Got this call

[skorper]

So my buddy calls me and he says that he has a neighbor who is elderly and he is going into a nursing home and is selling his guns. My buddy is of the opinion that he is going to sell them cheap, and he's got a "boatload". A K-frame 357 was mentioned among others, both long guns and handguns.

Now my buddy is not allowed to own guns as he has a felony fleeing and eluding conviction on his record that he got when he was 19. The thing is, the neighborhood where he lives is old and run down, full of ratty looking old victorian homes with front porches and tree lined streets. It is only in the past twenty years or so that it has gone to hell, it used to be where all the high paid union factory workers lived and raised their families back in the day. This old guy is one of those retirees and he has bragged about how he used to buy a new car every year and his family wanted for nothing. This was all back in the day.

Well, now he apparently is in ill health and is selling the house for whatever it brings, and it is going to take all of his assets to get into this nursing home. My first inclination was that I do not like to take advantage of the elderly and I told my buddy no, that I wasn't interested.

After sitting here for a while it occurred to me that I am a stupid idiot for not rushing over there right away. What say you, GlockTalkers?

[MikeG22]

Go get some guns, he won't sell them to you for less than he wants to so it's up to you to make the deal.

[GotGlock1917]

Go get them.

[RenoF250]

Get over there. Do not take advantage but if you do not buy them someone else will. Use gunbroker for values that should be relatively fair.

[Ol Timer]

Buy what you want.

Pay a price that is fair to both of you.

Enjoy your good fortune.

[Glock 19 God]

It does not sound like he has mental issues. He has just acknowledged that he cannot take care of himself anymore. I see no problem with buying them for a fair market value. Like another poster mentioned, use GunBroker.com to find the fair market value and offer as close as possible.

[okie]

Go buy some guns, Mate:cool::wavey:

[BAILIFF]

Maybe he's trying to do some CASH transactions for pocket money and to do what he can for his family. Pay a fair price for the pieces, don't cheat him if he's going batty, treat him like you'd like to be treated in the same situation...

[skorper]

You're right. The guy is looking for a cash buyer. I've got it set up for tomorrow around noon. He didn't want to do it tonight. Maybe the old guy's still sharp.

[GPalmer]

Time to shop until you drop!

[huskerbuttons]

Buy them before someone in the "hood" does.

[mike1969]

Hey if he's selling em to get some moolah, and he is going to a nursing home, but them, but dont take advantage of him...

[Ender]

Maybe he's trying to do some CASH transactions for pocket money and to do what he can for his family. Pay a fair price for the pieces, don't cheat him if he's going batty, treat him like you'd like to be treated in the same situation...

Exactly. If he offers you an M1 for $10, let him know he is asking too little.

If it is in a bad neighborhood, I would say, "look...I'll pay what you're asking, but you should know that you are selling them too cheap. That said, I'll take good care of them and what happens with them--if you sell to some hood rat who knows what will happen?"

I know some people would rather sell a gun to somebody for $50 who would enjoy it and use it responsibly, then sell it to a gangsta for $500....

[HEMI 27]

so where is this crappy neighborhood?

[skorper]

If you really want to know, ... http:/www.post-gazette.com/pg/08055/859990-176.stm

Or just Google Trashtabula

[the iceman]

I'd buy them before someone else does.

[jame]

I would just try to be fair about it. Taking advantage of someone in that condition isn't something I'd brag about to my parents or my kids, so I would just keep that perspective.

Many years ago, I got in on a "firesale" where a guy was selling every gun he owned in one night, while in the process of a divorce. He had assets, but was liquidating them fast to keep his wife from getting them.

I bought a S&W 4" model 27 for $125 that night, and didn't wince. He wasn't operating along the high road, so taking him didn't bother me a bit. He was robbing himself just to spite his wife.

In the situation you describe it would be a whole lot different.