Buying Used

F

FNG1911

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
8   0   0
Location
Alberta
I've never bought used, but looking at the EE, there are some amazing deals!
I wonder, what are some signs of obvious abuse and neglect to look for when buying used?
Whats an instant "pass" response if you see it on a potential buy?
 
if it looks to good to be true... like anything else.

BUT, sometime there are very good deals that pop up. Either because the seller doesn't know the 'actual' value of their item, or they want to sell it quick.
 
Best thing you can do is check the sellers feedback,, if it's all positive you are pretty safe dealing with that person and the firearm in question is usually as described,,and in a lot of cases better than described has been my experience. Don't be afraid to ask questions, if the seller is straight up you will get answers, and if anything seems shady,,move along :)
 
Just ask questions and for pictures and you can't go too wrong dealing with members with good feedback. Good sellers will list material facts but even still a lot of listings don't include detailed descriptions, so the onus is on the buyer to ask. Know what you are getting though. If you are buying a collector, some aspects are more important (matching serial numbers, refinishing etc.) than if you are buying a plinker or a shooter.
 
I only really buy used as I can't afford the new guns and usually make deals with the sellers to pay in installments. Like others said, go with the rating first, then ask for pics or info if you're really paranoid.

I go with how long they been a member, how many posts, and rating... If those are good, I don't need any pics of extra info at all. Money is sent no questions asked and usually from my dozens and dozens of transactions here, I haven't had any issues.
 
edgy said:
Best thing you can do is check the sellers feedback,, if it's all positive you are pretty safe dealing with that person and the firearm in question is usually as described,,and in a lot of cases better than described has been my experience. Don't be afraid to ask questions, if the seller is straight up you will get answers, and if anything seems shady,,move along :)
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gdawg said:
Just ask questions and for pictures and you can't go too wrong dealing with members with good feedback. Good sellers will list material facts but even still a lot of listings don't include detailed descriptions, so the onus is on the buyer to ask. Know what you are getting though. If you are buying a collector, some aspects are more important (matching serial numbers, refinishing etc.) than if you are buying a plinker or a shooter.
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^^^ This is all you need to know! Other than price and shipping/ insurance negotiations.
Make sure you ask all the right questions. If there are no pics, I would 100% recommend they send you one with the correct date and their CGN handle beside the gun.
 
Most of the guns I buy/ sell are used as I like the older stuff, and some you can't buy new.
And usually cheaper, thou not always, If you know what you are buying ,should be fine, Rating and pictures.
All the sellers info, Phone number for sure, I had one fellow that did not want to give me a phone number, So No money
After that, he relented as you can't do a restricted transfer with out all the buyers info.
I don't buy sell here like some of you fellows, everything I have bought has been great, never any regrets .
As others have said, if something seem odd, walk away, if it is common gun, there will be 3 next week.
This refers to another thread, Payment: for many of us , we can't do on line banking, so EMT don't work if you are out in the back country, not everyone lives in the city.
 
I’ve done a bunch of EE deals and they’ve almost all been trouble-free. As mentioned above, ask for detailed pictures, especially one showing unusual wear or marks. I also ask if there have been any modifications made, and if there have been any functional problems.
 
I always check their previous posts,,,,,,If they are in 3 gun or competition shooting,... you know a kazillion rounds have gone through the pipe.
 
As mentioned someones trader rating is a good indicator. Don’t discount someone with low or no, we all started at zero too;) Another tidbit is to ask for pictures of item taken outside in natural light if possible. Nothing is worse that looking at an item indoors with an over exposed flash. Good luck.
 
Good info in the posts to this thread.

Thanks, CGN'ers! :cool:

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NAA.
 
About 90% of my guns were purchased used, never did I have a problem.
Buying used saves you a lot of $$$$, you don't pay the dealer's overhead or the taxes.

The few problems I had were with new guns and the dealers who sold them, then refused to take responsibility for their defective merchandise.
 
Most guns are litely used, I'd pay attention to it ask for a round count although often can be understated. Also look for wear on the rails and barrel finish but that will differ gun to gun depending on fit tolerance
 
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lone ranger said:
I always check their previous posts,,,,,,If they are in 3 gun or competition shooting,... you know a kazillion rounds have gone through the pipe.
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LOL! I do the same but I don't assume that because they practice a particular discipline that the gun their selling has loads of rounds through it. Many shooters, myself included, have their main shooters, backups, and collectables. Not to mention trades or good deals we couldn't pass up on and have to sell to make room in the safe for something else! LOL!

If they have good feedback and are active members here, they are in my experience 100% honest and if a problem arises they will want to protect their positive feedback by working though the issue.
 
MuthaFunk said:
LOL! I do the same but I don't assume that because they practice a particular discipline that the gun their selling has loads of rounds through it. Many shooters, myself included, have their main shooters, backups, and collectables. Not to mention trades or good deals we couldn't pass up on and have to sell to make room in the safe for something else! LOL!

If they have good feedback and are active members here, they are in my experience 100% honest and if a problem arises they will want to protect their positive feedback by working though the issue.
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This for certain. I have yet to have an issue buying on the EE. Not saying you can't have but it hasn't happened to me yet.

When you can buy a M&P Gen 2 for $450 or even the Gen 1 for the same money or a 92FS for $650 life is pretty good. If it weren't for a longing for a Marlin .357 lever gun right now or a 320 Navy ....I would be all over some of the deals you see.

Take Care

Bob
 
A lot of the used stuff is better than the new stuff they make now.
Old Browning and Sako bolt action rifles for example.
Most people looked after them
 
Any way to tell, with some accuracy, the round count? I am guessing that most people under estimate the number of rounds fired.
 
I'm sure some may guesstimate the number if rounds they've put through their guns, but some other folks, myself included, keep a record of how many rounds are shot every session.

It can be useful information as to what sort of preventive maintenance is required (e.g. changing springs), or when it comes time to put it up for sale.
 
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