Game in the Brain

Mk12 SPR Mod 0. We just came from the Shop where we had the lemon’s problems fixed, at only the cost of our time. Our time, being all three of us: Juna, Me and the Kaptain. The Kaptain’s negotiations skills were very important, especially since I’ve not been trained nor very familiar at bargaining.

As for Divisoria Haggling and Bargaining should be left for another blog who cares to share how to haggle (If you find one tell me; particularly a blog that explains the science behind it – FYI the science of that is found in behavioral economics).

Trigger Fixed, Charging-Handle and Dust-cover fixed.

Now lets Go to buying your Gun:

Step 1. Know what you want and set a deadline on the decision making process. Honestly we don’t know what we want, when making economic considerations, considerations that have a cost benefit analysis many of us regular people don’t have the will power and discipline to accept trade offs, especially when we are distracted by vague possibilities of gain or a better deal.

Close-Quarter Combat – Athletic and Fast Paced. Requires Light SMG, PDW and Carbine weapons.

“Jungle” or Skirmish – Slower Paced, but higher stress on tactics, patience, stealth and precision. Carbine to longer and more powerful guns.

Step 2. Research that GUN. Keep notes and write down the Product Type and Code. Read the reviews and be critical. Know what your getting into. Also, research all the guns there. Don’t be satisfied with just the gun you would like, you might just miss a GEM (like we did: after buying the problematic Mk12, we found a Jing Gong M4 that was their late model before they were closed. It had metal bushings and 490mm barrel. Plastic Body, 450fps!, Li-poly ready, full stock, rail guards, etc.. etc…. DAMN! for Php6000 ($110) last price! -partly because we bought 2 guns in a month from them).

Most importantly, look at your schedule. Don’t hurry, but neither be lax. If it is a good deal, your not the only genius who will see it. It doesn’t take a genius to see a good deal, someone can just buy the gun cause they happen to really like it for some irrational purpose. Set reasonable deadlines, based on your resources of cost and time.

Step 3. Bang for Buck Rule of Thumb. Know your gearbox. here is a rule I failed to learn in time, just because the gun is expensive, doesn’t mean the internals are reinforced. You have to ask specific questions about such a gun. Even the expensive Taiwan, Japanese and HK brands have stock plastic and the same quality as China-Made.

First question – What are the Bushings? If they are metal. If they are not, thats Php400+service to the cost. Also that means they can be used for the higher voltage Li-Poly. If there is, consider that when calculating value, If none add it to the value.

Second Question – What is the Bore-up? Check my previous writing about cylinders. If you are crazy for ROF have your pick of the many Types. If you are for Power you will need Type-0. This costs 550-600. Like the other consider it when assessing the over all value.

Third Set of Questions – How is the gear box? Notice I began from specifics and moved to general parts of the gear box. Versions II and III are the most common. Other gearboxes are rarer and harder to repair, replace or find parts for. So yeah, Gear Box matters a big deal. You don’t want a gear box (like the Socom) which is so hard to replace in the Philippines.

Fourth set of Questions – What are the features? Check if there are added extras. Scope, Bi-pod, railings, etc. these all add to the guns total value. Admitedly the railing is a big deal, if your adding stuff. If you remember the values good for you, if not its ok. remember what Values to you is important.

Step 4. Warranty or Strip Down Test. Now when we purchased the Mk12 Mod0 I had no experience with M-type guns. So i didn’t spot the problems. Even if your green, like me, with guns just you have to ask the Guy to strip down the gun. Most of everything, except for the Gear box. There are no-warranties, so you will be sorely pissed if the gun breaks on first use.

During the point the guy is stripping down, use your basic level of observation and questioning skills to ask about each part and how durable it is. Don’t worry taking notes about that, the focus is on reading the sincerity of the Merchant. (For Lie Detection and Counter-Deception Skills, you may want to read up Paul Ekman and related works found in the Disciplines of game theory, behavioral economics and Psychology-Cognition).

If they have no one to strip it down, then ask them for a warranty (which they won’t give). The purpose of this is to extract a promise that if the gun breaks they can be held accountable. Don’t be satisfied if they give promise, in fact be more cautious if they easily give the promises.

You only need to give the money after all these are done. You don’t have to when after. Being a critical, but fair, customer is a good reputation. It discourages people to try to put tricks on you. This positive effect is more effective if you spend a fairly large amount relative to how much you look like you can afford to spend.

Last note: Check for- Cleaning rod, screwdriver and Allen-wrench, fast charger, battery, manual and condition of the Box. if its missing, first ask if they can make replacements… if not it will help you haggle for a better price. Remember these things are a BIG deal, like in my experience where out of my 3 guns I only have 1 cleaning rod… if that breaks no one imports it.

Step 4. Analyse and Learn from your lessons, not regret making them. In the end, if you followed your schedule you will least feel buyers remorse or regret for any irrational reason. Doing anything at the given amount of time and reason will always look less when you look at it in the perspective of knowing better after the fact: This is called Focusing effect, a distracting irrationality that makes people hung up on the decisions they make.