doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com A Deal is a Deal... A Rant...

...and a man's word is his bond, but what is it about a gun deal that elevates the idea that when an offer to buy is followed by price negations that ends with "you've got a deal", something almost zen like has taken place?

I bring up this subject because I recently had a seller renege on a deal when it came time to deliver the goods. A scarce and beautiful Model 21. I did all the leg work. Discovered information that erased red flags about originality and even bolstered the sellers asking price. I shared the information with my "informal" shooting buddy and in the same vein negotiated a price that was both fair and acceptable to both parties.

When we met to consummate our deal my seller blurted out "I want more money".
He began trying to resell me the gun,"you know how much you love it" to which I answered we had a deal and I expected to conclude our business as agreed.
I told him I had even sold a couple of rare pistols to help finance this deal.
No deal.

What a disappointment!
What is it about money and guns that would make a man dishonor himself?
Thanks for listening. I don't feel any better.

1934 Winchester Tournament Skeet, 20 gauge, factory original condition, WS1/WS2.

That sucks. Sorry. People almost never fail to disappoint is the only answer I have for you. You were dealing with a dishonorable man. I've been in the same boat. I recently lost out on a deal with a very honorable man. Someone made a deal before I had the chance. I pacified myself by saying 'you just kept from spending $10-grand'. And, another tournament grade 20 will show up for you, maybe better than this one. Patience.....

He's a shithead. They're everywhere.
JR

Bob:
I've had this happen but never with a "shooting Buddy". Any relationship I ever had with someone would be over if this happened. This to me speaks volumes about the character of an individual. I think we've all made deals that we later regretted but a deal is a deal and my word to me is worth more than money. My condolences.
Jim

I had a deal like this on a Parker some time ago with a person who I once considered a friend. He is no longer considered a friend, his name is Steve Meyers, and unfortunately, he has a "namesake" who may identify himself as an innocent bystander. The "bad" Steve Meyers is a Maryland-Delaware waterfowler who put the screws to me on a gun he offered for sale at a set price I was willing to pay but he would not accept my money. The reason I came out on my deal is that you described your guy as a "shooting buddy" which is how I once would have described my backout seller. There are no "shooting buddies" who will screw you on a gun deal. Bill Murphy in MD.

Everyone loves their own children more than others. They tell you how beautiful they are & how proud they are as a parent.
When you meet them they are a funny looking thing with a limp hand shake.
Seems to me that buying guns is the same.
Eye of the beholder & all that.
So a deal is near always (unless a red haired step child) that the seller takes less than his optimum & the buyer pays his near maximum.
A negotiated position of compromise that your seller has not the honour to uphold when sellers remorse kicked in. Poor man. It may be best for him to keep the gun.
O.M

I agree there. Winchesters and Parkers bring out the worst in people.

Hi, like a lot of folks here, I've made some good deals and some bad ones. On my part I've sold a couple that were under priced, but foolish me didn't realize it until I made a deal. I did follow thru on my part, had to, that's the way I was raised. I didn't want my personal honor to be smudged for a couple bucks. I've raised my kids that way also, that honor is a special thing that can be very fragile.

On the other hand, I've had a deal or two that went wrong, either by misrepresentation or a case like Bob's. The seller didn't seem to care, all he saw was dollar signs. Too bad for him. As the saying goes karma's a [censored]!

Sorry Bob, I feel for you. But buzz is right, perhaps the good Lord has something better in store for you!

Good Luck!

Greg

I had a deal like this on a Parker some time ago with a person who I once considered a friend. He is no longer considered a friend, his name is Steve Meyers, and unfortunately, he has a "namesake" who may identify himself. The "bad" Steve Meyers is a Maryland-Delaware waterfowler who put the screws to me on a gun I was willing to pay for but would not accept my money. The reason I came out on my deal is that you described your guy as a "shooting buddy" which is how I once would have described my backout seller. There are no "shooting buddies" who will screw you on a gun deal. Bill Murphy in MD.

How about that. A post that doubled up without my knowledge. However, if there was ever a post that deserved to be repeated, this is it. I have never been screwed on the internet or on a gun site of any kind, but this fellow, an officer in my own gun club, a bad one at that, stepped forward to put the screws to me. I will not repeat his name.