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May not be possible to get a good deal.

DocDoc Member Posts: 13,898 ✭✭✭
edited March 2015 in General Discussion
After watching the auctions for about 5 months I see a pattern. Anything not bid up to absolute top dollar attracts FFLs bidding. If they can get it for $25 under tippy top retail price they buy it and 10 days later it's back up for auction with a starting price exactly what they paid for it. I have seen a couple sold twice this way and both times the second seller made $200-$300 profit.

Well, whoopie for them but it sure makes it discouraging for guys just trying to buy the gun they want. I have just about given up on getting what I want from the auctions. Went to the bank today and got cash. Going to the show on Saturday. Probably won't find what I want but if I do at least nobody will snatch it out of my hands at the last second and I won't be competing against a dealer.
....................................................................................................
Too old to live...too young to die...
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Comments

  • Smitty500magSmitty500mag Member Posts: 13,623 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Same thing with just about everything else for sale today. If it's a great deal on real estate the realtors will scarf it up before it ever hits the market. If it's used cars the people at the dealership grab it. If it's guns in a local bargain mart magazine the people at the magazine will let their friends know about it before it ever makes print.
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  • skicatskicat Member Posts: 14,431 ✭
    edited November -1
    I'm pretty surge the dealers know about the gun shows also.
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  • armilitearmilite Member Posts: 35,490 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I realized for the most part is that if there are any good deals at a gun show. They are all made before the general public is allowed in. It used to be if I went to a show with $100 there would be tons of stuff available for decent prices. If I take $500 with me now there is nothing to be had. Which then reverts back to my opening statement. The other thing I find troubling as well is that there are less and less of actual guns at shows and more and more junk.
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  • MG1890MG1890 Member Posts: 4,460 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    It's because money talks.

    Might as well face the fact that unless you get lucky, you ain't buyin' one of these under fair market value.

    Lots of people with lots of money are "flipping" anything they can to make a buck.

    Forgot to add: Dealers don't pay full retail. They buy at a price to make money. Therefore, you should pay more than a dealer. If dealers are paying more than you are willing, then you need to bring more money to the table.

    Sorry, I find no sympathy. I'd love to buy high condition Winchester 22 pumps for less than market value..... but if I held out for the "steals", my collection would be mighty small.
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  • gearheaddadgearheaddad Member Posts: 15,091 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My friend runs an annual auction near my house every year. Many people * and complain that the selling prices are too high. No deals to be had. Too many dealers buying guns for re sale.Blah Blah Blah.........
    If a dealer can buy a gun and make money off it, you as the consumer should be fairly content with the going price. With Colt SAA's and high quality Lever action Winchesters, there aren't too many bargains out there.[;)][;)][:D]
    Good luck, I wish you the best finding that Nickel plated 45 4 3/4" barrel for well under 2 grand.
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  • Mr. PerfectMr. Perfect Member, Moderator Posts: 66,437 ******
    edited November -1
    The main problem as I see it is, that normal prices just aren't what we're used to.
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    And fiery auto crashes
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    While sifting through my ashes
    Some will fall in love with life
    And drink it from a fountain
    That is pouring like an avalanche
    Coming down the mountain
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  • shilowarshilowar Member Posts: 38,811 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by MG1890
    It's because money talks.

    Might as well face the fact that unless you get lucky, you ain't buyin' one of these under fair market value.

    Lots of people with lots of money are "flipping" anything they can to make a buck.


    Yep and the internet and fleabay and GB make it easy for folks to know exactly what something is worth. There are great deals on GB, but its about timing and the item you are looking for. If you want a SAA you're gonna have to pay for it, you are not likely to find any "deals" for a sought after firearm. Now if you are looking for something common, you can find a good deal. I've scored several on here this year alone, a Sig 938 for $80-100 below typical price and POF P-308 for several hundred below what I am about to trade it for.
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  • DocDoc Member Posts: 13,898 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You're right about prices being higher than my brain can process.

    Yup, the show dealers do run around and snap up fabulous deals before the doors open. I don't expect a fabulous deal, just a good one. So far no go.

    I have already adjusted my sights down several notches. No longer holding out for perfect, just seeking acceptable at this point. Still frustrated.

    Last time I was at this show one dealer had a 5.5" SAA in nickel at $1,400. I groaned because it was soooo close to what I wanted. If I could go back I would have bagged it in a heartbeat. Hoping it's unsold and still on the table. If so, it WILL be coming home with me.

    I hate looking for a particular gun. I am much better at impulse buying.
    ....................................................................................................
    Too old to live...too young to die...
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  • gearheaddadgearheaddad Member Posts: 15,091 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I too am an impulse buyer, Doc.
    I always have a mental list of things I'll buy if I find and everything is right, especially the price. I'm also not afraid to "bend" my requirements if I find something close. Take the 5 1/2" Colt for $1400.00. So close, I'd probably buy it and then keep looking. I'm pretty sure I'd be able to get the $1400.00 out of it if I find exactly what I want.[;)]
    Never seem to lose with quality guns.....
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  • ChrisInTempeChrisInTempe Member Posts: 15,562 ✭
    edited November -1
    Before the panic I was getting some very good buys here.

    Not anymore.
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  • MG1890MG1890 Member Posts: 4,460 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The good buys are still here. Cannot expect to still be able to buy at "pre panic" prices.

    Virtually any name brand gun here for sale or auction shares a common denominator: If you buy it for the prevailing price, in 10 years you will look back and wish you had bought 1/2 a dozen for that price.
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  • DocDoc Member Posts: 13,898 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm sure deals can be had in general, I'm referring to my specific search. The SAA is a hot item and prices are crazy. New retail is $1,419 but every authorized dealer I called said they haven't seen a gun come from Colt in two years. They may have quietly stopped production on everything except 1911 pattern pistols and AR based rifles. They could sell as many as they care to make for $1,800 but either they lose money at that price or they aren't interested.

    It's sad. I hate to see Colt fall by the wayside but I think it's happened some time ago.
    ....................................................................................................
    Too old to live...too young to die...
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  • GrasshopperGrasshopper Member Posts: 17,042 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    25 under retail and sell it for 200-300 more,,could you please give an example? just curious.[?]
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  • gearheaddadgearheaddad Member Posts: 15,091 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yup. You're right Doc. But, I'll keep buying them! Just can't seem to miss with a good Colt SAA. Just about anyone is worth darn near 2 grand to start.[;)]
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  • Ditch-RunnerDitch-Runner Member Posts: 25,387 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    +100 I use to love to go the gun shows not so much now [V] the internet and every one trying to squeeze the last nickel out of a item.

    the only good deals I find on line is a buy it now auction where they sell under market value ,,and there getting rare as every one researches for the most part ,,
    also that's part of why the one dollar auctions do so well people will push them right to the market value 99% of the time



    quote:Originally posted by armilite
    I realized for the most part is that if there are any good deals at a gun show. They are all made before the general public is allowed in. It used to be if I went to a show with $100 there would be tons of stuff available for decent prices. If I take $500 with me now there is nothing to be had. Which then reverts back to my opening statement. The other thing I find troubling as well is that there are less and less of actual guns at shows and more and more junk.
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  • wundudneewundudnee Member Posts: 6,108 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have bought propane for .11 cents, gasoline for 18 cents, bread for 25 cents and mustard for .10 cents.

    I have bought guns, cars and tractors that would bring 10 times the price now.

    I've always figured if I was the last bidder over a dealer at an auction I got the item at market price. That's the way he makes his living, so I think he must know current value.

    I get sticker shock too, but I think it's mostly because I'm so damn old.[:D]
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  • savage170savage170 Member Posts: 37,572 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I was having the same problem with the 44-40 I wanted. Eventually one snuck thru at a good price.
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  • mark christianmark christian Member Posts: 24,443 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Frank, getting a "Good deal" and getting the pistol are going to prove mutually exclusive. Either hunker down and wait it out (weeks, months, or maybe years) for the elusive good deal to fall into your lap, or just go out and buy a nice SAA by paying the top price. The guy who spends the most money always gets his gun, while the guy waiting for the good deal usually keeps right on waiting. The deal may be out there, but you can't be constantly disappointed when it is not. That's why they are called good deals. If they were everyday events they'd just be purchases.
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  • DocDoc Member Posts: 13,898 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Grasshopper- No. I can't.

    mc- Five months ago I would have disagreed. I am already adopting an ambush attitude. I watch, I wait, and will go for one at the opportune time fully anticipating that I will miss it. When I do, I will crawl back into the spider hole and start watching again.
    ....................................................................................................
    Too old to live...too young to die...
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  • asopasop Member Posts: 9,021 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If it's something I've really been looking for, for sometime my thinking is "I'm simply buying it too soon"[;)] And buy it[:)]
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  • CaptFunCaptFun Member Posts: 16,678 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Check out the stuff coming from this seller. They will be listing some pretty cool stuff in the near future. Some of it will be sold "Woot" Style large lots of stuff at a price set to really blow the inventory out.
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  • 1BigGuy1BigGuy Member Posts: 4,033 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My problem is that I want too many things; and often arrive with the finances to get them.
    Case in point: at a December gun show I found an FN 1922 with Romanian markings! Talk about rare. Since I collect 1922s, I couldn't wait to buy it, even at the exorbitant price offered. When I asked the seller about its history, he told me he got it from another table before the show opened. Wouldn't disclose his cost. That's okay.
    I probably made that seller's whole show all by myself.
    I would have liked to have pre-show access like the sellers do. Maybe I should rent a table just for the access and not bring anything except cash. Might have saved some money in this case. . .
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  • CaptFunCaptFun Member Posts: 16,678 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by 1BigGuy
    Maybe I should rent a table just for the access and not bring anything except cash. Might have saved some money in this case. . .


    What do you think the guys selling Jerky are doing????
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