Buying used?

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Alderman

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Nov 16, 2020
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Oregon, United States
I purchased my first quality air rifle off another site. I started a conversation with the seller and it turns out he is a knowledgeable air gun enthusiast who has been willing to answer any questions I have about the rifle and air gunning in general. I am now making a deal to purchase two more air rifles and will make a trip to pick up one of them tomorrow. 

After talking with all three gentlemen on the phone I found them all to be very willing to chat about air guns and share their enthusiasm about the air gun world. 

I also found on Airgun Nation there seems to be very little sniping at individuals for their choices that is often found on other fire arm sites. Folks just state their opinions and share their experiences and move on. 

Other members here opt to go to the used market rather than paying top dollar for new?
 
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There are only a couple of times that I've bought new and the rest of the time I buy used almost exclusively. This is mostly because I don't keep anything for that long and it doesn't make sense to take the 10-30% hit when you go to resell a rifle you just bought new that same year. 

However, there's definitely an art to buying used so that you don't end up with headaches or getting burned. There are a handful of members here that I've dealt with on multiple items that I'd buy from just based on their word and reputation alone, no pics needed. For most others, you need to do your due diligence to better understand what you're buying. But if you're going to be going through a lot of items, it definitely makes sense to buy used otherwise you'll make an already expensive hobby even more costly.
 
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If / when I buy used. I expect it to be some sort of project. Weather that’s repairing broken or worn out parts. Or just upgrading to aftermarket parts. So because of this I make sure the sale price is cheap enough to offset replacement parts. 
I bought a used Benjamin Marauder pistol with a few very nice upgrades. Off of this site. 
I feel I paid a fair price. This gun is amazing! I will never sell it. It’s one of those things. 
I also bought a brand new air rifle (PCP). It’s got some quarks. I’ve had some frustration with it. But I’m not loosing hope. 
So in short it’s always a gamble. 
 
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Case by case basis, talk to the seller study the photos ask questions...two of my favorite airguns (Taipan Veteran and a .177 Huntsman) were used but bought from trusted members with lots of feedback, wouldn't be possiable to be happier with each deal, I see lots of quility guns on the classifieds and always check the members profile and feed back, when buying or selling I like to "talk" to whomever I'm dealing with to avoid "misunderstandings".
 
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A very small percentage of the stuff I buy or trade for on of AGN classifieds is junk. The majority of it is very good quality without problems and at most a couple of cosmetic flaws normal to usage. I am usually able to repair the junk and make it at least useful. So, I have no problems at all with buying used airguns, parts or accessories.
 
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Lefties seldom have the option of buying used. I watch the AG classifieds. When I see something that appeals to me a closer look generally shows the right hand specific. Nice used left hand stuff doesn’t come up for sale very often. When something lefty or ambi shows up I feel tempted even if I have no particular use for it - even if it’s a bull pup. Uj
 
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I have 8 rather decent air rifles at the moment and bought only one of them new. Five of them were purchased from members right here on this forum. I've had very good luck buying used guns over the years, and I'm hoping I never cave and buy a new in the box airgun again. There are certain sellers on here I'd much rather sit back and collect their used guns than chance buying new! LOL Derrick Wall, Ken Hicks, and Charlie Frear being sellers I've got some of my best used guns from! Took a chance and bought my Colibri from a seller over on the GTA forum in 2016 and it's been phenomenal. I've bought several locally over the years from Field Target club members as well. You would be amazed the guns you can run across if you just join a Field Target club if you have one close by.



In the price range guns I'm looking I usually find them close to $400 off retail. Then if I decide to sell I can get back closer to the money I have invested in it, instead of taking such a loss. Some guns and even some scopes I've gotten at almost half retail price and they turned out to be just as good or better than new.

Welcome to the madness.

Peace and classifieds grease

Fuss
 
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I have bought thousands of things used,including guns and scopes.....never a problem with guns,scopes are another matter as I have had a few bad ones......I have been buying used for decades,so I am well versed......should always look at a sellers feedback,or at least get a feel for the sellers.

If it is too good to be true,then it is not true..........unless a woman's involved.

A hobby of mine is to know the going rate of whatever I am interested in.

I admit I have a buying problem....if I can only change my addiction from buying into selling....I have to,I am out of room....
 
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I only buy used as a last resort, or if the price is very good. Last airgun I bought, I thought was a good deal. I knew the seller was lying, so I offered $100 less. “ No issues at all” he said. Of course he was lying. With the extended delivery times, the gun arrived with very little air. It was leaking air, about 25-35 bar per day. I would have bought it anyway, but would have had him ship it to my gunsmith instead of me. Shipping both ways was $124. It was an OK deal, but not a great deal. Just a refresher course to avoid used. Same reason I have owned 30 brand new cars.
 
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yenniedn said:
There are only a couple of times that I've bought new and the rest of the time I buy used almost exclusively. This is mostly because I don't keep anything for that long and it doesn't make sense to take the 10-30% hit when you go to resell a rifle you just bought new that same year.

However, there's definitely an art to buying used so that you don't end up with headaches or getting burned. There are a handful of members here that I've dealt with on multiple items that I'd buy from just based on their word and reputation alone, no pics needed. For most others, you need to do your due diligence to better understand what you're buying. But if you're going to be going through a lot of items, it definitely makes sense to buy used otherwise you'll make an already expensive hobby even more costly.
Click to expand...
How do you usually buy if they’re private sellers? PayPal?
 
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"Other members here opt to go to the used market rather than paying top dollar for new?"

That statement ending with a question mark, it's not only a question, but a true statement. In fact, I'd go so far as to say a vast majority of other members here.

Having been an obsessive airgunner for over 60 years, I've owned close to a thousand. Somewhere between 75 and 90% were purchased used. Considering you're an airgun newbie, a quote form my first book may serve you well about what to expect when buying used airguns, and/or as a warning.

"In the buying, selling, trading and shooting of hundreds of airguns One becomes an airgunsmith, like it or not."

In retrospect, it occurs to me that should have read, "In the buying, selling, trading and shooting of more than a handful of airguns One becomes an airgunsmith, like it or not." :unsure:

The sentence following that quote above read, "Luckily, I love to tinker with and customize anything that launches a projectile." In the last few years I've started using a more accurate term to refer to MY airgunsmithing; 'MONKEYING'. 🐒

In my opinion there are few mechanical gadgets more responsive to monkeying than airguns; nor any more illustrative of how gratifying, maddening, and/or POSSESSED mechanical gadgets can be.🤬 Consider yourself duly forewarned.:oops:

:ROFLMAO:

RR card copy.jpg
 
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Bought 3 pumpers which the sellers said did not leak. 2 of the 3 leaked. The leaked ones were from Gunbroker and AA. The good one was from Baker Airguns. Now I will only buy a pumper from Baker Airguns. If I ever buy a pumper or CO2 gun from Ebay or AA, I will assume I will need to reseal it. I also stay away from springers on Gunbroker when the seller does not give much information and states "Has been test fired". Always afraid they dry fired it.
 
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