Trading airguns to a shop

[bchannell]

I saw a post a while back about "are expensive airguns worth it?" and it got me thinking.

I've been kind of discouraged by the offers given by shops to trade airguns. I know in the powder burner world, the usual offer is 65-70% depending on popularity, but it seems in the airgun world it's far lower, in the 35-45% range. I'm talking about top shelf airguns, that cost $1200 and up.

Anyone else wonder about this discrepency in values? I mean maybe it's true, they're not worth it. I know it's a hobby and we're not here as consumers to make money, but it sure seems out of whack. The new Blackwolf is pushing a price most of us don't/won't want to pay.

 

[Bramezy]

Just how our market is due to the mass amount of new product being pumped into it and the high rise and slight fall recently as well. Most "hobbies" are experiencing the same. The deflation from the covid burst maybe? Most markets do this up and down thing. Some recover and some dont. At the rate we are going if the supply continues but the demand doesn't then it will bottom out bad. Popularity, extra cash flow and possibly other factors come together for this. Its a buyers market for sure right now. Could change but if FX and others keep pumping out new models the secondary market will be so over saturated resale will constantly be crap. Manufactures dont care about anything but the initial sale.

 

[coastal drifter]

Most "shops" are in the business of selling new guns, not buying used guns. buying a used gun is a risk to re-sell with any profit margin. Like a used car, your better off selling it yourself than trading in.

 

[Trucker3573]

I think it’s multi layered. People have to realize that a shop is giving a guaranteed sale to the consumer. Taking on all the risk of having to flip it and obviously not take a loss. By not taking a loss the offer has to be below used market value or it just isn’t worth the time to invest in taking trades. This coupled with people have no clue what the market is, none. I guess they just don’t research ?? Airguns depreciate much more than firearms. Is what it is. I don’t think people realize bolt on accessories are worth pennies on the dollar added value to a gun. Guess I’m guilty often in the opposite direction. As I often laugh at a certain western US retailer that sells a lot of used guns prices but someone is paying them I guess .

 

[JDR]

Selling firearms on consignment has worked for me. The gun shop charges a 15% fee on guns that sell. I think the gun shop my brother deals with only charges 10%. I'm not sure of the traffic in my gun shop for airguns, I might try an airgun there later. However, there may be some shops that sell airguns and take consignments.

 

[Trucker3573]

I think I saw some consignments at cape fear Airguns.

 

[Taylor.Nicholas]

I saw a post a while back about "are expensive airguns worth it?" and it got me thinking.

I've been kind of discouraged by the offers given by shops to trade airguns. I know in the powder burner world, the usual offer is 65-70% depending on popularity, but it seems in the airgun world it's far lower, in the 35-45% range. I'm talking about top shelf airguns, that cost $1200 and up.

Anyone else wonder about this discrepency in values? I mean maybe it's true, they're not worth it. I know it's a hobby and we're not here as consumers to make money, but it sure seems out of whack. The new Blackwolf is pushing a price most of us don't/won't want to pay.

I wanted to list my Western Rattler. But would much rather prefer to sell it in person or a store. Is anyone aware of any shops in the TN / KY tristate area that deals with big bore rifles? Or do you guys just call up any random gun store? I appreciate any info. Thank you!

 

[dgeesaman]

I saw a post a while back about "are expensive airguns worth it?" and it got me thinking.

I've been kind of discouraged by the offers given by shops to trade airguns. I know in the powder burner world, the usual offer is 65-70% depending on popularity, but it seems in the airgun world it's far lower, in the 35-45% range. I'm talking about top shelf airguns, that cost $1200 and up.

Anyone else wonder about this discrepency in values? I mean maybe it's true, they're not worth it. I know it's a hobby and we're not here as consumers to make money, but it sure seems out of whack. The new Blackwolf is pushing a price most of us don't/won't want to pay.

No I don’t wonder about it. Resale on used airguns never approaches new prices - maybe 70% of new in the best case - so when you consider margins and risk that’s the starting price for a retailer to make a margin.

 

[Vana2]

My airgun supplier (pusher? ) usually has a couple of second hand airguns for sale.

When I was looking at getting my HM1000x I asked my shop what trade in value my FX Royale 500 had and, in discussion, he recommended that I sell privately.

Seems that second hand airguns don't move quickly so he is stuck with old, used models tying up cash for a long time. Technology is moving fast and people prefer new and improved models.

As far as the difference in resale values, airguns are more complex than powder burners and are often abused by people who don't know what they are doing. Personally, I would never buy a second hand airgun unless I knew the owner and its history well.

The other thing is that shops have enough trouble moving high-end airguns and every second hand gun sold is one less new gun sale. Buying low and selling at a reasonable profit is the only way to make that work for the store.

I'm very careful with my purchases, it's the bestway to avoid buyers/seller's remorse. I do a lot of thinking time to determine what I really need, do the research to find right airgun for that application. I don't sell/trade an airgun unless I have no other choice. ...Oh, I still have my FX Royale 500

Cheers!

 

[beerthief]

I wanted to list my Western Rattler. But would much rather prefer to sell it in person or a store. Is anyone aware of any shops in the TN / KY tristate area that deals with big bore rifles? Or do you guys just call up any random gun store? I appreciate any info. Thank you!

I don't know of any gun store that takes Air stuff
Stan in Ky

 

[beerthief]

All air guns are a risk as a second hand item ! they have O rings that could fail any second. A store should test any gun before putting it up for sale , that takes a bit of time (cost) they have to clean it up ,again time $$ . Listing it for sale again $$ answering the phone with questions about said item $$
I bought a rifle , my friend and i shot it 8 times before giving a fair price for the gun , Got it home and didn't make 10 pellets through it , Broken spring .
Seller thought it was fine / Buyer (me ) thought it was fine . I am now the proud owner of a broken Air Gun . Just the way it go's .

 

[Vana2]

All air guns are a risk as a second hand item ! they have O rings that could fail any second. A store should test any gun before putting it up for sale , that takes a bit of time (cost) they have to clean it up ,again time $$ . Listing it for sale again $$ answering the phone with questions about said item $$
I bought a rifle , my friend and i shot it 8 times before giving a fair price for the gun , Got it home and didn't make 10 pellets through it , Broken spring .
Seller thought it was fine / Buyer (me ) thought it was fine . I am now the proud owner of a broken Air Gun . Just the way it go's .

Yup, broken airgun and no warranty.

 

[cmatera]

It used to be buying a used airgun was a risk. Today, buying a new airgun is almost as great a risk. You have a warranty that might be honored, but how about the $175 to ship it fully insured one way, and the month lost using your new gun?
Used guns are still a good buy, but make sure the seller is well-established, with verifiable feedback, not some ham-fisted dunce who got his first PCP a month ago, complains about the 10 post rule, who brags about all the internal modifications he's done.

 

[beerthief]

Yup, broken airgun and no warranty.

could happen to anyone ,store or privet sale that's why they say "as is "

 

[coastal drifter]

could happen to anyone ,store or privet sale that's why they say "as is "

the 5x5 sale =5minutes or 5ft from the door lol

 

[woogie_man]

You also have to consider if the sales places carries the brand you are trying to sell. If it's not one they carry it could cost them more if the rifle doesn't work. Powder burners are extremely basic when compared to our airguns. So a gunsmith needs to be more specialized for air.