What do you think?

[OLDMAN]

I got a call from a friend of mine on Friday. He has bee a gun collector for most of his life. Sadly, he like many people has been out of work for quite some time. He has a Mauser "Broom Handle" that I always had my eye on. He is willing to part with it for $800. It is in tact and complete and in very good shape...it is the 9mm model that was made during the war to match ammo size with the Luger. I really can't afford it but it is very tempting.

[MASSDRIVER]

I think I would be on it like Bill Clinton on an intern. Like Charlie Sheen's nose on a bowl of coke. Like Snoop Dog's lips on a Cronic fatty.
Brent.

[OLDMAN]

I think I would be on it like Bill Clinton on an intern. Like Charlie Sheen's nose on a bowl of coke. Like Snoop Dog's lips on a Cronic fatty.
Brent.

That's what I think....I could sell it for way more than that if nothing else I think....I'll run it past the wife and see where it goes.

[DavyRay]

Snap it up. Fast.

[OLDMAN]

Snap it up. Fast.

I talked to the wife - once I told her I could sell for over $1000 she said "go ahead". I'll call my buddy later today to make the arrangements...I try to post some pictures eventually. I haven't been this excited since I got my first .22 as a kid. I can't wait to try it - I did some poking around on line - apparently you can shoot 2-3 round bursts with them.

[MASSDRIVER]

I'll run it past the wife and see where it goes.

That's my strategy too...Get it, and before she turns around,RUN PAST HER REALLY FAST I've got a pretty good record using this advanced technique.
Brent.

[fine wine]

Maybe a bad question, but are you sure it's German?

[OLDMAN]

Maybe a bad question, but are you sure it's German?

I've know this guy for almost 40 years - he's been collecting firearms since we were in high school. If he says it's German that's good enough for me - I trust him completely.

[stobes21]

I'd be all over that. Very cool historical gun.

[jwcarlson]

I've know this guy for almost 40 years - he's been collecting firearms since we were in high school. If he says it's German that's good enough for me - I trust him completely.

Nice of you to "rip him off"... in my opinion capitalizing on him when he's down on his luck. Why not offer him a fair price?


Just a thought...

[aceinyerface]

Nice of you to "rip him off"... in my opinion capitalizing on him when he's down on his luck. Why not offer him a fair price?


Just a thought...

Market always sets the price. You can ask for a million dollars, which would be the nominal price, but it would never sell. You could find a market which would get top dollar, say $1500, but there are usually barriers to entry into these markets. There may be transaction fees (like a 25% fee at a top auction, which would be $375), travel costs (top auctions rarely occur in YOUR town, so plane fare, say $300, and a bargain hotel, say $60, cab or car say $50), then there is the time value of money, time away from job and family, etc...

So in a top auction, it COULD go for $1500, but it would cost $785+ for barriers to entry into the market. So the seller would get $715 cash in hand. At this point, an $800 check is seeming like a pretty good deal!

Probably instinctively, the seller knows this, and wishes to drop the price until he gets the price that is acceptable to him for the least hassle while barely bringing his friend into the market for the firearm. $800 is the REAL price of the firearm.

[Jim]

Gents,
Feel free to disagree but keep it civil.

Personal attacks will not be tolerated at the B&B.

Carry on...

[Mako72]

Nice of you to "rip him off"... in my opinion capitalizing on him when he's down on his luck. Why not offer him a fair price?

Just a thought...

I read it as it was offered to him at that price. While you might be able to get more how long does it take? A pawnshop would probably give him .20 on a dollar value wise and a gunshop will give you about half the value as they may have to sit on it. Sounds like the guy selling is willing to take a small loss for immediate cash and he knows it goes to someone who appreciates it. He may also be thinking that if he get on his feet in a couple monthes he may be able to buy it back for not much more than he sold it. But just some thoughts.

Jay

[OLDMAN]

Nice of you to "rip him off"... in my opinion capitalizing on him when he's down on his luck. Why not offer him a fair price?


Just a thought...

As I mentioned we have know each other for 40 years....what I actually give him and what it said he wanted may be two totally different amounts. Either way for to imply that I am capitalizing on him is uncalled for and to be perfectly honest, insulting. Also consider the fact that I have no intention of selling it...and if that changes at some time down the road I told him he would be the first shot at it. As a side note it has many pieces that worth far more than this one. Those as of now are not for sale.

[Go West Young Man]

Considering your long friendship and his dire circumstances, I'd point him in the direction of $1000 buyer. You're basically proposing taking a 25% commission from him.

[OLDMAN]

I read it as it was offered to him at that price. While you might be able to get more how long does it take? A pawnshop would probably give him .20 on a dollar value wise and a gunshop will give you about half the value as they may have to sit on it. Sounds like the guy selling is willing to take a small loss for immediate cash and he knows it goes to someone who appreciates it. He may also be thinking that if he get on his feet in a couple monthes he may be able to buy it back for not much more than he sold it. But just some thoughts.

Jay

Thank you....in fact I told him that if I did want to sell it at some point that I would give him first shot. And I'd probably tell him he could have it back for however much I actually give him - which will be over $800.

[DavyRay]

I suggest buying the Mauser for the amount he asks for it. Offering him more than that is like charity, which he may not like. A speedy transaction and your appreciation of the fine old item will be the best result for your friend.

[Amer]

Buy it from him at the stated price and hold on to it. If you plan to sell it offer it first to him at the $800 price. If he gets back on his feet and wants to buy it back, offer it back to him at $800. It's basically a gentlemen's loan/pawn.

It's like the Progressive insurance commercial where the guy sells his watch to his friend to help pay for car insurance and the lady tells him how much he can save by switching to Progressive. He then remarks "With that I could buy my watch back!" and the friend goes "The price just went up!" You don't want that situation.

In the meantime, enjoy it and keep it in good condition.

[acutao]

"I've know this guy for almost 40 years - he's been collecting firearms since we were in high school."


Anybody that has been collecting firearms for 40 years successfully, is not easily "ripped off". If he is o.k. with the deal, the deal is o.k.

[jwcarlson]

Gents,
Feel free to disagree but keep it civil.

Personal attacks will not be tolerated at the B&B.

Carry on...

I didn't mean it as a personal attack, something about the "deal" just doesn't sit right in my head.

Considering your long friendship and his dire circumstances, I'd point him in the direction of $1000 buyer. You're basically proposing taking a 25% commission from him.

This is more what it feels like to me. But as Mako said maybe he needs quick cash and it's more like he's "pawning" it to a friend instead of pawning it to a shop.

Hope things work out well for your friend! Whatever you do don't let a $1,000 gun ruin a great friendship!
My initial comment was because you had told your wife you could sell it for a profit. Which would mean you're telling your wife an untruth, which is a different thread. :)

I talked to the wife - once I told her I could sell for over $1000 she said "go ahead".

My original post was after the above.

As I mentioned we have know each other for 40 years....what I actually give him and what it said he wanted may be two totally different amounts. Either way for to imply that I am capitalizing on him is uncalled for and to be perfectly honest, insulting. Also consider the fact that I have no intention of selling it...and if that changes at some time down the road I told him he would be the first shot at it. As a side note it has many pieces that worth far more than this one. Those as of now are not for sale.