This market sucks

You know, this forum has mostly really knowledgeable people who understand the mechanics, the aesthetics, the history, the sport, the camaraderie, and the politics of firearms. And then there are some people who -- how shall I put this -- make me sit back in my chair and say quietly to myself, "Man I sure have got a lot more to learn!"

I am very thankful that I finally "membered up" here after lurking for a year or so (I'm not much of a joiner, I guess). You have all been a blessing to me, and I'm grateful. I just needed to say that (again).

Now back to your regular program. :cool:
I thought i knew everything.... then i turned 19 and started talking to other people.
 
guns, silverware, AND classic cars.
the demographics of the buyers
have changed or "aged out".

Much like comics and fan collectibles, the change in mindset from collection to investment is what inevitably kills these things. When it becomes just another currency the interest that drove it and the buyers turns into dollars and cents, which while nice aren't really an interest anymore.
 
And since I agree, I’m not likely to shoot. ;)
Not too far to meet new folks and see good friends. I can’t shoot anyway
 
Not too far to meet new folks and see good friends. I can’t shoot anyway
I’ve decided I’d rather have people imagine how badly I shoot, than see the reality. :(
 
I’ve decided I’d rather have people imagine how badly I shoot, than see the reality. :(

Shame I'm not there, between the almost total lack of practice and being half blind I'm sure I'd be worse lol
 
This is very much true. Go to an estate auction sometime and watch people turn their noses up at furniture (expensive bedroom suits especially), fine china, silverware, and other collectibles people have spent a lifetime hoarding up. When setting up an auction you have to break it to these people that grandma's junk she bought as an investment is just that to people now- junk.

Interestingly enough, there are lots of things that have gone up in or retain value that you wouldn't expect. Old pyrex for example, always seems to sell. Bloggers and apparently HGTV have made quality vintage kitchen mixers like Kitchen Aid worth big money in good shape. People even buy them to restore them.

As it turns out, with most things, value is subjective.

I think in the coming years you're going to find that the younger crowd will do the same for the firearms the older folks are collecting. For example, like you said, there's a lot of Colt revolvers out there that bring serious money from certain demographics, but I don't see people my age ascribing the same value to them, and when the older generation hoarding them starts dieing off, there will be more supply than demand and they'll be cheaper and more easily attainable.

I honestly think the only firearms that will ever maintain real value that isn't based on political rumblings or personal feelings are those with historical significance. I doubt you'll ever see people lose interest in owning German Lugers from WWII.
I'm hoping to trade my Beanie Baby collection for a German Luger
 
This is very much true. Go to an estate auction sometime and watch people turn their noses up at furniture (expensive bedroom suits especially), fine china, silverware, and other collectibles people have spent a lifetime hoarding up. When setting up an auction you have to break it to these people that grandma's junk she bought as an investment is just that to people now- junk.

Interestingly enough, there are lots of things that have gone up in or retain value that you wouldn't expect. Old pyrex for example, always seems to sell. Bloggers and apparently HGTV have made quality vintage kitchen mixers like Kitchen Aid worth big money in good shape. People even buy them to restore them.

As it turns out, with most things, value is subjective.

I think in the coming years you're going to find that the younger crowd will do the same for the firearms the older folks are collecting. For example, like you said, there's a lot of Colt revolvers out there that bring serious money from certain demographics, but I don't see people my age ascribing the same value to them, and when the older generation hoarding them starts dieing off, there will be more supply than demand and they'll be cheaper and more easily attainable.

I honestly think the only firearms that will ever maintain real value that isn't based on political rumblings or personal feelings are those with historical significance. I doubt you'll ever see people lose interest in owning German Lugers from WWII.
That's because the younger generations have had to deal with all of the "collectible" crap that their parents and grandparents had after they pass. That or their parents try to guilt trip them into keeping stuff. My wife's mom is the world's worst on both accounts.
 
I'm sorry @natureboy. Ive been spending fun money elsewhere. I'll pickup again before the holidays :)

Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk
 
I need to downsize a bit.That being said most of the ones I would sell are either not very desirable to most or lower value items.
I hate dealing with gunbroker as shipping is a pain for my work schedule.Probably my best bet for decent return though.
I have never purchased a gun as an "investment". I buy it because I wanted it and I could.Some may well end up being a nice investment and others not so much.

If it were a sellers market I could see banking some cash and not feeling as bad about letting some go.
 
Fieldgrade hit the nail with selling.
Requires crafting a smart ad with lots of pics and targeting a demographic.

I see so many lazy and terrible for sale threads.


“For sell. Gun. Custom. I just want what I got in it. 6000$. Sell eslfnadressed stamped envelope for pics and I might send you a Polaroid. This is a grate deel”.
 
AND ANOTHER THING.

Take a minute to stage yer gun. Pretend like nobody wants to see a pic of a gun in a pile of your dirty tighty whites. Even if some do.

Stick gun on something that looks good as a background, and take many pics, from many angles. So you can delete all the blurry ones.

It’s easy to look at a poor ad, have doubts, and move on. Leave no doubts. Present it precisely how it is as honestly as you can.
 
Here is an example of a properly done ad for a higher end gun. Yes, this is braggadocio, but it's ok because I really didn't craft the ad. I copied and slightly modified the 1911Addicts forum ad by the seller from whom I bought the gun. I did add the excellent pics, but they were taken by ad-meister @fieldgrade. I really don't care if the piece ever sells, unless someone offers full price, because I take it out once in a while, point it and say "pew, pew" and look at the slide and utter "Molon Labe, MFrs." That's worth something right there.

https://www.carolinafirearmsforum.com/index.php?threads/ed-brown-molon-labe-1911-45acp.49478/
 
Here is an example of a properly done ad for a higher end gun. Yes, this is braggadocio, but it's ok because I really didn't craft the ad. I copied and slightly modified the 1911Addicts forum ad by the seller from whom I bought the gun. I did add the excellent pics, but they were taken by ad-meister @fieldgrade. I really don't care if the piece ever sells, unless someone offers full price, because I take it out once in a while, point it and say "pew, pew" and look at the slide and utter "Molon Labe, MFrs." That's worth something right there.

https://www.carolinafirearmsforum.com/index.php?threads/ed-brown-molon-labe-1911-45acp.49478/
The man splay, hairy thighs and socks in pic 5 are the clincher.
 
Not too far to meet new folks and see good friends. I can’t shoot anyway
It would make me rethink the entire effort if Shooting was the main reason people were coming. We'll have folks from Savannah to the south to almost the Virginia border to the north and west of Columbia and Charlotte. Several of these folks come almost monthly. Yes Sir, Brian is right....a lot more going on here than shooting. BUT shooting is iceing on the cake!!!
 
Same old story for me,, guy wanted 1400 for a rifle, I should have bought it but I offered 1300.
Guess who doesn’t have a rifle:)
 
I drive that 3 hours 2-3 Sundays a month. It's much more fun than an American Idol marathon.
Brother, there are other alternatives than watching an AI marathon haha
But I get the premise of your post
 
Dude, did you have a rug down for a few decades or something?

Ah, it's a chair mat. @fieldgrade is in a brand, spanking new house.

By the way, look at the damned gun, will you all? His shorts, socks, ugly shirt, floor, chair mat, hairy body and appendages are just distractions.
 
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