SC Shooter
Member
There's a fine line between shrewd negotiating and just being unethical. Hence, I only trade guns with those I know and trust. I can deal with people I don't like, but will not deal with those I don't trust.
Ever had a gun sale go bad while in the process
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When I was in high school, my best friend's dad used to buy cars all the time. He'd only deal with private parties, and would show up with $500-1000 less than the asking price, all in $100 bills. He'd lay out the cash, and usually the seller took his offer. This was in the early 70s and seeing a couple thousand dollars in $100 bills laid out was very tempting.
I'm fortunate that I do trades at a LGS that usually offers me very close to what I would ask for privately.
I'm fortunate that I do trades at a LGS that usually offers me very close to what I would ask for privately.
MachIVshooter
Member
That's fine, unless he had previously agreed to the higher price.
Nothing wrong with negotiating on the spot, but what we're talking about here was a deal in which the negotiating had already been done, and the buyer tried to renegotiate once he felt he had the seller partially committed.
I have had eBay buyers try to do that by clicking the "buy it now" button (thus taking the item off the market) and then offering less than the agreed to price. I will immediately relist the item, put that buyer in my blocked bidder list, report the buyer and open a cancel transaction case.
Khaot1c
Member
Poor form on the part of the buyer. Willing to bet there was an ATM machine close by. Anyone who "really" wanted it, would have gone and pulled a little more money.
Seems to me the "GEN" thing screws a lot of Glock owners. When one wants to sell a gun they have to take a considerable loss on it thanks to "newer" generation pieces being available. IT's worse than a laptop - almost feels outdated as soon as it leaves the showroom floor.
Seems to me the "GEN" thing screws a lot of Glock owners. When one wants to sell a gun they have to take a considerable loss on it thanks to "newer" generation pieces being available. IT's worse than a laptop - almost feels outdated as soon as it leaves the showroom floor.
SunnySlopes
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I absolutely disagree. The OP's asking for opinions. Here's mine.
The price was agree upon, but the buyer shows up and didn't have even a dollar more than $475? IMO, buyer is a liar.
But here's what gets my attention.
Again, IMO, buyer was hoping seller would assume the amount of cash was the agreed upon amount and not count it. Buyer would then have taken the gun and once the seller realized he was short $25, too bad/so sad.
Buyer isn't only a liar, he's a thief.
The OP was 100% justified.
Pity OP can't readvertise the gun for $475, then when the buyer wants to buy it, etc, seller could tell him he doesn't deal with liars and thieves.
Fast Frank
Member
I have known some people that would only do business with you if they could beat you up in the process.
To these people, beating you out of a few dollars somehow makes them feel better. I think it's a self esteem thing.
I have watched while these guys spent half an afternoon haggling over something they didn't even want or need, and then buy it just so they could have the satisfaction of beating the poor seller down.
You can easily spot these guys. They always have a new toy, and they always make it a point to tell you how they beat some poor guy down, and they always make it a point to tell you the ridiculous price they paid.
They use all sorts of tricks and gimmicks, and they get away with it all the time.
I'm glad you stuck to the original price.
To these people, beating you out of a few dollars somehow makes them feel better. I think it's a self esteem thing.
I have watched while these guys spent half an afternoon haggling over something they didn't even want or need, and then buy it just so they could have the satisfaction of beating the poor seller down.
You can easily spot these guys. They always have a new toy, and they always make it a point to tell you how they beat some poor guy down, and they always make it a point to tell you the ridiculous price they paid.
They use all sorts of tricks and gimmicks, and they get away with it all the time.
I'm glad you stuck to the original price.
HisStigness
Member
I had a couole deals go bad during the pre meeting stage. They were both on armslist. The first one was a Beretta 92 and I told the guy up front that I was 19 (just wanted to be upfront with him) and he said he wouldn't sell to me because I'm under 21 (even though it's legal). The second guy wouldn't get off his asking price for an FNX. He wanted 600 for it used with a holster and some ammo but they go for about 550 new from bud's gun shop. I considered showing up with 550, but I didn't want to be "that guy" I told him he'd have to come off his asking price, but he assured me that he'd had plenty of people interested in it (yeah, right)
I have had some deals go screwy. My general rule, whether I'm buying or selling, is to listen to my gut and never do business with someone who seems like he is an idiot.
I also always price things higher locally than what they're really worth. For some reason, almost every gun listed locally is listed for $100 more than it's worth. So I tend to price things $50 to $100 too high too. If it sells at that price, fine - just more money in my pocket. If it doesn't, I can let the other guy talk me down and "win" and I still get what I really want out of it.
I generally don't do that on THR though - people here tend to know what things are worth and when they're asking too much, so I don't have to play that game here.
I also always price things higher locally than what they're really worth. For some reason, almost every gun listed locally is listed for $100 more than it's worth. So I tend to price things $50 to $100 too high too. If it sells at that price, fine - just more money in my pocket. If it doesn't, I can let the other guy talk me down and "win" and I still get what I really want out of it.
I generally don't do that on THR though - people here tend to know what things are worth and when they're asking too much, so I don't have to play that game here.
BSA1
member
If it isn't in writing or money / item has not changed hands yet it is not a legal deal. At worst you are out gas money if you had to drive somewhere to meet the buyer.
You fellas must be having a case of cabin fever already. We had a guy jerk us around earlier this month wanting to buy a saddle from us. He kept giving us excuses about sending the money so we relisted the saddle. When we finally recieved the check the whole thing smelled of scam so I called the Bank and the dude didn't have a account there. The check was a total fake.
While we are p.o. over the deal we are not out anything other than not having it listed for sale for a while (we might of missed another buyer during that time).
You fellas must be having a case of cabin fever already. We had a guy jerk us around earlier this month wanting to buy a saddle from us. He kept giving us excuses about sending the money so we relisted the saddle. When we finally recieved the check the whole thing smelled of scam so I called the Bank and the dude didn't have a account there. The check was a total fake.
While we are p.o. over the deal we are not out anything other than not having it listed for sale for a while (we might of missed another buyer during that time).
Deus Machina
Member
If someone shows up $5 short or something, whatever. I'll deal with it. Pocket change.
If they try to renegotiate after it's agreed on, I tell them to stick to the deal or hit the road.
I have thrown in some extras for the agreed price--because when I deal face-to-face, I'm usually just as worried about the space from some items as much as the money from others. If they take something that's pretty much worthless to me at that point, no skin off my back.
What gets me is that I do custom picture framing for a living, and some people--never born Americans, so it must be a cultural thing--try to haggle it. And I'm confused for a moment every time, especially because some of them think that "I write it up, and the computer tells me what I need to charge. I don't have a say on it." means I'm playing hardball with it. I just can't understand that people just don't learn how a retail environment works.
If they try to renegotiate after it's agreed on, I tell them to stick to the deal or hit the road.
I have thrown in some extras for the agreed price--because when I deal face-to-face, I'm usually just as worried about the space from some items as much as the money from others. If they take something that's pretty much worthless to me at that point, no skin off my back.
What gets me is that I do custom picture framing for a living, and some people--never born Americans, so it must be a cultural thing--try to haggle it. And I'm confused for a moment every time, especially because some of them think that "I write it up, and the computer tells me what I need to charge. I don't have a say on it." means I'm playing hardball with it. I just can't understand that people just don't learn how a retail environment works.
This also has night sights, is like new and shops around my parts usually have the 17, 19, 26 in stock but not the 30's usually so seems like a good starting point.
OP, I would have refused the sale as well, been polite about it and walked away.
Old Dog
Member
I have had the exact same thing that the OP describe happen to me -- after I drove 60 miles to accommodate the buyer. Interestingly enough, the agreed upon price was under what I'd listed the item for -- but I'd agreed to that price via e-mail -- which was still slightly over what my rock-bottom price would have been.
Uh, no, I said. That's not what we'd agreed on. I thanked him politely and promptly departed (and thankfully, I'd brought the goods over and we were sitting in his truck, per his insistence, even though around here, we usually transact in the seller's car.
There was an ATM inside the big-box outdoor store whose parking lot in which we were meeting.
Uh, no, I said. That's not what we'd agreed on. I thanked him politely and promptly departed (and thankfully, I'd brought the goods over and we were sitting in his truck, per his insistence, even though around here, we usually transact in the seller's car.
There was an ATM inside the big-box outdoor store whose parking lot in which we were meeting.
Yup, I'm not an auctioneer, and I don't sell firearms for profit: I love it when they start haggling before even seeing the gun in question.
Got a guy on another forum now: he wanted a kydex holster made for his Para LS and a cell holster for his iPhone5, I made up the holster and sent him pics via his e-mail. No response, but he continues to frequent the forum and is non-responsive.
So, it got me thinking: we need a website/forum to report these kinds of activity, wherein you can search a database for names/aliases, forum IDs, e-mail addresses for suspicious dealings. Is there one already, beyond criminal records?
Got a guy on another forum now: he wanted a kydex holster made for his Para LS and a cell holster for his iPhone5, I made up the holster and sent him pics via his e-mail. No response, but he continues to frequent the forum and is non-responsive.
So, it got me thinking: we need a website/forum to report these kinds of activity, wherein you can search a database for names/aliases, forum IDs, e-mail addresses for suspicious dealings. Is there one already, beyond criminal records?
rbernie
Contributing Member
Why? They knowingly showed up with less than the amount that they committed to bringing. That's dishonest, by my definition. A commitment made is, well, a commitment made.
fallout mike
Member
Like goon said, I recently sold a gun at what I felt was top $ with the expectation of playing the negotiating game. I met with the buyer, he looked it over and handed me the full asking price no questions asked. After he handed me the money I gave him a $20 bill back and told him to keep it for not trying to haggle. We had not settled on a price beforehand. He just knew my asking price.
buck460XVR
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There is nothing wrong with negotiating or haggling over a price, but one both parties agree on a price, that's a verbal and in most places a legal contract. Making someone meet you somewhere with the hopes that under the guise of not having enough money and wanting the gun for a Christmas gift for their son is a con game.
Ranger Roberts
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You guys agreed on a price. He didn't follow through on his end of the bargain. I would have walked away too. It's a matter of principal. He wasted your time and your gas with his little game. For all he knows, you could have turned down a sale for the full asking price because he was the first one to respond to your add.
First to respond? Ignored unless they are also first with the money.
He could have slid by if I hadn't counted all those 20's. I was looking for the $5 dollar bill, to make it 525. He said "Yea right", when I said, you're short 25 dollars. That started to aggravate me right there. Not excuse me, or I don't understand, but Yea right. Then to keep looking in a wallet that he later said is empty, and he hadn't a penny more, for 5 minutes. was just an excuse for me to say forget about it.
Oh and he wanted the Mitch Rosen holster with it for that price, which I had immediately said no to and didn't even bring with me. He also never said ,here is the "amount", we spoke of, just handed me the stack of 20's.
Oh and he wanted the Mitch Rosen holster with it for that price, which I had immediately said no to and didn't even bring with me. He also never said ,here is the "amount", we spoke of, just handed me the stack of 20's.
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Dr. Sandman
Member
The negotiations are not over until the deal is done! And that goes for both the buyer and seller! And one should not take it personally, either.
Your buyer does sound like a worm, though.
It is easy to say what a gun is worth, but getting somebody to give you the money is an entirely different story. Same goes for houses, cars, and shoes.
Your buyer does sound like a worm, though.
It is easy to say what a gun is worth, but getting somebody to give you the money is an entirely different story. Same goes for houses, cars, and shoes.
HOME DEPOT GEORGE
Member
I just put them on consignment at my LGS, I think he still takes 10% but that saves the headaches of answering emails and phonecalls and people trying to bargain with you. The other good thing is exposure, he is a fairly busy shop and once in his display case my guns have sold fairly quickly.
captain awesome
Member
Once a deal is agreed upon, that's it so long as both sides are represented correctly. I have had similar things happen to me and i won't do business with people that behave that way no matter how nice they seem. You did the right thing. Neither side is required to finish the deal, but once money is exchanged that's it. I would have done exactly what you did.
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