Do you ever lose money on guns you sell? - Page 2

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Do you ever lose money on guns you sell? (Page 2 of 2)

Posted: 6/26/2017 8:55:19 PM EDT

[#1]

Hell yes. I'm not the type to be tight with money I've already spent. If I buy a pistol for $500, as far as I'm concerned that is $500 gone and if I hadn't spent it on the pistol, I'd have spent it some other way. Of course, if I wanted to sell it, I'd obviously hope to get my money back. But say it's a year later and I decide I want something more than that pistol, I'd probably settle for $450 for it, or maybe even $400.

Posted: 6/26/2017 8:56:12 PM EDT

[#2]

I've sold at least 5 guns. Lost money on all of them... Some less than others.

Posted: 6/26/2017 8:56:21 PM EDT

[#3]

Yes but I figure it's basically just a rental fee. I don't care if I lose a couple of hundred if I got my money's worth while I had it.

Also, I sell cheap. I'd rather just put a good deal out there and get it over with. It's really not worth the time and hassle to haggle back and forth for $100 or so.

Posted: 6/26/2017 9:06:04 PM EDT

[#4]

I bought a desert eagle in 50 for 1000 once. At the next show I bought a chrome one in 44 for 400 sold that one later for 6 and the other for 9.

I made 100 on both, but lost when I sold the 50.

I count it as a loss..

Posted: 6/26/2017 9:07:25 PM EDT

[#5]

Within $20 of the purchase price is good with me, especially if I dinged it up or shot it alot

Posted: 6/26/2017 9:34:06 PM EDT

[#6]

I don't understand the question

Posted: 6/26/2017 9:46:37 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:
Just about every sale is losing money, therefore I only sell things I really don't want anymore.

View Quote

I'm a collector (C&R FFL licensee) who buys low and sells high. I don't shoot most of my stuff so that helps.

I've learned that when a manufacturer ceases a well known line, or there is a ban, or there is a popular model that has had diminishing sales and is discontinued, it pays to buy that model.

Example #1: Colt Pythons. You could buy them all day NIB or like new for $500 to $700 10 to 12 years ago. They sell for $2000 to $4000 or more now. I had more than a few Pythons.
I never really liked the triggers on Pythons, I was happy to sell them for an average of $2500. I wish I had held on to them a little longer because prices have gotten crazy on them.

Example #2: Pre-ban ARs. I was buying in 1994 when I realized that a "ban" was going to be imposed by the government. Paid $860 for Colt ARs, sold 'em for $2,000 plus. Still own 2 pre-bans that are only valuable in ban states. Sold a preban (1993) Olympic Arms lower to a Connecticut FFL two weeks before the election of Trump for $1350.

Example #3: I realized that concealed carry legislation was being passed throughout the USA. There are quite a few S&W collectors out there. I started buying S&W snub nosed 2.5 inch NIB or like new "pinned and recessed" Model 19s in blue and nickel, and model 66s. Bought 'em for $400 sold 'em for $900 to $1300. They don't make 'em anymore. Very Nice guns, still have 3 of the Model 66.

Kinda like my car, a Toyota FJ Cruiser. It is a lower mileage limited edition TT and I can almost sell it for what I paid for it 5 years ago.

Buy limited edition guns from well known manufacturers and you will at least break even. Anything with potential collector value will appreciate. It doesn't matter if it is a used gun.

Colts in general are very collectible, although some of them are not so much fun to shoot. Colt's Bright stainless is very popular and should hold or increase in value. I was buying bright stainless 23 years ago.

Posted: 6/26/2017 9:48:39 PM EDT

[#8]

I might drop 10-20% or so but I got to handle it and now I know it.

Posted: 6/26/2017 11:14:18 PM EDT

[#9]

I wouldn't say "never" is BS. I believe people don't sell them, because I am almost one of them.

I have only sold 1. I sold my SKS to a friend in the 90's and I have regretted it since.

It was 100 bucks or 90 maybe I don't remember.

I think I broke even.

Posted: 6/26/2017 11:43:24 PM EDT

[#10]

Sometimes.

Posted: 6/27/2017 12:17:55 AM EDT

[#11]

Had a ffl for 6 yrs, bought many guns before and after that time.

I don't believe in losing money on guns.

Here's the trick, buy guns from all the guys who are willing to take a loss.

Posted: 6/27/2017 12:19:04 AM EDT

[#12]

I've never sold one.

Posted: 6/27/2017 6:49:00 AM EDT

[#13]

Sometimes...but I manage to make money on others so it evens out.

Posted: 6/27/2017 7:36:15 AM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
No.
But then in the 42 years that I have been buying guns I still own every one of them.

View Quote

bingo, me too. still have my 22 I got when I was 13.

Posted: 6/27/2017 7:53:30 AM EDT

[#15]

Only a couple of them over the years.

Ruger Mini 30

Ruger M77 in .300 win mag

PPSH43C

Posted: 6/27/2017 8:00:07 AM EDT

[#16]

Yup.

Posted: 6/27/2017 8:01:52 AM EDT

[#17]

Yes. Every damn one. LOL

Posted: 6/27/2017 8:09:33 AM EDT

[#18]

I voted "yes" but some I profited on. I'd say it evens out. Been a long time since I've sold a gun. I've given some to family and friends who needed them since I've sold any.

Posted: 6/27/2017 8:17:23 AM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
Yes. Every damn one. LOL

View Quote

Pretty much same here, but there's a few that I've gotten a hefty profit so it averages out.
My loss usually comes when I throw in whatever extra mags or such as part of the package.

As far as "why sell guns?", why wouldn't I?

Posted: 6/27/2017 8:20:00 AM EDT

[#20]

Sure, all the time and I don't care. If I sour on a gun and don't plan on shooting it going forward, I sell it. I'd rather have the money "at a loss" than to have it tied up in a firearm that has no use to me whatsoever.

It's silly to get tied emotionally to your sunk costs in anything.

Posted: 6/27/2017 8:25:41 AM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
Yes, before those who say you NEVER sell a gun. Well yes you do, if it is something that just isn't right for you, you do. I usually never lose money, I may break even but rarely lose.

View Quote

If you buy new and sell used, how do you make money? I haven't sold a gun in years.

Posted: 6/27/2017 8:52:28 AM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
You sell your guns?

View Quote

I sell my unreliable guns

Posted: 6/27/2017 8:57:59 AM EDT

[#23]

I just sold my Gen 3 Glock 27 and 23 last year and upgraded to the Gen 4 26 and 19. I may have taken a little loss but I write it off as "usage" fee.

Can't expect to break even every time.

Posted: 6/27/2017 9:09:56 AM EDT

[#24]

I lost money once, but only because I needed the money now and couldn't wait. Otherwise, I always make money. Even if it's a trade, I always trade up.

Posted: 6/27/2017 9:27:09 AM EDT

[#25]

I've sold 3 guns in my life. A Walther PK380, an M&P 40c and a Yugo SKS.

Broke even on the Walther, + $50 on the M&P and + $300 on the SKS.

Posted: 6/27/2017 9:38:47 AM EDT

[#26]

I've sold a decent number over the years. Almost all have been guns that I no longer valued in my inventory and had been or were going to be replaced by something I deemed more in line with my needs. I've made a concerted effort to reduce my numbers but that has been completely unsuccessful.

Generally, I would say that I have come out ahead but the total $ outflow usually exceeds the $ inflow.

Posted: 6/27/2017 9:53:47 AM EDT

[#27]

Yes, of course. I lost a lot of money trying to get rid of that crappy Tavor.

Couldn't find anyone that wanted a Tavor. Gave up about $400.00 off purchase price before I finally found an interested buyer. Bought it NIB and only put about 50 rds through it.

Posted: 6/27/2017 9:55:42 AM EDT

[#28]

Cant lose if you dont sell....

Posted: 6/27/2017 10:33:44 AM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:
The stuff I've sold that wasn't collector grade or investment grade I sold for less than I paid because, well, they were used guns.

View Quote

I sold four two weeks ago, essentially picking the ones I hadn't touched in over a year. I probably took a slight loss, yet it was much less than expected. I then bought three new guns, which are sure to not appreciate over time. I bought four lowers too, which will probably be worth what I paid for them for at least 8 years.

It is not a hobby unless it is costing you money.

Posted: 6/27/2017 10:44:52 AM EDT

[#30]

Sold lots of guns over the years for lots of reasons: change in interests, needed the money, didn't like the gun, gun wore out, a few times to cash in on a fad.

Lost money on most of them. Very few guns appreciate in value. Most just become used guns, just like cars. Buying new you will never make money selling the gun, barring some earth shattering change in laws. With used guns it can be done but you have to know what you're doing.

Posted: 6/27/2017 10:45:40 AM EDT

[#31]

I've only made money on two gun sales.

Posted: 6/27/2017 10:49:19 AM EDT

[#32]

ive sold ONE gun and regretted it.. NEVER again..

Posted: 6/27/2017 10:49:42 AM EDT

[#33]

Bought a Taurus m85. Sold it at a loss

I dont buy a lot of new guns so its not too bad then.

Posted: 6/27/2017 10:59:27 AM EDT

[#34]

Yes sometimes you loose money, other times you make money. I've sold plenty of guns over the years. Stuff I have bought for cheap and sold for a little more. Others I have bought thinking it was a good deal only to find out it wasn't exactly what I thought.

I have no problems selling firearms. Why keep something you won't even shoot when you can use the funds on another project.

Posted: 6/27/2017 11:00:58 AM EDT

[#35]

You generally lose money on anything you sell unless it's some kind of 'rare' or 'banned' or 'limited edition' item. Even then you can fall victim to changing tastes. A rare gun which is worth $3000 now might drop to $1000 in the future based on changing tastes and preferences.

This is my experience of which items retain value from best to worst:
1-True rare and valuable antiques which retain a healthy following.
2-Normal guns(generally a 20-30% loss on selling)
3-Modern Audio gear such as amps and speakers(Generally a 30-40% loss, but possibly only 20% if you find a buyer who really wants it)
4-Cars(Big losses selling them used)
5-Restored old cars, or performance modded new cars(Don't do this EVER unless you plan on keeping the car. You will NEVER get a decent return when you sell it) Had a Lincoln MK VIII I put about $4000 of mods into and it sold for $2300 because that's all the market would offer. Had a restored old car with $4000+ into it, and it sold for $1000. Never again

Posted: 6/27/2017 11:07:27 AM EDT

[#36]

I don't understand the guys who say they will never sell a gun.

It just simply makes no sense on any level.

They don't say "be cautious about selling a gun", they say "never sell a gun".

Here's a true story:

One of my friends collected Garands for 15 years and stacked up a nice big pile of them, about 15 of them.

Then the guy got bored with them, never looked at them anymore.

The guy's neighbor decided to sell his mint Colt M16A1.

The guy realized that if he sold off 12 of his Garands and kept his 3 favorites, he could pay off most of the giant price tag on the M16.

So that's what he did: cashed in a bunch of guns he didn't give a crap about and bought an M16.

According to the wisdom of the "never sell a gun" crowd, he should have just kept all 15 Garands and passed on the M16.

because tard

Posted: 6/27/2017 11:12:33 AM EDT

[#37]

The ones who made money probably made it raping buyers by selling curios and relics.

Posted: 6/27/2017 11:17:50 AM EDT

[#38]

I have, but not often.....

Posted: 6/27/2017 11:25:43 AM EDT

[#39]

Quote History

Quoted:
Cant lose if you dont sell....

View Quote

Sure you can. Money tied up in guns that you don't shoot and have no useful value to you is money that isn't out doing something more useful. Opportunity cost is real.

Posted: 6/27/2017 11:31:46 AM EDT

[#40]

I you never sell guns you'll eventually just end up handing your relatives a stockpile of guns when you die, and guess what they're gonna do. Most likely sell them for dimes on the dollar to the local gun shop.

Posted: 6/27/2017 11:34:42 AM EDT

[#41]

Generally yes.

There have been a couple exceptions but not often. If i'm selling a gun it because money is tight and taking a loss it better than starving or not paying bills. Fortunately that hasn't been the case for quite a while!

Posted: 6/27/2017 2:12:46 PM EDT

[#42]

Overall, not counting for inflation (because I've never bothered to calculate it), I am netting a gain in selling guns I don't want/need anymore. I am netting a smaller gain in guns I trade, though that can be subjective.

...but yes, I have lost some money on one or sales- only on stuff I bought new, though.

Posted: 6/27/2017 2:14:01 PM EDT

[#43]

Always.

Posted: 6/27/2017 2:14:57 PM EDT

[#44]

Win some, lose some.

Posted: 6/27/2017 2:15:09 PM EDT

[#45]

Have sold 3 guns. Made a sizable profit on all of them.

SIG P6, doubled my money
Del Ton AR15, sold during Sandy Hook time, made $400 on a beat up rifle
Fully customized rifle I picked up for a steal at an estate sale, made about $500

Posted: 6/27/2017 2:22:21 PM EDT

[#46]

Yes or else i look like every other dumbass on (insert local gun wesite here) that thinks their gen 3 glock thats been shot for years is worth the same as a gen 4 glock at a gun shop, or say "muh glock has all these upgrades i put new sights on a few years ago so its work more".

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Do you ever lose money on guns you sell? (Page 2 of 2)

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