doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Ad for a Cashmere

This is an ad in a popular Canadian everything gun forum. My thinking is for a $4500 gun if you are too lazy to provide any more information it is indicative of the person I am going to have to deal with should I decide this gun is of interest. No pictures and no information. Is this guy too disinterested or too lazy? What is there to get my interest? ( I see this in US ad's but not as often.) What information should be in an ad?

"For sale,

A William Cashmore sidelock side by side in 12 bore.

$ 4,500.00 or best offer.

Pictures by email"

That's about as helpful as ads we sometimes see for boots or tires, where they don't even tell you the size. At least he told you it's a 12 bore... which might mean nothing anyway. I have bought 12 gauge guns that turned out to be 16 gauge or 10 gauge. Sometimes wrong information can be a good thing.

At minimum, I think an ad for a shotgun should provide the make, model, gauge, barrel length, weight, chokes, LOP, overall condition, and price. And even with that bare minimum of information, a smart buyer will have lots of questions before dropping several grand on a gun.

Better yet would be a more complete description of condition, especially the barrels. I hate it when they say "some pitting", which could mean anything from very light and localized pitting to a veritable sewer pipe that may be beyond safe to even shoot. Bore and wall thickness dimensions are always nice to have, as are complete stock dimensions. But even many full time dealers don't do that. Being upfront about any issues such as dents, damage, repairs, or refinishing helps one to decide if the price is right. Then the return policy should be clearly stated. And of course, lots of good clear pictures, from buttplate to muzzles.

Well, the guy says "Pictures by Email". That might answer most of the questions. Pointed questions are the best way to get the dirt on anything advertised for sale. If questions go unanswered then look elsewhere...Geo

At least the photos will establish that the vendor knows what a sidelock is, unlike the cataloguer offering this pair of Edwinson Green boxlocks.

I would also point out that they are listed as 'sidelocks' but according to the photo and description they are boxlocks. I don't think the guy bothered to proof read his advert or doesn't know zip about guns.

That's a lot of coin for a nice sweater! Kidding aside I'd ask for the email with pics and some more info and possibly proceed from there. Posting that info is a daunting task for some of us. Past that I have to agree with George!