Just me or has the milsurps EE really slowed down a lot...

flying pig

flying pig

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Seems like a few years ago there was a ton more action in the milsurps EE. It seemed like there was a new listing in there every few minutes. Now seems like only one or two new listings a day. Also not as many interesting listings, to the point where I haven't seen one piece I've really been interested in in months. What is everyone else's take on it? Am I just over the EE craze now?
 
FWIW, every time I post premium stuff there, I only get the cheapskate tirekickers sending me lo-ball offers with links to US sights where beat-up mis-matched versions of the same guns sold for half the price in a saturated market.

In all honesty, for this reason alone, the CGN EE gets maybe 10% of my sales traffic these days. The rest goes to MSC or my LGS. Surprisingly, I get better results at the LGS than anywhere else. Go figure.

I used to be a much more prolific CGN seller and I like to think I have a reputation for offering only premium grade stuff.
 
Claven2 said:
FWIW, every time I post premium stuff there, I only get the cheapskate tirekickers sending me lo-ball offers with links to US sights where beat-up mis-matched versions of the same guns sold for half the price in a saturated market.

In all honesty, for this reason alone, the CGN EE gets maybe 10% of my sales traffic these days. The rest goes to MSC or my LGS. Surprisingly, I get better results at the LGS than anywhere else. Go figure.

I used to be a much more prolific CGN seller and I like to think I have a reputation for offering only premium grade stuff.
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What is this "MSC" and "LGS" you are talking of?
 
MSC is another site, formerly affiliated with CGN, that I can't hot link to. It specializes in milsurps and is a "dot com". You could even think of it as Mil Surps (dot) Com. 'nuff said.

LGS = Local Gun Store. In my case, Gunco in Ottawa.
 
One gets tired of putting items on here for sale only to have "I'll take it" suddenly get scarce or "I'll take it" and then a week later suddenly get a PM with "well, sell it elsewhere if you can".
I think I might just make a list of the "punters" from the last 6 months and post it with the screen name and the item. That will probably cause a few heads to snap up. If you cannot afford it say so up front and stop jerking people around.
Or, the 1000 dollar item (priced fairly) only to have offers of 300 to 400 IF you also pay the shipping. Feint heart never won fair lady but stupidity is stupidity and it always seems to be the same people asking.
 
Maybe alot if the milsurp showing up earlier in the year, were some people trying too take care if the Christmas bills. People will be out shooting more now that the weather is improving, some might be reconsidering selling that old rifle.
 
Yeah, definately a decline in decent stuff being offered for sale
Seems like sellers with nice items on offer are getting pissed off with low-ball offers and non-payers (understandably) and good buyers with money to spend are missing out.
 
Dyspnea said:
Maybe alot if the milsurp showing up earlier in the year, were some people trying too take care if the Christmas bills. People will be out shooting more now that the weather is improving, some might be reconsidering selling that old rifle.
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thats true. i know at the auction last weekend all the guns were going for big money becasue people are looking forward to getting out and going shooting.
 
wheaty said:
One gets tired of putting items on here for sale only to have "I'll take it" suddenly get scarce or "I'll take it" and then a week later suddenly get a PM with "well, sell it elsewhere if you can".
I think I might just make a list of the "punters" from the last 6 months and post it with the screen name and the item. That will probably cause a few heads to snap up. If you cannot afford it say so up front and stop jerking people around.
Or, the 1000 dollar item (priced fairly) only to have offers of 300 to 400 IF you also pay the shipping. Feint heart never won fair lady but stupidity is stupidity and it always seems to be the same people asking.
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I could not agree more. I currently have two EE deals "on hold" where buyers indicated "I'll take it". In one case, after 6 weeks on an approx. $1500 sale, I still see no light at the end of the tunnel. On another deal for around $800, the guy has been supposedly waiting for a check to clear for 3 weeks now. I have little or no confidence either deal will ever come to pass.

Until a year ago, this never happened to me, now it seems to be the norm. I attribute it to fewer good buyers, hence fewer good sellers bother.

Another new irritant has also recently been happening to me. 3 times in the last few months, I've had buyers scrutinize an item I had for sale, requested more detailed pics (I already post far more than the average seller), asked for round counts, history, whether I accept their payment, etc. - literally taking up hours of my time, and in the end you get "Thanks for answering all my questions. It's definitely what I'm looking for, but I'm not ready to buy - it's made my short list though" or some cr@p like that. Frankly, selling in an auction or local store nets the same profit margin for a LOT less hassle.
 
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Personally, my milsurp collecting has slowed down a lot recently. My collection is just about where I want it at this point in my life. My last 4 have come from a LGS, 3 of them being great finds IMHO. Me-thinks that a lot of other people may be the same way, so they are not buying or selling like they were say a year ago.

I think another downfall that the EE has take is people doing the one line description with no picture, or a small low quality one. When I come across those adds I close the window. Clanven2, I like your ads. Lots of pictures, a very good description. I would be nice if everyone would do that. My opinion: If the seller can't take some time to put up a good ad, I am not going to take the time to look at it.
 
I agree with what Claven has said. I posted a gun for trade earlier this year and it really turned me off of selling on CGN. I posted pics, a round count, my selling terms and most important exactly what I'd be willing to trade for which was a Mosin. I even said I'd trade for a nice collector russian grade SKS.

It was 8-10 messages a day asking if I'd trade for a $25 beat up Sporter missing parts or a beat Chinese Sks. I soon got tired of replying to offers cause I felt like people could read even though in was VERY Specific in what I was after. I can only imagine what people go through with a nice collectable gun. Don't think I'll be selling on CGN any time soon.

Now buying I've had great experience. I bought a Mauser last year on the EE and I was a great sale. That's the thing I look but I only contact a seller if I'M PREPARED TO BUY!!

Anyhow, this is the first EE post that I've found to be a good read.
 
I would have to strongly agree with claven & wheaty, to much hassle with lowballers & tire kickers to be bothered. I have a couple things on the ee right now but really don't care if they sell or not. I also rarely see something I'm interested in on the ee anymore mind you I have got some gems there or led me to some of my prized milsurps. My best scores these days have been from local word of mouth. Also I must say claven I was very interested in that 1903 you had up but was not in a position to buy due to previous commitment to purchase other firearms which was to bad. But that would be why I didnt pm you about it. other people take note :)
 
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This is the internet folks - no place for thin skins. No reason to be offended by some sweaty type behind a keyboard. No reason to pander to tire-kickers either. I don't understand the "hassle" complaint. If you don't want to put in the extra effort... don't.

All that said, I have bought several items from the milsurp EE. I have seen a few recent items I'd like to have... no cash after christmas though :)

So I don't agree with any of this hogwash!

I wish I'd seen the EE when it was a hotter market. I only got here last year.
 
If you check out the number of members on CGN it has doubled in the last couple years, over 100,000 now, I think. Got to be more than a few A-holes in that many people. I haven't had any REALLY bad experiences selling, most guys were really decent with the exception of a few prospective buyers who acted like dicks. Like taking a few dozen extra photos, e-mailing them and having them make an offer of a little over half the asking price. I have no time for that.
 
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