Used is Not New

[donlapalma]

Those who say NIB is new are totally ignoring the fact that many manufacturers will not warranty an item bought from an individual.

Especially firearms for anything other than blatant defects and companies like Ruger for Blackhawks.

You don't have what they would consider acceptable proof of purchase.

Of course that's when someone's going to chime in and say that's why they only buy from XYZ company who will warranty anything.

But the fact remains that for many items new warranty doesn't transfer to the second owner unless the warranty explicitly states that or the company is an exceptional one.

I see items by some of the posters in this thread that I look at and say that's 80% of new, why would I save $5-10 on a used item on a forum when I can order the same thing online new for just slightly more.

Unless it's "like new" and saving me a minimum of 20 to 40 bucks over new I'll just get new, thank you.

But I've also gotten some great deals on EE and think it's a useful thing.

I see a lot of hot rod syndrome in equipment exchange firearms, people listing a frankengun that was their dream build for the sum of all of its parts. When like hot rods, rarely is that a dream build for someone else and you pretty much never get the money out of a custom build that you put into it.

Even face to face there is risk buying firearms used from someone you do not know. (Not a dealer) There are ways to mitigate that, but it's still a risk. I have called the local PD a couple of times and had them run the serial number on a firearm I was considering buying face to face to ensure it was not stolen.

But I've bought multiple packs and higher end web gear for very reasonable prices on EE. It was a service to both of us.

This. Thanks for typing that. Took the words right out of my head and said much better than I could have.

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[SteyrAUG]

Those who say NIB is new are totally ignoring the fact that many manufacturers will not warranty an item bought from an individual.

So that one is kinda easy, if you are buying from an individual who is not a FFL, then obviously you won't be the original owner. And just because you buy from a gun store, doesn't mean it's factory new and you will be the original owner. Plenty of gun stores buy guns in "like new" condition from people who fell out of love with them and they advertise them as "new" in many cases.

So one of the questions everyone needs to ask is "is this new with warranty?"

[pinzgauer]

So that one is kinda easy, if you are buying from an individual who is not a FFL, then obviously you won't be the original owner. And just because you buy from a gun store, doesn't mean it's factory new and you will be the original owner. Plenty of gun stores buy guns in "like new" condition from people who fell out of love with them and they advertise them as "new" in many cases.

So one of the questions everyone needs to ask is "is this new with warranty?"

You are right. I generally go out of my way to buy them in the factory box with factory condition. (Lube, anti-rest inserts, gazillion safety briefings and tags, etc.)

All the dealers I know who sell new keep the box and if pressed can show a distributor purchase.

As you would know, virtually no firearms dealers are direct with the manufacturer unless you're a megastore and even that's often through a distributor.

You might get away with a vortex or BCM second hand getting it warranted. Some other high name scopes and well-known red dots will require proof of purchase of new product. S&W and similar, you'll have a hard time even with proof of purchase. (Just ask a bunch of alloy frame 9mm wunderklicken owners with cracked frames even with light use). And model 29 owners who try to use it for something like IHMSA competition.

There are people who will pay a premium for face-to-face sales. The fact they will do so might should make you nervous, though I know some solid people who that's all they buy. At times I've bought and sold face to face where it makes sense.

[DG23]

That's one nice thing about GB, you see what things are actually worth.

Not exactly.

GB will tell you what things are worth at a particular moment in time to particular people.

You and I have both seen the same thing play out there over the years with bullets, magazines, firearms, etc. to varying degrees of stupidity depending on what the particular 'panic of the day' was.

[SteyrAUG]

Not exactly.

GB will tell you what things are worth at a particular moment in time to particular people.

You and I have both seen the same thing play out there over the years with bullets, magazines, firearms, etc. to varying degrees of stupidity depending on what the particular 'panic of the day' was.

I just assumed everyone knew that was implied. GB sales from 2001 won't apply. If you are tracking GB in real time, you are seeing current data. What things are actually selling for...what things aren't moving because they are priced too high and what is just junk.

And if people from GA are buying everything from 40 other states then that's still about what it's worth because people in GA will consider buying your stuff if it's in demand and priced right.

[rushca01]

I’ve always had good luck here and on the various forums. You have to know what you are looking for and what the current market price is and what your personal expectations are. Some sellers are very “generous” with their descriptions and I just ignore those sellers like the guy listing all the Colt parts.

If you think it’s bad in the gun world you should try the watch world….things like “like new” “unpolished” “NOS” etc…are used to describe watches that sometimes clearly show signs of previous polishing and signs of general wear, it’s frustrating.