Trading guns at a gun show ???

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one4gatr

New member
Not sure if this is the right forum so mods feel free to move if needed.

I plan on attending a local gun show this weekend and wanted to get some feedback from you guys about trade values and the process involved. I have been trying to sell my Browning Hi Power 9mm for a while now and the LGS dont really have a market for it so been getting low ball offers on a trade in value.

It has been suggested to me to try a gun show since the dealers travel and have a broader market I might be able to do better. Does this sound right?

Also I purchased this gun from a friend some 20 years ago and all we did at the time was a bill of sale which has long been misplaced. Does anyone see this as a potential issue?

As far as wheeling and dealing... I would like to get out of the BHP 9mm and into a basic AR-15 like S&W m&p 15 sport or a basic bushmaster. Is it a matter of table hopping and telling them that or should I try to sell the 9mm separate?

I am just trying to get the best deal I can but think I can do better than the $400 LGS are offering for my 9mm trade or cash.
 
I'm not against LGS - in fact I prefer to do business with my favorite LGS rather than save a few bucks ordering off the web - however I will say that if you intend to sell/trade a gun of any sort to a gun store you're almost always going to get less for it than if you were to sell it in a private sale FTF.

Keep in mind that the LGS has to be able to turn around and sell the firearm that you just sold/traded into them for a profit. That means that they have to give you LESS than the market value of a used gun of that type so that they can sell it for a profit. The longer they believe the gun will sit there or the harder it will be to sell and the lower the offer they'll make for it.

Now about trading in a private sale at a gun show - that's all fine but DO remember that you're at a gun show. A lot of people go there expecting to find deals. What you're offering in trade will have to be less expensive than what the dealers there are offering in sale AND it has to be something that someone who has what YOU want is willing to trade for.

If you're intending on hopping from table to table hoping a dealer will give you full value for your gun in trade toward theirs then honestly you're just dreaming. Dealing with dealers at a gun show is like dealing with a LGS.

Now let's talk about value:

A BHP standard model with fixed sights in 9mm right now is worth $654 in excellent condition and only $489 in good condition. Other features will add money but if you have a standard 9mm BHP then that's the value of it.

If you have a BHP MK III then its only worth $467 in excellent and $369 in good.

A BHP Practical goes for $508 in excellent and $369 in good.

Looking at these values I'd say its doubtful that you'll find a dealer to trade an AR-15 type rifle for your pistol without you adding a handful of cash too. The same goes for a private sale/trade although the chances are better...

Good luck.
 
In keeping with Hansam's comments...

A few "depends" questions. Is the a Belgian made and assembled HP, or a Belgian parts, assembly in Portugal gun? Inglis HP? Tangent sights? Big variations in price.

Know what the model is... again, major variations in price.

Is it nice, or beat up?

Got the original box, genuine mags etc etc?

See... the deal is, dealers will offer a lowball price if it's not rare or unique... they don't care if you take it or not, 'cause it's just another gun.
If it was rare or unique, they'd offer more and perhaps even dicker back and forth a bit if they really want it.

To a private seller/buyer, it may be worth more, so it won't hurt to take it to the show. Forget big displayers... they are dealers. Look for individuals with a few dozen guns or less. They'll be more prone to be interested.

Cheers,
C
 
It has been suggested to me to try a gun show since the dealers travel and have a broader market I might be able to do better. Does this sound right?
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Gun show dealers are still dealers. Their objective is too maximize profits and they're not going to offer better than the brick and mortar shops. Regardless if it's a trade or outright purchase, anytime you deal with a dealer, you're very likely to get less than a private party.

If you're wanting to dispose of the gun at a show, your best bet is to walk around with a sign on your back, "Browning High Power for sale." That will generate some interest. Heck, it's always been my experience that even just carrying around a gun will guarantee a couple of, "Hey buddy. What do you have there?"

Go to gunbroker.com and find out how much HPs have already sold for to determine a price. Maybe even put the price on the sign. If all you're doing is fishing for an offer, you're inviting low balls.

Personally, I'd sell it here or on gunbroker. Either venue will give you maximum exposure to the widest possible audience.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. Let me try to clarify a few things. I have also attached a picture. First its a Belgian assembled in Portugal date of manufacture 1991. I realize the dealer needs to make a profit but I feel I should be getting closer to $550 not $400. LGS have told me there isnt a market for a BHP in my city anymore (its all about hi capacity, plastic frame, cheap guns) whether this is true or not I have no way to know. As far as the sights they are adjustable (rear) but I dont believe beyond that they are anything special. I also realize that an AR wouldnt be a "straight up" swap but I want to minimize my out of pocket as much as I can. The BHP has MAYBE 200 rounds through it but I suppose the dealers are calling its condition "good" and perhaps not excellent.
 
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FoghornLeghorn said:
If you're wanting to dispose of the gun at a show, your best bet is to walk around with a sign on your back, "Browning High Power for sale." That will generate some interest. Heck, it's always been my experience that even just carrying around a gun will guarantee a couple of, "Hey buddy. What do you have there?"
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Yes, indeed - your best bet to get a good price is to do private party. Have an idea of what you want to get out of it, but also take a look at what prices dealers are charging and go a little up or down accordingly.

You should have no trouble undercutting a dealer price in this market. Heck, you may even run into someone willing to trade

I also realize that an AR wouldnt be a "straight up" swap
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IMO, it would be far from a straight swap if you trade to a dealer. Just selling, their goal is to make a profit. With a trade, their goal is to make a profit on both.
 
Matte chrome finish with adjustable sight. Sadly, full retail is around $600-700 if it's got a 98% or better finish.

New gun prices depress values on what are otherwise excellent, but now generally less popular guns.
Too bad, the BHP is, in my mind, still one of the finest fighting handguns ever made and should be worth more. Perhaps they'll make a comeback someday.

Cheers,
C
 
still one of the finest fighting handguns ever made and should be worth more.
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Emphatically: NO!

It's likely the only way I'll afford one;)

Seriously though - basic fixed sight standard BHP are usually seen on the tables at shows in my area for upward of $700
 
Thanks for the retail guys. Creeper I figured perhaps a BIT higher retail but it is what it is. This is kind of where I get hung up... Assuming the LGS can "sell" it for $650 he is still making $250 on the gun (i dont want to get into a discussion about overhead etc... since this thread is about gun show dealers and not "retail" shops). I just didnt realize there was that kind of profit margin in the gun.

Stress - The LGS around here sell M&P 15 Sports and Bushmaster (the entry level) anywhere from $599-$699. Even if I were to squeeze $450-500 from the BHP I dont see where that is
far from a straight swap
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but I guess everyone's definition is different.

Anyone have any input on the bill of sale issue since I am not the original owner?
 
one4gatr ...I am just trying to get the best deal I can but think I can do better than the $400 LGS are offering for my 9mm trade or cash.
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You'll rarely get the best possible deal by trading or selling to a dealer. They need to be able to sell that gun for a profit. A $400 offer for your HP is typical....they'll probably look to resell it at $600 or more.


Hansam
Now let's talk about value:

A BHP standard model with fixed sights in 9mm right now is worth $654 in excellent condition and only $489 in good condition. Other features will add money but if you have a standard 9mm BHP then that's the value of it.

If you have a BHP MK III then its only worth $467 in excellent and $369 in good.

A BHP Practical goes for $508 in excellent and $369 in good.
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Where are you getting those "values".......a quick look at GunBroker shows Practical models going for $650-800 in excellent condition.

I'll take every 'excellent condition" $500 Practical I could find.

one4gatr Pics of the gun and OEM box and manual.
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You have a "Silver Chrome" model Hi Power. While not rare, they are quite scarce compared to other HP versions. Recent GunBroker auctions they went for $750-800


one4gatr Anyone have any input on the bill of sale issue since I am not the original owner?
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A twenty year old bill of sale is as meaningless as a ten day old bill of sale.

I highly recommend listing that HP on GunBroker or on a gun forum. You will quite likely get $750 for it.
 
If you go to the gunshow to sell it, you don't go to the dealers! I've sold guns a t gun shows and I made a sign with magic marker and taped it to my back...XXX For Sale and I was carrying it in my hands and got a lot of interest. I sold one for 150% of what I had in it. :D
 
Dogtown,

I'm getting my values out of the Blue Book of Gun Values, 2012 edition.

These values reflect what a dealer MIGHT give for the gun. Of course they can vary a bit depending on the dealer and immediate market but for the most part I've found them to be quite accurate.

What you're seeing on Gunbroker.com is not what the gun is worth to a dealer. Those prices represent what the sellers WANT. The true test is what the guns are actually SELLING for.

I did a quick check of Gunbroker and found a total of 6 BHP Silver Chrome model (which is what the OP has). Of those there are a couple of bids on two of them around the $700 mark although the seller has them reserved at $950 so there's no chance in hell that they'll sell.

The others are priced between $600 and $750 and none of them have ANY bids.

If you're selling private sell I found that you can usually add anywhere from a hundred to a couple hundred dollars and still be able to make a sale quickly. If you add more you might get the asking price but you'll probably sit on it for a while. People are more apt to trade for higher asking prices than pay cash.

OP - your BHP is a the Silver Chrome model. I'd say the offering of $400 was a pretty decent deal your LGS was giving you based on the values I see in my book - $384 for a good condition gun (and that's with the original case and manual). I personally can't say based on your photos but you might have what is considered an excellent condition gun. Of course like I said, I can't say for sure. That being the case you could realistically get around $600 for it in trade. You might be able to get around $700 if you really shop around for a deal but you might end up sitting on the gun for a long while.

I don't know about your immediate market but I know that where I'm at the market for handguns with low capacity mags is fairly bad. Here I can pick up used a good Colt 1911 Gold Cup for around $500 if I shop around a bit. In fact I just did last month! Sure there are people who are asking a lot more but the market almost always has the last say.

Anyway I digress... If the LGS says the market is bad then the market may just be that bad. If that is the case you might be looking at getting only $500 for your gun. Your best bet is hitting up the gun show but avoiding the dealers. Do as others have said, wear a sign stating what you have for sale, and hope someone out there is a BHP lover. You might consider going to gun shows outside of your local market area too. I have found in the past that sometimes if a gun isn't getting what you want in your local market then you should try another part of the state.

Where I would have had trouble just selling an extra LCP that I had for half what I paid for it here I went across the state to a gun show and sold it for $50 under retail price! In the end I actually recouped all the money I put into the gun AND enough money for gas and lunch.
 
Hansam said:
Those prices represent what the sellers WANT. The true test is what the guns are actually SELLING for.
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FoghornLeghorn said:
That's why I said.
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That happens a lot. Seldom do follow-up posts get read completely, and if they are of any serious length, hardly at all, unless the reader is searching for specific information.
As this is a mostly subjective thread... You get used to repetition of knowledge.

Don't feel ignored, but rather that your comment has been corroborated... that, or you'll go nuts. :p
 
I hadn't ignored you. I felt it necessary to state what I did though in rebuttal to dogtown tom's comment about the prices on Gunbroker.

As Creeper said, I simply corroborated what you initially stated.
 
Hansam ....What you're seeing on Gunbroker.com is not what the gun is worth to a dealer. Those prices represent what the sellers WANT. The true test is what the guns are actually SELLING for.
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No kidding. It's the actual value of the gun, not some outdated, inaccurate estimate from the Blue Book.


I did a quick check of Gunbroker and found a total of 6 BHP Silver Chrome model (which is what the OP has). Of those there are a couple of bids on two of them around the $700 mark although the seller has them reserved at $950 so there's no chance in hell that they'll sell.

The others are priced between $600 and $750 and none of them have ANY bids.
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Try looking at COMPLETED auctions.......you'll see that they do indeed sell for as much as $800......$1200+ for a .40 cal Silver Chrome.
 
Thanks again guys. I will try to pimp out the gun at the show this weekend then take a look at gun broker. I am in no way slamming the dealers need/right to a profit I just assumed their margins weren't as big as the apparently seem to be.

Foghorn... if you ever get to Florida let me know and you can see it in person lol...


Thanks!

Mark
 
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Dogtown,

I'm glad that you're finding used BHP Silver Chrome handguns actually selling for as much as $1200 on Gunbroker.com.

I placed a call to my favorite LGS and they told me they can get me a brand new BHP Silver Chrome 9mm for $800 + tax. That's retail from an LGS. Were I in the market for one of these I'd purchase it new from my LGS instead of paying $1200 for a used one from Gunbroker.

I don't get to see completed auctions because I don't have a membership at Gunbroker. I have never needed Gunbroker and like I said before I'd rather spend a few extra dollars at my favorite LGS than order off the web or win an auction from Gunbroker. After shipping and FFL fees the difference isn't so great anyway. In the case of this particular gun though I'd be saving myself some money by purchasing from my LGS.

I've also gone to my LGS for appraisals of firearms and they've usually come in quite close to what my Blue Book says regarding the firearms. They have always been honest with me, telling me what retail value of the gun is and what they'd offer me for it. I've even asked them what I could expect to get for the gun at gun shows vs. selling to them and they've been quite honest with me about that too. In fact on their suggestion I took a gun they were only going to give me $200 for and sold it at a gun show for $450, only $25 less than what they told me I might be able to get in private sale.

Maybe I'm too trusting of this particular gun store but from my experience he and his staff have always been very honest with his customers and that has been the case so far. I would like to believe that most other gun stores are like that too.

So you can call my values outdated and incorrect. If you say the OP can go onto Gunbroker and get $800 (full NIB retail price) for his handgun then great for him. I hope he gets it. Of course you have to consider Gunbroker fees for the auction and the fact that it may not fetch that much etc... I'd just go to a gun show. Or since you're telling him there's such a great market why don't you purchase the gun from him?
 
I haven't read most of the posts so here goes. BILL OF SALE, BILL OF SALE, BILL OF SALE! On the bill of sale get the buyers drivers license # address and any ccw info he/she may have. I personally would sell to anyone who does not have a CCWP. Personally sold one with all the above info and the gun wound up being used in a robbery and they came looking for me because I was the last 4473 on file. CYA
 
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