classifieds

The market set the price. If the offering will not sell at a price, the price comes down. Econ 101.

Have you been looking at them long? I've seen some super bargains and some things that are hardly at a discount at all especially if they want you to pay for/help pay for shipping/insurance. But there are plenty of deals I've seen that get snapped up within not just the day but within hours.

I think part of what a bargain is, to me, is the reputation of the seller. I would consider it a much better deal if the seller was an old hand around here with numerous accuracy points, all the more so for previous sales. I might consider a great deal by an unknown seller to be not worth anything at all.

The high quality guns are very desirable and consequently they retain their value.

Or way too many lowballers so naturally you start high.

The market set the price. If the offering will not sell at a price, the price comes down. Econ 101.

Click to expand...

This! With nothing else to add. Items in high demand will sell. Rare hard to get items will sell. Anything that sits stagnant, will either come down in price or the owner will choose to keep it. 

Also, kinda depends on what you consider overpriced. For me it often comes down to what I feel the 'new' / original warranty is worth (if not simply being able to return it) compared to the asking price, and then evaluate the price on how much I want the item. Some great deals, some (including one I almost jumped on today) just aren't right for me. 

On the average you might save 20 % if it’s as new and lots are that’s pretty good. Guys that ask much more then that have to have something in high demand. Times money. Want to sell it fast drop the price. Simple economics. If you see something make an offer . Lots of us buy and trade . It’s a good way to find your ideal air rifle. and a good way to sell the ones that you just thought were your ideal gun 

Yep and if you snooze you loose. More come up and you know you can put a want to buy on the classifieds too?

I have seen a lot of guns with addon's and internal upgrades that might push the price up close to retail. The best deals don't last long.

I like to buy used and I never try to beat someone down. After all they(we) are selling to raise needed funds for family $ or next project. That doesn’t mean “open door” to try to stomp on them. Sorry but that is how I was raised.
I have sold here in the past, but will not ever do it again. Seems like good prices and customer service bring out the vermin.

Nice forum, just too many bad apples in classifieds.

Mitch

I haven't had any bad experiences in the classifieds here, other's have, YMMV. I like Costco and you like BJs - what's a good deal to me might be a rip off to someone else. Each situation is unique.

Shop smart. Some sellers have $$$ expectations that are out of bounds, some buyers are cheap and want to try and squeeze a deal out of you. No one says you have to deal with those people. Move on and another ad will come along. 

I have seen a lot of guns with addon's and internal upgrades that might push the price up close to retail. The best deals don't last long.

Click to expand...

I see this too. Sometimes even "little" mods require pricey items and/or services, and sometimes package deals have mods and other things like a scope/rings, magazines, pellets, moderator, tunes ... and when you add it all up, it's not as expensive as it seems at first glance.

I like to buy used and I never try to beat someone down. After all they(we) are selling to raise needed funds for family $ or next project. That doesn’t mean “open door” to try to stomp on them. Sorry but that is how I was raised.
I have sold here in the past, but will not ever do it again. Seems like good prices and customer service bring out the vermin.

Nice forum, just too many bad apples in classifieds.

Mitch

Click to expand...

Yep, I've even paid more or given discounts because shipping was cheaper than I estimated. I've also given gear away like a Hill MK3 pump in good working condition. Thanks for writing the above, sounds like the Golden Rule applies less frequently than it should.

I've never had issues buying or selling here aside from a few bottom feeders from time to time but they're easy to ignore and weed out. For example, I had a two-letter goon offer me $1000 for the Brocock Commander I was selling because "they needed the stock". LOL, whatevers, time-waste and move on

I like to buy used and I never try to beat someone down. After all they(we) are selling to raise needed funds for family $ or next project. That doesn’t mean “open door” to try to stomp on them. Sorry but that is how I was raised.
I have sold here in the past, but will not ever do it again. Seems like good prices and customer service bring out the vermin.

Nice forum, just too many bad apples in classifieds.

Mitch

Click to expand...

LOL Mitch, you know the old saying no good deed go's un punished.

Yes there are bargains out there that I see. By the time I researched if it is something desirable to me it is gone.

Others want within 10 percent of retail and some items in the classified ads can be easily bought cheaper new with the ability to return for a full refund outside and those are the ones that make me wonder if there is something I am missing.

Click to expand...

LOL ditto on both of those.

It's a specialized hobby and people are willing to pay higher prices for used items. Supply and demand. Yes, some items retain close to 90% of their value, which would be remarkable if we are talking about everyday items like TV sets, cars, etc. Anyone who is willing to buy a PCP at $2,000 when you can buy 4ea Glocks for that price, is also willing to pay 90% of original value for an airgun with tens of thousand of shots or several years of usage. 

What baffles me at times, even after decades of airgunning, is the prices people are asking and paying for $100-200 widgets (aka. accessories) that are comprised of CNC/lathe-workmanship and $5 of materials...like adapters, butt stock adapter, cheek risers, etc. But again, the market sets the price. In the coin collecting hobby, you expect to take an instant 50% reduction in price when you want to sell something you purchased, unless it's a unique or rare coin in high demand.

Additionally the prices of airgun items may vary with the forum you are purchasing from. This is partly attributed to the clientele that visits it and also the perceived risk of a scam. Airgun scams are a plague to this hobby. Although many forums have done a better job preventing scams and educating their members about it, some buyers and sellers are willing to pay a premium for a more secure transaction. 

The old Yellow Forum (now Argun Warriors) used to be the place for good deals (may be it still is) but many do not go there anymore because it has an outdated interface and has an abrasive management. Old habits die hard and mostly the "old-timers" still hang out there and are more comfortable selling/buying there. American Airguns Classifieds may have the most "bargains" but arguably also the highest risk for buyers and sellers alike. AGN in my opinion is the safest large forum as of now and with a rapidly growing membership. Which also increases the competition between sellers/buyers thus allowing prices to remain at relatively higher levels. 

The bargains are out there, but I sympathise with you: unless you are able to constantly check new listings (which many can't due to work, family etc) you may miss a really good bargain deal. On the flipside....if you are selling an item you purchased, you will also get close to original value, if it's something in high demand. 

What baffles me at times, even after decades of airgunning, is the prices people are asking and paying for $100-200 widgets (aka. accessories) that are comprised of CNC/lathe-workmanship and $5 of materials...like adapters, butt stock adapter, cheek risers, etc. 

Click to expand...

I find this egregious too. The problem is, this hobby is SO specialized that there is not that much competition, and if somebody has precisely that thing you need ... you can either wait years for the competition to catch up if it ever does, and lower the usual price if that ever happens, or just buy now and eat the high cost of paying a premium. That we live in the now can lead to impulse buying and maybe us ripping our own selves off as much as anyone else is doing it for us, but again ... how much satisfaction do you want to delay, for how long, and what's the point. I think a lot of members here are not young, and have more money than time. Sometimes more money than sense! But anyway, you can only wait so long to be happy until it's too late and what you waited for won't make you happy anymore. Sometimes its not entirely stupid to be stupid in the moment ... and smart vendors can take advantage (undue advantage? I'm not so sure ...) of that.

What baffles me at times, even after decades of airgunning, is the prices people are asking and paying for $100-200 widgets (aka. accessories) that are comprised of CNC/lathe-workmanship and $5 of materials...like adapters, butt stock adapter, cheek risers, etc. 

Click to expand...

I find this egregious too. The problem is, this hobby is SO specialized that there is not that much competition, and if somebody has precisely that thing you need ... you can either wait years for the competition to catch up if it ever does, and lower the usual price if that ever happens, or just buy now and eat the high cost of paying a premium. That we live in the now can lead to impulse buying and maybe us ripping our own selves off as much as anyone else is doing it for us, but again ... how much satisfaction do you want to delay, for how long, and what's the point. I think a lot of members here are not young, and have more money than time. Sometimes more money than sense! But anyway, you can only wait so long to be happy until it's too late and what you waited for won't make you happy anymore. Sometimes its not entirely stupid to be stupid in the moment ... and smart vendors can take advantage (undue advantage? I'm not so sure ...) of that.

Click to expand...

VERY well stated Dingfelder