Rough Pricing for Parker 12ga?

[mattsolar]

I've had my eye on a nice double-barrel for a while and I *think* a nice one just popped up that I could get my hands on. Unfortunately, this is all I know about it: It's a Parker Trojan 12ga, serial # beginning 220.

Before I take the drive to go check it out I was hoping someone might be able to give me some [very rough] direction on it's approximate value and/or what to look for when inspecting the gun in person. Based on pricing available at Cabelas (http://www.cabelas.com/guns-1/11657.shtml) they have then in the $800 to $2,500 range - obviously a huge discrepancy.

Thanks in advance,
Matt

[Bill Murphy]

You didn't ask us to appraise any particular gun, so the common advice would be "Don't pay over $800 for a Trojan 12 gauge unless is appears new at 15 feet and has absolutely no refinishing or visible problems from any distance." None of Cabela's Trojan 12 gauge guns over $800 show signs of being in high original condition.

[Dean Romig]

Cabela's must be paying too much for the Parkers they have for sale. Based on Rich Anderson's statement that they work on a 30% profit (is that gross profit or net profit Rich?) it seems they are buying at above blue book retail

[Jim Kucaba]

Forget Cabelas and other dealers ... Go to: www.gunbroker.com ... Type "Parker Trojan" into the search window and click GO... Gun Broker has pictures so find a gun that looks to be in similar condition to the gun you're thinking of buying and you'll know what similar guns are selling for in the real world.

Good luck ... Jim Kucaba ... AriZOOna Cactus Patch ... Email: JimKucaba@aol.com

[Bill Murphy]

More likely to find out what such guns are "not" selling for, the initial bid figure is the "no sale" price in most cases. I know a fellow who sells hundreds of rare and high grade guns on auctionarms.com, sells every one he offers for sale. He starts the bidding at one cent or a reasonable figure and his sales are "no reserve". He has so many people watching his auctions that he never sells a gun under the fair market price. Other sellers could learn a lesson from him.

[David Nelson]

Good info Bill. Can you give us is name at Autionj Arms?

[Bill Murphy]

Sorry, I won't share the seller's name, but the auctions that work the way I describe are available in the "smart search" function under "penny auctions". That weeds out a lot of bad sellers. I'm not sure if all of the penny auctions are no reserve, but every one I have looked at were such. Good luck.

[tom tutwiler]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

Sorry, I won't share the seller's name, but the auctions that work the way I describe are available in the "smart search" function under "penny auctions". That weeds out a lot of bad sellers. I'm not sure if all of the penny auctions are no reserve, but every one I have looked at were such. Good luck.

Bill is spot on with this one. Same thing on Gunbroker. I'd say 95% of what is listed with reserve doesn't even get a bid. I can show you reserve auctions that have been on there for over a year. Dealer set them up with a automatic relist and they never look at them unless someone hits the reserve. Same dealers don't respond to questions for the most part. The dead give away, is the first time an auction runs with a reserve. Interested folks will bid up to where they think the value is. If it doesn't sell then, more then likely its going to sit there a long time, because the second time around no one will bid. Don't know how dealers can hold onto inventory that doesn't move in this environment. Seems like even if they lose a bit, they will be better by moving something then sitting on it for ever. Guess I'm not a good businessman.