The $250 PT1911

[tsidorus]

Ok here goes, this is not one of those did I do good threads. (well I guess it is kinda as I feel guilty)

A guy at work put up a flyer selling his Taurus PT1911 w/3 boxes of ball and a box of premium HPs along with a cheap holster for 250. I of course upon seeing this say to myself "H_LL yeah Ill buy that" and pick up my phone and call. Of course my first question is "why so cheap? what did you do to it?" And the answer is not a thing he just wants to sell it fast to get something else before Christmas.

Now I would not have purchased it if it were 350-400 as I really wasnt in the market for a 1911 or a Taurus (I'm admittedly a gun snob) But I still feel bad about it as I know it was worth a bunch more. Heck the ammo alone is nearly 80 bucks retail.

So what is the consensus... Did I take advantage of the guy or did he meet his goal of a quick sell?

BTW: I know the guy. He is in my unit and purchased the weapon new months ago, its not stolen that's not it.

 

[10-Ring]

$250? Hey, if that was the reason & he was happy w/ what he got...CONGRATS

 

[ugaarguy]

It sounds like he knew what it was worth, wanted a quick sale, and priced it accordingly. It's not like he inherited the gun and you ripped him off on the purchase because he was clueless to the value - He was the original owner and he put up the flier advertising it for sale at that price. He got his asking price, and you got the gun & ammo at a good price. I see nothing wrong with the transaction.

 

[MustangHowie]

No foul there. He got what he was asking, and you got a sceaming deal. Later he will be kicking himself for doing it though.

 

[jon_in_wv]

Yes you took advantage, but not of the seller. You just took advantage of a stellar deal. If he is happy selling it at that price, thats his decision. If you really feel guilty, throw in something on the deal or give him an extra 50 bucks or so.

 

[Hoffy]

I saw a PT1911 at a pawn shop for $500 once and thought: "Why would anyone buy this used gun when they could order a brand new one from Bud's for about the same money." Frankly, if I buy a used gun...I would expect the kind of deal you did...20-40% off the new price. However, I rarely find those kinds of deals. It sounds like the guy needed the cash and had a fire sale.

Does this guy have any other guns he wants to get rid of?

 

[TX1911fan]

I tried to sell a Walther P99 that cost me $550 new for abut $450 once. It didn't sell. I sat on it for a while, then tried to sell it again for $425. No interest. The third time, I just wanted to get rid of it, so I priced it at $375. It sold in no time. The buyer asked me "why so cheap."

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

So what is the consensus... Did I take advantage of the guy or did he meet his goal of a quick sell?

The only thing you took advantage of was a screaming hot deal. He knew what he was doing and what it was really worth. He met his goal of a quick sale.

I would like to say I've never sold a gun for half its worth - either to get something else I wanted more, or just plain dire financial straits - but I can't.

 

[tsidorus]

Well I guess what adds to it is he is a PFC and Im a CPT. Hes not directly in my same unit (same Squadron different Troop) and is by no means under me in the chain of command, I just outrank him. And he is 30 something so he isnt one of those wide eyed privates, just a guy that changed career fields later in life. That being said I think Ill throw him a little more money or try to find something nice to get him. He wants to get into Cowboy action shooting, any suggestions.

And yes I realize this is more to make me feel better, I get the consensus is that's business in the used gun market.

-Tsi

 

[2TransAms]

Not a thing to feel bad about. I've found that I can take pay $500 for a pistol and ask $450 for it,and not sell it for a few months. I can ask $350 and sell it now. I've been on the losing end of a few trades and sales,but I knew what I was doing.

 

[Quoheleth]

Captain, keep in touch with the fellow (if that's kosher) and when he gets his SA, present him with a couple boxes of cowboy action loads. Or, help him get set up with a simple reloading kit. Something to that effect.

Q

 

[3 gun]

Take the deal. He got what he ASKED for price wise. If he really is a buddy, shoot a little ammo up, keep it clean and safe and offer to sell it back to him when money isn't so tight for the same price. If he passes on the offer don't bring it up again.

 

[peacemaker45]

If he wants to get into cowboy shooting, he's gonna have to free up a lot more than $250 worth of capital. I've got about three grand in my match guns alone, before counting backups, leather, reloading gear, clothes, etc.

~~~Mat

 

[mljdeckard]

Apparently he was desperate to sell for a reason. Supply and demand, it's a cruel unfair world.

Stay friends with him, let him visit every once in a while. Become shooting buddies.

 

[DogBonz]

Dude.

He posted the price in his flier. He knows what he paid, and hopefully what he should get for it. You did nothing wrong... Except buy a Taurus

Just kidding

 

[possum]

congrats good buy and please let us know what you think after a trip to the range or 2

 

[mister2]

All good....

 

[AZAndy]

tsidorus, if you're feeling bad about it, I'll take it off your hands for, say, $300. Just to show my heart's in the right place, you can even keep the ammunition.

 

[ashtxsniper]

I hope its not stolen.

 

[Phydeaux642]

No need to feel guilty IMHO.

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