The
chapter “Annual model Change” from the Giles Slader book “Made to Break” had me
thinking a lot about how we spend our money and what products we can buy that
do not fall prey to the annual model change scenario. One of the items that I own
that has proven itself over and over again as a safe investment, a fun past
time, and a proven form of self-defense… firearms. After the Sandy Hook incident
assault styled rifles (a rifle has to be select fire to be deemed an “assault
rifle”) that had normally cost about six hundred dollars soar to over twelve
hundred in some cases. Since then the price of these weapons had come back down
a little bit and continue to do so, but with the political environment the way
it is and the media utilizing scare tactics the market for firearms is prone to
these spikes for fear of unconstitutional legislation. Not only are firearms
prone to gaining large value but also very rarely do they lose any value, and
if they do it is because of misuse or poor maintenance. Also stocking ammunition
is a safe bet for financial stability, family security, or incase the world
ends and you are forced to defend your house from a hoard of radioactive cannibals
(entirely possible). Depending on what kind of gun you buy it can be more prone
to randomly gaining value more than others. In our current political climate
the emphasis on the demonization of military style rifles and accessories that allow
higher magazine capacities or simulated automatic firing (slidefire stocks). So
the more money and the more military stylings that are incorporated into the
weapon the more money you stand to make. Guns that potentially have the least
gain are rifles that are not semi-automatic or fed with detachable box
magazines, also pump action or breakdown shotguns as well as revolvers. I don’t
mean to say that these guns are any less interesting or useful I just say they
are not as marketable as the guns that the media and our government demonize which creates the potential for people to be scared
into buying them. But whatever the case the amount of money that you invest in
firearms and firearm accessories you will be able to make money or recuperate
all of the money that you spent on said items. I have six hundred dollars invested
in my .45 caliber pistol and I was offered 800 dollars for it at the range by
some guy in the lane next to me, it would have been a 33% profit but I like my
gun more than 800 dollars. The point is cars lose value the minute that you
drive off the lot, electronics have a matter of months before they lose half of
their value, the only tangible commodity that gains value at the rate of
firearms would be food. I like every other guy likes food but how much fun can
it be to collect food and you cant defend yourself with food in most practical
situations. While food fails to have the allure of firearms it can provide what
may turn out to be prove as essential financial security for your family, or
necessary caloric intake in the event of an emergency.
Guns and food are the only two things I could
think of that are financially safe to collect or stockpile in the hopes of
making money or having a fall back plan in these financially tough times. So
the question that I pose to our bloggers and classmates is this. What items do
you believe have immunity to Sladers scheduled obsolescence?
As an avid gun owner/collector, I totally agree with your assessment about the value of firearms. To answer the question you posed, I think motorcycles are another item that can be immune to scheduled obsolescence. Particular motorcycles such as Harley Davidson’s seem to hold, and in some instances, increase their value as they age. I have been shopping around for one the past few months and it is ridiculous how much a ten to twenty year old used bike goes for. In some cases, they are as much as buying a new car. They are a good investment due to the liquidity they seem to have. I know several people who ran into hard times and had little to no problem selling their motorcycles for a reasonable price that they profited from. Besides being immune to obsolescence, they can also prove helpful in quickly fleeing from a “hoard of radioactive cannibals” if that ever becomes an issue of course.
ReplyDeleteI too agree with the firearms and how they hold their value, but I feel that almost anything that is mechanical has become or is becoming a victim to the scheduled obsolescence effect. Having a family member that collects Harley's even these have started to fall into this trap. He no longer will buy any new HD's because of the fact they are very cheaply made now compared to the ones that are decades old. It seems that the companies and industries that have proven to produce quality products that can be passed down generations are joining the trend. Even if a product doesn’t breakdown or fall a part, companies push new and “improved” products one after another and make the old models obsolete. Apple is a prime example. Every 6 months or so they release a new phone or tablet and thousands of people rush to get it even though they bought the version before less than a year later. The obsession people have with having the best and newest lands us directly into the producer’s hands and they know they can do whatever they want.
ReplyDeleteI think an obvious point to put out there is that everything has a date by which it losses its value, or usability. Guns, for as long lasting as they are do have a certain number of rounds to be fired before needing extensive gunsmithing or reworking to be viable once more. Cars and motorcycles are the same way, I collect classic cars with my family. We care for our cars far beyond what most original owners would and still, we know that at one day, these vehicles will reach a limit. Sure, the sheet metal may still be in perfect condition, but the engines will have to be pulled and either replaced or machined to operate again. To assume that just because the theoretical lifespan is further than you will be alive does not mean that it doesn't exist. Also, stockpiling ammunition can be very sensitive to expiration. Rounds do not survive indefinitely in an active state, and can become downright dangerous if not used before their planned expiration date. Guns, as with special cars and motorcycles fall into the "collectible" mentality, but they do not all have value to collectors. Certain models, for sentimental, aesthetic, or provinancial reasons accrue or hold value while others die a slow painful death rotting past their expiration dates (the 1980's Cadillac Acclaim anybody?). so the difference is to note what is collectible versus what is not. Your .45 may be a hot item because the .45 has always been a popular pistol in America, but if it was not taken care of, cleaned after firing, oiled for storage, would it have reached it's manufactured lifespan without collector interest?
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