Originally Posted by
slug-gun
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.