Valuation for Swarovski Habicht

[MauserM03]

Hi Guys,

I'm considering selling one of my 'scopes to part-fund some range-finding binoculars and hoped the forum could give me a steer on what would be a fair price to ask.

The 'scope in question is a Swarovski Habicht 3-12x50 with a 30mm tube. It has the standard 4a reticle and is 3 years old.

Condition is as new with one exception, being a very fine scratch on the front objective lens. It is not noticeable when looking through it.

I can post some pictures tonight if that would be helpful.

Thanks in advance.

Mauser M03.

 

[Bigboab29]

Hi Mauser,

I'd think it would be worth around 650-750 if it was immaculate, in box, with paperwork. You can sometimes get away with light scratches on the tube ie slight ring marks without effecting the price to much but with a scratch on the objective lense i'm not really sure, i suppose it depends on how noticable the scratch is??

 

[MauserM03]

Thanks for the reply, that is helpful and about what I thought. Scratch is noticeable if you look straight at the lens. It is purely cosmetic so I guess just depends if people care about it or not. No scratches on the tube.

 

[User00003]

here's the rub of the green. the buyer will not know until they have it in their hands what the scratch situation is, so you will probably not get anywhere near a fair market price, the risk is too big. Unless you offer a full refund service, or 'try before you buy' service.

I've had a zeiss scope before with a tiny scratch on the objective lens, and whilst it didn't affect the shooting much in 'normal' conditions, the second any sunlight came through from the objective end, it was like a kaleidascope of rays and colours in the scope..'that' is the issue with scratches, IF you get funny colours or rays when shooting directly into the sun,,it's worth very little to the stalker.

where you 'could' potentially sell it, is to a foxer who uses it at night with the light from behind - ie. a lamp.

IMHO, I'd say £250 if sold 'as is' and on a 'trust its fine basis' - no offense meant. if sold after 'test and inspection' ie after a trial period in the hands of the buyer, maybe £450.

 

[1995rs]

here's the rub of the green. the buyer will not know until they have it in their hands what the scratch situation is, so you will probably not get anywhere near a fair market price, the risk is too big. Unless you offer a full refund service, or 'try before you buy' service.

I've had a zeiss scope before with a tiny scratch on the objective lens, and whilst it didn't affect the shooting much in 'normal' conditions, the second any sunlight came through from the objective end, it was like a kaleidascope of rays and colours in the scope..'that' is the issue with scratches, IF you get funny colours or rays when shooting directly into the sun,,it's worth very little to the stalker.

where you 'could' potentially sell it, is to a foxer who uses it at night with the light from behind - ie. a lamp.

IMHO, I'd say £250 if sold 'as is' and on a 'trust its fine basis' - no offense meant. if sold after 'test and inspection' ie after a trial period in the hands of the buyer, maybe £450.

ha ha ha, having you been sniffing something?

 

[splash]

I'm afraid the scratch on the lense is and issue and would proberbly take at least £100 off the value, even if it has no effect on the sight picture. Put your self in a buyers shoes, would you buy a scope with a scratched lens when you could have a perfect one for a few £ more ?

 

[User00003]

ha ha ha, having you been sniffing something?

no mate, I'd never buy a scope with a scratched lens again. I'm not making an offer, and the OP can confirm that. don't be cheeky. all I was giving was my 'valuation' for their benefit.

if you meant 'have' you been sniffing something...that's a negative too

 

[Irish Bob]

I suggest that the price is that scope in A1 condition less 75% of the cost of having the damaged lens replaced by Swarovski.

 

[CRIMSONBULLSEYE]

Hi,is the scope for sale?

 

[MauserM03]

Hi there, thanks for all the responses.

Scratch has no optical effect whatsoever, I've used it in bright sunlight many times. It is purely cosmetic. I personally wouldn't bother having the lenses replaced but I could give Swaro a ring to check how much it would be.

Crimsonbullseye - yes 'scope will be for sale shortly. I'll try and post some pics if I get in from work at a decent hour tonight. Feel free to PM me if you want.

 

[MauserM03]

So I spoke to Swarovski; they were very helpful as usual and confirmed that a light scratch on the lens such as I have would have such an infinitesimally small effect on light transmission it would be impossible to measure, let alone detect with the MK I human eyeball. Changing the lens now would be a waste of money, which I thought was rather decent of them to say. For there to be the effect PKL describes the lense would need to actually be cracked or have a huge gouge out of it.

Something I knew already, but was confirmed, was that 'scope lenses should never be cleaned in a circular motion, but rather with stright line 'dabs', as over time repeated 'swirling' can create a halo effect when looking through the 'scope.

 

[User00003]

that's great to hear and tbh and very pleased for you on that front. my apologies for raising my previous concerns, I just had a bad experienced I suppose.

if it's just superficial, like has been mentioned, you should rightfully ask for near the full market value for a 2nd hand scope.

best of luck with the sale

 

[splash]

Hope you sell it but only a fool would pay "near full market value for a 2nd hand scope", a scratch on the tube from rings drops the value, never mind the glass.
We all want as much as posible for things we sell , to sell them we have to be realistic.
If you want the same price as a scope with perfect lenses you might have to wait a while for a buyer.

 

[MauserM03]

Thanks PKL and Splash, all noted.

I'm going to put it up for a 20% discount to the estimated market value, which seems more than fair.