Hey guys,
As many of you know, I buy and resell new and used Browning and Winchester BPCRs. Having purchased and sold well over 100 rifles over the past few years I’ve learned to read between the lines to some extent concerning online listings. Having written a book on the rifles I’m also aware of some of the questions to ask which are specific to the Browning’s. In addition, I’ve found that exchanging emails with a seller may eventually uncover unexpected or “unspoken” conditions concerning the firearm or characteristics of the seller. A phone call is even better, which I usually use prior to finally making a purchase.
There’s a guy that recently listed a Browning .45-70 BPCR on GunBroker (
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=166543134). The initial bid price is certainly realistic, but something just did not strike me right when reading the listing and viewing the photos closely. For one the rifle is listed as like new in the box and then under Item Condition it’s listed as New Old Stock. Also, the photos look like the wood has been refinished, but it’s hard to tell. By the way, notice he’s a 1st time seller with no feedback. So I sent the seller a bunch of questions. You will find in his answers that the rife is used and is certainly not New Old Stock.
By the way, until the last response the guy did not use his name so I naturally assumed I was communicating with Elizabeth Geer. So now I assume he was using his wife’s email address and his real name is Matt Geer. Although it certainly appears he eventually became irritated with my many questions, there’s absolutely no excuse for his last response. One does not, or should not purchase a $1500 rifle without a lot of questions. Until his last response I was seriously considering bidding on the rifle. Oh, and I edited his last response slightly, but it’s obvious how he responded. Here’s how it went:
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From: "itchingtodeal" <user2user@gunbroker.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2010 10:12 PM
Subject: cc: Question regarding GunBroker.com Item 166543134
A message has been sent to you by a user of GunBroker.com, please scroll down to the MESSAGE FROM USER section below to read the text. THE "FROM" NAME ON THIS EMAIL IS THE SENDING USER'S GUNBROKER.COM USERNAME. REGARDING ITEM: 166543134 Browning High Wall BPCR 45-70 Like new in box!
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=166543134Hi
I am definitely interested in your rifle, but need to know the condition.
By the way, what is the serial number? From it I can tell several features
of the rifle. What condition is the rifle, bore, etc? Please describe any
dings on the rifle, stock, forearm, etc. How about the receiver & barrel,
any dings, scratches, bluing worn off? What condition is the lever,
buttplate & gripcap? What condition is the chamber, bore, and muzzle?
What condition is the rear sight and front sight? Has the stock been
refinished? What condition is the checkering? Has there been any
modifications made to the rifle? Do you have the rifle owner's manual? How
about the separate sight owner's manual. Thanks.
===========================================
From: ELIZABETH GEER
To: itchingtodeal*@*sbcglobal*.net
Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2010 11:23 PM
Subject: RE: Question regarding GunBroker.com Item 166543134
REGARDING ITEM: 166543134 Browning High Wall BPCR 45-70 Like new in box!
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=166543134Hi,
>I am definitely interested in your rifle, but need to know the condition.
*EXCELLENT!!!
>By the way, what is the serial number? From it I can tell several features of the rifle.
*107XX
>What condition is the rifle, bore, etc?
*NO NOTICEABLE DISCREPANCIES
>Please describe any dings on the rifle, stock, forearm, etc.
*NONE
>How about the receiver & barrel, any dings, scratches, bluing worn off? What condition is the lever,buttplate & gripcap?
*NONE, NONE, NO, NO, NO EXCELLENT, DIDO...
>What condition is the chamber, bore, and muzzle?
*EXCELLENT!!!
>What condition is the rear sight and front sight?
*EXCELLENT!!!
>Has the stock been refinished?
*DEFINITELY NOT
>What condition is the checkering?
*UNMOLESTED
>Has there been any modifications made to the rifle?
*NOPE
>Do you have the rifle owner's manual?
*YEP
>How about the separate sight owner's manual.
*YEPPER, THE BOX FOR THE SIGHTS ALSO...
>Thanks.
*NP:) P.S. THIS RIFLE IS USED BUT BARELY, FROM THE CASE TO THE BENCH BACK TO THE CASE ETC.... CAST BULLETS ONLY W/ SMOKELESS POWDER AA2230 AND IMR 3031 ARE THE ONLY TWO. HOPE THIS HELPS YOU OUT...
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From: Itchingtodeal
To: ELIZABETH GEER
Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 5:53 AM
Subject: Re: Question regarding GunBroker.com Item 166543134
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks for answering all my questions. I have one final question. Are the original factory sight base holes used to mount the rear barrel sight?
Regards,
Wayne
aka Itchingtodeal
==============================
From: "ELIZABETH GEER ">
To: <itchingtodeal*@*sbcglobal*.net>
Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 7:57 PM
Subject: Re: Question regarding GunBroker.com Item 166543134
i belive so.
======================================
From: "Itchingtodeal" <itchingtodeal*@*sbcglobal*.net>
To: "ELIZABETH GEER ">
Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 8:48 PM
Subject: Re: Question regarding GunBroker.com Item 166543134
Elizabeth,
Based on your response to my barrel sight question It sounds like you're not
real familiar with the rifle. May I be so bold as to ask you how you know
the rifle is like new as you state in the listing. One reason I ask is
because the photos appear that the wood has been refinished, hence the
reason for some of my previous questions.
Regards.
Wayne
=========================================
From: ELIZABETH GEER
To: itchingtodeal*@*sbcglobal*.net
Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2010 11:23 PM
Subject: RE: Question regarding GunBroker.com Item 166543134
From: ELIZABETH GEER
To: itchingtodeal*@*sbcglobal*.net
Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 11:46 PM
Subject: RE: Question regarding GunBroker.com Item 166543134
Wayne, $%** OFF!
Matt
