Guns that have been used outside of the purchasers' control are worth about half of new price unless there is scarcity problem or some collector value involved. That's because of possible ramifications of well intentioned modifications, negation of manufacturer's warranty, possible damage through the use of improperly manufactured ammunition, possible use in crimes, possibly being entered into a stolen serial numbers data base, possibly being a factory manufactured problem being passed on to the next owner... I'm sure someone else can come up with other horror stories. So any way, if someone wants to pay new gun or almost new gun prices for a not new gun then I'm all for it, have fun and be happy the deal you got. Me, nuh unh, I've done learned the hard way.
So yeah, I understand some people will get their skirt lifted over such an idea but you know what, it's my money.
If I'm gonna buy a used car, used appliance or used gun it's gonna be at used prices or else I'm going to be able to walk right back in that store and say hey, fix or replace this.
You forget there are quite a few folks that like "off the books" firearms and will pay a premium for them. Some folks are pretty paranoid and will pay at or near retail for your gun because they dont a 4473 floating around out there on the gun. Not that they CANT run one, but that they dont WANT that paper trail. Tinfoil hat stuff.
But for the rest of us, near retail on some pedestrian gun with rust or holster wear is not worth near retail. But I STRONGLY disagree with you on "half of new". Its not THAT bad if the gun is clean.
And thats also one of the reasons for dealing here instead of gunbroker, etc. You know the folks here and if something is wrong, it will most likely get taken care of. And the previous statement puts a fine point on the 50 post rule/this place is for socializing, not for selling. I know that if I bought a gun from da Mouse, or Tanker, or BBI if there was a problem, it would be taken care of and I wouldnt be left hanging. (and why I wont deal with a "no post" site supporter. )