[ithacaartist]

What I've observed is that J.A. puts high prices on their stuff. For example, they have a listing on Gunbroker for a Beeman P-08 (Erma KGP69) which is a .22. It's sat tight for a couple of rounds when it was priced at $650. This time around, it's listed at a $599 start price. Although these Beeman variations are set up nicely with grips of their own specs applied by Beeman, and relatively more rare to encounter than the straight factory offerings, I think it is overpriced by at least $200 in the current listing. I acquired one a few months ago, NIB, with all but the loading tool (even the Erma stick pin) for $450 shipped. I consider this top end price for a top condition gun.

I once called J.A. to see if they would negotiate, or entertain an offer below their asking price--but was told, "No." Their online offerings do not always contain pics that are clear/useful. Their descriptions tend to be overblown, sometimes inaccurate. Sorry, I can't cite specific examples since it has been a while, but this is the impression I have come away with, and I usually scoff at whatever they have set as a start price for whatever gun, wondering just WTF they are thinking when they list them. They may have a significant turnaround in Lugers, but I think their experts are not as expert as those at Simpson Ltd. I guess it doesn't hurt to initially throw overpriced stuff up for sale, as an inexperienced/ill-informed buyer might just jump on it, but in general, their pricing is ambitious--if not silly--and a bit insulting to the collector communities.