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How to determine reasonable price
mafcbg
Member Posts: 3 ✭
What do people use, who are new to guns, to determine if the asking price for a used gun is reasonable? There doesn't seem to be any websites, like they have for cars, that provide this information.
Comments
Go to this page:
https://www.gunbroker.com/a/my-gunbroker
At the top right,click on "advanced".
Under 5he words Advanced Search click on the tab " completed auctions"
Try to be as specific as you can.
Gun prices vary greatly by region. You won't get (or pay) much for a ".30-30 woods rifle" in the Rocky Mountain states.
Similarly, in a big city a Glock might go for a lot more than a Blackhawk.
If you're buying locally, you can deduct shipping, percentages, etc. from realized prices.
My advice is to peruse a variety of price offerings for the gun you are interested in, from various sources (the best is probably the completed auctions search function @jimdeere suggests) and then bid what you are willing to pay and no more or less.
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
There is a book called: The Blue Book of Gun Values that can give you a ballpark idea of used guns. If you’re looking at a new gun you’re pretty much going to be paying MSRP. When buying a used gun things that can increase price are first off, condition and does it come with the original box and papers. Following auctions here on Gunbroker can give you a good idea on prices and what a particular firearm is worth. And you may just find a good deal on a gun as well.
Educate yourself with books, Past auctions and reading up on the guns you wish to purchase. Just because a gun is "old", doesn't make it valuable, but on the other hand, it could be worth a fortune. I always look at the bore, lock up and condition of the stocks. Stocks can tell a story. Then there is other things to consider. Like if you are buying a Marlin lever action rifle. Who was it made buy??? Marlin, Remington, Ruger, Sears????? Look for the stamping on the barrel. JM is an original John Marlin, REM is Remington, Rug is Ruger. Another thing to check is serial numbers. They should be on all the different parts, such as the receiver, barrel, and so on. But not all guns are made this way. This is why you need a gun book on firearm values and conditions. Blue book is pretty good, but also remember, that the market is always changing, and thus it might not reflect the true value. Oakie
Do your home work. As said gun prices are regional. Blue book is not too accurate.
Learn to judge condition, remember, learn to judge condition.
Prepare to loose a few dollars for your gun education.
I would then sort the completed auctions by bids - high bid count to low bid count. High bid counts most likely means the gun/s sold.
Without bids you're just looking at auctions that were listed and ended.
I prefer auction history, the book prices are mostly outdated by the time they get printed. A general reference maybe, but I wouldnt buy or sell a gun using book prices.
Thanks. Completed auctions has given me the information I need to determine listings asking for too much.
If you tell us what you are interested in, maybe when can help you in the future. There are some really knowledgeable firearms people on here, with a lot of experience, buying and selling. Most of us enjoy helping a newbie with answers to their questions, as you can see from all the responses. Quite a few collectors on here too. Oakie