[Rapier]

I go to quite a few big shows every year and I always offer to take guns for one or two friends and I usually get a request to see if I can find X, but unless I get money on the buy up front, I do not bother "nope none at that show." Now I have bought a nice gun for a friend that had money and knew what he wanted and I knew what he wanted. I bought a 12ga 30inch 425 Citori for one hunting buddy, he did not ask for it, but at 98% and $1,000 out the door, that was a you want or I keep deal. I do not mind helping a friend.

Brings up another story or side to the story, widows. I want you to sell Joe's guns for me. OK, we will make a list on a yellow legal pad of every gun, description and serial number, you tell me what you want as an asking price for each gun, now tell me what you will take bottom line for each gun, both prices are written down next to the gun. We both sign at the bottom and she gets a copy of the list. I take the guns with me. When I return, we make an accounting of every single gun, she gets the money or I return of the gun. I do not keep anything. If I know she needs the money then, she only gets the money, no guns go back. I have had a couple of friend's wives tell me not to bring the guns back, then they all get sold, if I have to buy them myself at her price. If you ever hand a widow, with four children, $22,000 in cash, after her husband just died of small cell cancer, without any health insurance, pretty darned special. But you need to spell out exactly what is what before you step out the door. And if her brother starts with the its worth more or I want that, gracefully fold your tent and walk away.
Ed