I did recently in a on line classified ADD
for a diana 24, and recieved a response in not too good
English stating that a long lost uncle had left him this
rifle and that he was not using it and wanted to sell.
I asked for caliber,if he had the box, if he knew when it was made? what kind of trigger unit it had TO1-T05?if he could provide pictures of
that he had taken?
how much he wanted for it?
His response was a picture copied from a catalogue. no other info requested, and that I should make him an offer.
My offer, sight unseen was about $100.00, mind you I would have paid more for a 24 if I thought this was a legit transaction, my gut feeling
this was a Nigerian poster.
His answer.He felt hurt and insulted by my offer and would no longer to deal with me.
The moral of this is we need to be very carful and attentive with sight unseen merchandise and sellers.
I will be making a comment on general ads, not of the Professional level gun buyers and sellers that trade all the time:
I have found very quickly that people that respond to an ad, in most cases do not have a clue about the gun in the closet that has been sitting there for years. Most of them have no loyalty to the gun, and they will never give you a price when then call. They want you to give a free service and put a number of it. If you want to give them $500.00 or $5.00, that is your business. Why would you offer $100.00 for a gun you have not seen? It could be full of rust or what ever. I put the ball back in their court. I tell them I do not know the value, which is true. I also tell them that I am not a collector of guns which is true. The fact is, most air guns really do not have a lot of value. Most of these people just want quick cash, or they just want you to tell them they have a gold mine and then hang up. I always say to them, " I have no idea, what your OLD pellet gun is worth, HOW MUCH IS THAT OLD PELLET GUN WORTH TO YOU? It is VERY important to just SHUTUP! at this point. Do not speak until he gives you a figure.
If they give you a response or one that is too high, I bring their thinking down. I ask is the gun in brand new condition? Is it in the original box? Has it been SCRATCHED? When was the last time it was tuned and had new seals? You will see their desire to hold on to that gun, sinking real quick.
If you are purchasing a gun locally, notice how they want you to come to them to see the gun. What is a hour of YOUR time and gas worth to you? Especially if they are not home or the gun is in such a deployable condition, and not worth a plug nickel.
Remember this, the definition of a good sale is "WHEN BOTH PARTIES ARE HAPPY"! most sellers will be very happy if you give them $500.00 for a $50.00.00 gun. Most sellers will also be very happy to get any cash at all.
Dave,
Thanks for the input, of course you are right, I shouldn't
have offered a plugged nickle. But having purchased a few
from legit air rifle owners that were the most honest bunch of folks I have ever encountered.
I decided to chance it with good judgement,and good judgement won out.
