[QUOTE=Lee Alexander;10958]Mr Balow,
I too live in Ohio and took my Parker to Jaqua's. The gentleman I showed and spoke with about my gun was not the original owner. He was not very nice to me and under valued my Parker. Before I went there I had already had 2 offers on my gun that were double and almost triple what Jaqua said it was worth. The gentleman reinforced more than once that he was not interested in the gun. I found out on this site (from the very kind and knowledgable gentlemen on here) that my Parker is pretty rare. I knew very little specifically on Parkers at that time and was also considering selling my parker. Not wanting to get taken and learning what I had on this site I called Jaqua's back and spoke to the same gentleman. Told him of the rarity and wondered if that might change the value...he became irritated with me and told me the rarity did not change the value. From most of what I have heard of Jaqua's that is unusual....but most of what I have heard was related to the original owner there. It may also be that I am a female...and some think less of us....imagine that?!?! smiles.
I have since decided to keep my Parker, so my experience is a mute point to me.
Might I suggest that you also post some very good pics of your Parker on here and let these guys disect it for you? It might not be pretty but will be the best discernment on it you can get. These guys are VERY knowledgable and passionate about Parkers.
You will probably get offers via email thru this site also(at least I did....smiles). Than compare those offers to what Jaqua's tell you. You are in the right place to find out the most of your Parker. Blessings, Lee[ Hi there Lee, sorry to hear about your unpleasant experience at Jaqua's. I feel a bit responsible, as when you first joined our little band of "Parker-ites", I may have suggested Jaqua's to you as a reputable place to consign your Parker, had you decided to sell it.
Just for the record, I only dealt with Bill Jaqua personally some years ago, going back to his original store in downtown Findlay, near the old Courthouse, and at another point in time at the Grand in Vandalia. I spoke with Bill a few years ago, as I was having a "mis-understanding" with another dealer (not on a Parker however) and as this dealer claimed he knew Bill and did business with him, I contacted Bill to verify that, which he did.
Bill Jaqua is the most honest and straight-up businessman I have ever known, whether selling end mills and calipers or Parkers and Ithacas. I am sorry that one of his employees may have acted in an ungentlemanly way towards you and his evaluation of your Parker, I wasn't there so I can't speak for what happened of course.
I am glad you have decided to keep your family Parker, had you still intended to sell it, whether outright or consignment, I might have suggested you contact Jaqua's and ask to speak to Cam, Bill's daughter and Manager. Not to get their employee in "hot water" but to set your mind at rest about being taken advantage of in a pretty much man's game (gun trading) because you are a Lady. I have grown daughters and always went with them on their car purchases and service needs for same, just to prevent that bit of mysognism from "tainting" the transaction.
You may also have heard that Cabela's is closing some of their Gun Libraries, and if you were going to sell either your Parker (or any other valuable gun) now and at their operation in Dundee, MI is NOT the place to go.
I will be glad to treat for lunch, whether at Tony's or in Dundee (I'll buy ammo from Cabela's, just would not buy or sell at the GL however) and would be glad to see your Parker, as long as you understand 100% that I have no interest in buying it, or taking advantage of a Lady. Old bit of Chinese wisdom says: "If you seek the true value of a possession you may wish to sell, ask it's worth from three unrelated men who have absolutely no interest in buying it". I have my gun budget set aside for a possible 10 gauge double with Krupp barrels- if the stars align properly.
Should you ever re-consider a sale of the Parker, I would suggest, among others equally well respected, you contact PGCA member George Lander, he lives in SC and as a true Southern Gentleman, knows the proper way to treat Ladies. The bigger auction houses are, in my opinion, best if you have several high end guns, a single item, maybe yes, maybe no.
01-11-2010, 04:05 PM
"Was"? as in past tense?
Hybrid Mode