Buying Here for Resale > New Rules

[BCDWYO]

A very difficult situation. I am a member here since 2006 but I also happen to be a FFL. I have purchased a dozen or so guns here all of which I own or may have been confiscated by my wife!! I believe that I have sold 2 to forum members, though I do not remember if I placed and ad or someone was looking for something. Of those 2, one, a duplicate, was from my personal collection. I agree that I like the idea that someone would purchase for their own collection, I consider the forum, where I go to learn, teach, talk with like minded people. My last purchase 2 3/4" 500, I have no idea how long it had been up for sale, if I had to wait 24 hrs it would be agonizing to me!! I am not aware of the dealers buying than reselling since I prob check the classifieds only once a month but I am buying for me ( wife), and I see many items that I would have bought for myself, but they are sold and I have wondered how someone bought it 5-10 min after it was listed!! So I am torn, if a 2 3/4" 500 goes up at a good price, do I wait knowing that my wife likes mine and wants one??? Be Safe,

Yeah, I'd have no problem selling to a guy like this, and hate to penalize him just because he happens to have an FFL.

Here's another suggestion that just popped into my head. Don't know if it would be logistically possible but what about a rule stating that if you buy a gun on the forum that has been listed for less than 24 hours, you then must wait at least 24 hours post-listing before buying from the forum for a set time (30 days seems about right). Most collectors aren't going to mind this. We would all probably need to be on the honor system, because it would be difficult for mods to police. I'm pretty sure the members would be quick to call out offenders! We all are allowed only one "quick grab" a month. Seems fair to everyone.

 

[LVSteve]

Don't like the quick sales? Get rid of tapatalk notifications for the guns for sale section....just saying.

I use tapatalk myself and am at the point of building my collection. It's nice to scoop something I've been looking for quickly but I could live without it. If the dealers want to shop 24/7 and buy at a sellers ASKING price that time invested is all part of running their business. Not sure it's anyone's place to tell them how to make a living with their FFL01.....but we don't have to make it easy........




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'll vote for that simply on the basis I work in places where I cannot take a phone or there is no coverage.

 

[LVSteve]

I like the new rule but how do we know who the dealers are?

Dollars to doughnuts the gorilla knows.

 

[pawncop]

An interesting dilemma.

Would you consider having a category where the seller declares his preference to sell to an individual vs a dealer? As you have stated you do not have complaints from the sellers.

I am not one to purchase from the board, so I do not have a dog in this fight.

I can see most sides of this issue and agree there is not an easy answer.

 

[Onomea]

Well a quick check in the classifieds shows 51 ( I'll take it) since 2/2014 for one person. I am not going to look to see if they are/were up for sale, it will just make me ill!! Be Safe,

Maybe it would make sense to limit the number of guns an individual member can buy from the forum classifieds.... Maybe a reasonable number is 12 a year...

I think I've purchased two here in nine years. My first post was an "I'll take it," though, come to think of it.

I think the 24 hour rule as proposed is better though. Maybe it should kick in after FFLs or dealers purchase a certain number of guns so as not to impact fellas with FFLs who purchase no more than many of us.

 

[vipermd]

Maybe it would make sense to limit the number of guns an individual member can buy from the forum classifieds.... Maybe a reasonable number is 12 a year...
I think I've purchased two here in nine years. My first post was an "I'll take it," though, come to think of it.
I think the 24 hour rule as proposed is better though. Maybe it should kick in after FFLs or dealers purchase a certain number of guns so as not to impact fellas with FFLs who purchase no more than many of us.

It is a double edge sword no matter which way, I have bought a dozen in the last 8 yrs which I own or ( my wife does ), but they are personal, not part of my inventory. I could get away with 12 /year or 12/10 yr, but I am sure that some new collectors that are finding a new passion, at the age where money is not the most important thing, could have the admin police it, I would like to think that contributing members would like to keep it a more personal forum. Never will have rules that everybody likes--Life. Be Safe,

 

[Grayfox]

I think the solution here lies with the seller. If you post an item for sale and someone comes back with an "I'll take it" all you have to do is check their posting history. If this buyer seems to only hang out in the classifieds and you suspect they are a dealer, you have every right to refuse to sell to them.
Its just that simple.

 

[pace40]

I don't get what the issue is.

Seller posts asking price in ad.
Buyer pays asking price for gun.
Seller gets what they want.
Buyer gets what they want.
Buyer is now owner and can do as they please...wipe it, fondle it, shoot it, or, yes, even sell it.


Sounds like some folks were always getting beat out of the good seat on the school bus as a kid.

You guys are actually considering restricting gun sales on a gun forum? Wow................

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

For some time, I've been receiving complaints from many members about dealers buying guns from our classifieds and reselling the guns.

While we finalize our handling of the matter, we'll use this solution-
Dealers are required to WAIT 24 hours after an ad is posted before buying.
/\ This is effective immediately. Please comply voluntarily.

IMO, this is a reasonable and moderate solution to something which IS a problem to many buyers. BTW, arguments about free market principles hardly apply here. This is NOT a free market; an auction would be a free market, and would also eliminate the problem of hovering dealers.

 

[sunnyd]

I think the 24 hr. rule is a good idea. It doesn't mean that dealers can't buy here, they just have to wait 24 hours and can't use this site as a way to make a living. There are plenty of other sites that dealers can utilize. The only thing that has ever frustrated me about this site is to go to the classified section and see that the "dealers" have bought the guns in a couple of minutes via some method of instant notification.

 

[VPNAVY]

Well dang it! I always check for "antiques" and have bought a few here. I have never come across one bought before I caught it - that means one of two things. I am either lucky (and beat the dealers) OR I have been paying way tooooo much!

 

[Jamesatrange]

As mentioned above I see what I think are non FFL holder members buying here and then capitalizing on the big auction site as well. Some are obvious and some aren't. It is a bummer when I see the same members that obviously have way more money than I snapping up the good deals and reselling, because I would have cherished the item in my hands for years and years, but this is America where money talks. I like the idea of eliminating taptalk and making members shop by logging in and doing a search, that involves more time invested for those on the hunt for their grace gun. I also like the idea of resellers, FFL holders or non FFL holders having to wait 24 hours so the true collector can have a shot at the purchase. Honor system or seller awareness is the only way to control it. I must say I do feel for the FFL that is truly purchasing for themselves because they have their own collection they want to grow and are banned for 24 hours because they have an FFL. I think seller awareness on who the resellers are is important and then let the seller decide who they sell to. I feel my post may be all over the place on this topic because there are many variables at play here. Lol Happy collecting!

 

[handejector]

See Post #2

 

[O2Guy]

So, no one here has ever sold a gun and made a profit from it?

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Those who have created, managed, and maintained this forum may establish any rules they wish for the conduct of this forum. I have no problem with that aspect.

As to the reported practices, and some forum members' complaints about such practices, I will offer some thoughts:

1. Each seller must be presumed to wish to sell the item offered, and willing to accept the offered price.

2. Each purchaser must be presumed to wish to buy the item offered, and willing to accept the stated price.

3. The definition of "fair price" is that amount a willing seller will accept and a willing purchaser will pay, neither party acting under duress.

4. The purported facts that other interested parties have been unable to purchase desired items because others acted more quickly does not have any application to the transactions in question.

5. The purported facts that some purchasers are reselling at a profit has no application to the transactions in question.

We have no way of knowing why each seller is selling. We must assume that they want or need the money more than they want or need the item in question.

Why a purchaser is buying is no business of anyone else. He wants what has been offered and is willing to pay the requested price. The fact that he got there first is no indication that anyone else has been somehow cheated. The fact that he later resells the same item at a higher price indicates only that another satisfactory transaction has occurred.

My $0.02 worth.

 

[1891SingleShot]

But it's okay if I come on here and snag $300 of ammo for $100 and resell it? I'm sorry, but this is not right. As some have stated, sellers set price, buyer buys and it now belongs to buyer. Everyone misses out on good deals because the item can only be sold to one person. You are now taking those of us who collect out of the picture and unable to add to our collections when a good deal comes along.

 

[Bugkiller99]

I'm new to this game, so here's a newby point of view.
Is the forum classified section nothing more than a highly specialized, niche, online consignment shop; or a place where folks with a common like of S&W can swap firearms? Or is it something in the middle?

I hope to find a more honorable seller/buyer here than on GB.

Maybe I am naive.

As for what's "right", here, it's what Lee says is right.

And I won't claim the above is worth even $0.02.

 

[ladyT]

Instead of a 24 hour waiting period for dealers how about a 3 day waiting period for all buyers. In other words if you buy a gun from the classifieds on Sunday you cannot purchase another from the classifieds until Thursday. This would accomplish what I think others want which is a level playing field for all involved.

 

[blujax01]

If I put up something for sale at a given price ( a requirement of the forum) and someone posts an "I'll take it", why would I care what they did with it? I got what I was asking and the item is no longer mine.

Apparently there are some here who do not like to find out that they could have gotten a few bucks more than they did, get embarrassed for being a poor judge of value and cry "Foul - I was selling it for less than I could to help out my buddies!"... If that helps you sleep better, okay. My question would be, if you know who these "buddies" are, why not offer it in a private sale via SWCA?

Regardless, the decision has been made. By the way, I'm not a dealer nor do I do a high volume at all. Just rambling from the sidelines.

 

[NYlakesider]

Well I THINK I like this 24 hr rule, time will tell how it really does

I have missed out on a couple guns I wanted for my modest basically shooters collection by seeing I’ll take posted rather fast by certain “Members”

I do not buy on any other websites I only buy to fill some unused space in my safe, according to my wife!

Most guns I buy I keep forever, on occasion I sell but do not hold your breath waiting. I’m, also on and off this forum mostly all day and when I’m hunting I check the for sale section many times. (Nice thing about being retired.)

I for one applaud the “management’’ for trying to equal out the playing field!