Classified Sales Very Slow - Why Do You Think

[Mark W]

I used to pick up a lot of good deals in the classifieds this time of year. Unfortunately, I earn almost 30% less salary than I did 4 years ago and bonuses are now nonexistent. Couple that with the fact that a dollar now buys 1/3 less than it did a few years ago, and I have had to virtually cut out non essential spending in order to stay on track for retirement.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Its normal this time of year. Starts in November and doesnt really get crazy again until closer to tax season. People just have other things on their minds, and its winter. Most take a brake from shooting. Just a few months ago it was just crazy how busy it was. Just the normal cycle. I think come spring time you will see it busier than ever. Everything is going in the right direction again. Stock markets going up, confidence is going up, a huge weight has been lifted off of us in my opinion. Just hold off a couple months and it will be busy again. I actually enjoy this season. Gives a little time to get caught up.

 

[sw282]

A friend of mine had a 66 GTO in red back then. I had a 67 Cougar. Lots of muscle cars. But that 66 GTO was, and still is my favorite.

A NEW 66 GOAT was a hs grad present 389cid/335hp, 4sp Muncie. Bought Feb of 66 from Superior Motors in Orangeburg SC. No trade, otd @$3291.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Once the boomers are gone, the classic car market will implode. Watching the last few auctions, it's sliding downhill already. A friend recently sold a '65 Mustang, almost a completely restoration, and lost 15k.

I think you are right.
It was “our thing”. Every generation seems to gravitate toward “their thing”.

I think that is one of the problems with getting more young shooters involved in Short Range Benchrest. It is simply not “their thing”.

 

[lawman29]

It was “our thing”. Every generation seems to gravitate toward “their thing”.

Exactly. My kids and grandkids are not particularly interested in my Winchesters or Colts... Carbon wrapped barrels, FFP scopes, latest app, etc, but they shoot and hunt.

 

[Jpete]

I have seen items in our classified section that is priced more than fair market value and those items simply do not sell. Seems like the folks that post with reasonable prices sell fairly quick.

 

[Blackthorn]

I used to pick up a lot of good deals in the classifieds this time of year. Unfortunately, I earn almost 30% less salary than I did 4 weeks ago and bonuses are now nonexistent. Couple that with the fact that a dollar now buys 1/3 less than it did a few years ago, and I have had to virtually cut out non essential spending in order to stay on track for retirement.

This is one of the main reasons I started giving away stuff I had extra of or no longer use. Our sport is very important to me and if it helps to pass something along to somebody who can use it to stay in the sport I’m good with that. I’ve given away reloading items and gun parts and I’m glad it helps those who can use them.

 

[Cory porter]

I think you are right.
It was “our thing”. Every generation seems to gravitate toward “their thing”.

I think that is one of the problems with getting more young shooters involved in Short Range Benchrest. It is simply not “their thing”.

I think there are two reasons, one it’s gotten to be an extremely expensive and time consuming sport to get started in, to practice and to attend matches. Most younger people myself included have started their professional career and simply don’t have time to manage. Luckily I got started in 2015 right out of college and never stopped.

The second one, younger guys seem to gravitate to tactical or PRS stuff, I’m sure id like it and do well, but I don’t have the time to add another Hobby to the list and I’d get pissed losing my brass

 

[Dimner]

Yes! There's one set of ads on here, more than one, that almost ALWAYS are at the top. It's 99% bumps by the seller. Get the hint man. If you think this post is about you, it is.

I love this....

Also MY STUFF!!

 

[Mark W]

I’m not sure how that’s possible, the current inflation rate is 2.4%
but you are suggesting it’s 33% where you live.

I don’t care what the government says about the current rate of inflation. If you do much internet shopping, just go back and look at what you were paying for similar items four years ago. Let’s not forget that many products also shrank during the time prices were rising, which effectively raised the cost even more.

Edit to add:

“According to USDA data, grocery prices in the United States have increased by approximately 25% since 2019, with the all-food Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising by this amount between 2019 and 2023; this increase is considered significantly higher than the overall inflation rate for all items during the same period.”

The above quote from a google search is only related to food and does not account for the aforementioned shrinkage.

It must be nice living in la la land.

 

[alf]

I’m not sure how that’s possible, the current inflation rate is 2.4%
but you are suggesting it’s 33% where you live.

That 2.4% is on top of the inflation rate of the previous 3 years combined, brings it to over 22%, which I believe is still not indicative of the true number.

 

[Medic505]

I’m not sure how that’s possible, the current inflation rate is 2.4%
but you are suggesting it’s 33% where you live.

You must not make a weekly trip to Y'allmart or the grocery store. Yes it's currently 2.something but prices haven't came down from the 30% they went up.

 

[Medic505]

Thanks Alf, you beat me to it!

 

[Dos XX]

A lot of the inflation isn't seen in the statistics. Go to Home Depot and buy a 2 pack of 20 lb Kingsford charcoal. They aren't 20 lbs anymore. They are 16 lbs. The price is the same. Yogurt containers have less in them, but the price is the same. Tortilla chips, cake mixes, etc. They can't get away with that on things like milk and meat and eggs because they are sold by number of eggs, or units of measure, ie gallon or lb.

Fast food restaurants cost as much as sit down restaurants used to cost. You can't eat at McDonalds for less than $10. This may be the one good thing that comes from this. Maybe people will quite eating drive through shit burgers.

 

[Dos XX]

Guys, 2% annual inflation is considered a healthy economy, without a modest inflation your home would not gain equity.

2% on top of the already 25% price increases isn't the same thing as normal 2% inflation.

 

[alf]

2% on top of the already 25% price increases isn't the same thing as normal 2% inflation.

Exactly, Trump's first go around, was 1.9% total for all four years.

Biden's in excess of 30%....so far....

 

[jxb]

I'm thinking we must have the best grocery prices out west, we just aren't seeing what you all east of the front range are reporting. Heck fruit and veggies are just a few cents per pound more than they were before covid. That said when I lived in COS 2000-2003 not only were groceries more than here, they were crap. I was shocked that no matter where I went the quality of the fresh food was what would be culled here.

dry goods went up, mostly heavier stuff which makes sense as it's costlier to ship and shipping for everything is considerably more.

 

[Dos XX]

In my charcoal example, the 2 pack of 20 lb charcoal was $17.00. The 2 pack of 16 lb charcoal is $17.00.

32/40 is 20% increase.

 

[anon]

Who is paying the same, or 2% annualized increase, on their homeowners insurance as in 2019?

 

[cuznguido]

All of these things contribute, but let us be honest, price sells. Many, many ads are priced at or even occasionally above retail. The old fashioned rule of thumb that used stuff should be fairly close to half of new in value. There are exceptions of course, and some things, though rarely, even increase in value. But it is not realistic to expect to recoup the price of new, on something that is not new. Tis a rare day on the for sale forum to see anything remotely resembling a bargain. May offend some by saying it, but truth stands, and price sells.