How much should I bid?

[Keefer]

I found a Wing Hunter ( AMF) 52" AND45# only flaw is someone drilled two holes for sites but other then that the bow is in good condition.I think this bow was made in 73 or so from what I can dig up on it.I just wanted to clean it up and possibly give to someone someday who may be just getting into Archery.That is if I can outbid whoever else bids on it.P.s. this bow isn't on **** just a local auction. Thanks & God Bless! Keefers <")))><

[woodchucker]

Not more than $100 on ANY used bow

With holes drilled.....not more than $50

One more thing.....Stay away from that "auction" site, To many people selling JUNK!!!!!

Stick to the TradGang Classifieds,GREAT DEALS from GREAT PEOPLE!!!!!  

[Raineman]

woodchucker hit it the nail on the head with ALL his statements.

[Stone Knife]

I have a 52"43# redwing hunter, It's a head ski era Wing. I use it for Fishing and love it there a great little bow. I bought mine off the Fleabag site. I think i payed around $60 for it

[Keefer]

Woodchucker, The bow mentioned is at a public auction in the county I live in. I actually held it in my hands and checked the limbs for any damage, twists etc. I am not bidding on any cyberspace sites on this bow .The auction site lets you come in a day ahead the auction to check out the items you want to bid on. Thanks for the info. and I never spent more than $50.00 on any bow there before. I got a Kodiak Mag there several years back in great condition and paid 50.00 for it.I still have that bow and it has the original shelf plate with the lines in it and green bear hair rug rest.Keefers <")))><

[Raineman]

Hey Keef...How much for the K Mag?  

[Keefer]

I haven't decided if I will sell it or not but if I do I will list here so keep an eye out for it.I also have a 69 Kodiak hunter and a black limb Grizzly that may all go as a package deal oneday.After seeing the Rose Oak bows I've been doing some thinking.Not to rub this in but I have one I will never sell and that is a 59 Kodiak Special with original finish and not quite new condition.I would say a 9 out of 10 if I had to rate it. Keefers <")))><

[Shovelbuck]

Not more than $100 on ANY used bow

With holes drilled.....not more than $50

One more thing.....Stay away from that "auction" site, To many people selling JUNK!!!!!

What world do you live in where you can get used bows for that kind of money?
As for that "auction" site, a lot of people, myself included have gotten good deals on quality bows there.

As for the bow, I'd say 50 to 75 would be a good price and a great idea to give to somebody getting into archery.  

[Keefer]

Thanks shovelbuck,  I also saw a Ben Pearson there as well and I am going to bid on that one also.You never know what they will sell for.Several months back I got a Indian 48" recurve for $10.00 and made a new string for it and gave it to my best friends grandson and that is why I bid on these bows most the time.I have a few I keep but most are given away as gifts once I clean them up and make strings and puffs for them.Like you said these are good ideas to give to someone getting into archery and Thanks again for replying to my post. God Bless! Keefers <")))><

[jeff w]

I saw several several bows here on the Trad Gang site, but most are more than $100.

I don't believe the Trad gang Buy and Sell forum has not been without its problems also.  There are 'bad apples' in every bunch.

There are some great buys on the auction site--do some research to know what you are looking at and who you are dealing with.

[oldgriz]

I have to agree with Shovelbuck....
I have bought quite well on "that auction site" for items (mainly vintage pens that I restore and resell)..
The secret is knowing the item you are bidding on, asking intelligent questions of the seller, properly interpreting the answers so you can tell if the seller is an idiot or thief...
And most importantly setting a limit on your bid and keeping to it....
My last purchase of archery equipment was a dozen tapered poplar arrows for $59.00.... and the seller was Twig Archery... now I doubt anyone here is going to say that he is a bad dealer... in fact, he let me change the colors of the arrows I bought...
I have also recently made (to me) the deal of the century here on TradGang for a B handled Bear Mag TD with 2 sets of limbs...

[woodchucker]

Shovelbuck,

I should have "specified" used production bows,Bears,Pearsons,etc.

HOWEVER.....I live RIGHT HERE!!!!! I have NEVER paid over $100 for a bow EVER!!!!! (with the exception of my Mikuta longbow that was "custom built" for me)

In the words of fellow TradGanger and Sponser Joe Skipp who sold me a 1967 Bear Kodiak Mag in 1999....."I get $80 for them,thats all they're worth.People think they have a gold mine just because it says BEAR.....They're still buying a 30 year old bow and it can let go at any time"

The main reason these old bows are bringing such OUTRAGIOUS prices is because people (usualy those who don't know any better) PAY THEM.How would you like to buy a 1967 Bear Kodiak Magnum for $200,wait a week or more for it to be delivered,THEN have it delaminate the first afternoon shooting it????? I'm sure you would be more than a "little upset"   :mad:  

jeff w,

As for the TradGang Classifieds having "bad apples".....Let me just say that Mr Green and the moderators do an OUTSTANDING JOB in making sure that "bad apples" are sent to the "cider press" as soon as they are discovered.

When you buy something off the TradGang Classifieds 99% of the time you KNOW (even if you've never met them) who you are buying things off of.

No dissrespect to anyone intended.....Just YEARS of "experiance" talking  

[jeff w]

Chuck,

The value of used or collectable bows is determined by the market--what people are willing to pay, or not pay, for them.   These bows may not be for everyone, but many enjoy owning and shooting older equipment.   One person's opinion that the bows are only worth so much is just that, opinion.   Also, many of the older bows perform as well or better than some of the 'custom' bows, despite the difference in price tag.

As far as bows 'letting go'.   It could happen with any bow, new or 30 years old.   Generally a bow bought used will not have a warranty anyway so age is a mute point.  The big difference is that you paid a lot more for the used custom than you did the used Bear.   As far as bow failure, I have never had an old bow to break, I have had 3 customs however that did.  

As far as 'bad apples', I agree the moderators do a good job keeping things in order, just as the auction site does too.   Personally, I have never had a bad transaction at either site, however I do ask questions and only buy something if I feel comfortable with the seller and their information.   Common sense really.

Where can I find a good used bow for $100??

[woodchucker]

Try flea markets and yard sales.

OR.....Just keep your eyes and ears open.....

I have a very nice collection of old 1960's Bear recurves. I paid $80 for the 1967 Kodiak Mag,and a 1969 Grizzly from Joe Skipp. Other than those 2, I have never paid over $50 for one. (most were $20-$30)

BTW, You can't "buy" a collection overnight

[dposalski]

Keefer, I was thinking the same thing about those Rose Oak bows.  I showed them to my wife and she replied " That's hot."  and she has absolutely no interest in archery other than to watch my son and I shoot.

[Keefer]

I went to that auction today and watched the Ben Pearson Couger 40# in good shape go for $17.00 and the auctioner was getting close to the table where the Wing was and he decided to go back a few tables and sell those items so instead of waiting another hour and a half before he got to that bow I decided I couldn't put my wife and baby girl through the pain of waiting any longer.Besides the guy that won the bid on the Pearson was waiting like me to bid on that Wing bow so I decided why stay there and watch the price go high on that bow.I saw him earlier after he won the Pearson and asked him if he needed a string made for it to give me a call and told him I would make him one for free.He seemed like he was new to this and I hope he won the bid on the Wing also.I will never know what it went for but as we drove off I told my wife I have enough bows and why spoil it by staying and watch the price go up and spoil the fun for someone who may be just getting into Archery. Thanks to all your input Gang! I did tell the guy if he ever heard of the Tradgang and he said No, so I told him to check us out and I told him about a few local clubs and shoots we have.I hope maybe we will one day see him here. God Bless! Keefers <")))><

[woodchucker]

Keith, Good Work My Friend!!!!!

It is a Good Thing for you to pick up these bows and give them to people who are just starting out.

Some may have gotten upset with me earlier,but let me explain.....There are MILLIONS of old production bows out there.In attics and basements,garages and barns.LOOK and you will find them,at yard sales,flea markets and also public "auctions" like yours.

If you have ever gone to an Antique Auction and watched the Dealers sitting there.The auctioneer/appraiser knows what the items are worth,and he will start the bidding accordingly. HOWEVER.....The dealers KNOW how much the items are worth also!!!!! AND if they can't buy it for "pennies" so they can sell it for "dollars" THEY WON'T BID ON IT!!!!!

I watched an auctioneer throw a $100 vase and break it (he had already "bought" the entire estate) because the dealer wouldn't bid on any of the items opening bids because they wanted him to lower the opening bid price down to almost nothing. He told the dealers "I know what this stuff is worth just like you do!!!!! and I'll sit here and break things all night untill you people start bidding"

Some folks have lots of money,Some folks don't.....

What drives up the cost of these old bows is people who have lots of money,and will spend "any amount" to buy these old bows for thier collection.

Let's face facts.....The person with a $50,000 bank account who decides that he wants to collect Bear recurves can buy ALOT of them VERY quickly (as long as price is no object) to build up a large collection. He simply pays more than anyone else can afford.That does NOT mean that his "collection" is worth what he payed for it,only that he has "more" than anyone else.

I will simply stick with my yard sale/flea market collection,being happy with my "bargains" and happy knowing if the whole bunch cost $500 I would probly be over-estimating.

[Keefer]

Chuck, I am always looking in yardsales, auctions and attics myself and yes I myself have found some great deals. I am glad you responded to my post and I can relate to what you were saying. Thanks for your help and I appreciate your response. Take Care and God Bless! Keefers <")))><