Do accessories add value?

dbracin

dbracin

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Perhaps this has been posted before, if so I apologize.
As I was looking at the classified section today I saw several handguns priced 2 or 3 times higher than the cost of a new one. Each one had several accessories as partof “the package”. I just don’t get it. I have never considered accessories or Cerakote to add extra value to a firearm. Sure you pay for them, but unless you find a person who wants that specific color or that specific add on part, then to me that is no added value. I have my thick skin on today, so flame on.
And as a side note, I have never seen a P365 I thought was worth $1600.
 
Depends totally on the specific accessories.

The buyer must see the same value in the parts that the builder does, that often does not happen. I really enjoy the build lists that get posted in the classifieds. A lengthy itemization showing the MSRP pricing of every little bit and roll pin.

$1600 365... LOL
 
I generally will strip a gun down to stock, aside from anything particularly difficult to remove and replace with the stock part.
 
I do buy accessories. Sights, grips, optics, holsters and such. I just don’t like to buy a pistol only to then buy a frame because the original doesn’t fit me or doesn’t have the function that I need. My mind just seems to wander since I’m older. Now that I qualify for senior coffee at food places I feel more inclined to voice my opinions, lol.
 
Depends on the accessory but I've never purchased one laden with accessories for the record. I just move along.
 
Extra mags, sure. A good holster? Maybe. Everything else is user specific.

My rule of thumb is 'every $100 you spend customizing a Glock reduces its value by 50'
 
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My father, may he rest in peace, used to muck with every pistol or rifle he bought. A nice blond stock 223 bolt gun got a camp paint job, big honkin' scope, replacement trigger, bipod, sling... even bought western desert style camo clothing and wanted to go coyote huntin'. Never spent a single minute in the field. For some reason, with his Glocks, he only did the $0.25 trigger job.
 
MacEntyre said:
So, there must be plenty Glocks that they will pay someone to take... jus' sayin'!
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Imitation shiny Glock-like objects have no value to me. I’ll stick with OEM that I can trust right out of the box.
 
As was said by others here, value added is dependant on the particular accessory and whether a buyer sees the same value.
Most folks would do much better, I know I have, returning to stock and listing the pistol then parts and accessories in seperate ads, especislly when it comes to aftermarket sights and holsters. Those two things are extremely self limiting in regards to finding a buyer, more so than most any other upgrade, imho. Ive seen several gucci guns sell at rediculous prices here and have seen decently priced stuff sit and sit because the seller wouldnt split from the six holsters included.
 
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It all depends on the accessory in question. I have seen people buy Browning Hi Powers just for the Spegel grips. Other example like dip coating a vintage firearm can make it almost unsellable. Apparently the box a S&W revolver came in can add $100-$250 worth of value to some collectors. Numbered grips even more. The accessories that add the most value are the ones you cannot go into a store and buy off the shelve. Spegel grips, S&W boxes, Milt Sparks Leather, Knights AR15 stuff etc... Often the original buyer now seller had to wait a longtime to get that accessory so cutting in line and getting it now adds value to the gun that they are coming with.
 
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When I sell or trade, I do it as a package because I have neither the time nor energy to manage multiple classifieds, etc. But I know that most people don't like that so I don't get offended if it doesn't move. Sometimes guys will reach out and say "would you be willing to part out X?" Sometimes I will, sometimes I won't.

When I buy I actually prefer package deals with accessories. Again, I don't want to have to shop for a holster, or a sling, or whatever.
 
For me personally, rarely do accessories add value to something. However, it is largely dependent on the accessories.

If it’s a platform I don’t have, adding magazines or the like may add some. Or if it’s a decent optic for a decent price added, then I’ll consider it.


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A lesson I learned a long time ago is that when it comes to selling guns, the "average" buyer assumes any accessories, no matter how good or how expensive, are "free upgrades" that should come with the gun, at the price of a used gun.

While certain upgrades should add some value, in the real world, they generally don't. I make an exception for purely cosmetic upgrades. They only add value for the current owner in most cases, and may actually decrease the value for the buyer. ( I'm looking at you, rattle can camo jobs and punisher/spartan logo engraving! )

If you want top dollar, remove all the extra parts and sell them individually. If you want to move something fast, give away the upgrades at the cost of the gun.
 
I put these slide back plates on all my pistols. They keep me from carrying the wrong ammo to the range. 🤓

D6504EF4-0D5B-414C-AB4D-C39297FA3DC7.jpeg
 
Pogue said:
So, I’ve got 5k plus in a precision rifle. Guess it’s really only worth the $1200 i paid for the bare rifle -minus use, so let’s say $800….any takers?
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Might be worth less than 1200$.

Depends on how that 5 grand was spent. If it was to get it gold plated, for example, you are going to have to sell it in Compton, and likely won’t get your money back.
 
NKD said:
Might be worth less than 1200$.

Depends on how that 5 grand was spent. If it was to get it gold plated, for example, you are going to have to sell it in Compton, and likely won’t get your money back alive.
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FIFY. ;)
 
You'll pay for everything in life, you just get to decide if you're gonna pay in money or time. If you want to take the time to separate accessories and guns, you'll make more money than selling a package. If you want to move something quick, gotta sell it cheap. Rattle-can job? Get ready to do some serious scrubbing or take a bit hit - expensive mistake either way when it's time to sell haha
 
surgicaltool said:
Rattle-can job? Get ready to do some serious scrubbing or take a bit hit - expensive mistake either way when it's time to sell haha
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This.
Even with Cerakote. Some folks think their custom Cerakote increases the value double what they paid because ItS KuStOm.
We have two custom coated guns in our house, one is mine, one for wifey. But, just like any other 'upgrade', if we sold, the buyer has to see the value, too. Mine *might* actually sell without a hit to price (but prolly wouldnt pull a premium) while wifeys would definitely need to be refinished before any sale.
 
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Accessories don't add value. The end.

Ammo at the going rate? Sure.

At best, hard to find parts on hard to find guns are possibly going to raise the cost. But then you gotta find the person who wants that part/s...

But "customization" of anything that can't be easily removed (paint, stippling, machining, whatever) drops the price even further than stock, used...

Drop in parts may add a little. But won't ever be more that whatever gun being sold, as new.

A holster or two? Maybe. Probably not... I'm not paying for the custom tactical/race holster your paid $200 for and added $195 to the price of the gun. I don't want it...

The biggest thing I see that is a NOPE.
Magazines? Sure. A scope? Sure. Maybe even a drop in upgrade or two.

But they always advertise with what they paid and then do like holsters. Want that price or knock maybe 5% off what they paid for it... Yeah a new mag is $20 and you have 5 you used with the gun. Adding $95 to the price your asking is a no go. A used gun is cheaper than a new one by a good percentage. Why the hell are the "accessories" still at an as paid price.
 
BatteryOaksBilly said:
I have done some pretty serious "mortifications" to guns I owned......Never had Any trouble selling them....just my experience.
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The difference being you most likely priced them fairly vs thinking a $2 part on a $50 pistol makes it a deal $900 lol
 
Depends on the audience. If it's a well known/loved shop or kote painter it will go for assumed value. Also depends on the work.

For example I would be laughed at for this here, but I could sell it for $1400+ easy in a group I know

20220210_192602.jpg


This one would probably have more favor here based on the build list and the cerakote just brings the lower to life vs some Gucci tiger king stuff like above.

20200810_130039.jpg


Gotta find the right audience!
 
As a southpaw, can I just say I absolutely love when people just have to offload their thirteen RH holsters with their handguns? It adds so much value to the purchase for me. /S

To be honest, unless it's something like a nice trigger on an AK, or maybe an RMR or good light on a handgun, accessories are almost always a deal killer for me. 95% of the time it's junk I don't want that the seller seems to think greatly adds value. - Accessories are very personal decisions, not everyone likes the flavor.

People are generally really crappy at pricing their items and tend to think their stuff is worth far more than it is. - Or they see stuff go for $XXXX on GunBroker or Fleabay and don't realize the extra costs/fees and hassle involved. It's not like you keep it all.

But...by FAR, the worst sellers/buyers are newbies in the home gym realm. They take the cake for pricing/offer malpractice.

Sent from my moto g fast using Tapatalk
 
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Vlad Ozark said:
Sellers who post up an itemized list of mods with prices are guaranteed to be delusional on pricing & most likely hoping to unload their bubba'd crap.
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Agreed. If there are more than a couple of lines of bolt ons and brand names I don't even bother reading any further.
 
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