I've got to way to many hobbies....
And one of them was collecting Crosmans, as well as a couple few Daisy's.
I haven't counted how many in a decade but there's way more than a 100, especially if parts guns are considered.
So I'm looking for a good way to start unloading some as the good ones as well as 40lbs of the Crosman 760 historical record..
Any suggestions? Thanks, Woody
Woody,
Well we just about got rid of a friend of mine's stuff. he left the range about three years ago and most of his airguns have moved on. Most of the Crosman and daisy stuff is not worth very much. Don't forget that it was inexpensive when new. Plus if has been seating around awhile it will need work to get it back in shape. Your first step is to make the decision to actually let things go. the second thing is to make up an inventory of everything you have and number each item so you can keep track of what is sold, etc.
Now that you have that done the really hard part starts. Circulate your inventory list to as many people as you can and get offers for each item that people want. Then what's left take to an airgun show. Lots of work and you probably will never move everything along. I have seen absolutely beautiful guns just sit and sit simply because nobody has any interest in them.
My example is just the latest one but I have helped with several others before. Oh, and things are never worth as much as you think.
Good luck.
Rick B.
Woody,
It is true that one man's trash is another man's treasure, BUT you need to find the right "man".
To what Rich has written, I would add that you should take GOOD PICTURES of ALL of them.
Do NOT assume that one is worth more than the other, let the market decide.
If, you have access to knowledgeable users, there may be some items that are worth marketing on a per-item basis, but the bulk of inexpensive (then and now) airguns of yesteryear, unless you have some kind of "Certificate of Provenance" will be worth whatever someone decides he has to part with to get it.
AND, not even a certificate of provenance assures a good return. Witness a BUNCH of pieces from the old Doc Beeman collection that have been sitting in the "for sale" places with no interest whatsoever.
So, once you have your inventory and good pictures, start putting things on EBay.
Make a name for yourself with a few solid sales (and that does not mean high value, it means accurate descriptions, low starting value, good pictures, speedy shipping, good communications and follow up). If something that you purchased for a $100 sells for $30, be happy that it sold, be happy that you have created a good customer experience, and accept the reality of the market. Main thing here is to establish yourself as a seller.
To be impolitely sincere, selling 100 pieces of anything will require you to become proficient at selling.
Then you can start selling seriously.
Yes, retirement is a busy time in life, that is why I do not plan on it, LOL!
HTH, keep well and shoot straight!
HM
I'd check "sold" listings on eBay for items that you are selling to see what they went for. If those seem like acceptable prices, consider selling there. I got $265 for a Crosman 160 there last year and $190 for a Leupold pistol scope. I know many like to hate on eBay but it has worked well for me. I even managed to sell a .22 MAG cylinder for a Ruger revolver for $94. Go figure.
There is always the risk of the lone low bidder causing an item to go for very little money. You can use a reserve price to guard against that. Buyers tend to dislike reserves and high initial listing prices but that's part of the game.
Good pictures are the key. Think "catalog photos" and you are on the right track.
Good luck.
The thing right now is not having the time right now to "market" the individual items on eBay. I'm also pretty unorganized at the moment. I'm pretty sure as of last year all my airguns are at at least in the same state, but there are boxes from various relocations that still need sorting.. but to be more specific, I could put together a lot of at least 1/2 dozen Crosman SSP-250s and 1899 backpackers, with all the accessory's, barrels, scopes, seals, valves and even a .50 cal pumpkin chucking upper... but I would need to find an enthusiast to sell all that to.. I think GTA is where some of the "green forum" people and vibe ended up.
If that is the route you want to go, I would try Airgun Nation.
More of the "Wild West" side.
😉
Good luck!
HM
