On a completely unrelated note...

[ArmasTermin]

TL;DR in red.

I've wanted to try learning violin for maybe two years now. Pretty badly, too. I've been really into the idea. But cost has been prohibitive. The models I've been looking at are relatively inexpensive considering ($150-300) but now I have a job and would be able to afford one quite easily. But, I need to be saving for firearms, not violins. There's no dark clouds looming over violins (or are there...?) plus I'm more of a gun nut. They're higher on my pripority list regardless. But the site I'm wanting to buy form has a sort of rent-to-own thing.

I could have my dad pay $20 a month and give him $5 a week for it, making the payments almost insignificant. I mean I spend more than $5 a week on snacks, junk food and crap like that. Still, the plan lasts for two years*. And the instrument would end up costing about twice as much this way. I guess this is what makes credit cards appealing?

So I'm asking your advice: is it worth it? Is it worth it to spend twice as much on something over a long period of time to have it right now and still be able to save for guns?





*Anytime during the plan one can pay half of the remaining price at once for a buy-out. If the instrument is paid for completely, half of the money paid can be put towards an instrument of equal or greater value.

EDIT: Does this technically belong in "Buying and Advice" since it's regarding buying and I'm asking for advice...?  

[Stoic Socialist]

I'd pay it all in once.
'Tis cheaper, and it's easier on the mind. No debt.

Also; credit card companies can suck it.

I'd choose one, the violin or the firearm.
Up here we're thinking that around later January nothing would have been passed, and the fudds would sell/pawn their "assault weapons".
We could always go wrong, though.  

[Floyd]

Now we'll have to contend with violins in the streets!

I concur that spending on both items would be stretching your budget. That is, unless you are 100% sure of your income for the period you would be paying your father back.

The way things seem to be going, I would not count on any job lasting very long, even if you are self employed.

Don't do it.  

[OberFeldwebel]

Hmm, I have an idea.
Buy one of the Auto Ordnance Thompson carbines then work in the, 'omfg coolness now we need a Violin' angle.
After paying +$2,000 the $200-300 Violin wont look so bad.

FYI;
Pistol grip = 'Assault weapons license'


But yeah, jobs are iffy, and gun ownership is iffy as well. Tough call.  

[Fresnel]

Check someplace like Craigslist first, see if someone's getting rid of their kid's violin because now that he has a voice, his parents know he DOESN'T WANT TO PLAY THE DAMN VIOLIN.

You know half the damn kids on this planet have their parents try to force them to play SOMETHING.  

[OberFeldwebel]

Fresnel

Check someplace like Craigslist first, see if someone's getting rid of their kid's violin because now that he has a voice, his parents know he DOESN'T WANT TO PLAY THE DAMN VIOLIN.

You know half the damn kids on this planet have their parents try to force them to play SOMETHING.

I completely forgot about Craig's list.  

[ArmasTermin]

I hadn't even considered the possibility of my job not being concrete for the payments. And I really should have.

I would have the money for the gun next Friday with about $200 in reserve. I could buy the gun and the violin outright, but then be flat broke. And I don't want that.

As for buying used, I've toyed with that. But I woudn't know what I'm getting. The site I'm planning on buying from seems worth trusting and would work with me if I had a problem. ( http://www.sharmusic.com/ )

Still, so far everyone I've asked about this has pointed to the fact that I'd be paying twice as much in the long run and saying don't do it. I guess it would be foolish to ask friends for advice, consider what they say helpful, and then do the opposite.

You're probably right. I'll buy the gun as soon as I can, then look at my funds and see what's doable. Maybe wait a week or two or a month, then go for the violin. After two years, what's a couple weeks?

crying  

[ArmasTermin]

Okay, I did the math. For the model I would buy outright ($189 + $20 shipping) it would cost $455.76 + $20 with the plan. 24 installments of $18.99 a month.

And the slightly more expensive one, it's $269.00 and shipping. With the plan of $22.99 a month for 24 months it would end up costing $551.76.  

[Fresnel]

ArmasTermin

Okay, I did the math. For the model I would buy outright ($189 + $20 shipping) it would cost $455.76 + $20 with the plan. 24 installments of $18.99 a month.

Paying $475 instead of $210? That's a sucker's deal. Buy it all at once, and you save $265, which, as you'll note, is $50 MORE than the buy-it-now price. For the money you save, you could buy a second violin and some ammo, or just another secondhand gun.

Personally, I think the choice is clear.  

[Man of the Demoneye]

Stoic Socialist

I'd pay it all in once.
'Tis cheaper, and it's easier on the mind. No debt.

Also; credit card companies can suck it.

I'd choose one, the violin or the firearm.
Up here we're thinking that around later January nothing would have been passed, and the fudds would sell/pawn their "assault weapons".
We could always go wrong, though.

+1

In the long term, you will have more money.  

[ArmasTermin]

Fresnel

ArmasTermin

Okay, I did the math. For the model I would buy outright ($189 + $20 shipping) it would cost $455.76 + $20 with the plan. 24 installments of $18.99 a month.

Paying $475 instead of $210? That's a sucker's deal. Buy it all at once, and you save $265, which, as you'll note, is $50 MORE than the buy-it-now price. For the money you save, you could buy a second violin and some ammo, or just another secondhand gun.

Personally, I think the choice is clear.

Yeah, it's pretty obvious. I'm just impatient.  

[Fresnel]

ArmasTermin

Fresnel

ArmasTermin

Okay, I did the math. For the model I would buy outright ($189 + $20 shipping) it would cost $455.76 + $20 with the plan. 24 installments of $18.99 a month.

Paying $475 instead of $210? That's a sucker's deal. Buy it all at once, and you save $265, which, as you'll note, is $50 MORE than the buy-it-now price. For the money you save, you could buy a second violin and some ammo, or just another secondhand gun.

Personally, I think the choice is clear.

Yeah, it's pretty obvious. I'm just impatient.

Yeah, I feel you there. Patience is a virtue, but we're not all virtuous and I WANT MY s**t NAO.

The question you face is: is your impatience worth $265? Personally I'd say no, but that's YOUR question to answer.  

[OberFeldwebel]

Yeah, I'm impatient too and it would have cost me dearly.

That place that had the Underwood M1 Carbines wanted $750 +tax for theirs.
But by taking my time and joining the CMP and all the prerequisites, I'll save quite a bit.
Also I think the guy at the gun store said that they were 'rack grade'.
Which, according to the CMP's definition:

Rack Grade Carbines have been refinished and rebuilt at least once and will exhibit in most cases varying degrees of wear on many parts. All the carbines have late features such as, adjustable sights (heavily staked) with bayonet lug bands and rotary safeties. Metal parts are mixed USGI. There are no carbines with early features. All are mechanically sound with good headspace. Bores will have some heavy pitting and exterior finish may show significant wear and some surface pitting. Muzzle will gauge over a three (3) on gauge. All of the carbines we have are returns from one of several countries and may have USGI walnut, birch, or other foreign replacement wood. Stocks may be M2 type pot belly. Wood may have seen heavy use, may or may not have original cartouches and may have foreign markings. Wood is sound, but will have dings, dents, gouges and cracks that do not affect the function of the carbine. Carbines in this grade show considerably more use and wear than the service grade.

confused
So for almost double the price I get that.
But for $565 at CMP, I get a SERVICE grade M1 Carbine, or for 479 I can get the above.

Service Grade Carbines have been rebuilt and refinished at least once and will exhibit in most cases varying degrees of wear on many of the parts and generally no noticeable or significant pitting on metal. All the carbines have late features - such as adjustable sights (heavily staked) with bayonet lug bands and rotary safeties. Metal parts are mixed USGI. There are no carbines with early features. Muzzle will gauge 3 or less on muzzle gauge. All the carbines we have are returns from one of several countries and may have USGI walnut, birch or other foreign replacement wood. Stocks may be M2 type pot belly. Wood may have seen heavy use, may or may not have original cartouches and may have foreign markings. Wood is sound, but will have dings, dents, gouges and cracks that do not affect the function of the carbine.

I'm sure this guy would be selling Service grade M1's for about $1,500 because they're practically NIB.

I should order some ammo... 500 rnds for $155 with $8.95 S&H doesn't seem too bad. But I'll wait until I hear about my order or whatnot.  

[Fresnel]

OberFeldwebel

But for $565 at CMP, I get a SERVICE grade M1 Carbine, or for 479 I can get the above.

How much would it cost you to go dirt-cheap, and buy a replacement barrel/stock? Or does that ruin the collectible value for you?  

[OberFeldwebel]

Fresnel

OberFeldwebel

But for $565 at CMP, I get a SERVICE grade M1 Carbine, or for 479 I can get the above.

How much would it cost you to go dirt-cheap, and buy a replacement barrel/stock? Or does that ruin the collectible value for you?

Hmm lemme see.

$149 but...
"Commercial manufacture barrel with GI parts. Not chrome lined. Short chambered and will require use of a finishing reamer to assure proper headspace. Complete w/Gas Piston, Bayonet Lug, etc. "

You'd need a gun smith or... be a gunsmith to do it.

The CMP had M1 Carbine barrels but for whatever reason they don't have any now. Sold out?