Sold a gun, buyer wants to return it.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I sold a really sweet, stainless Springfield Champion (IMHO in perfect condition) the other day for $900. I met the buyer at his house, went over the gun with him, showed him the slide catch I had replaced and told him everything I knew about the gun. I had called Springfield to get the build date from them so I knew how old the night sights were before I listed it for sale. I thought $900 was the high end of its value, but I always list high and then might take offers. This guy, after some emails back and forth, said "OK, I'll take it."

Last night while cleaning my guns after slinging some lead with Eric Coffey, I get an email from the guy that he has buyer's remorse, feels like an idiot for buying my gun that's been refinished, complains that the slide is beveled and the sights had been improperly removed and reinstalled and he thinks it's a hack job. I didn't know any of this and I'm not even sure I believe it. I told him to put 100 rounds through it before deciding he doesn't like it. It's a very sweet gun.

For some reason, I was feeling bad for the guy (I never feel bad about this stuff because I am 100% honest when I sell stuff). I didn't offer a refund, but said I'd trade him my full size Springfield Mil-Spec that's been tricked out by Robar. I had just put 100 rds. through it a few hours ago, know it's a great gun, I got it for $275 and put under $500 into making it like it is now.

The guy wrote back this morning that he'll take me up on my offer. Now I'm having a little bit of seller's/trader's remorse. My full size is way, way more bastardized than the Champion, but I have way less money into it because I pretty much stole it. It's such a sweet shooter. But I'm pretty sure I'm coming out way on top of this deal. And while I hate to see this gun go, I'm happy to take the Champion back. And I see this as an opportunity to start another full size 1911 build project and see if I can do it again for even less money. I am such a cheapskate about buying guns and get a real thrill out of stealing them for half of what they're worth.

TGTIW · 06-25-2011, 05:58 AM

So did he already kill whomever he needed to with your Champion?

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Ha! I'm sure he could have done so with a much cheaper and more disposable gun, had that been the goal. And he has others too.

ODDJOB UNO · ODDJOB UNO's Garage

buyers remorse? he sure as hell wanted it when he gave ya the cash. wifey probably jumped his poo.

me? i wouldnt do it. you and i are upfront as far as disclosure, he paid for it, adios.

next?

MRM · 06-25-2011, 06:11 AM

Life is short. Karma is valuable. Making him happy will make you feel good. You don't need to be a chump to give him a break that will make you both happy.

mossguy · 06-25-2011, 06:17 AM

Agree with MRM. Karma. Paying it forward is a good thing!

ODDJOB UNO · ODDJOB UNO's Garage

here lets change this just a tad. lets say its yer 911. any of you here. you have it for sale. go thru the blather of selling it. its a cash deal. buyer is happy and seller is happy(thats the way its supposed to work). and the next day he comes back after 24 hrs and says..........."i wanna return yer 911."

now what are ya gonna do?

any difference in a spoon and a 911??????????

i rest my case.................next!

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Oh, I don't feel obligated to do this. And, if the buyer is correct, I am very surprised that the gun has been refinished or at all made into a hack job. I am not the first owner and it's not like I mailed it to this guy. He got to fondle it and thoroughly inspect it before handing over the cash. I would have met him at the range, had he asked. The gun looks new and shoots like a dream. I'm thrilled to take it back and a little sad to trade my other Springer, though I'm coming out even more on top this way.

BTW, my old SC is for sale again by the guy who bought it from me.

targa911S · 06-25-2011, 06:58 AM

Make him happy. You will feel better about it and you will get good Karma from being a good guy. I would refuse any other complaints from him though. You went out of yer way once, twice is asking a bit much.

Superman · 06-25-2011, 07:40 AM

If it were me, I'd be looking at only two options.

1) Too bad. The deal is done. You looked it over. I disclosed everything I knew. The gun is not a hack job and today, it is your gun.

2) Here is your $900 back. Goodbye.

Rick V · 06-25-2011, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

BTW, my old SC is for sale again by the guy who bought it from me.

Only because I don't have the money.

Back on topic, the choice here is yours, you owe the guy nothing, and if you don't want to get rid of the other gun, I say let the deal stand or simply refund his money.

Superman · 06-25-2011, 08:08 AM

Yup. Don't screw with this guy any longer. Refund his money.....or don't. Personally, I'd probably be inclined to reverse the transaction. Better karma. Then, I would refuse to do business with that guy again.

1990C4S · 06-25-2011, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I didn't offer a refund, but said I'd trade him my full size Springfield Mil-Spec that's been tricked out by Robar. I had just put 100 rds. through it a few hours ago, know it's a great gun, I got it for $275 and put under $500 into making it like it is now.

You offered the 'trade', so you have to accept the trade if he wants it. Your can also offer his $900 back and let him choose between the two, but I think you are obligated to make the trade if that's what the buyer wants.

Either way, take Superman's free advice and don't deal with this guy again. You don't buy used stuff and then go ask for a refund after you found 'defects' that you could have found before you paid for it.

jriera · 06-25-2011, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superman

If it were me, I'd be looking at only two options.

1) Too bad. The deal is done. You looked it over. I disclosed everything I knew. The gun is not a hack job and today, it is your gun.

2) Here is your $900 back. Goodbye.

+1 .. give him the money back, find a 'good' buyer

Hugh R · 06-25-2011, 08:27 AM

Refund his money and as Jordi said, find a "good" buyer.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

No, can't refund his money. That was top dollar and I ain't giving it back. I'll take the other Springer for him to check out today. He shouldn't have a hard time flipping the Champion if he really wants rid of it. I just don't want to mess with that anymore. I can be happy with either gun. They're both awesome.

dtxscott · 06-25-2011, 09:09 AM

My money is on Wife's contention with the gun.

He may trade you for the Champion and call you a few days later get the original $900 back.

It is a PITA, but I sell all my high dollar items with a bill-of-sale listing both parties and the terms of sale. When you have to sign your name to agree on a deal, it makes people really think about their actions.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

He's not married, lives alone. He's got money too.

jyl · jyl's Garage

Sounds like you got top dollar for a gun, and after the trade you will get more than top dollar for the other gun. Hard to find a reason not to. Plus the karma thing.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

The more I think about this, the more I'm tempted to have him over and let him pick anything he wants out of my gun safe, other than my sentimental P220, which I'll never sell. One of the reasons I let that Champion go was because I hate having expensive handguns. I rarely pay even $500 for one. That Champion was by far the most expensive one I had. I've hot rodded most of my handguns, but got them all so cheap that I have way under $900 into each of them, though they're all super guns. If he's happier with my P239 with night sights and Robar's NP3 that I have maybe $600 into, but which he wouldn't be able to recreate for under $900, then I might do it.