Looking at a used Gold Crown IV

T

The Bronx Bull

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Hi guys,

I am going to be looking at a Brunswick Gold Crown IV that was listed locally on Craigslist. There are NO other GC's in my area (upstate NY) so I wanted to take a serious look at this one.

Pictures of the table are here: https://imgur.com/gallery/djDEL

He is asking $2500, but is open to negotiating on price. He indicated that he had already lowered the price once. Based on what I read, this price may be higher than it should be. The guy indicated that he had the table recovered and rebalanced by a local pool hall owner (don't know him, but I'm familiar with the place). He inherited it from a family friend.

Now, a few things I wanted to confirm with the AZ experts:

1) Is this indeed a GC IV? What was the approx. cost of this table, new?
2) Why do I not see an area for the ball return to deposit back to? Are these drop pockets?
3) What do you think would be a reasonable price to offer for this table?
4) Any possible problems I should be on the look out for?

Thanks!

Pictures of the table are here: https://imgur.com/gallery/djDEL
 
It is a GCIV with drop pockets, a very good table imo. It looks to be in excellent condition but any deal should be based on an inspection of the slate. You can bring your mechanic to the sale and have him inspect the table before the purchase is complete.

I would offer $1,500 and settle on $2,000. You can explain that it will cost you $500 to move it, which is probably accurate. This table cost between $4,500 and $5,000 new. This appears to be a nice example of the GCIV, probably never been in a poolroom, which is a good thing. Good luck
 
The recovering and rebalancing (I assume that means leveled) has absolutely no bearing
on the cost....your aren't buying his location....
...worth explaining that to him while you're bargaining.

Seems like a GC IV in great condition
 
very nice looking table and I'm sure once set up by a good mechanic, it will play like a dream.

the thing about the price that bugs me a little though is that I know pool tables, like pianos, become albatrosses to folks who don't use them and when they want them out, there are deals to be had. Not uncommon to see guys get GCs in the g-note range but usually earlier ones.

I don't think Jay is off with his recommendation to offer $1500 and go to $2k if you have to but me, personally, I would feel real good at the approx $1500 number.

You mentioned that you haven't seen any others around so if that's the case then he may have the market cornered.

Bring cash with you; people tend to become more compliant when they see you're not just kicking tires. :wink:

Also, you never know what other goodies come along with the table - maybe a good stick or two or wall rack, prob the balls, a light??? The vinyl cover is about an $80 item. :)

GL

best,
brian kc
 
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Gc4 a great table. If there are no cracked slates 2500.00 is a fair price. You might check prices on new gold crowns. I expect some dickering. LOL
 
Assuming it's cosmetically as nice as it appears, and after a mechanic ascertains that it's a structurally sound table, I personally would not feel totally burned if I paid his $2500. Of course, negotiate if you are able to.

It's one of the finest tables made and will last you a lifetime, and will also retain a good resale value if you move, etc.

I'm assuming it includes the balls. I can't quite tell from his photos, to confirm that the table has the set of original Brunswick Centennial balls. A table of that caliber certainly deserves a great set of balls. Not a deal breaker either way, but bear in mind that a new set of Centennials can knock a big hole in $400. So far I see no red flags, and I would be proud to own the table myself. I just noticed the striations on the corner castings. It's not totally out of the question that at some point this table may have been used commercially. Perhaps just normal usage by the owner may account for this, but I certainly wouldn't expect that on a well cared for personal table; particularly not mine. Just simply total speculation on my part. Some GCIV owners may chime in later...

brunswick_jpg_egpoolcue.jpg
 
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Thanks for the expertise, as usual, guys,

Some of you asked what was included, which is: Pool Balls (unsure if these are the Brunswick Centennial set), cues, bridge, rack for the cues, horse hair brush, leather cover (heavy duty) - I'm thinking this is probably vinyl and not leather, 9 ball and 16 ball racks, and chalk.

I will probably find a good pool table moving company to come with me to inspect, and then give them the go ahead to move it if all checks out.
 
Bob 14:1 said:
Assuming it's cosmetically as nice as it appears, and after a mechanic ascertains that it's a structurally sound table, I personally would not feel totally burned if I paid his $2500. Of course, negotiate if you are able to.

I agree. I don't know about used tables, but THAT is one nice looking pool table!
Click to expand...
 
I say offer him below 1500 and promise him he will never hear from you again, then hire the best mechanic you can go go with you and take it away (kdmsu- knock down, move, set-up).
Let your expert know you want a quality lifetime table and you hope this is it, but won't have your feelings hurt, if it isn't.
If the mechanic tells you to walk away, do it.
Get it done right!
 
I have a GC4 from 1998. The rails had to be replaced. Cost around $450 just for the cushions..close to $1000 for the entire job. (level, cushions,cloth).
Consider the cost of new cushions....Give that some thought with the offer. Do you have a 1st class installer...maybe they can look at the table for you before buying.
 
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I have the gloss black GC4 from around 2004. It's a great table. The only table that I like better is the Blue label Diamond. I was told the gloss black was an up charge and the list price was 10 grand. $1500 would be a steal if you get it for that. I'm surprised GoldCrown had bad rubber and needed to replace it
 
Well worth the money, your great grand kids will still be playing on it. Practice on mine every night.
 

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jtompilot said:
I have the gloss black GC4 from around 2004. It's a great table. The only table that I like better is the Blue label Diamond. I was told the gloss black was an up charge and the list price was 10 grand. $1500 would be a steal if you get it for that. I'm surprised GoldCrown had bad rubber and needed to replace it
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Gloss black...nice.
The rails(2) on my GC4 got real hard around 12 years after purchase. No sunlight on the rail...but the basement is cold in the Winter.The rubber simply aged. Did not replace with the Brunswick superspeed cushions. But not a bad thing. I had the rails and pockets calibrated. My GC4 listed for $7500..got it new (delivered and installed with Simonis)for $5000...accessories were extra.
 
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Someone else already mentioned this but I seem to always remember GC's retailing for around $10k or so.
 
Black-Balled said:
I say offer him below 1500 and promise him he will never hear from you again, then hire the best mechanic you can go go with you and take it away (kdmsu- knock down, move, set-up).
Let your expert know you want a quality lifetime table and you hope this is it, but won't have your feelings hurt, if it isn't.
If the mechanic tells you to walk away, do it.
Get it done right!
Click to expand...

$1,500.00 would be my limit. People who already own a particular item tend to place a higher value on those items, human nature. :)
 
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