What's Your Preferred Method for Gun Sales?

loeman

loeman

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Just a little background. I've recently retired and now finally have time to deal with interests and hobbies. Ever since the late 1970s I've been accumulating handguns. Not vigorously mind you, but one here and one there. Many of them I've just "stumbled" onto. Now that I have some time, I would like to liquidate some of them to help fund the purchase of guns that are more collectible or more interesting to me.

My question is...How do you prefer to sell your surplus? Is it internet auction, Forum classifieds, gun shows? I'm really eager for your opinions as I have only sold guns to my friends and I've only been to a couple of gun shows ever.

I've recently joined a local gun collectors club, but have not been to a meeting or anything yet, but I have plans to do so. I've also signed up for a table at really big show in October, but that seems a little intimidating for a non-experienced gun show guy like me. The online auctions are interesting too, but it seems like such a large percentage do not sell.

I will be grateful for any of your opinions or advice.
 
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Right here is a great place. All the folks here have a great interest and knowledge in all things S&W as well as other brands. You will also find that these folks will be straight with you on pricing your guns. Also, no fees to anybody else.
 
The forums, and Armslist have done well for me. When it comes to FTF sales, make sure you have a Bill of Sale ready, as well as request buyers to bring a photocopy of their Driver's License, Social Security card, and Military ID (if they're military), plus a copy of their CCW if they have one.
 
I have had good luck with Texas Gun Trader, you being from New Mexico you aren't too far away and might benefit from it. I do prefer face to face as you get to see who you are selling to or buying from. Also, the folks on this forum are some of the finest you are likely to meet. Good luck with the selling.
 
Alnamvet68 said:
The forums, and Armslist have done well for me. When it comes to FTF sales, make sure you have a Bill of Sale ready, as well as request buyers to bring a photocopy of their Driver's License, Social Security card, and Military ID (if they're military), plus a copy of their CCW if they have one.
Click to expand...

The OP needs to know the law in his state.

Technically, in Ohio anyway, you need none of the above. Unless you are a gun dealer, the transaction can be completely anonymous. Cash - meet gun. Gun - meet cash. Thanks - you're welcome - see you later.

And it is illegal to sell firearms across state lines, unless you are a licensed dealer or the transaction goes through a licensed dealer.

That being said, it is within your rights to refuse to sell anything to anyone for any reason. So, in a face-to face sale if it makes you feel better to have a copy of the buyer's drivers license or other ID, by all means make that a condition of the sale.

If the guns are sold on line, they have to be shipped to an FFL on the receiving end. There are fees and some gun shops make it very expensive to do this as they prefer that guns be bought from them rather than them being used as a check station. Do your homework before you pursue that option. I found out the hard way and paid $50 to ship a gun and another $50 to receive the trade.
 
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Alnamvet68 said:
When it comes to FTF sales, make sure you have a Bill of Sale ready, as well as request buyers to bring a photocopy of their Driver's License, Social Security card, and Military ID (if they're military), plus a copy of their CCW if they have one.
Click to expand...

You and I probably couldn't do any business. I would let you see my DL, but just for ID. Same with my Georgia Weapons License. You would not record any information. I would laugh at anyone who wanted my SS number. I would request to see a GA DL to establish ID and residency. I might provide a B of S, but it would only have my signature. No DL #, no GWL #, and certainly no SS #.

This is much more than the law requires of Georgia residents. According to GA law, I can not sell a firearm to someone I know isn't eligible to own one. I can't sell across state lines.
 
Most of my handguns and rifles have gone on Armslist and I agreed to meet in a open populated place and never had a problem with anyone even though a guy brought 5 of his friends with him. I asked the guy to have them sit where they sit or I'll leave, so the guy asked his friends to sit while he looked over the weapon I had for sale and the guy bought it after the money handed over to me I got his information from him and he asked why I needed it I basically told him for an example if you let someone carry your weapon and they decide to commit a crime or do something stupid and the cops or who ever calls me or comes to where I live I can tell them who I sold it to and etc.
 
redlevel said:
You and I probably couldn't do any business. I would let you see my DL, but just for ID. Same with my Georgia Weapons License. You would not record any information. I would laugh at anyone who wanted my SS number. I would request to see a GA DL to establish ID and residency. I might provide a B of S, but it would only have my signature. No DL #, no GWL #, and certainly no SS #.

This is much more than the law requires of Georgia residents. According to GA law, I can not sell a firearm to someone I know isn't eligible to own one. I can't sell across state lines.
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I agree. I will show, show only, a GWL, will not require a BOS if I am selling, will do a BOS if you have something I want and require one, but only my signature. I will follow what GA law requires, but that is all.

I have bought from GunBroker, Armslist, this wonderful site, and a local site, and done many FTF transactions. I have not experienced any problems. Maybe I have been lucky, but so far so good.
 
My ideal transaction is in person....where hopefully the seller slips and falls on his head and when he gets back up and through a fog says "where were we?", I tell him you had just asked for 20 bucks for your registered magnum....and you offered to pay the dealer fees also.
 
Face to face in my opinion is best..... I HATE paperwork. A close 2nd is buying from a forum member. I have an FFL that charges little to nothing. All transactions I've done here have been flawless.

Gunbroker is great if your selling.... Some crazy always surprises me with what they are willing to pay. The fees are a pain but reasonable.

Just my 2 cents.
 
Your best bet if you're going to have a table at a gun show is to team up with someone who has done it before. Failing that, go to a show or two and try to make friends and watch what's going on. The guys who say they demand a bill of sale with all the sellers personal information are funny. They only demand enough to steal your identity. About all they leave off are a few blank checks attached. In reality, it ain't happening.

My favorite is sitting at a gun show half asleep and one of my partners wakes me up to sell the gun. In a perfect world, it would be one of my known partners who finally gave in and bought my gun from me. I buy them from folks who seem honest if not so bright. I've only bought a few this year, and I know the sellers. Some not real well, but I know them to see them.

If the OP has never set up at a show, there are some things to know. Bring along a table cloth. Tables are 8' and you should have enough cloth to cover that length and then the full 3+' of the width. Our cloth hangs down the front most of the way to the floor. On occasion I make a bed out of old rifle and pistol cases and take a nap. It provides privacy! :)

And bring along your lunch unless you want to risk the bad food and high prices. A small cooler with the drinks of your choice saves money and time. You avoid the long lines. Get there a little early so you can arrange your table and be sure you have a 2nd chair if someone comes with you.

And You'll want a little tool kit. A flashlight that works, some small screwdrivers, a bore scope some oil and a few patches and rags. I bring along a magnifier to help overcome my blindness. Arena's are dim and the light is awful. Bring along a small side cutters and extra wire ties. If you don't have them everyone wants to feel the action. Bring along some shirt cardboard or similar. Cut a box up if need be. Have a Magic Marker to put price signs up. If you can find some price tags, bring them along. My buddy Joe often has a half dozen made up before hand. Some higher, some lower than the one he's displaying. His prices are all over the place during the day.

One rule of the gunshow is if you see something you want, buy it. It won't be there at the end of the day. Learn to watch people. Watching the girls is easy because we've done it so long. Watching the guys can be disgusting. Some haven't had a bath this year, yet. Guess there's still time before Christmas. Others wear the ugliest clothes you've ever seen. Even though its against the rules, consider taking a cell phone picture or two if you see something no one will believe.

Make friends with the guys on both sides. They'll watch your stuff when you need a potty break. Offer to return the favor. Make note of the really pretty girls and which direction they've gone. Someone will surely ask if you've seen them. If you say no, they'll realize you're crazy.
 
redlevel said:
You and I probably couldn't do any business. I would let you see my DL, but just for ID. Same with my Georgia Weapons License. You would not record any information. I would laugh at anyone who wanted my SS number. I would request to see a GA DL to establish ID and residency. I might provide a B of S, but it would only have my signature. No DL #, no GWL #, and certainly no SS #.

This is much more than the law requires of Georgia residents. According to GA law, I can not sell a firearm to someone I know isn't eligible to own one. I can't sell across state lines.
Click to expand...

You are absolutely correct, we couldn't do business. In the last 10 years or so, I have sold more than 40 handguns, and I have a verifiable paper trail which protects me should any of those guns wind up in a crime scene. I have had no problems with my condition of sale, and those who do just don't get to buy what I'm selling.
 
Alnamvet68 said:
The forums, and Armslist have done well for me. When it comes to FTF sales, make sure you have a Bill of Sale ready, as well as request buyers to bring a photocopy of their Driver's License, Social Security card, and Military ID (if they're military), plus a copy of their CCW if they have one.
Click to expand...

That is more paperwork than I need to travel abroad or than I provide to the federal government when buying or selling through an FFL dealer. I don't give anyone my SS card or number and even on the federal transfer forms it is optional. Identity theft is a serious concern and providing someone that kind of information is just asking for it.


I would not buy from anyone asking for all that. I will allow someone to view my Texas driver license or my Texas concealed carry license, but that is it. When I mail a handgun to a buyer all I provide is a copy of my Texas Driver License.
 
I've had good luck with forum sales. They are free and I trust most forum members with more than a few posts and feedbacks. Second place might be Armslist although some buyers there are a little squirrely for my taste. Be sure you have a friendly FFL who will ship guns for a low fee-- you don't want to be surprised when you go to ship and find out he wants $75 to handle a shipment.

By the way NM doesn't require anything special to make a sale. Just try to talk to the buyer and be sure he isn't a prohibited person-- I can usually tell that in a few minutes, or at least convince myself that he seems reasonably sane even though he may be a "gun nut."
 
I've done well over the years on GunBroker.com. In my opinion you will usually do better on a sale offered nationally than one advertised only locally.

I recommend:

1. Do your research. Look at other auction listings for the same gun in comparable condition, see what the asking prices (starting bids) are, then check closed auctions to see what they are actually selling for (nothing is worth more than what people are willingly paying for them). Wishful thinking and a higher-than-market price tag usually results in no sale.

2. I try to avoid "reserve" prices because unknown reserves seem to discourage bidding. I set my starting bid at the minimum price I am willing to take for that piece.

3. I usually set a "Buy Now" price that is in the upper range of value for each piece, considering its condition and desirability. This frequently brings me a sale at a very good price with little hassle. I may offer free shipping with a "Buy Now" sale as an inducement, which works pretty well when potential bidders are comparing several pieces to bid on.

4. As an individual without FFL make it clear that you will ship only to a FFL holder and any fees involved are to be paid by the purchaser. If your buyer's FFL dealer requires shipment from a FFL dealer on your end that dealer's fee must be paid also. If your state allows face-to-face sales to residents you may wish to allow for that, but be careful about meeting with unknown people for a firearms transaction, and especially careful about having them come to your home. A little investigation may be in order (verified identity, listed home telephone number, place of employment verified by a phone call, etc). If your state requires background checks on individual sales be sure to have a dealer lined up to take care of that, and DO NOT try to get away with a clandestine sale (remember Bloomberg's goons running sting operations, which could happen anywhere there are state or local laws in place).

5. Set a reasonable shipping cost. Lots of folks are sick of on-line sellers that like to bump profits on every sale by charging outlandish "shipping & handling fees".

6. Generally, long guns can be shipped by common carrier via ground delivery which is the most economical method ($25 to $35 in the lower 48 states). Handguns shipped by an individual must go by common carrier via 'next day air' service, which is very expensive ($65 to $90-plus). However, handguns shipped FFL to FFL may be sent via Priority Mail (usually $12 to $20), so paying a local dealer to facilitate the transaction may result in lower overall costs for you and your purchaser. REGARDLESS OF METHOD OF SHIPMENT BE SURE AND REQUIRE A SIGNATURE ACKNOWLEDGING RECEIPT OF THE PACKAGE. FedEx, UPS, USPS, and others are known for leaving packages on porches, inside screen doors, etc. Without delivery confirmation and signature you could be screwed to the wall.

7. Clearly describe each piece. Be conservative about its condition. Openly disclose every flaw, bit of damage, etc. This will save you a lot of headaches from people who try to nitpick the deal after the fact, want to return for refund, try to renegoiate price after receiving the gun, etc. My policy has always been "as is, no returns" unless a mistake or oversight was made by me in the auction listing.

8. On collectible guns be very careful about parts thieves. There are people out there who will purchase an antique Colt or Winchester, then swap out good parts for bad parts, then claim the gun was not as advertised, demand a refund, and return the altered gun to the seller. Keep a file of photos showing every component in the older guns so that when your 1st generation Colt SAA is returned with a broken and rusty part inserted in place of the original you have evidence of the attempted fraud.

9. Offer insurance at buyer's discretion and expense. While FedEx and UPS provide basic insurance for each parcel, many firearms will exceed that value. Make it clear that once you have delivered the packaged firearm to the shipper you are no longer responsible for it. Any damage or loss in transit is on the purchaser, so insurance should be recommended.

10. Since you are selling off a lifetime's collection it couldn't hurt to mention that in your advertising. Not only will this allay any overzealous official's suspicions about someone doing business as a dealer without an FFL, it can also encourage lookers to contact you about any other pieces you may have for sale.

11. An advisement to the effect that you are not a gunsmith, that you have not fired the piece, etc, and that you recommend each purchaser take each piece to a competent gunsmith for examination and advice regarding its operating condition and safety before shooting it is a good idea.

12. Respond to every question or inquiry quickly and completely. When buying on-line I usually send a question or two just to see how responsive the seller is. If I don't receive responses, or the responses are vague or possibly misleading, I take a pass on those items.

Lots of other things can be done. Good photos are always a big help. On "shooter grade" guns I like to add a photo of a target fired with the piece to show the potential buyer that it actually works properly (10-round group on a target with the pistol displayed next to the group, this makes a good selling tool IF THE PIECE ACTUALLY DOES WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO).

Best regards.
 
THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSES TO THIS THREAD

WOW, Knowing this forum, I knew I would get some good advice and thoughtful opinions but I sure didn't expect this. Thank you, thank you.

Rburg's take on gun shows was classic! Both helpful and funny!

Do any of you know how to contact the Forum administration? I really think Lobogunleather's very thoughtful and helpful recommendations for online auction novices should somehow be archived for future reference. Even if you aren't a novice like me, you should read his post carefully. I'll bet he covers one or two things you even you need to consider.

Thanks again to all of you for your responses. What you have presented for my consideration has provided me with the confidence and understanding that I can legally and safely sell my surplus guns whether the choice be forum, show or online auctions. I'm grateful.
 
Alnamvet68 said:
The forums, and Armslist have done well for me. When it comes to FTF sales, make sure you have a Bill of Sale ready, as well as request buyers to bring a photocopy of their Driver's License, Social Security card, and Military ID (if they're military), plus a copy of their CCW if they have one.
Click to expand...

If someone asks me for my SS card at a FTF sale, I'd tell them "see ya".
 
I generally buy and sell guns, ammo and reloading components on Armslist and gunbroker. I've had good experiences generally. A couple people have lowballed me once we get to the FTF transaction, but that happens. No biggie.

When I sell, I only do the legal minimum, which used to be money changes hands, the gun changes hands, end of story. (New laws in CO will change that.) When I buy guns, I will do what the seller wants: ID, bill of sale, whatever.

I'm always armed at a FTF sale, but I get more nervous about craigslist transactions than I do for Armslist ones.
 
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