Selling - scoped or not

gdawg

gdawg

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Super GunNutz
Rating - 100%
162   0   0
Helping my father cull some of his hunting rifles. I haven't sold many rifles. When it comes to scopes on or off, is there a typical preference? Do most want their own optics and not want to pay extra for something they are not interested in, or is it easier just to leave them and see as many don't care and prefer the convenience?

There is nothing too exotic - either rifles or scopes. Mainly standard pre-64s (e.g., 308/300H&H/270).

Thanks
 
Any rifle I’ve bought scopes I ended up selling the optic. I think most people have a preference so finding someone who likes the same combo is going to be hard.

I always liked when someone gives the option for just the rifle or rifle, scope and rings.

Ultimately do you want to put in the effort or just sell them all together and let the buyer decide what to do.

I’d assume you would get more money when breaking things down and selling separately but it’s going to be more work on your parts.

B
 
You'll probably get more money if you sell them separately (unless the scopes have very little value) but it's more work on your end to do it that way.

You could always put the rifles for sale, with prices for both scope included and not. That'll cover your bases and appeal to both types.
 
Not scoped! I don’t usually care for the optic on EE rifles, and have a few here i can use that I know I like!
 
gdawg said:
Helping my father cull some of his hunting rifles. I haven't sold many rifles. When it comes to scopes on or off, is there a typical preference? Do most want their own optics and not want to pay extra for something they are not interested in, or is it easier just to leave them and see as many don't care and prefer the convenience?

There is nothing too exotic - either rifles or scopes. Mainly standard pre-64s (e.g., 308/300H&H/270).

Thanks
Click to expand...

I am sure there will be many answers - I have bought "naked" rifles, rifles with scope mount bases on, rifles with bases and rings on, and rifles with bases, rings and scope installed. And I have sold similar - in my case, for the ones that I bought to use - all are completely dismantled - I do not know how they were torqued or what crap might have been used in the threads holes - so I want to start as if it was purchased "naked". I chase the threaded holes with a tap, torque screws with a gauge, etc. Many will not bother. Some rifles have very hard-to-find bases for them. Is all about price. Like others, I do have some preferences about scope brands, and I do have some spares on hand. Many do not. Is likely about price asked - sometimes is worth to try out a new brand to me of scope - sometimes is not. Sometimes the ring assembly is really hard-to-find - for example, a Leupold STD ring set for 26 mm scope body - you are not likely to find one for sale, any more, in North America.
 
Everyone is different on their preferences, but once in a while the stars align and a guy finds a nice used rifle with a nice scope all dialed in and ready to go.

If it's a quality scope well matched to the rifle and dialed in and shooting well.... why not try and sell it as a package.

Some of the guns I see look like the seller took off the nice scope and replaced it with a cheaper scope from their junk drawer.... :)
 
The suggestion to give 2 options -price with scope, price without scope - is good. Giving options will get you more potential buyers.

A period correct scope on a pre-64 model 70 could be of interest to certain buyers.
 
I rarely buy a rifle without the rings and bases. Too many times I've bought something that was a pain in the arse to find rings and bases for, only to find out the cost of rigging up some of the rare finds puts the investment price to a whole new level. I sell them the same way, to avoid the hassle for the new owner as well.
The optic itself is another story. I'm fussy about my glass, and when I tire of a purchase, I usually like to keep the scope for my next venture.
 
If you're marketing toward the casual shooter (beater rifles etc) then scope on is a good way to go. Most of this market is less picky about what scope is on top and frequently are not too willing to pay extra for a good optic or even be aware of what a good optic is.

If marketing toward the serious shooter, they are going to care very much what glass is on and will frequently sell the scope on top or chuck it if it is too cheap to bother with. In that case you would be better off to sell separately.

I've sold or chucked a few scopes on rifles I've bought. The scopes were definitely not a selling feature.
 
A few old scope brands are appreciated, not sought after by the masses, old Lymans/Weavers/Redfield/Leupold are worth a look.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom