The Ethics of Gun Sales

Edward Tinker · 09-29-2008, 02:59 PM

On both counts, I would feel bad and worry, but tell the seller, sorry, its been a year....

Your first example is not a good one tho Michael, as a knowledgeable seller should know when a firing pin is numbered and when it should not be.

Now, take a model 1900 and unless you take the safety lever off, you won't know if it is "matching" or not (numbers are on the REAR of the lever) and I personally do not feel it prudent to take that part off; and would be a bit suspecious if you did and claimed it was non-matching.

I sold a luger as all matching (twice) and the firing pin in both cases were not matching, I simply screwed up. One seller sent it back (him inspecting it within 3 days) and I sent him his money back. The other, we worked out a compromise by me reimbursing him money. As an aside, in my eyes, a mismatched firing pin is not that bad, or a huge detractor in value, as those parts break (as do grips); but a mismatched sideplate or trigger and its value goes way down in my eyes.

There has to be a point where the sale is done (to me). There are many dealers who claim that they will back the item forever as to authenticity. But damage, thats different..... YOU as the buyer, would KNOW you hadn't shot that gun and caused the barrel to bulge. But as a seller, you looked it over, you sold it, the buyer looked it over and both of you were satisfied (within that 3 day window, or whatever amount of time the seller claims).

HOWEVER, one point that has not been touched as much as it should; is that you feel he is considered one of THE experts in this field; and he should have known better.
My feeling is that is what sticks in our craw?

1. That he should have known better and either told you of the damage or known of it.
2. Other well known dealers will usually offer you a replacement item of equal value or some other form of compensation.

Michael, I can leave this thread open as long as you want, but I sense "frustration"; as most folks aren't seeing it your way. I think you'd have more folks agreeing with you if you'd caught the damage within the (magical) 3 days and then the seller was telling you to stick it in your, uh ear.

Ed

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09-29-2008, 02:59 PM	#19
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,980 Thanks: 2,079 Thanked 4,614 Times in 2,127 Posts	On both counts, I would feel bad and worry, but tell the seller, sorry, its been a year.... Your first example is not a good one tho Michael, as a knowledgeable seller should know when a firing pin is numbered and when it should not be. Now, take a model 1900 and unless you take the safety lever off, you won't know if it is "matching" or not (numbers are on the REAR of the lever) and I personally do not feel it prudent to take that part off; and would be a bit suspecious if you did and claimed it was non-matching. I sold a luger as all matching (twice) and the firing pin in both cases were not matching, I simply screwed up. One seller sent it back (him inspecting it within 3 days) and I sent him his money back. The other, we worked out a compromise by me reimbursing him money. As an aside, in my eyes, a mismatched firing pin is not that bad, or a huge detractor in value, as those parts break (as do grips); but a mismatched sideplate or trigger and its value goes way down in my eyes. There has to be a point where the sale is done (to me). There are many dealers who claim that they will back the item forever as to authenticity. But damage, thats different..... YOU as the buyer, would KNOW you hadn't shot that gun and caused the barrel to bulge. But as a seller, you looked it over, you sold it, the buyer looked it over and both of you were satisfied (within that 3 day window, or whatever amount of time the seller claims). HOWEVER, one point that has not been touched as much as it should; is that you feel he is considered one of THE experts in this field; and he should have known better. My feeling is that is what sticks in our craw? 1. That he should have known better and either told you of the damage or known of it. 2. Other well known dealers will usually offer you a replacement item of equal value or some other form of compensation. Michael, I can leave this thread open as long as you want, but I sense "frustration"; as most folks aren't seeing it your way. I think you'd have more folks agreeing with you if you'd caught the damage within the (magical) 3 days and then the seller was telling you to stick it in your, uh ear. Ed