"gamo air rifle - $125"
"has scope all black very cool to have must sell aaasp moving need to get rid of it if interested call........."
So, I called yesterday morning and, after ten or twelve rings, a lady answers:
"Hello?"
"Hi, I'm calling about a Gamo rifle you have listed on CraigsList."
"Yeah, we are moving and need to get rid of the stuff we don't need."
"Can you tell me which model it is?"
"It's a black one."
"Well, Gamo makes about ten different models like that. If it's handy, would you mind taking a quick look at it?"
"I'm at work. It's a black one. Looks like a shotgun. My husband could tell you." [I see, getting rid of things your HUSBAND doesn't need.] "You want someone to look at it? It's all black."
"Yes, please, whoever can tell me what it is."
"I'll have my husband call you."
Click...
Never asked for my number, so I assumed she had caller ID. Didn't hear the rest of the day so I called, again, this morning. She said her husband was away but his friend "Dan" knew about it and she had talked with him and he said to give him a call if I called back. (Yes, the conversation was about like that.) I thanked her and called Dan.
I managed to get hold of Dan and proceeded to ask about the rifle.
"The lady who had the Gamo advertised on CraigsList told me to call you to ask about it."
"Yep, it's an AWSOME gun! Real good shooter and POWERFUL! We was breaking tiles in the yard with it."
[At this point I could have sworn I had miss-dialed West Virginia.]
"My buddy kilt a deer with one once. Shot it right between the eyes and it run off and dropped dead!"
[Where he comes from this is called 'bragging'. Around here it is called 'poaching'.]
"Well, which model is it?"
"Varmint."
[Dang! Was hoping for a CFX.]
"A Varmint Hunter? Can you tell me what the barrel looks like?"
"It's black with a black plastic stock."
"Well, Gamo made two versions on that gun. The first one had an all steel barrel and the newer guns have a thick plastic barrel with a steel liner. Which one is it?"
[After a bit of back and forth, it appears this is the earlier model. Still has the scope but he sold the laser. Note that HE sold it, not his friend who he is only holding the gun for.]
"What was she askin' for it?"
"$125."
"That's a good price. Dick's was selling these for $229." [Dick's price was $190 and they were old inventory from the Galyans stores they took over.] "Like I said, it is very powerful. Will really shoot those PB pellets."
"I wouldn't advise shooting Gamo PBA's. They are too light and, in a gun like that, a steady diet will ruin the...."
[The Sounds of Silence]
The rest of the conversation was where do you live? I work days. Etc. From his opinion and stating he is"helping out a friend who is "going through something", I doubt I can shave off more than $25 or so. Then there are the PBA's he's been shooting - not too many as they cost a lot - to consider.
I do miss my old VH - one of my "regrets" sales, but I don't think I want to get too involved with this one. Gene's sending me his tuned Air Hawk (scheduled to arrive tomorrow) which is pretty much the same thing, purpose-wise, so this would be more duplication.
