Hi all. I have the occasional gun to part with. Lately I have been taking them to an LGS that charges me 10% and I don't have to monkey with it where I can basically set the price of what I want as long as it is reasonable to them. As a result I end up letting them go a little cheap. As it is, I am generally not a fan of face to face unless I in someway know the person. The next option is auction sites, but that seems like a bit of a gamble if you don't want to do Buy It Now etc etc. It seems like the shipping charges and transfer fees would eat into the net take home that way as well. So the question is what has worked out best for you guys that don't do this for a living? Thank you.
How best to sell guns?
- Thread starter baddarryl
- Start date
The way a person puts words together tells me quite a lot about them. For, instance, what you've written is fact-filled and concise and leads me to assume that you pay attention to details and are likely trustworthy. Armslist.com has worked quite well for me. After a couple of email exchanges, I have a general feeling/intuition about a buyer/seller and choose to either drop the exchange or continue toward an in-person transaction, often including a phone call. I haven't been burned yet and have met plenty of nice folks. So my filtering process takes place before any actual meeting and, so far, it's worked fine for me. I think a big key is to tell or ask about plenty of details regarding a gun and to use decent photos.
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You could always list on armslist or gunlistings as ship to your ffl with buyer paying shipping. I haven't had any problems with face to face though either.
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I've sold 1 gun using gun forum classifieds. It was the best option for a rifle I had in an oddball caliber. Locally would have been a waste of time, but putting it out there for folks to see nationwide helped. I shipped the rifle from Georgia to Seattle. But after the hassle of boxing up the gun, going to the PO, and paying shipping it was a hassle I'd rather not fool with. If I'd had any other option on this one I'd have not done it. I've never found a deal on a gun online worth the extra expense of shipping and paying transfer fees either. I've been able to do as well or better locally.
I've sold a few at gunshops on consignment. The 10% they keep ended up being cheaper than paying for gas and entrance fees to the 3-4 gunshows I'd have to attended to sell them. It can take a little time, but I still prefer this method. If I'm going to a gunshow anyway, and not making a special trip just to sell a gun, that would be another method I've used. Sold a few that way too.
I've sold a few FTF with newspaper ad's etc., but don't care for that as much.
I've sold a few at gunshops on consignment. The 10% they keep ended up being cheaper than paying for gas and entrance fees to the 3-4 gunshows I'd have to attended to sell them. It can take a little time, but I still prefer this method. If I'm going to a gunshow anyway, and not making a special trip just to sell a gun, that would be another method I've used. Sold a few that way too.
I've sold a few FTF with newspaper ad's etc., but don't care for that as much.
kilimanjaro
New member
A gentleman I ran into at Cabelas' said they bought his rifles at fair prices, no games.
I use Armslist and have had very good luck doing so. At first I felt as if I was doing something that I shouldn't , but that is just the years of all of the anti-gun folks bad mouthing FTF sales creeping in. I got over that real quick though and have thinned the herd nicely using the service.
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A 10% of asking price fee is very, very, very reasonable on the part of your LGS.
Couple of things about dealing with an FFL:
The store accepts responsibility of background checks, etc. in selling the gun and in effect accepts all reasonable responsibilities about legalities, etc.
You don't deal with the buyer and if he/she has a beef (sometimes they have buyer's remorse or maybe the gun develops a problem you didn't foresee) the LGS has to deal with the buyer, not you.
Also, the dealer can guide you as to a fair price, his taking the 10%, and used guns are very much the bread and butter for a dealer. Let's say you paid $1 for the gun new; if you put it up at .80 cents, that's still s reasonable "loss" considering you used it and his 10% (.8 cents) doesn't really cut that much into the depreciation you normally suffer once you buy something new.
Most dealers for consignment charge 20 to 30 percent. He's a nice guy, I think.
Couple of things about dealing with an FFL:
The store accepts responsibility of background checks, etc. in selling the gun and in effect accepts all reasonable responsibilities about legalities, etc.
You don't deal with the buyer and if he/she has a beef (sometimes they have buyer's remorse or maybe the gun develops a problem you didn't foresee) the LGS has to deal with the buyer, not you.
Also, the dealer can guide you as to a fair price, his taking the 10%, and used guns are very much the bread and butter for a dealer. Let's say you paid $1 for the gun new; if you put it up at .80 cents, that's still s reasonable "loss" considering you used it and his 10% (.8 cents) doesn't really cut that much into the depreciation you normally suffer once you buy something new.
Most dealers for consignment charge 20 to 30 percent. He's a nice guy, I think.
UncleEd you are absolutely right and I am in no way griping about the fees of the LGS. I think what got me was I consigned a G17 and G26 in the same week and felt like I lost a bit with them. The 17 I did ok on as I sold if for only $25 less than I bought it used for, but on the 26 I took a bath as I had bought it new. I too never buy guns online unless it is just something I can't find locally. Between the taxes, transfer fees and shipping I never see a deal I can't beat locally. That is what makes me hesitant to do online. As it is I am a cheap bastard and can't stand losing $10 on anything! Lol!
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It depends on what I'm selling, but usually I sell guns on my own. Usually I'll go on a local forum. I know the guys there, and when someone has been buying and selling guns on there for several years, I trust him a little more. And usually it's face to face, no packing up a gun to ship it out of state.
I've done armslist before, too, along with newspaper ads (when newspapers here would do it). It's a little more anonymous than I like, but most of the transactions have been trades. Or I've sold ammunition/ parts. Or it turns out I know the person from somewhere. One of my most recent trades was a polymer AR lower for a Beretta 32 Tomcat. I know that was better than anything I could have done through a gun shop.
OTOH, it can be a hassle. For every time I've made out like a bandit, there's been one where I've driven 20 minutes to meet someone who wants to re-negotiate.
I've done armslist before, too, along with newspaper ads (when newspapers here would do it). It's a little more anonymous than I like, but most of the transactions have been trades. Or I've sold ammunition/ parts. Or it turns out I know the person from somewhere. One of my most recent trades was a polymer AR lower for a Beretta 32 Tomcat. I know that was better than anything I could have done through a gun shop.
OTOH, it can be a hassle. For every time I've made out like a bandit, there's been one where I've driven 20 minutes to meet someone who wants to re-negotiate.
I agree with UncleEd.
If you are located in Texas, use the Texas Gun Trader web site. It is free to post an ad. I usually start with an e-mail and then switch to cell phone. I've bought, sold and traded about 20 pistols in the last 3-4 years. Usually FTF but I've even shipped one to Illinois once. I always ask for ID before meeting (picture of driver license or CHL) and fill out a bills of sales. I want to make sure none of my guns end up in the wrong hands.
If you are located in Texas, use the Texas Gun Trader web site. It is free to post an ad. I usually start with an e-mail and then switch to cell phone. I've bought, sold and traded about 20 pistols in the last 3-4 years. Usually FTF but I've even shipped one to Illinois once. I always ask for ID before meeting (picture of driver license or CHL) and fill out a bills of sales. I want to make sure none of my guns end up in the wrong hands.
BigD_in_FL
Moderator
No they didn't. They bought them for low blue book and sold them for high blue book - generally speaking with Cabela's, he lost 1/3 of what he would have received selling them himself
If its an occasional gun, I just bring it to the gun show, plaster a piece of paper with price/description on the case, or on my back and sell it. I do require license information and will take down the buyer's Driver's license information. If they have a problem with it, then they don't have to buy my gun. AFAIC, I can ask the buyer to produce 2 forms of ID and an original social security card, and if they don't like it, that's just tough.....and if I think the buyer is sketchy, I might just do that.
BigD_in_FL
Moderator
Who the hell carries their SS card on them anymore?........
If the person shows you a legit ID, that is more than the legal requirement
If the person shows you a legit ID, that is more than the legal requirement
Who cares about "legal requirement". If I don't like the way someone looks or acts, I'm going to ask him/her for his social security card. Maybe 3 separate forms of ID. And, if the guy/girl really looks like a thug, is on a cell phone talking to someone else about the gun he/she is considering buying from me, I might ask them to fill out a finger print card too. My gun. My requirements. Or, no sale.
Oh, I suppose I could simply say "I don't like the way you look and smell", but that's rude.
Wow, I didn't even give my SSN to the licensing board for my CPL! I never EVER carry it and never EVER will. And I don't know anyone who does these days. I would have to hope I looked and acted according to your liking. But that's OK, I have learned that if it is a gun I really want, another one will probably become available again soon. I like a sale where both parties are happy.
Lou
BigD_in_FL
Moderator
Wow is right - sounds more like you either have a perpetual table at the gun show and never sell anything or you own one of those gun shops that everyone complains about how they get treated..........................
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Wow is right - sounds more like you either have a perpetual table at the gun show
Nope, never had a table at a gun show.
and never sell anything
I've sold everything I've ever brought to a gun show. When I decide to sell a gun, my prices are set to sell. I put the lowest price I'll take for the gun and leave no haggle room. First come first serve, someone ends up getting a pretty good deal.
or you own one of those gun shops that everyone complains about how they get treated.
I would make a terrible gun shop owner because I sell too cheap and I would have a very bad attitude toward anyone who looked and acted like a thug who tried to buy a gun from my shop.
If I like the way someone looks (i.e. they dress like they are legitimately employed or in some kind of legitimate business) and acts (i.e. with normal courtesy), I won't ask them for weird ID, just a driver's license. Besides, if you ask a sketchy person for a driver's license, my experience is that they start to argue with you. Deal's dead, and I just walk on at that point.
Nope, never had a table at a gun show.
and never sell anything
I've sold everything I've ever brought to a gun show. When I decide to sell a gun, my prices are set to sell. I put the lowest price I'll take for the gun and leave no haggle room. First come first serve, someone ends up getting a pretty good deal.
or you own one of those gun shops that everyone complains about how they get treated.
I would make a terrible gun shop owner because I sell too cheap and I would have a very bad attitude toward anyone who looked and acted like a thug who tried to buy a gun from my shop.
If I like the way someone looks (i.e. they dress like they are legitimately employed or in some kind of legitimate business) and acts (i.e. with normal courtesy), I won't ask them for weird ID, just a driver's license. Besides, if you ask a sketchy person for a driver's license, my experience is that they start to argue with you. Deal's dead, and I just walk on at that point.
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