Make sure you are aware of all the fees for both the seller and buyer.Fees for Using GunBroker.com - GunBroker.com

 

Every seller on gunbroker has been a zero-feedback seller . . . once.

Buyers are motivated by good quality photographs and accurate descriptions. If you present your gun well and your starting price doesn't scare people off, there will be interest. Lack of feedback will turn some folks off, but there's nothing you can do about that.

As the seller, you don't have to worry much about payment since you're in control of shipping the gun. You can attract more bidders by accepting electronic payments or credit card (through gunbroker's services), but you can insist on traditional forms if you choose. USPS money orders and cashier's checks work fine. You don't ship the gun until you're satisfied with the payment, so there's little risk.

As for shipping, either guess at a fixed shipping cost (weighing/measuring the gun and packing materials before you post the auction), or simply go with "actual shipping charges" and let the buyer known once you know where the gun is going. I think buyers like to know in advance of bidding, though.

 

BTW, my sense is that it's a terrible time to sell guns. They're just not moving, and people are holding onto their money. You might consider waiting if you can.

Also, you may want to try selling your gun on forums such as this first. You'll avoid the gunbroker fees and your buyer won't have to pay sales tax.

 

I always contact my seller BEFORE I push any other buttons committing to anything. I always want to speak with them in person on the telephone.

A legitimate seller will always want to tell you the history of the gun, and about themselves. It's a way to meet a fellow enthusiast. Maybe they have an eBay account with ratings, maybe they will tell you things to set your mind at ease.

This isn't foolproof, but a scammer would need to go the extra mile.

 

Why don’t you have any ratings? You said you’ve bought from GB for many years. If a seller had no ratings at all, it would definitely give a lot of buyers some pause and GB usually tends to flag those listings as well.

 

As a buyer I didn’t think it established a rating.
Either way, it isn’t the rating that “Buds” “Reeds” “Gunslingers“ …..etc have, that makes confidence.

 

Yes, if it’s a desirable gun it will get action. As a seller you just need to ship to a valid FFL (you can look it up on their site, to double check). For an individual, shipping can be expensive, but if you charge a flat $50 or $75 you should be covered. Most buyers prefer a flat fee as long as it’s reasonable.

At least gunbroker has confirmed info (name, address, cc number) on sellers since they bill you. If you sell off a message board, you won’t get the best price, like you do in an auction.

 

Avoid the possible problems. Sell at a local gun store that has good foot traffic and pay the commission for consignment. Mine charges 15% and I have a check in 3 business days. No shipping involved and no 3 day inspections. Gun store does all the negotiating within my price preferences.

 

I wish my local gun shops did consignment sales, but none of them do. Full disclosure, when I had my FFL, I didn't do consignments either.

 

Is it possible to do a local, meet in person, sale only on this site to forgo the shipping hassles and costs?

 

Sure but then there is the hassle of finding a buyer who is only in your area.

 

BTW, my sense is that it's a terrible time to sell guns. They're just not moving, and people are holding onto their money. You might consider waiting if you can.

Don't know where you are living but firearms are flying off the shelves of our LGS.

Avoid the possible problems. Sell at a local gun store that has good foot traffic and pay the commission for consignment. Mine charges 15% and I have a check in 3 business days. No shipping involved and no 3 day inspections. Gun store does all the negotiating within my price preferences.

I sold a number of rifles and pistols through my LGS....I had an idea of what I wanted but he did some research and ended up recomending prices significantly higher than what I expected.

My local gun shop charges 20%; perhaps I could negotiate that. For pistols, I would be much more comfortable with that option since shipping for an individual must be overnight and gets very expensive.

My local charged 25% but that is because I am in California with procedures that would choke a horse. But as I said above, he knew what the market was and didn't try to take advantage of me and of course 25% of a higher number was good for both of us. Every thing sold within a week or so of when it went up for sale.

 

I agree with a previous poster. Terrible time to sell, great time to buy! Between Christmas crushing some budgets and maybe a tax bill or two many potential buyers are on the sidelines. Likewise I have found great deals in January and February from sellers that need to raise some cash.
This time of year great time to visit gun shows, never know what you might see…

 

Gunbroker is as easy as selling on eBay. Take good pics and get the highest price. Not much risk as a seller other than dealing with the occasional moron. As far as an LGS, the small ones gather dust and get little traffic. The big ones generally don’t mess with consignments. Big or small the LGS doesn’t get anywhere near the traffic as gunbroker.

 

I have no problem buying a gun using gunbroker , Small or NR sellers ,

# 1 If it is a small dealer ask them to post a copy of their FFL next to the gun you are purchasing before you send any money


# 2 If its a NR seller ask them to send you a picture of their Drivers license next to the firearm you are purchasing

If they refuse , don't send any money

Talk to them , ask all types of questions ,ECT

Google address and match to name ,ECT the web is your best friend for information >

 

I have sold a few times after many purchases, just like you.
I stopped selling though because of the shipping hassle. FedEx and UPS have new rules now.
Most people sent Postal Money orders even though I asked for personal checks.
I have found a local guy who basically just does Gunbroker. 15% consignment.
He takes great pictures, and starts everything at $1. It has worked for two guns so far.

Jim

 

Bought quite a bit off of GB in the past few years.

I always send an email asking questions, and I ask even more questions when it’s a seller with 0 feedback.

Baseline, I usually ask if the item has a case and for additional pics.

More often than not, the sellers with 0 feedback do not respond, and in many cases those listings are pulled.

If the seller has 0 feedback and the item is priced well below market, the listing is always pulled.

My last purchase was the first that charged
tax, so I will bid accordingly in the future.

It had also taken 3 weeks after the bidding to get the gun shipped.

Fortunately I’m not in a hurry. I realize it’s the holiday season (so everyone and their mother/wife/girlfriend is shipping something), and I paid with a personal check; however, I won’t see the gun for at least another week.

Based on all of the above, I tend to prefer SGW (never a bad buying experience on here) or gunsinternational (only one less than stellar transaction).

 

I’ve bought on GB, but never sold there, and have gravitated away from them cause of fees, taxes, and sometimes excessive shipping charges. I’m not sure the GB rating system means much. Seems like everyone is an A or A+.
I prefer to buy and sell sites like this, 24 hour campfire, accurate reloading and others.
Also, I agree with the poster above that said things are not selling. The economy is causing people to not purchase as much fun stuff.

 

No doubt that the used gun market is super soft right now.

 

I sold 1 gun on there this year, and probably 2-3 over the past couple years.
Things change so much constantly it is hard to keep up with it.
I know once they started charging sales tax it made everything go up.
I used to be able to get pretty good deals on there (bought a lot over the years) but now with high shipping, fees, and taxes, the deals are a lot fewer and far between. They can still be found, but it is rare.
One thing that seems to be helping a little is guns just do not seem to be moving as much right now. Probably the time of year where everyone is broke, plus the economy being slow is not helping.
Seems I have been seeing a lot more harder to find/borderline rare gun come up for sale this year than all the years previously. I figure people are selling off their toys to pay the bills.

I stopped selling on ebay when they required direct access to your bank account and they no longer allow the buyer to pay you directly.
I remember reading a few weeks ago that gunbroker is moving towards something similar where they will only allow electronic payment through them.

One thing I am curious about, will they be sending me a 1099 for the gun I sold? I have not been able to find a concrete answer.

 

Don't blame Gubroker or ebay.. that is the government making sure they get their cut on every single penny

 

You might want to look at Guns International.

 

So, @Eddie1911, what are you thinking of selling? Depending on what it is, there may be some selling venues better than others.

 

Avoid the possible problems. Sell at a local gun store that has good foot traffic and pay the commission for consignment. Mine c

So, @Eddie1911, what are you thinking of selling? Depending on what it is, there may be some selling venues better than others.

Thanks,Your exactly right about that.
I feel stupid for not thinking of it myself.
It’s a Wilson Combat 1911 Professional. More high end than most LGS’s carry, and is a specific gun for a specific market,
The 1911 forum is the perfect place for a private seller.
Thanks

 

It’s a Wilson Combat 1911 Professional. More high end than most LGS’s carry, and is a specific gun for a specific market,
The 1911 forum is the perfect place for a private seller.

In my experience, enthusiast guns sell best on appropriate enthusiast forums. I've had good results selling S&W revolvers on the S&W forum, for example. You'll be dealing with people who appreciate what you're selling and have some understanding of its value.

No guarantees, though. You only need to look at the equipment exchange on this forum to see desirable shotguns offered at attractive prices languish for weeks or months without selling.

 

Gentlemen,
I use Gun International and have never had a problem, I never use GB for anything, to many problems with their vendors in the past.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

 

This has been pinned at the top of this forum for awhile.

https://www.shotgunworld.com/threads/scam-on-gunbroker-warning.555301/unread

Steve

 

taxes and shipping are going to be added anywhere.. can't avoid that

 

Selling on Gunbroker is super safe. You get the money in hand before shipping the firearm. You’d have to be pretty dumb to get scammed that way.

 

Feeds mean nothing if you can show proof of life and as for money exchange, most of them just go with the traditional check, uspsmo.

 

Are we allowed to sell handguns on SW?