Instead of Valuation Threads

[Hsing-ee]

Which seem to continually be in danger of falling foul of the rule on the thing turning into an auction, if not in the PMs then via email which is not within the scope of the BBS administrators, could a Valuation Protocol be made up as a sticky?

This would have something like 'do a search on the BBS and see what the item has sold for in the past, look at gunstar and guntrader and the rest of the net etc' then advise to advertise at a high but downwardly negotiable price.

In the end you'll find out what the thing's value is when you sell it, or don't sell it.

Or something. I am sure one of the many business-minded types on here could make one up (those that speak of 'price-points' and 'margins' and so on).

OK I put on tin hat and hide now.

[Thamesides]

Sounds a good idea,but I have noticed often that sellers either delete the price once sold or delete the thread. I have found that prices on the whole are more realistic & honest on forums.

[Murphy]

Never really understood valuation threads.

You know how much you paid for it new or second hand.

You know how much you would be happy getting back for it.

You know how much you wouldn't accept for it.

[Phil Russell]

Never really understood valuation threads.

.

While you raise valid points I think we have to accept that many would be sellers are not scanning sales threads all the time so are genuinely unaware of current prices, particularly for older or uncommon airguns. The oft quoted 2/3 of what you paid for it when considering a fairly new gun is not much use when it comes to say, 20 year old airguns. To put it in daft perspective, if you know that your 80 year old rifle was bought for £8, would you advertise it at £6? Of course not but realistically a newcomer wishing to sell a rifle that old may well require guidance of the current market.
Thinking a bit more about it, there should be a check list of information: Make, model, age, calibre, stock material, condition (please not 'mint'). Any modifications? Any accessories included e.g. moderator, sling, swivels, scope, bag, pellets? Willing to post?

Cheers, Phil

[harvey_s]

Never really understood valuation threads.

You know how much you paid for it new or second hand.

You know how much you would be happy getting back for it.

You know how much you wouldn't accept for it.

FOMO...

[Murphy]

To be honest I feel like I have never seen a true valuation thread.

e.g. I have found my old Grandads gun in the attic.

It always feels like I think I have bought this gun cheap off someone who didn't know how much its worth, can I make a profit on it.

[thisisdonald]

I love valuation threads.. quite often, its someone who has something they know nothing about, or are shifting it for someone else. They quite often turn into interesting threads with loads of cool info on specific brands, models, etc.. like the Sussex sabo thread recently.. I cant remember now if that was a valuation thread or not?

[rapidresponse1]

i like to read the valuation threads

[Phil Russell]

Interesting idea but I am not sure it would be of lasting value.

'advise to advertise at a high but downwardly negotiable price.' Would this not simply invite inflated prices?

'Do a search on the BBS'... good but the sale price is rarely disclosed and the asking price is usually deleted when the SOLD notice goes up.

Maybe a note that s/h shop prices are usually higher than the s/h private sales?? But that is still open to abuse.

Bit of a minefield isn't it?

Cheers, Phil