Will Buyers Ever Get Smarter?

[painter777]

I shouldn't care but..........
I'd be lying if I said it didn't bother me when you see guys spend this kind of money on Replica Carbines. I feel like those of us that know need to step up and out to warn guys.
Here we are sharing our finds and happy for one another when someone scores that Original or that nice shooter they are after.
I know some don't want us butting in, but in time it will be one of us that informs that owner or the next that it isn't what they think/thought it is.
I'm tired of breaking hearts. I just had to wipe the perma grin off a buyers face that just bought a Stan Pro sold to him by a Ontario gun shop that was represented as a 100% WWII as issued. The CC stamp was fake, rear sight fake and the barrel had been used by NPM before it was put on that carbine as a replacement.

Trying to help a seller often doesn't work out either,
A for instance, There was a New seller with no feedback on GB who had a early WRA 1,25 listed. But his description showed he wasn't savvy when it came to carbines. The Carbine was right as rain just having a minor chip in the stock near the recoil plate, a missing swivel and no sling. I contacted him to tell him what he had and the type of description and pictures needed to draw the attention of real collectors. He didn't revise or update his listing. I tried once again this time being upfront letting him know I was interested and that those needed pictures would help me decide my willing to pay limit. Again no reply or any updates. The listing ran unchanged 2 or 3 times with no bids and finally ending with no sale. I don't know if I scared the new seller or if he thought I was a tire kicker, scammer or just sticking my nose in his business. I even wondered with him being new that maybe he wasn't familiar with the Ask a Seller a question option and didn't know how to reply... IDK. With what I could see I had a max payout of $2500 in mind.

It was GB # 865648869

Maybe I'm just a little down in the dumps from breaking hearts. But after reading a post of a guy PROUDLY showing off his new find and it's followed by 6 or 7 replies of oooohhs and aaawwws. Then you see the fake CC and repro parts you find yourself feeling like you have to step in and correct the crowd, thus breaking another heart.

This brings to mind a memory and story I told fellow member here Ole long winded Bobg. Back while still working we were doing a new custom home and a neighbor stopped in with his carbine and 15 to 16 year old son. He said I heard you know carbines and handed me his. He told me he always wanted a WWII carbine in original condition. As soon as he slipped the case off of it I seen it was a commercial. But looking at his proud owners face and the glee on that boys eye.......... I couldn't do it. I just told him it was a nice one. He twinkled his way back out the door. I told BobG about it, who gave me much more than his normal reply of "Yep" or "Nope". He gave me this long winded reply: "You should have told him what he had".
I never seen the guy again because they were heading to FLA for the winter and I can't remember where that build was at. We'd do up to 150+ homes a year. So I've carried a guilty feeling since, wondering how big a let down they'll have when they find out the truth.

Since then I tell what I know. If I don't know I ask. But admittedly there are times this is a Tough hobby.....
It was much easier to tell my Archrival that his ole lady was cheating on him !

Charlie-P777