28 gauge not for sale
 

I'm a new member, having joined to learn about and decide what to do with my Parker VH 28 gauge. I'm also a long time user of gunbroker.. I'm a long ways from selling, so please don't ask. The gun is not as nice as Art Schmitt's, but close enough, all original, stock, pristine and un-cut barrels, screws right, very tight, etc. It's been used often by me since 1967 and by my great grandfather after he bought it in 1917, so not surprisingly there's no bluing. I have three questions for discussion: (1) If this we're your gun, and you wanted to sell it, how and where would you go to get your best price? (2) The sales rules on this site, which are fairly explained and justified, say no auctions allowed. If I decided to sell someday, and I didn't want it to go for less than market value, could I start here with a price that well exceeded blue book, and then drop it every week or two by increments until someone made an offer, and still be within the rules? This effectively becomes an auction, but perhaps not so by the rules. (3) It seems to me that for someone who's selling a 12 gauge or other fine but relatively common gun, they can find comps to set a fair price, so the no auction rule is fine. But for a truly rare gun, the no auction rule puts too much pressure on the seller to determine a fair price instead of the market. I'm wondering if, in fairness to sellers, there shouldn't be an option on this site for exceptional pieces to be sold at auction? Thanks for in advance for your thoughts on these topics.

If you have played the gunbroker game for a while you know they have a large following. A no reserve auction will tell you its market value. End of story.

If you want a true maket value for your gun put it on gunbroker with a starting
price of $1.00 . This way you will get market value.

PCGA is not a sales site, it is information for interested members about Parkers

PCGA is not principally a sales site, though there is a members only forum for sales, and a Parker 28 gauge was sold on this site very recently. I hope it's ok to ask about selling as buying and selling is a necessary part of Parker ownership. I've never sold a gun before, let alone a Parker, so I'm trying to learn from other peoples' experience. Possibly I've misjudged, but this seems like an excellent site for that purpose.

A gun that sold recently, would that not be a market value start.

Craig

Yes, but its a private sale, so the sale price isn't known.

Wayne: I've seen many members start a listing in the shotguns for sale and drop pricing several times. I'm sure many members here would love to have a chance at it. Wish you would post some photos for us to drool over it. I understand your dilemma as I would never get rid of a family gun and especially a Parker unless I had to. Good Luck. Bob

That's exactly what the majority of folks here expect you to do.

My personal opinion is that you can play that game if, and only IF, you absolutely have to sell a gun because you are desperately in need of the money.

It's not that rare of a gun....you can peruse auction results over the past 5 years and see enough examples to get an idea of value.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to get top dollar for your gun, but I have to admit I grow weary of people feeling the need to squeeze every last cent out of the next guy. 5 years after you have sold it, will it really matter that you got $12,500 for it instead of $12,000? Does that few dollars mean that much?

If it were my gun, I'd be far more satisfied selling it for 80% of 'market value' to a home were I knew it would be cared for and appreciated for the next 50 years.

Thanks Bob, I'll think about posting photos. The issue isn't money, it's not having a young person in the family who would want it enough to learn to use it and take care of it.