Member emailed me earlier this year asking if I had any P228 for sale.

Emailed him back with pics of a "near mint" 2-tone one and the selling price. Back and forth and we finally agreed on the final price. He paid instantly. I O/N shipped gun the next day.

Man received gun and emailed me back with issue on the gun. His pics showed some yellow discoloration on top of the slide. Not near mint as I claimed.

So, what were my mistakes?

1- The gun, although bought used, has never been fired by me. It's always been in the safe. So, being lazy, I didn't take any new pics. I just sent him the pics that I took a few years ago, when I first received the gun. These old pics didn't show any problems.

2- Being in a rush, I didn't even look the gun over carefully before packing it in to ship. I just aSSumed it looked as good as when I first got it. Otherwise, I would have caught the problem.

What's so embarrassing to me is that these are the steps I always follow when selling stuff. I just didn't do them this one time.
So, lesson re-learned. Take new pics and always look the stuff over carefully, when selling.

What is/was the discoloration?? Is it removable?

What?!?!?! You aren't perfect!!??? Welcome to the human race club, we have jackets.

For what its worth, the two P228s you sent me were/are super lovely, better than advertised, and fill in that aching hole in my heart!

Q, I'd rather have a pistol with minor cosmetic defects, but I'm more of a shooter than a collector, and would enjoy shooting such a pistol without being overly concerned about putting the first mark on it! For the record, I couldn't be happier with either of the two pistols I bought from you, and am certain you made it right with the buyer.

i'll give ya tree-fiddy fer it.

That stinks, maybe he will take a discount instead of shipping it back?

As erg asked, any idea what caused it?

quote:

Originally posted by Loswsmith:
What?!?!?! You aren't perfect!!??? Welcome to the human race club, we have jackets.

For what its worth, the two P228s you sent me were/are super lovely, better than advertised, and fill in that aching hole in my heart!

The one I got from you is great too. Haven’t shot it yet, but it sure is pretty to look at sometimes.

My selling checklist is similar, although I don't usually retake pics just before the sale. Unless the gun is Like New in Box and unfired (factory fired only), for any used gun I clean, remove all lube, and then take pics dry as I've found the lube sometimes either obscures some places or reflects light causing a shine that can block some detail, and I want both the seller and the buyer to be able to clearly inspect the gun. I always suggest to a buyer that they inspect and then lube any used gun they buy from me, before planning a range trip.

But, like you, I always inspect a gun and verify its condition as well as taking a quick inventory to make sure that everything the deal includes is boxed up, just before it goes out the door. Often, I'll snap a quick pic or two before closing the lid for the final time, until it reaches the FFL.

Q, your eye and attention to detail are well known on the forum, as is your integrity.

We can all stand a reminder from time to time so I very much appreciate you posting one for us all to learn from...but, in all honesty, if you had a gun you were selling that both interested me and was something I could afford, I'd buy it from you sight unseen without pics, based on nothing more than on your description...and I would do so in %100 complete confidence.

Worry not, your reputation is solid.