Looks like its got a slight drag line from the screw but I have seen much worse. It's still wear.

 

A $1k python is never a bad idea. Ever.

 

I agree. I am just trying to see what would be a FMV for the gun as in could I sell it to my fellow collectors for 1500 then it would be worth 1K to me. I wanted to give the guy an honest answer so he could decide what he wanted to do. I told him it doesnt bother me if I get it or not but if I can help educate him that would be worth as much as the gun. However, when I buy something I want them to understand 110 percent my position on the gun etc etc etc.

 

I don't know how a buyer could lose at $1k. Have you seen any other $1k pythons lying around lately? How about one from the 60s?

 

Recently? Um....no my friend. But back in 2011 I did "overpay" for my '66 blued Python at $1100 OTD

She still looks purdy to me 3 years later:

 

I have no doubt that I wont lose at 1K I am just looking at the potential upside to it. When you look at the pictures of this gun and if I was going to sell it to you how much would it have to be for you to sign the dotted line immediately? That is my main question. I am not trying to trade 1k for 1.2k my money is too valuable for those kind of deals. I am looking more like 1k for 1.5k+, what do you think?

 

My email to him just now:


Hello John,



Tell if you can see this link. This is one in similar shape to yours maybe in a little better shape which sold for $1000.00 and started off at $800.00


Colt Python 4" Blue : Revolvers at GunBroker.com


From inspection of the images there is slight pitting, partial finish issues (like someone tried to clean with some type of abrasive) and minor holster wear. The proper grips would help the value out as well. But those cost $$$


It is in my professional opinion if you create an account on GunBroker you will probably sell this gun in the 1000.00 range, however, that is not a guarantee, but it is probable.


So a fair market offer for me to be in the good would be in the 700-800 dollar range. That would put me in a no lose situation/break even worst case scenario. You can list is on armslist or on floridaguntrader and I am sure you will get a lot of response but potentially more aggravation than it's worth.


If you choose to keep it in the safe or shoot it because it's a shooter grade Python grease it up and go to town. If you are interested in selling it to me then let me know and I will coordinate a meeting with you. I hope I have provided some insight that helps you out and I appreciate you contacting me.

 

Hahahaha. Hopefully he won't notice the gun sold in 2 minutes. LOL

 

what do you think?

Your example you sent him is not representative of the market. See above post about it selling in 2 minutes.

Im not trying to bust your chops, really. You did ask for opinions.

 

my money is too valuable

If anyone knows where I can make 20% gauranteed on a sure bet, please send me an IM.

 

Offer the guy a fair price, 1100, this is fair for a shooter with the wrong grips, Karma is a bitch. I will always tell a man what his stuff is worth ,to the best of my knowledge, then i will make a fair offer under that and if he takes it great, if not no harm no foul.

 

The one that sold in two mins. seemed in better condition to me.
Good luck and Karma is a b****.

 

Honestly, I have to agree with KDave21. A one time instance of a BuyNow with the price set too low does not show the market value for buying pythons ... just like a single Wilkerson does not set the market price for selling regular pythons.

Also, a reblued crappy python is not really comparable to the one you listed at the top of the thread. So yes, $1K for a decent shooter python is a good buy as a small investment in grips (stocks) can easily make this a $1300 python, or more.

 

So, the one referenced that went for 1K is a reblue? Please educate me.
Thanks.

 

I think I insulted him because he never responded to the email or returned my call. Oh well, so much for trying to help someone.

 

Let that be a lesson learned. Not that big of a deal on a 4in beater but don't loose out on some good stuff because you are a "value" buyer. I know I have missed some REALLY nice stuff by low balling people has not happened since. Let's face it anybody with the internet is going to think you are a fool when you quote a python at 700-800 bucks. When shooters are asking and in some case bringing that much.

 

Even without the correct stocks, that Python would be a $1200 (maybe even up to $1500) all day around here. Pre-1980 Pythons are few and far between in these parts. It would have been polite to just say "no thanks", but I can understand how the owner might think he was being low-balled.

 

I failed to mention I told him I would pay 60 percent of market value. A transaction with me would have been easy no questions here is the money.I gave him a choice and what I would pay, simple as that. I didn't care if I got it orI didn't. My help to him (for the previous know it all) was to educate him on howmuch his gun was probably worth, not how much I would pay for it.

 

I failed to mention I told him I would pay 60 percent of market value. A transaction with me would have been easy no questions here is the money.I gave him a choice and what I would pay, simple as that. I didn't care if I got it orI didn't. My help to him (for the previous know it all) was to educate him on howmuch his gun was probably worth, not how much I would pay for it.

WTF.
You tried to lowball him (to almost a criminal degree) and then get all huffy when called out on it.

Good times!

 

Lesson learned. You can "lead the horse to......" that's where the help ends. We do try to educate, we're not perfect but we have a wealth of knowledge. When I refer to "WE", it's this forum (the best of the best). Move along, keep your eyes on the horizon and your top knot tight.....

 

Thats not a bad looking python at all. A little TLC, clean her up, and even without the original grips its still a $1300-1500 Python. Ive seen ones in about this same shape go for that. My guess is if he wanted 700 bucks for a decent 1960s Python he would have went to sell it at Gander Mountain lol.

 

May I ask a question?

Was your intention truly to help him assess the value? You said you told him $1600 on the phone, and then You mentioned $1500 in your 2nd post as a possible value. Somehow between the time you first talked to him and the time you sent him your email, the retail value dropped to $1000. Why did your estimate drop $600?

Also, you said in your email to him, "in my professional opinion." By saying that you are presenting yourself as knowledgeable and informed of current values. If you truly believe that is what that Python is worth, then you are certainly entitled to that opinion. But for conversations sake, I would ask, what is your professional opinion based on?

Are you seeing Pythons sell for 1K in your area? Is there even one python in similar condition on gunbroker that has sold for 1K that wasnt a "buy it now" that sold in a couple of minutes? I dont follow Pythons on Gunbroker, but from what I casually observe, I dont see any selling for that.

 

The plain and simple of it.

May I ask a question?

Was your intention truly to help him assess the value? You said you told him $1600 on the phone, and then You mentioned $1500 in your 2nd post as a possible value. Somehow between the time you first talked to him and the time you sent him your email, the retail value dropped to $1000. Why did your estimate drop $600?

I have a local ad that says will buy Colt snake guns. When I told him on the phone his Python was 1500-1600 I meant the FMV to sell to someone on the street in the condition. My 60% of FMV would be ~$1000.00 so that should answer your question there.



Also, you said in your email to him, "in my professional opinion." By saying that you are presenting yourself as knowledgeable and informed of current values. If you truly believe that is what that Python is worth, then you are certainly entitled to that opinion. But for conversations sake, I would ask, what is your professional opinion based on?



I have been collecting Colt's for a couple of years and I have over 30 different guns. My "professional" opinion is based on over 1000 hours of collecting, researching and studying the local market, Gunbroker completed auctions etc etc. This information was given to him. I don't care if I buy his gun or not. I give him a price I am willing to pay and I tell him what I believe a FMV value is of the gun. Like I said, it does not matter if I get it or not it does not enhance the value of my collection as far as I am concerned.


Are you seeing Pythons sell for 1K in your area? Is there even one python in similar condition on gunbroker that has sold for 1K that wasnt a "buy it now" that sold in a couple of minutes? I dont follow Pythons on Gunbroker, but from what I casually observe, I dont see any selling for that.

I don't see Pythons selling for 1K in my area. I have purchased Pythons for 1.3K but not 1K. This thread has been riddled with misunderstanding either because I did not explain myself correctly or people just don't understand. I am a collector and I purchase for a decent price upfront so there is no doubt at all if there ever is a drop in the market are a fire sale that has to happen I will not be upside down even if I have to sell my entire collection to Gander Mountain.

This is business investing 101 for me. I am sure anyone in this thread who is self employed will understand me. Anyone who isn't, well hopefully you understand now.

 

I think peoples concern with your post is that you are telling the guy you are offering him 60% of retail, when in reality you are probably offering him 60% of wholesale. Just my opinion-

 

Also, if you truly believe that Python is worth 1K or less, as you stated, why are you offering him up to $800 based on your business model of 60%?

You stated before you were not going to settle for $200 profit.

 

1978 Colt Python 4'' blue : Revolvers at GunBroker.com. Colt Python 357 4inch Blued : Revolvers at GunBroker.com. Colt Python 4" .357 mag 1978 Unique Matte Silver : Revolvers at GunBroker.com. Even the one with hideous "unique silver" and ugly grips went for 14.

 

Here is a $1000 python. poor thing ... looks like the ugly stick won
Colt Python 357 Magnum : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

 

Here is a $1000 python. poor thing ... looks like the ugly stick wonColt Python 357 Magnum : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

Sent that bad boy back to colt and you have a real nice looker for about $1500!

 

Sir- in one post you said you told him the value was 1600. In your email you told him it was would sell for $1k on gunbroker. (Which denotes a RETAIL value and has nothing to do with what you would pay). So to be honest, no, your reply still does not answer my question.

To future confuse the issue, you said in your last post you were willing to pay 1k. Earlier you said 7-800. So forgive me if I am confused but when you put out contradictory information it is bound to happen.

Lastly, I understand you feel this is " business investing 101." I applaud your confidence, but your post is quite condescending. I regret my efforts and time at trying to make sense of this mess. I'm out.

 

Unfortunately the tone of this entire post changed when someone eluded I was trying to screw the guy over. I am sorry for any collateral damage that may have caused but it perturbs the crap out of me that I couldn't get a simple answer.

 

unfortunately the tone of this entire post changed when someone eluded i was trying to screw the guy over. I am sorry for any collateral damage that may have caused but it perturbs the crap out of me that i couldn't get a simple answer.

"alluded"

 

kDave I'm sorry I didn't mean to be condescending in my comments. Please accept my apologies.