Quote Originally Posted by slug-gun View Post
A couple of thoughts occur to me here:
Firstly it seems that many of the requests for valuations are regarding fairly moderrn and mundane air guns - ie 1970's BSA Airsporter.
For goodness sake how much does anybody think such a gun is going to be worth, in average condition, it ain't going to be a sum to be able to retire on!

Secondly, as I think another mentioned, in my experience most folk have a pretty damn good idea what their 20 year old Slavia pistol is worth, and really are only looking for confirmation - or dare I mention it looking for a 'dutch' auction to start up? Perhaps I'm being cruel here?

Thirdly, and most importantly, giving a valuation on something that you haven't seen, and based on a woolly description, is a complete waste of everybody's time, and could ultimately just be plain misleading - both to the seller and a potential buyer.
Condition is everything, the same gun could vary by 500% in value if it was mint compared to merely average.
Most people, especially if they are keen to sell a gun, can't offer an accurate description to save their life, so any subsequent valuations start from the wrong premise straightaway.

Lastly a valuation might be the 'right' one in most people's eyes, but then if a guy comes along who just happens to want that particular item, he might pay considerably more than the 'right' price - and be happy for it.
Does that mean the true value is that, or what?

See what I mean, it is a minefield of inexactitude. Let the seller work it out himself, he probably knows anyway, and if it is a rare item then he should take it to a specialist who can actually see the thing, warts and all, and then appraise it!
Anything else is pie in the sky.
I agree with the idea that most peoples descriptions are sometimes way off the mark. That is the reason why I always give a range of prices, starting with a 'Rough as hell' price, then continuing through average, and good, right the way up to very good.

So for example

BSA Mk2 Airsporter

£70 for a rough one up to £160 for a very good one. Mint ones £190 upwards

That way people can then decide which description best fits their own gun, and if they really cant decide, then they can always pick a middle of the road price.

So for the Airsporter, maybe offer it at £140 to be safe. If it doesnt sell in a week, lower the price by £15, and see where you go from there.

By doing that I think you avoid the kind of person that thinks "all Mk2 Airsporters are worth £160+ , as clearly they are not

In the Blue Book of Airguns, they are very very strict about values, and any chewed up screws or missing finish, would send the price crashing down.

Take the Airsporter, if it say had a polished trigger block/trigger guard ( all too common on Airsporters) then if that gun would have made £150 with a normal trigger block, it only make £90 witha polished one. Now I dont believe the majority guys/gals on the BBS, would take too much notice of things like that, and I know most sellers wouldn't put up with a 40% cut in price for something some would see as an improving feature?? However in America condition is EVERYTHING !!!


ATB

Lakey






Lakey