either, and I'll point and laugh as much as the next guy at the sellers who honestly expect to receive their eye-gouge prices (and who complain when no one bites), but I'll also point and laugh at those who won't do their diligent research and plop down too much money on a "gotta-have-it-now!" toy. And yes, I've been Mr. Gotta-Have-It once or twice in my life, too; hopefully, I learned my lesson.