A thing is worth whatever someone will pay for it.  It's called capitalism.  If no one will pay your asking price, eventually, you'll lower the price until someone will.

Dealers price pre-bans very high, knowing that eventually, some sucker will come along and pay what they're asking.  Most dealers are willing to hold on to a pre-ban rifle for 3-6 months until they can find someone who will pay twice what the dealer paid for the gun.  If you were a gun dealer, you'd probably do the same thing.  Think about it.

So, use the market.  Internet auctions and For Sale boards are great places for smart shoppers to get good deals.  Even if you have to pay a high price for your dealer to handle the sale (they have to eat too, and it costs LOTS of money to be an FFL), you'll still get a better deal.

Guns are NOT a cheap hobby.

-Troy