Values: New vs Nearly New

[Brians356]

Until the recent unprecedented used car shortage, a popular rule-of-thumb held (with the exception of high-end limited editions) that a new car loses 40% of its value once it leaves the dealership.

Is there a similar rule of thumb for firearms? What might be a typical downgrade for a used but "as new" firearm (say a couple of years old, with original box and paperwork) vs the same brand-new firearm one might purchase from a retailer?
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[farmerjohn]

I buy a little stuff from time to time and have found that not to be the case with quality firearms with the exception of the Tupperware handguns... John

 

[Brians356]

I buy a little stuff from time to time and have found that not to be the case with quality firearms with the exception of the Tupperware handguns... John

So you're saying no change in value in most cases?

A factor might be warranty. Some brands may be known to repair or replace a defective item (absent evidence of abuse) even if you are not the registered original owner.
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[Rodney]

Caliber would play into it some for me. I’d have little faith in the barrel of a 22-250 or 243 versus a 308. Unless I really knew the guy selling it. A bore scope can help with that though.

 

[davidjoe]

A used rifle on a rack beside the same one, new, cannot bring the same money. It would have to be 15-20% less to even warrant consideration, from a lot of guys. The retail markup in rifles is at least 25-30%, right?

I would estimate that if you try to sell back a rifle to the same gun store you purchased it from after you have scoped it, shot it, and considered what to do with it for a couple years and then decided it’s not for you, that 40% off your receipt is going to be the offer extended.

 

[joshb]

Everything fluctuates in value, based on the winds of change. A few years back, you could buy a nice old lever action for $4-500. These days they’re $7-1200. I have a Remington 308 I paid $300 for at .Cabela’s, years ago. It all depends on when you buy and when you sell.

 

[Brians356]

Good stuff guys. Now I'm going to make a left turn: What about carry guns, specifically name-brand revolvers? Here suspected accuracy problem is not worry. Likely the owner just didn't like how it carries, can't master the DA trigger, or decided to go with a striker pistol.
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[HTSmith]

I buy a little stuff from time to time and have found that not to be the case with quality firearms with the exception of the Tupperware handguns... John

I don't get out much. What is a Tupperware handgun?

 

[joshb]

I don't get out much. What is a Tupperware handgun?

“Plastic”. Glock, etc. me? I kinda like a lite 45 with a 14 round capacity!

 

[Brians356]

“Plastic”. Glock, etc. me? I kinda like a lite 45 with a 14 round capacity!

Sure, and I like filet mignon for dinner. But the vast majority of US law enforcement agencies (65% in 2018, and it's only grown since) employ genuine Glocks as standard issue, and the rest mostly Glock clones. I'm sure they'll all regret that grave error eventually.
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[farmerjohn]

A used rifle on a rack beside the same one, new, cannot bring the same money. It would have to be 15-20% less to even warrant consideration, from a lot of guys. The retail markup in rifles is at least 25-30%, right?

I would estimate that if you try to sell back a rifle to the same gun store you purchased it from after you have scoped it, shot it, and considered what to do with it for a couple years and then decided it’s not for you, that 40% off your receipt is going to be the offer extended.

Yes, I think you are exactly right. I tend to forget that some folks actually go to a gun store to buy a gun. In a retail setting you are right on the money. Only reason I ever go to one of the only two stores close to me is to check and see if they might have a Colt or S&W steel trade in. If I need something that I don't have built I generally let the fokes on this site know and buy it from one of them. I may be behind on my advice... John

 

[farmerjohn]

Sure, and I like filet mignon for dinner. But the vast majority of US law enforcement agencies (65% in 2018, and it's only grown since) employ genuine Glocks as standard issue, and the rest mostly Glock clones. I'm sure they'll all regret that grave error eventually.
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Hey Fellers, I was speaking of the plastic ones in price and resale terms. I feel sure you could tie one to the bumper and drag it 20 miles down a gravel road, pick it up and it would work perfectly. They are probably the most dependable auto going but they are hard to look at, kinda like an ugly gal that can really cook.... John

 

[joshb]

Sure, and I like filet mignon for dinner. But the vast majority of US law enforcement agencies (65% in 2018, and it's only grown since) employ genuine Glocks as standard issue, and the rest mostly Glock clones. I'm sure they'll all regret that grave error eventually.
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Maybe I said that wrong?
I was thinking about the Glock 41 I bought to try. $600 out the door, accurate as my Colts and lighter. It’s a nice shooter. 13 in the mag+1 loaded feels good, too! I like it! John mentioned they’re not pretty? Well .......everything has it’s trade offs. I have a Gold Cup to shoot on Sundays.

 

[Ernest T]

I've found new guns cheaper, sometimes much cheaper, than the same gun used.

 

[Bugs]

A rule of thumb on moderately higher end shotguns (Browning, Beretta, CG etc. etc. ) used to be that you lost 20% when you walked out the door with it. Fire that first shell and you lose 10 more.

 

[Brians356]

Backstory: There's a popular snubbie revolver I'm trying to find, but in a chambering that's been out of stock for some time at Sportsman's Warehouse (there's a local store) and online stores like GrabAGun.com. I can buy one new on Gunbroker for the same price as S.W. but the Gunbroker seller adds $35 shipping and I'll pay an FFL fee on my end as well. There are a couple of lightly used ones on Gunbroker, so I am trying to figure out how much is too much to bid on a used revolver, when I can likely wait a few weeks and buy a new one (if I'm fast enough.)
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[Deleted member fkimble@charter.net]

The real question is how bad do you really want it right now?

Frank

 

[std7mag]

A used rifle on a rack beside the same one, new, cannot bring the same money. It would have to be 15-20% less to even warrant consideration, from a lot of guys. The retail markup in rifles is at least 25-30%, right?

I would estimate that if you try to sell back a rifle to the same gun store you purchased it from after you have scoped it, shot it, and considered what to do with it for a couple years and then decided it’s not for you, that 40% off your receipt is going to be the offer extended.

Realistically, likely much more off on a trade in.
Your 40% might be close if you walked it out to the parking lot, and decided you shouldn't have gotten it right then, turned around, walked back into the store & tried to sell it back to them.

I have litterally watched shops offer a guy $100 for a used stainless Rossi lever action in 45 Colt. Then put it on their used rack for $15 less than a new one at the same store. Used price is non negotiable!
Oh, new rifle was $605 then.

 

[snert]

I was thinking price relates to who and where as well. If I buy it, it costs more. If I sell it, it is worthless. If I need it, I can't afford it. If I want it, it costs just a bit more than I should afford.

And after a bad night playing poker, it sells for 10% of value...

 

[jelenko]

Everything fluctuates in value, based on the winds of change. A few years back, you could buy a nice old lever action for $4-500. These days they’re $7-1200. I have a Remington 308 I paid $300 for at .Cabela’s, years ago. It all depends on when you buy and when you sell.

Timing, as they say, is everything.