Who cares what you spent?

[AL45]

Like the title says, who cares what you spent on the gun you've always wanted? Who cares if you spent $1,000.00 on a gun that "others" think is only worth $700.00. If you want it and can afford it then buy it. I doubt any of us are going to be laying on our deathbed upset about spending too much money on a particular gun. Or thinking, "I sure am glad I didn't buy the gun of my dreams. Boy that would have been a waste of money. I can spend eternity at peace now." I don't know that I have ever gotten a great deal on anything I have ever bought, but I have a lot of things that I enjoy owning.

[44caliberkid]

For the last few years I’ve been getting some Smith & Wessons and Colts that I wanted in my younger days but couldn’t afford. Like 22LR Smiths and Colt New Service revolvers. I generally watch a lot of auctions to get an idea of what people are currently paying then try to get in on the low end of that. But these days I can afford whatever I want and I’m not getting any younger, so I might pay a premium for something I really desire. I know a Winchester collector who has just about one of everything except he didn’t have a Russian contract 1895 in 7.62x54. He paid up huge for one but is thrilled to have it.

[HiBC]

For some reason (maybe narcissism) there is a male? social ritual around prices and status and Did you get a good deal? Oh you paid too much"

I think the goal is to make the guy with the new gun miserable. Fine friends! Or family,

Try " What I pay is none of your business"

[tango1niner]

Or say " envy is a powerful emotion "...

[Wag]

There are plenty of guns in my past that I should have bought but I was just a little too far out of my "budget" to buy. Most recently was a Sig 1911 Stainless in 10mm. About five, maybe six years ago. I had the cash. Could have put it on a credit card, etc. But didn't do it. I was unemployed at the time and a few weeks later, I found a great job, paying a lot more than I expected. Of course, the pistol was no longer available and I haven't seen on since.

Just buy the dang thing!

--Wag--

[mk70ss]

Life is too short not to be happy. If you want it and can realistically afford it, then buy it.

[BarryLee]

I purchased a gun that was probably overpriced, but I didn't care I wanted it. Now a few years later just picking that gun up makes me smile and I have zero regrets.

[44 AMP]

I HATE seeing you "who cares what you spend" guys at an auction! You ALWAYS outbid me!!!

Lots of ways to respond if someone tries to tease or shame you for "paying too much".

"You paid too much for that!"

So??

No, I'm doing my bit to help the economy and my fellow Americans! What are YOU doing??

Maybe,,,, how much did you pay for you wife??
lots of possible answers...

Friend of mine bought a S&W model 29, 6" nickel, paid $450....did he get a deal or did he pay too much??

[rickyrick]

In my opinion, all ARs are overpriced, lol.

Many spend more on things, especially guns than they will ever admit.

I don’t care, but what makes you smile.

[Metal god]

It seems like a double edged sword to me . I know people with very little patients that buy the second they see and or like something . if you don't even do a quick google search and buy high when there are 10 of the same thing cheaper just down the street . then you paid to much . With todays technology ignorance is a choice .

I have clients that tell me what they pay for work and I just think like close to $1k to replace a garbage disposal . I can change one out in 30min and that's redoing the drain . So that means a $200 disposal at $1,400 an hour . I don't care if you're happy , you paid to much period . I'll add I changed the new one out for less then $100 labor . That's another thing that rubs me the wrong way . Contractors that bill according to what the client can afford . Big expensive house with a couple Tesla's in front and all of a sudden there normal $125 an hour is $400 an hour . . I have repeat clients that get better prices then new ones but nothing like that and I tell my good clients not to tell there referrals what I charge them . Anyways .....

That all said , if you need it or simply want it and it's the only one in town then it's worth what ever you paid regardless if you're happy or not . Primers are a good example of that right now . I'll likely be spending close to $100 a brick next week and although I'm not happy I won't be spending to much because that's the going rate right now .

Point being , just because you're happy does not mean you didn't pay to much . If you want to hide what you paid regardless of high or low prices I agree , that is none of my business but if you tell me I might have an opinion

[DaleA]

Life is too short not to be happy. If you want it and can realistically afford it, then buy it.

Say AMEN to that.

And don't think your eyes and knees are going to allow you to enjoy this sport forever.

And there's always SOMEBODY ready to tell you what to do. Maybe listen to them but if what they are saying is stupid then ignore them. Just like this post...

[Double Naught Spy]

Well, I don't care if you spent too much, but if you spent a lot less, I am very interested if it is something I want and more can be had at the lower price.

[jmr40]

All of us look for bargains. But I've overpaid for guns that I really wanted. Especially older guns. Twenty years later the price I paid looks often looks like a bargain.

[rock185]

Especially over the last year or so, I've seen a lot of bragging about how cheaply a poster bought this or that gun. Not about the gun's characteristics or performance, but how little they paid, while other "fools" paid X more, i.e., too much..

Life is short. What's "too much" for one, may not be too much at all for another.

[s3779m]

Point being , just because you're happy does not mean you didn't pay to much . If you want to hide what you paid regardless of high or low prices I agree , that is none of my business but if you tell me I might have an opinion

^^^^^^^ nailed it. I have often asked when told what they paid, "are you bragging or complaining".

[BarryLee]

I was always taught that you never asked anyone or told anyone what an item cost either was considered bad etiquette.

[rock185]

What Barry Lee said.

[44 AMP]

isn't it like yachts? If you have to ask what it costs, you can't afford it!

[Shadow9mm]

Who cares? My wife cares for sure. I care a good bit myself as well.

[DaleA]

Still and all, dollars is a fun talking point.

(Remember that LNIB S&W Model 27 for $300 in 1978 THAT I DIDN'T BUY?)
(Remember that new Colt Python in 1978 at the going out of business hardware store for $350?)
(Remember that new in box Norinco knock off M14 for $400 in 1983?)
(Remember that new in box Colt 1911 Gold Cup in 1975 for $200?)

As numerous folks have said, life is short.

[Nathan]

I care. I don’t care personally, but I care.

Think about it like primers. There are getting to be a lot available. The stores likely can sell profitably for $60. If you pay $200 and buy all you can find, then I will see $200 prices. If I pay $200, it will cut into by primer/beer budget balance. I will have to buy less beer

The same is true for guns. I want a s&w pre-18. They were available in nice condition for about $600 a couple years ago. Since you all are buying them at higher and higher prices, it now looks like a $1000.

It is important that we are all putting price lowering pressure on the market or the Biden inflation will become our fault. Many of us may fall into financial struggle over this.

[Hawg]

I don't care what anybody spends. I might think you're crazy but it's your money. I've spent too much for guns I really wanted and I've gotten some for giveaway prices and I've sold some for a lot less than I had in them. It all evens out in the end.

[zukiphile]

Originally Posted by HiBC

For some reason (maybe narcissism) there is a male? social ritual around prices and status and Did you get a good deal? Oh you paid too much"

I resemble that remark. If I find gas for a quarter less, at least my wife and kids are going to hear about it.

The other side of the thrill of a great deal is the shame and comedy of over paying. I let people know when I'm buying some stock so they can sell it before it plummets.

[Electrod47]

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"

[JohnKSa]

A few simple rules to keep in mind when posting on gun forums:

1. You and your gun are one and the same. If someone says something bad about the gun, they are also saying it about you. If someone says something good about the gun, you can take their statement to apply to you as well. This means you are always justified in being personally insulted based on negative comments made about any gun you own.

2. You and the company that made your gun are one and the same. If someone says something bad about the company, they are also saying it about you. If someone says something good about the company, you can take their statement to apply to you as well. This means you are always justified in being personally insulted based on negative comments made about any company that made a gun you own.

3. If someone paid more for a gun than you did, or would, they are obviously severely mentally deficient. It's perfectly all right to feel sorry for them or despise them, depending on your mood.

4. If someone paid significantly less for a gun than you did, they obviously cheated the previous owner. Feel free to insult them, accuse them of stealing, and to heap all manner of insults and imprecations upon them.

5. If someone prepares more carefully than you do for possible self-defense encounters, or carries equipment or items you don't carry, they are clearly paranoid. If you feel magnanimous, you can pity them. Otherwise, it's fine to make fun of their obvious mental illness.

6. Those who prepare less carefully than you do for possible self-defense encounters, or don't carry equipment or items you consider important for self-defense, are clueless sheeple. Your feeling of superiority over them is definitely warranted and should make you feel warm inside.

7. If someone just acquired a new gun and is excited about it, try to find something negative to mention. It's important that other people not enjoy themselves too much and become giddy--that could cause them to be careless or irresponsible. It's your responsibility to keep them on an even keel.

8. Be sure to belittle newbies if they don't get firearm terminology exactly correct or ask questions with obvious answers. Seriously, it's not as if you were ever a newbie--we all sprang from the womb with our encyclopedic knowledge of firearms already in place.

9. Keep in mind that your firearm maintenance routine and the products you use for that purpose are an integral part of who you are as a person. People who use different products or techniques or routines are to be shunned and denigrated. It will help them to learn to be better people and will cement your worth as a knowledgeable gun owner to others who see the abuse you deal out.

10. Anyone who says they can shoot better than you is lying and is doing all their shooting with the keyboard. Anyone who doesn't shoot as well as you do is a pitiful subhuman wretch.