AHE 20 Gauge
 

I'd been watching a little AHE 20 that had been for sale with a dealer for quite some time (I'm sure many of you have seen the gun). The dealer reduced the price to $38,500 as I recall. The gun then appeared on one of the major gun auction sites. I looked at the gun in person at the Southern, and the auction house's description was seemed accurate and forthcoming about the condition of the gun.

The gun hammered at $39,500. When you add the buyer's premium, etc., someone paid quite a bit more than they needed to acquire this gun.

It raises questions about the best ways to sell a gun, at least in this instance.

The seller actually got less than the $38500.00 that he was wanting. Most auction houses charge at least 10% to sell your gun. At 10%(probably more) the dealer got $35550.00-three thousand less than he was asking.

The gun was advertised for quite some time before the auction. So, what can we attribute the sale to — farther reaching advertising to a wider market? What we do know is that the seller got a great deal more...than the $0 generated during the prior months that the gun was for sale.

It’s an interesting case study.

Auctions can reach a wide market but I believe their advantage is pitting prospective buyers against each in a competitive setting and letting human nature do the rest.

Human Nature is an odd thing , I don't know how many times I have listed a nice Parker on our site for sale at what I thought was a good buy for some one only to have it sit here among hundreds of Parker Enthusiasts for weeks and never receive as much as a PM or even an offer ! Then I list it on Gun Broker and start it always at a penny and ten days later the gun is always sold and usually for more than it was offered for ! You Got Me , unless it's the thrill of the bid ????

There is also the comfort in knowing that some else thinks the gun is worth almost what you think it worth.

It could say something about the number of interested parties.All interested are not members here.Which is encouraging given the current state of affairs.Nice to have high membership but obviously not a requirement to be a collector.

I often attribute " here " to the fact so many of the members already own much of what they want and just don't want or need another shooter !

well said buster....but if everyone is like me I always want one more gun..and it don't have to be special....charlie

Folks who use our members only for sale page have become accustomed to the seller continuously dropping his price - sometimes within a few days while others stretch it out over a few weeks, but potential buyers have learned to continue to wait until the price is dropped to a level these buyers consider a good deal. This “good deal” price is often below the gun’s actual value but they have learned how to play the game.
I’ve tried to sell guns on this forum but learned my lesson years ago... yet I still do it from time to time.





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Sometimes it seems as though some folks are collecting “perceived bargains “ as much as they are shotguns.

I tried to communicate with the dealer on that gun. His response was not overwhelming to say the least. I am pretty sure he had already returned it to the owner because shortly afterwards it was pictured in the auction house’s ad for the upcoming sale.

Reggie, I also thought it strange that at one point it was listed on both the dealer site and the auction site.

OMG, how these 20gauge guns have appreciated!
I think I missed my window of opportunity to get an A, or AA 20 gauge 30 years ago. I'm in the wrong tax bracket now.

We all have to remember that there are a great many shooters out there that the name
"Parker" means something special. They are not collectors as such but will buy one when they have the money and opportunity. I can't count the number of people who have come up to me at shows and told me they have always wanted a Parker.Those are the people who will buy at a high price at auctions.

And sometimes we witness what happens when passionate collectors find themselves pitted against such people.





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I was watching an antique auction this weekend and a spiral staircase estimated at $200 to $400 hammered for over $30K. You just never know.

I don't believe I've ever actually made any money selling guns or cars. I sold three guns this past week, certainly for more than what I paid, but I think that is todays market. PERSONALLY, were I to sell a Parker, I'd take a bit less to put it in good hands of someone who is an enthusiast and keep it running, rather than have the bidding wars, because that can become tedious answering all the stupid questions. So I think there's a value to the for sale section here. I would likely trust folks here more than some of this crap on GB.

I went to a local auction that had a few guns listed. When I got there I discovered that one was a Parker VH 12ga with 30 inch barrels. Although it was in reasonable condition for a shooter it was a rather mundane piece. A group of guys were standing around it and one commented that Parkers are worth a bunch of money but it was obvious from their discussion that they had no idea what they were looking at. That same guy bought the gun for $2700 while I thought it to be a $1200-1400 gun. If you are the seller, jump for joy as you found the needle in the haystack.

I think I've been that "needle" on more than one occasion.:crying: I do know, however, that there was a least one other person who was willing to pay almost what I did.

I had been watching this one for couple of years, and yep a dealer continued to list long after it was consigned. I handled the gun and again went over it with Malm. I even sold a gun to try and make an honest run at it and came up short. Just as well I suppose, I have backups for the backups and the pups won't notice the grade. This one held my attention for sometime. Just add another Parker to the list that haunts me, much like a certain 16 Grade 6 16ga, least I know that one has a good home.

Brett, being haunted by guns not purchased is not pleasant for sure, but I know where you could carry and shoot one if you ever decide to head west.

That 26” AHE will be on my mind for some time.

Buying is easy selling can be difficult. I tire of the tire kickers and nit pickers. I have some I'd sell but the hassle keeps them here. I don't need to sell them but they just don't get used as they should and thats a shame. To many guns both rifle and shotgun and not enough time.