When selling a used airgun ...

[Fl surveyor]

Good morning! I am new to AGN, also pretty new to airguning. My wife gave me the Benjamin bulldog 357 combo package last year. I fell in love with the sport. I didn't know about AGN or classifieds selling used airguns. But I could have saved alot of money. Also I would have probably got a different gun. I just got it back from Brian at Veradium air. Now I'm in the market for a scope. It just doesn't seem right to put the Centerpoint that came with the combo on such a nice gun. As a father of 6, money is always short. Especially this time of year. So if I can save 25% or more from the classifieds I consider that a blessing.

As far as discounts, I review the classifieds for the numbers. When I see gun X up for say $1200 and it's not moving and I have same gun, I would list it for $100 less at initial listing. If it remains unsold, THEN I decide if I'm willing to lower it further, if not, I pull the ad.

 

[rangur1]

Someone on another thread suggested shop by “brand “ sections of the forum. That would be a benefit to buyers and sellers.

Another person on that same thread suggested … this ain’t rocket science.

Airguns are not an investment …

I have a question to all about when a gun is “ slashed blowout pricing”
Like the recent Crossman Icon sale.

So what’s the used price ?
If they were bought new at one very higher and one very low price

??

Ok Perle, since you selected me for others posts, I try to interpret them as well as I can.

Shop by brand- on the classifieds there is a "filter" icon on the right. When you click on that it will bring up subsections, PCP, traditional, mags, optics, etc. You select "WTS" and filter. BAM! The refined search list appears.

"This ain't rocket science"- Well, this comment is self explanatory. If you see 3 similar guns to the one you wish to list at a certain price and are struggling to sell, yours will not fetch more $$$. If you are trying to sell it, you will need to lower the price a fair bit say 15%.

"Airguns are not an investment"- NO they are not! Like any depreciating asset, the fall in value with time. Doesn't mean they are worthless. By year 2 of ownership, a 40% drop is to be expected- if you maintain them!

"Slashed blowout pricing" - A marketing tactic to move inventory by a vendor. Do the research, Buy the gun you WANT, don't get sucked into a supposedly "great" deal on a gun you may not of had interest in in the first place.

 

[Ezana4CE]

Reading these posts I feel like airguns have some sort of relation to boats lol I was always told how bad of a investment boats and rvs are

@rwsmike It seems that there is folly in this thinking. I can’t tell you much about boats, but buying airguns as investments seems foolish unless you’re some sort of rare Airgun collector, plan on holding them for decades, and care for them like a museum curator. For what I pay for airguns I expect to get some enjoyment from shooting my guns and to put some meat in my belly. If your airguns serve you as tools do to a mechanic or carpenter, then you may have seriously justified some of your airgun purchases as wise purchases.

 

[dens228]

I won't pay new or near new prices for items on here. I used to get annoyed at people posting their items for 90% of new priced. Now I chuckle and watch them relist the item over and over, reducing it by 2% lol.
That being said I will pay a bit more if buying from well known, apparently knowledgeable folks on here because I trust their maintenance of the item vs someone who comes on here, posts once every few months, usually not at all after reaching the coveted 10 posts.

 

[Vetmx]

Someone on another thread suggested shop by “brand “ sections of the forum. That would be a benefit to buyers and sellers.

Another person on that same thread suggested … this ain’t rocket science.

Airguns are not an investment …

I have a question to all about when a gun is “ slashed blowout pricing”
Like the recent Crossman Icon sale.

So what’s the used price ?
If they were bought new at one very higher and one very low price

??

I think it would be up to the buyer to know how cheaply that gun could be had. A honest realistic seller should do the same. I had to do it on a bullpup I sold a while back. The buyer informed me that the price had been lowered from what I originally paid for mine. It caught me off guard so I just asked what’s it worth to you. He said and I sold it to him. Done.

 

[rwsmike]

I still feel strongly about the warranty airforce gives to the original owner. I still have my 2016 condor ss that I bought new and probably will never sell because I'm the original owner. I sure wish other manufacturers would offer the life warranty to the original owner.

 

[dens228]

@rwsmike It seems that there is folly in this thinking. I can’t tell you much about boats, but buying airguns as investments seems foolish unless you’re some sort of rare Airgun collector, plan on holding them for decades, and care for them like a museum curator. For what I pay for airguns I expect to get some enjoyment from shooting my guns and to put some meat in my belly. If your airguns serve you as tools do to a mechanic or carpenter, then you may have seriously justified some of your airgun purchases as wise purchases.

As a boat owner I can tell you that a boat is most definitely not an investment! I believe it's classified as a money pit.....lol
But I wouldn't trade my days on the boat with friends and family for anything in the world.

 

[EPG]

This thread made me think on the subject of new vs. used…

I realized that it has been quite some time since I bought a new rifle (!).

When I started in this hobby I bought new. Now its 5 straight used rifles.

Maybe I’ve been lucky, but those 5 have all been fantastic shooters (based on precision target shooting scores).

I’m likely never going to use a warranty, unless the warranty will ship me the parts and I can do the repair. So warranties don’t hold much value to me.

A great thing about used rifles is that they are vetted to some degree. If the rifle has been holding air for a few months and has been cycled through a few tins of pellets, that gives me confidence that I’m not going to have an immediate failure.

New rifles out-of-the-box that have been shipped overseas, perhaps sitting for weeks/months… and then aired up and “tested” for 5 or 10 shots by a retailer inspires less confidence from me these days.

I’m probably a bit different in that my primary purpose is target shooting, so NO rifle is going to be set up the way I want it as delivered - whether new or used. I’m gonna be taking it apart and adjusting and polishing, so new vs. used is kinda irrelevant.

Just my perspective. As far as pricing on used, I like to be able to talk to the seller, find out more about that particular rifle and negotiate a bit.

As others in this thread have previously stated, it’s worth what I’m willing to pay and if the seller is willing to spend the time with me to get a better picture of the rifle’s condition and flaws (if any), then perhaps it’s worth his asking price - otherwise I’ll make a fair offer.

Just bought a scope here a couple days ago - love AGN Classifieds !

-Ed

 

[shootermeb]

As a general guideline, when selling previously owned items, anticipate receiving around 60-70% of the original cost of the item when purchased new. Exceptions may apply for collectibles or rare items. Additionally, if your item is not the latest version, you might need to adjust your asking price accordingly to tempt someone to buy into the old tech.

While it's acceptable to seek a higher price than the suggested range, you need to manage your expectations. If potential buyers aren't responding to your perceived value, consider lowering your asking price. Remember, adjusting your price to a more reasonable level increases the likelihood of finding a buyer for your item.

 

[ctshooter]

Not sure why so many threads on used sales recently. It's not complicated - supply and demand. The market sets the price, not the individual. You can ask whatever you want - but set your expectations as it's the buying market which will determine the final sales price. If you, as the seller, are willing to accept this then you won't have an issue.

No matter what anyone has said, we are still in a very difficult economic time. Some say that inflation is down - that's totally incorrect - it's the rate at which prices are increasing which has gone down a bit, but the actual prices are still going up. People have less expendable income as more going to pay for food and bills. Even though the value of the dollar is less, people just aren't buying, so be willing to accept less than usual.

On the flip side - right price your item to the demand and you'll get a quick sale. Posted a right priced airgun yesterday and sold it in under 10 minutes - not hard.

 

[beerthief]

Good morning! I am new to AGN, also pretty new to airguning. My wife gave me the Benjamin bulldog 357 combo package last year. I fell in love with the sport. I didn't know about AGN or classifieds selling used airguns. But I could have saved alot of money. Also I would have probably got a different gun. I just got it back from Brian at Veradium air. Now I'm in the market for a scope. It just doesn't seem right to put the Centerpoint that came with the combo on such a nice gun. As a father of 6, money is always short. Especially this time of year. So if I can save 25% or more from the classifieds I consider that a blessing.

Welcome to AGN the best !

 

[beerthief]

"Slashed blowout pricing" - A marketing tactic to move inventory by a vendor. Do the research, Buy the gun you WANT, don't get sucked into a supposedly "great" deal on a gun you may not of had interest in in the first place.

exactly correct .

 

[humbled.ag]

If you consider everything you buy an investment, then how can you enjoy it when every little bump or scratch devalues the product? Having said that I don't buy to resell. I buy to own. That means a lot of reading, asking questions and putting myself in a position to try the product before purchasing.

If a sale is needed then I price it to move, usualy 40%-50% off.

 

[Florida_Man]

I once saw a guy post an optic and the same day the manufacturer put the exact optic on sale for about 10 dollars over his asking price. I let him know it might not be a good time to sell.

 

[Treefrog]

If you consider everything you buy an investment, then how can you enjoy it when every little bump or scratch devalues the product? Having said that I don't buy to resell. I buy to own. That means a lot of reading, asking questions and putting myself in a position to try the product before purchasing.

If a sale is needed then I price it to move, usualy 40%-50% off.

Agreed. I guess some of us buy with future value in mind. Some buy to build their collection. Some love to do as much as possible to get a seller to reduce the price.

I consider airguns as tools. If a tool performs as expected, then it's kept and used until it's no longer useful. Selling price is never considered. I tend to divide dollar-amount by hours spent entertained. The QB78 is down to a few cents-an hour considered in that way. (I've yet to shoot the barrel out in an airgun like I have with PBs.)

If you're offended by the resale price of your piece, swing by a swap-meet and look at the prices on used hand tools. They're usually from estate sales and priced at a small fraction of their actual value because they're no longer in the possession of the dead guy that placed such value in them.

Cheers,

J~

 

[beerthief]

I once saw a guy post an optic and the same day the manufacturer put the exact optic on sale for about 10 dollars over his asking price. I let him know it might not be a good time to sell.

hahaha i did the same thing and got a very nasty note back , Then again another time i got an immediate thankyou

 

[drsquall]

The only guns I collect that gain in value are my original Henry's and Winchester 73s. If I'm tired of an airgun I will sale it at half price of new usually. I have better things to do than hold onto a gun I dont shoot and won't sell do to my pride on cost. I want it gone and making room for the next one.

 

[Fl surveyor]

Welcome to AGN the best !

Thank you! I don't know anyone who uses airguns. I am learning alot from reading post here.

 

[beerthief]

quite a few airgunners in your area i seem to remember Field Target in your area ?

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[CharlieF]

There are so many variables that affect the price of a used air rifle that it is almost impossible to list all of them. What you have to look at is is the weapon still under warranty? Is it an obsolete model that has been replaced by something newer, that has better bells and whistles? does the manufacturer that made it have a great reputation for quality rifle? How old is the rifle? Did you golden screwdriver it? is it a common caliber or something exotic? What shape is the economy in? Are you including shipping with it? Do you take PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, or some other form of digital payment? Does the rifle have great reviews on different forums? All of these things play into what type of price that you may get for a used rifle or pistol. The issue is that most people value their item, much more than it is actually worth.