Have used prices gone up 1/3 everywhere?

[TaperPin]

I enjoy regularly looking at the used racks any place selling rifles. Prices on used rifles since before Christmas seem to be 1/3 higher than this time last year across a number of sporting goods stores. $350 rifles are $475. $400 ones are $525. Even crappy old Savage 11 with that weird birch stock went from $250 to $350. Cabelas has a used Tikka for the same price as a new one, like pawn shop prices but without the potential to haggle. Strange.

Is this a local bubble or have used guns jumped that much in price everywhere?

 

[Axlrod]

This is what I found:​

Understanding Commodities​

Commodities are the raw inputs used in the production of goods. They may also be basic staples such as certain agricultural products. The important feature of a commodity is that there is very little differentiation in that good, regardless of who produces it. A barrel of oil is basically the same product, regardless of the producer. The same goes for a bushel of wheat or a ton of ore. By contrast, the quality and features of a given consumer product will often be quite different depending on the producer (e.g., Coke vs. Pepsi).1


Some traditional examples of commodities include grains, gold, beef, oil, and natural gas. More recently, the definition has expanded to include financial products, such as foreign currencies and indexes.


Commodities can be bought and sold on specialized exchanges as financial assets. There are also well-developed derivatives markets whereby you can buy contracts on such commodities (e.g., oil forwards, wheat or gold futures, and natural gas options). Some experts believe that investors should hold at least some portion of a well-diversified portfolio in commodities since they are not highly correlated with other financial assets and may serve as an inflation hedge.2

Buyers and Producers of Commodities​

The sale and purchase of commodities are usually carried out through futures contracts on exchanges that standardize the quantity and minimum quality of the commodity being traded. For example, the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) stipulates that one wheat contract is for 5,000 bushels and states what grades of wheat can be used to satisfy the contract.3


Two types of traders trade commodity futures. The first are buyers and producers of commodities that use commodity futures contracts for the hedging purposes for which they were originally intended. These traders make or take delivery of the actual commodity when the futures contract expires.


For example, the wheat farmer who plants a crop can hedge against the risk of losing money if the price of wheat falls before the crop is harvested. The farmer can sell wheat futures contracts when the crop is planted and have a guaranteed, predetermined price for the wheat when it is harvested.

Commodities Speculators​

The second type of commodities trader is the speculator. These are traders who trade in the commodities markets for the sole purpose of profiting from the volatile price movements. These traders never intend to make or take delivery of the actual commodity when the futures contract expires.


Many futures markets are very liquid and have a high degree of daily range and volatility, making them very tempting markets for intraday traders. Many index futures are used by brokerages and portfolio managers to offset risk. Also, since commodities do not typically trade in tandem with equity and bond markets, some commodities can be used effectively to diversify an investment portfolio.

Special Considerations​

Commodity prices typically rise when inflation accelerates, which is why investors often flock to them for their protection during times of increasing inflation—particularly when it is unexpected. So, commodity demand increases because investors flock to them, raising their prices. The prices of goods and services then go up to match the increase. This causes commodities to often serve as a hedge against a currency's decreased buying power when the inflation rate increases.45

What Is the Relationship Between Commodities and Derivatives?​

The modern commodities market relies heavily on derivative securities, such as futures and forward contracts. Buyers and sellers can transact with one another easily and in large volumes without needing to exchange the physical commodities themselves. Many buyers and sellers of commodity derivatives do so to speculate on the price movements of the underlying commodities for purposes such as risk hedging and inflation protection.

What Determines Commodity Prices?​

Like all assets, commodity prices are ultimately determined by supply and demand. For example, a booming economy might lead to increased demand for oil and other energy commodities. Supply and demand for commodities can be impacted in many ways, such as economic shocks, natural disasters, and investor appetite (investors may purchase commodities as an inflation hedge if they expect inflation to rise).

What Is the Difference Between a Commodity and a Security or Asset?​

Commodities are physical products that are meant to be consumed or used in the production process. Assets, on the other hand, are goods that are not consumed through their use. For instance, money or a piece of machinery are used for productive purposes, but persist as they are used. A security is a financial instrument that is not a physical product. It is a legal representation (e.g., a contract or claim) that represents certain cash flows generated from various activities (such as a stock representing the future cash flows of a business).

What Are the Types of Commodities?​

Hard commodities are usually classified as those that are mined or extracted from the earth. These can include metals, ore, and petroleum (energy) products. Soft commodities instead refer to those that are grown, such as agricultural products. These include wheat, cotton, coffee, sugar, soybeans, and other harvested items.

Where Are Commodities Traded?​

The major U.S. commodity exchanges are ICE Futures U.S. and the CME Group, which operate four major exchanges: the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), and the Commodity Exchange, Inc. (COMEX). There are also major commodities exchanges located around the world.

The Bottom Line​

Commodities are basic goods and materials that are widely used and are not meaningfully differentiated from one another. Examples of commodities include barrels of oils, bushels of wheat, or megawatt-hours of electricity. Commodities have long been an important part of commerce, but in recent decades, commodities trading has become increasingly standardized.

 

[wind gypsy]

Man, I haven't browsed a used gun rack in a coons age. I dont think Scheels even has them anymore?

 

[HuntHarder]

Biden's America

 

[crich]

Man its everything nowadays... except toddler clothes my wife is selling for pennies on the dollar. Told her to PURGE!!

 

[eddielasvegas]

Biden's America

Sadly, it will takes years to undo what Dumb and Dumber did over the past four years, but there is true hope and optimism starting Jan. 20th, 2025.


Eddie

 

[left hunter]

I’m not sure, I have definitely found some good deals on rifles in the last couple months and ammo for stupid cheap. That 270 Winchester sig ammo loaded with 140 sierra tipped gamekings at $12 a box is crazy good

 

[77TMK]

Asking prices are nonsense. It’s still a buyer’s market for all things guns and gun parts, just not ammo yet.

 

[TaperPin]

Man, I haven't browsed a used gun rack in a coons age. I dont think Scheels even has them anymore?

You’re not missing much - seems like the more valuable and interesting used rifles are rarely on racks anymore. A lot of stores selling new guns must get rid of the used ones on Gun Broker or other auction sites, or maybe people aren’t trading in for half of what it’s worth and instead selling directly online.

 

[TaperPin]

I’m not sure, I have definitely found some good deals on rifles in the last couple months and ammo for stupid cheap. That 270 Winchester sig ammo loaded with 140 sierra tipped gamekings at $12 a box is crazy good

That was a great deal.

 

[KenLee]

I enjoy regularly looking at the used racks any place selling rifles. Prices on used rifles since before Christmas seem to be 1/3 higher than this time last year across a number of sporting goods stores. $350 rifles are $475. $400 ones are $525. Even crappy old Savage 11 with that weird birch stock went from $250 to $350. Cabelas has a used Tikka for the same price as a new one, like pawn shop prices but without the potential to haggle. Strange.

Is this a local bubble or have used guns jumped that much in price everywhere?

Most of the old Savages were good shooters. I kept one of either 270 or 30-06 behind the truck seat for 30 years. Wouldn't cry if it was stolen, but it would kill when called on.

 

[KenLee]

I’m not sure, I have definitely found some good deals on rifles in the last couple months and ammo for stupid cheap. That 270 Winchester sig ammo loaded with 140 sierra tipped gamekings at $12 a box is crazy good

I have two 270s ready to zero with those come the day after youth day this Saturday.

 

[TaperPin]

Most of the old Savages were good shooters. I kept one of either 270 or 30-06 behind the truck seat for 30 years. Wouldn't cry if it was stolen, but it would kill when called on.

I’ve always admired how well Savages shoot, although I’ve never actually owned one. I need to find a couple of loaner rifles for relatives just learning to shoot a bolt action and an old Savage would be just right. I try to keep a few reliable loaner rifles set up for youngsters in the extended family to borrow. It’s fun whenever a decent deal comes along to pick it up, work the kinks out, and keep it ready to go with some ammo.

 

[KenLee]

I’ve always admired how well Savages shoot, although I’ve never actually owned one. I need to find a couple of loaner rifles for relatives just learning to shoot a bolt action and an old Savage would be just right. I try to keep a few reliable loaner rifles set up for youngsters in the extended family to borrow. It’s fun whenever a decent deal comes along to pick it up, work the kinks out, and keep it ready to go with some ammo.

Just a fyi since you said youngsters. Some of the Savage 10 and 110 have a 13.25 inch length of pull. Not a real small youth size, but much more suitable for mid sized kids and ladies than the typical 13 5/8, 13 3/4 or 14 1/4 inch lop.

 

[Cjk2008]

Man, I haven't browsed a used gun rack in a coons age. I dont think Scheels even has them anymore?

They do but it’s typically a small 4-6’ stand up rack hidden in the corner. There used be some decent deals found there

 

[ORJoe]

I want to upgrade my used thing to a new thing.
New things are more expensive these days.
Guess I need to get more money when I sell my used thing.
Repeat everywhere.

 

[Cjk2008]

I want to upgrade my used thing to a new thing.
New things are more expensive these days.
Guess I need to get more money when I sell my used thing.
Repeat everywhere.

This seems to be the new trend in the post Covid world.

 

[Steel Rain]

I have a couple of pawn shops I stop in every month or so on the way home from work. They have deals on occasion. The deals sweeten up when you have cash. There are pawn shops near me that have the same rifles they’ve had for over 5 years because they have them priced for dummies.

 

[Taco John]

I enjoy regularly looking at the used racks any place selling rifles. Prices on used rifles since before Christmas seem to be 1/3 higher than this time last year across a number of sporting goods stores. $350 rifles are $475. $400 ones are $525. Even crappy old Savage 11 with that weird birch stock went from $250 to $350. Cabelas has a used Tikka for the same price as a new one, like pawn shop prices but without the potential to haggle. Strange.

Is this a local bubble or have used guns jumped that much in price everywhere?

What rifles are $350 to $500?

 

[TaperPin]

What rifles are $350 to $500?

There’s some misc oddball brands and discontinued guns I don’t pay much attention to, but I remember these:
Howa 7mm-08 and 270, 30-06, 7mm were $450. Vangards $550 ish.
Ruger American in 6 creed $400.
Mossberg 270 $450.
Old Remington 721 30-06 $375
Old Winchester 7mm $500
Savage 110 308, 7 mag, 270 $350

The old Remington is overpriced $100 over a good deal, but I’ll probably buy it since it will be fun to show the kids an old 1950’s rifle receiver will shoot as well as the latest greatest overpriced gun they think they need. Right now my oldest rifle is a young 1962. Lol