Is It Just Me ....

As always: Supply and Demand.

I feels that with the guns that everyone had to wait on and then took a price increase, for a while you almost could get your money back. I think that bubble is coming to an end as supply catches up with demand. For all other top end guns you take a 15-20% hit from new, unless you have bought them used and then I believe you can ALMOST get your money back.

Some guns and brands hold value better than others and always have.

The more expensive air guns usually lose the most value (assuming there is no supply restriction). The top Daystates, for example, seem to drop a lot more than an FX Wildcat. Entry level guns have less to drop (obviously) so a 25% drop looks less spectacular.

I think that the reason is because most people who are willing to drop $2000 on an air rifle will choose to buy a new one with a full warranty for the sake of $100 or a $200 saving on a $2,000 gun. That's how I think anyway. If we weren't looking for a bargain, we wouldn't be reading the classifieds.... There is fewer potential buyers at the top end too.

Problems with air rifles (of any brand) are not particularly rare or unexpected so the risk of buying used has to be worth it. 

The value of used rifles seems to drop even more if there is any differences to the latest model. If your's has a steel bottle when the new one comes with CF, or if the new one is "mk3" and you are selling "mk2", you lost $500 right there, even if you bought it yesterday. 

Some people seem to think that the used gun value has more to do with what they paid than the current value. There was a 22 Cricket in the classifieds recently where the guy priced it based on the fact that he paid $1800 for it new. His used price was more than the current new price. Nobody cares what you paid, only what it's worth and what else is available today. You would think that some people have no access to google when you see some of the delusional prices they ask for.

As a general rule for determining the used value, find the lowest current price to buy it new and ask yourself how much lower the price would have to be for you to consider buying it from a stranger with no warranty etc instead of a reputable store. This has always been true for any type of product.

The only scenario where an air gun holds it's new value (or close to it) is if there is an unusually high demand with restricted supply. Some people thought that would last forever with the Impact but... all of a sudden... people are discounting the price and they are still being left unsold. 

I agree, you see a airgun that has a lot of problems and you still want one, or would like to have one, 2000 dollars and a full warranty money back for one year, (not sure about that)
Or find a deal on a used one 1,700 bucks shipped, well taken care of shoots good,
For that kind of money I am going for a new one, with the full warranty,,
When I bought my Cricket 25 used , And knowing and reading the Cricket was a very good track record, I look looked at all the guys post when he bought it to when he put it for sale.
I also had it sent straight to Earnest for a tune, So I broke about even with shipping and the tune and all , About the same amount of money as a new one.
Buying used is a gamble,
Mike

"iride"...
Buying used is a gamble,
Mike



Based on comments made on this forum I've read more about issues with buying new and the hassles involved in trying to get repairs made under a warranty. Luckily my success in buying both new and used has been good, unless you want to consider the Pontiac Fiero that I bought new years ago.

As to the OPs question/comment, I think timing is important. It's winter and for many it may not the best time to be enjoying our sport. Being in SoCal and NW Arizona for so long I sometimes forget that cold and snow exists and that not everyone can go out anytime they want a play a couple of sets of tennis or shoot in comfort. Any RVer knows the best time to sell their rig is the spring time.

Yea but the point is buying new from store, You got a warranty, Yea its not shooting nail heads at 50 yards, Send it back, Oh it does not hold air and I have had it for two months send it back, So buying new has its ups, You may pay a little more , But think of it as just insurance.
Just try that with a used gun.
Please, I am not trying to hurt the used gun market, I got a couple of Crickets that may be going up for sale,
And I am going to take a HUGE loss, I just got to think of it as rent,
Mike

I forgot to mention in my last post that some manufacturer's warranties transfer to subsequent owners. Unfortunately the administrator of this forum will not allow mentioning names of those that do and do not based on a previous admonishment. It should also be pointed out that some manufacturers are not specific about whether their warranty transfers. Careful reading of the written warranty is essential if that's important to you. Regardless, even a written warranty is only as good as the company that backs it. As a general rule I've found that dealing with individuals, especially those that are enthusiasts in a hobby/sport are far more reliable than the manufacturers that make money off of it. 

"Michael"Mr Beeser

As I explained in a PM the reason your post was hidden was because it was trash-talking one or more of our sponsors. I also tried to encourage you to start a new topic with a list of all of the manufacturers, their warranties, available parts, and service options.

I believe a topic compiled with this type of information would be useful to many people. Please proceed at your convenience.

Click to expand...

The whole thread was deleted and now it's back up again. What's up with that????

I never "trash-talked" any of the forum sponsors. In fact, I complimented both RAW and FX in an earlier post but subsequently deleted based on my experience of owning an airgun from each. The comment you are referring to had to do with their warranty differences. I made no judgement as to the merits of either one and left that for the reader to decide. A re-posting of my original comments would bear that out. 

Michael
I own an FX Impact and totally satisfied so far.
In my own opinion I dont see any trash-talked here for RAW or FX.
Any manufacturer appreciate positive or negative comments from their clients.
This is the best way to understand what the market wish and need.
I am a manufacturer myself and I always take advantage of those market comments.
It is all about ''branding management''.
And there is no good branding without brand values.
I hope you understand what I try to explain.
Happy New Year to all.
Gerards
GQ

I am a Newb to this forum and air guns. But just to clarify what I am reading here. If I have a bad experience with a dealer who just happens to be a forum sponsor I cant post that bad experience on this forum ? If this is true then I for sure wont be back !

Tks for clarification