Classified Sales Very Slow - Why Do You Think

[Tesoro]

Yep, We shoot "buffalo" matches at a local club and we barely have enough "old" folks to make it worth the effort to have a match. Cowboy is way down and will die when my generation is gone. 1000 yard benchrest is way down from what it was when I shot it regularly a couple decades ago. The action pistol matches in the area draw lots of folks. The younger generations are drawn to that and it is easier/less expensive than some other shooting sports.

10 years ago, when I was in my mid 50's, I went to my excellent range to check out a black powder silhouette shoot. All were using Sharps type rifles from 100yd out to the 500 yd rams. I was fascinated and after the shoot, two of the 70-80 yr old organizer members set me up to shoot one of their rifles. I was amazed that I was able to hit the 500 rams once I got used to the set hair triggers. By the time I was done I had offers to purchase a rifle at giveaway price and join up. There were about 10 guys at the shoot and when done, everyone just split because they had 'stuff to do' and left these these two old guys to do clean up, gather up and store all the heavy steel targets, and there were alot of them! Of course I helped but the lack of camaraderie turned me off.
I also thought about joining the local F Class gang which used the Camp White range. I knew one of the shooters and he invited me down to observe a practice, It was the same thing, a dozen guys showed up, some late, shot and then after the shoot nearly all of them chatted for a minute and then split, acting like they were on a lunch break. And they would only practice shoot like this once a month.
I dunno I guess being a 'rifleman' is a dying breed! I was hoping this would be a good chance for me, an outsider, to meet up with some guys with common interest and possibly make a few friends. But not, most seemed to be too chained to their lives to take some time out. It was a Saturday too in both instances. So now I just go out to my ranges in the mountains close to my home and do my own thing. Maybe it is different back in midwest and east.

 

[jelenko]

10 years ago, when I was in my mid 50's, I went to my excellent range to check out a black powder silhouette shoot. All were using Sharps type rifles from 100yd out to the 500 yd rams. I was fascinated and after the shoot, two of the 70-80 yr old organizer members set me up to shoot one of their rifles. I was amazed that I was able to hit the 500 rams once I got used to the set hair triggers. By the time I was done I had offers to purchase a rifle at giveaway price and join up. There were about 10 guys at the shoot and when done, everyone just split because they had 'stuff to do' and left these these two old guys to do clean up, gather up and store all the heavy steel targets, and there were alot of them! Of course I helped but the lack of camaraderie turned me off.
I also thought about joining the local F Class gang which used the Camp White range. I knew one of the shooters and he invited me down to observe a practice, It was the same thing, a dozen guys showed up, some late, shot and then after the shoot nearly all of them chatted for a minute and then split, acting like they were on a lunch break. And they would only practice shoot like this once a month.
I dunno I guess being a 'rifleman' is a dying breed! I was hoping this would be a good chance for me, an outsider, to meet up with some guys with common interest and possibly make a few friends. But not, most seemed to be too chained to their lives to take some time out. It was a Saturday too in both instances. So now I just go out to my ranges in the mountains close to my home and do my own thing. Maybe it is different back in midwest and east.

I think it depends on one's dominant personality. Some people love to socialize - others would prefer to avoid long times socializing. Essentially 'extroverts' and 'introverts'. [Everyone is a mix of both just more one way than the other]

For example, I love to see people I know and enjoy a quick chat. I dread being in a larger group. I find extended discussions involving multiple people draining - I recharge in solitude.

 

[Tesoro]

I think it depends on one's dominant personality. Some people love to socialize - others would prefer to avoid long times socializing. Essentially 'extroverts' and 'introverts'. [Everyone is a mix of both just more one way than the other]

For example, I love to see people I know and enjoy a quick chat. I dread being in a larger group. I find extended discussions involving multiple people draining - I recharge in solitude.

that is true, but when you are in a 'club', and thus share a same common denominator, then some form of socializing would be the norm.

 

[urbanrifleman]

5 years ago I used to be able to go to the local Mexican restaurant and get a plate of enchiladas for $6.99. I think they are $13.99 now.

2 percent inflation.

 

[kyotekiller25]

5 years ago I paid $40/brick of primers. Today its $80-100 brick.

2% inflation my butt...

 

[Sniperhandle]

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

Inflating the equity is not good even if you think it is. Now you are paying more for property taxes, Mine have come close to tripling in the last seven years. Now you are paying more for insurance too.

 

[S3silver]

OP - not sure what you mean. I keep buying stuff off here I don't really need, lol.

Seriously though, I think economy and rising shipping costs are keeping selling prices higher than from what I've seen before.

 

[JFrank]

Guys may notice that sellers are asking near retail for items as well. ( probably been said already )
I’ve seen several ads of $2000 for a used scope that I can buy new for $2000.
Take that scope to a pawn shop and see what they offer.
25% maybe … so if you want to sell an item then price it to sell or don’t complain.

 

[brokeasajoke]

Inflating the equity is not good even if you think it is. Now you are paying more for property taxes, Mine have come close to tripling in the last seven years. Now you are paying more for insurance too.

When I add all my auto and home insurance plus taxes it's amazing. I have to work January and February just to pay those

 

[JFrank]

Inflating the equity is not good even if you think it is. Now you are paying more for property taxes, Mine have come close to tripling in the last seven years. Now you are paying more for insurance too.

No one I know buys a house in hopes that it won’t go up in value.
Every year my construction budgets had to be increased 6-8 K on a $320,000 build.
I can’t do anything about materials costs such as lumber, appliances or municipal fees, I can however negotiate with contractors and land purchases but only to an extent. I can’t change taxes or insurance costs, but I can pass the costs on to the consumer.
Speaking of fees, our building permits always included school impact fees that help pay for busses and fuel costs. Take a look at how many kids are actually on that bus, ‘not many’ in fact the parking lot is full of soccer moms picking kids up while the busses I paid for are damn near empty.
I pass that onto consumers as well.
It sucks for sure.

 

[DR_2297]

I am 6 years into a complete (and I mean complete) rotisserie grade restoration of my 1964 Mercury Comet Cyclone. My Dad brought this car home when I was 14 or 15 in the mid 80s so it has sentimental value and I can pass it to my son when I am gone….

Every thing I touch is a minimum $500 - $1000. I haven’t updated my spreadsheet in a while but I am now quite close to $40k into this and estimate another $10k before I am done… I could have gone cheaper but then I did it how I wanted it so in the end I would have no regrets. I have done everything myself except machine the engine block and balance the rotating assembly… so that cost is almost purely component cost.

The restoration and aftermarket parts industries are stupid high profit margin.

This is a relatively rare car @ 7454 produced but even at that I would be very hard pressed to recoup my money invested let alone pay for any of my labor if I ever did entertain selling it…

 

[redrockranger]

Inflating the equity is not good even if you think it is. Now you are paying more for property taxes, Mine have come close to tripling in the last seven years. Now you are paying more for insurance too.

We have to keep dysfunctional government running. It's everywhere.

 

[Sniperhandle]

I own 100% of the equity in my home. Equity means nothing to me. I don't plan on starting the clock over.

My Sister's house payment went up $500.00 a month this year and they are panicking. Insurance companies are finding every excuse to raise rates and to not pay claims. My parents insurance company flew a drone over their house and then sent them a letter saying they were going to cancel because they were in a fire zone, They said they needed a roof too. There was nothing wrong with the roof.

They also said there was nothing they could do to stop them from canceling. My mom called another insurance company and they were more than happy to take her money and then 30 days later sent her a letter telling her a list of things that had to be done or she would get cancelled from them also.

I shopped around and found another Agricultural Insurance company that would not hassle them, Then I called and cancelled the second insurance company.

But not before my folks had spent the money for a new roof, That was 3 times more expensive than my roof was in 2017.

I was ready to be self insured if my insurance company was going to try that with me, I don't think they are pulling as many shenanigans with people who own their homes outright, But if you have a mortgage, They have you over a barrel and they know it.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

No one I know buys a house in hopes that it won’t go up in value.
Every year my construction budgets had to be increased 6-8 K on a $320,000 build.
I can’t do anything about materials costs such as lumber, appliances or municipal fees, I can however negotiate with contractors and land purchases but only to an extent. I can’t change taxes or insurance costs, but I can pass the costs on to the consumer.
Speaking of fees, our building permits always included school impact fees that help pay for busses and fuel costs. Take a look at how many kids are actually on that bus, ‘not many’ in fact the parking lot is full of soccer moms picking kids up while the busses I paid for are damn near empty.
I pass that onto consumers as well.
It sucks for sure.

Im not sure that they have gone up in value. When I sold my place in Mt. a few years ago right at the peak I did get a lot more than I bought it for but I gained nothing in buying power. Because it didnt go up in real value the dollar is just worth less. I have to pay that much more for the next house. I just broke even, thats how I see it. Financially the best thing I could have done was stay put with that 3.2 percent rate I had on what seems like chump change now.

 

[bobcat93]

Man to be completely honest, im so fed up with prices, scams, shipping issues, excuses, and apologies i practicality just keep to myself.
Its a different world out there.
The days of us folks having a simple chat
followed by a fast and jiffy transaction are over.
I remember talking to 2-3 folks a day at time when i was selling stuff.. guys would do instant money transfers with me, some times i would leave work early just to get to the post office and ship out the things i sold. Or i couldnt wait to get home and play with a new scope or something i purchased off the forum.
There is an unspoken level of expectation, and of up front promp honesty and trust between us forum members here.( i think its slipping)
I remember talking to some old guy in Texas who bought a rifle off me in Ohio a fellow forum member. It was the first time he ever ordered anything of the internet.
I packed that gun up better then any manufacturer would have, put it in a hard case, boxed it again hahaha and sent photos of every step just so he was confident about his purchase.
i didnt need to do any of it.
But i did it out of respect for another forum member.
I had fun and enjoyed talking and messing around
I dont know man..its just different now.
We all have changed, were all uptight, there is very little kindness, or trust god forbid a joke is taken the wrong way ...now it different..you hear me damn it..its different..hahaha
Let me say i have never ever had anything but good experiences purchasing from a forum member. And ive been here a minute or two.
our world outside has become simply horrible
So i think its hard for folks to shift gears when purchasing off the forum and remember its not like going to some store where all they want is your money. Folks here general care about one another for the love of the shooting sport, and the healthy longevity of our forum.
If we dont keep paying it forward then what the hell is the point of even being here .
Even if the outside world is going down hill its absolutely no reason we need to let things slip one bit here.
You want to sell your stuff..
Perhaps try this.

If an item im selling is over 300$ i make a vlittle ideo of it. Nice clean area, lay a contrasting color towel down to display said object, clean my phone lense and make a video making sure lighing was good , flip the object around show all angles.
So if i want to sell that 1500$ used scope there is nothing hidden.. everything is there for all to see.and you have a personal video record of sale item. Its a good thing
When a serious buyer shows up i dont need to talk, i can email a quick video
I think its little things like that what make a big difference in a sale, or something your stuck sitting on..ask yourself how bad do you want it gone, and what are you willing to do to sell it successfully?.
Its a personal challenge.
Have some fun with it. Get creative people like stuff like that, and appreciate it to death..

 

[JFrank]

Because it didnt go up in real value the dollar is just worth less.

I think this is the definition of inflation.
Sadly

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I think this is the definition of inflation.
Sadly

Correct. Inflation does not incease the value of things imo.

 

[LVLAaron]

Correct. Inflation does not incease the value of things imo.

Correct. That's demand!

 

[Lkwebb]

The economy is much worse for the average guy than anyone wants to admit.

Post COVID massive price increases on everything has finally caught up the average guy. That pickup that Joe used to buy every 4 years went from 30 grand to 80 grand.... Over a 100k for a fancy truck. Eggs were 99 cents now they are 4 bucks... People upside down from trying to maintain their pre COVID lifestyles... People are deep in debt.

I would like a newer pickup not a NEW pickup but my price range the pickup has over 100k in miles. I'll just keep mine till it blows up

 

[DiffEQ]

It’s the typical pre Christmas doldrums. It happens every year. This year may be worse because of horrible inflation, tho. It’s slowing everything down.
I was behind a gal at the grocery store, yesterday. She had a full cart and her bill was over $700. Just crazy.

Wow, what was it full of, meat and wine?
My kids are off at college, so for emergencies I gave them credit cards. My youngest goes and spends $210 at a safeway. I blew a gasket -- and we had an extensive discussion on budgeting and frugality.
Her boyfriend may come from a family worth tens of millions, but her dad certainly is not!

Mine have come close to tripling in the last seven years.

If you look at your property tax bill, they will itemize the levies and bonds that voters approved. 1/4th of my property tax bill is for those things, and to me it's a staggering amount. I live in an unincorporated area, and two blocks away where they are within city limits, they pay more than double what I pay.