Do all gun stores insult you, or is it just some of mine

[mkk41]

Big-small , good-bad , friendly and knowledgable or sterile and impersonable , every gunshop is different. But it is a business first. The idea is to make money.

My problem being in the gun biz was that I'm also a collector. Too many guns came in and went home , with me!

 

[blujax01]

In the musical instrument business, it's even more harsh.

Stores like Music-Go-Round usually set their prices to match those on the completed auctions on EBay. They will give you 1/2 of that figure in cash or 60% in trade. So if you paid $1000 for that new guitar and it's currently going for $800 on EBay, you may get $400 cash for it.

And you do have a choice:

"Take it or leave it."

 

[O2Guy]

How much profit should a seller make? When we are told how much profit someone should make, we are treading into dangerous territory. Free market enterprise, the seller sets the price/profit and the buyer either buys or looks elsewhere.

 

[DeathGrip]

Sooo, What are you selling? We have many members in your area.

 

[Florida Guy]

nipster - why do you consider shipping a headache?
I've shipped a number of times without any problems.
To save you some time, avoid UPS and FedEx. They make you ship overnight and it's expensive.
I've found by shipping from a dealer is not only simple, but cheaper.
Dealers charge different fees, so shop around and compare a few local guys fees. I can typically ship a $500 value gun via Priority Mail, insured,
for less than $40. My FFL boxes the gun and does all the work.

 

[kudzu3]

Never sell or trade in a gun shop/store. They are trying to stay in business by making money. Maybe they should stop that! I have a friend who sells furniture, he says he is not in business to make money, he just wants to make friends.

 

[BE Mike]

50% to 60% of the retail resale value is a pretty common offer at a gun shop. Of course if the gun you are trying to sell is a very easily sold model, then they may be able to offer more. Welcome to the world of gun trading. How upset were you when you went to a dealer and traded in your used car? Probably not very upset because of all the smoke and mirrors they use to deceive you. At least at a gun shop they put it all on the line and you are able to make an informed choice as to whether or not to sell your firearm.

 

[BE Mike]

nipster - why do you consider shipping a headache?
I've shipped a number of times without any problems.
To save you some time, avoid UPS and FedEx. They make you ship overnight and it's expensive.
I've found by shipping from a dealer is not only simple, but cheaper.
Dealers charge different fees, so shop around and compare a few local guys fees. I can typically ship a $500 value gun via Priority Mail, insured,
for less than $40. My FFL boxes the gun and does all the work.

I recently sold a custom pistol worth around $2,300. When I sold it, I had to ship it out of state to an FFL. I used UPS and with insurance, it cost over $100.00.

 

[handejector]

What pisses me off is the guys at gun shows posing as "dealers" that try to gouge me for the same percentage, and have NO overhead or other costs.

j,
not picking on you, but this always amuses me.

Tables at Tulsa are $150 each (I have FIVE), and at smaller shows they start around $75-80 and often go to $120.
So far, I haven't been able to find free gas or motels either. For a large, distant show like Tulsa, it is easy to spend over $1500, not counting meals. But then, gun dealers don't have to eat.
Oh- also, at Tulsa I have to pay in advance to keep the same tables. So, March 31 I had to pay the $750 for the Nov 10 show. Dead money for over 7 months.

 

[Gasman1972]

Yes, I may try putting it on Armslist or another local website. But I am not terribly fond of this method, at least as a seller. As a buyer, I do it all the time.

If you think you got lowballed at the LGS....just wait till you post it on Armslist.

 

[redlevel]

I understand B&M stores have overhead and it may sit for a while, but honestly, for someone to take blue book, cut it in half, and then take 35% off the top is insulting.

I realize they have to make a profit, but especially for a trade, their profit is already built into their asking price and it makes no sense to make profit twice to me, it's insulting to my intelligence.

It is called Capitalism. The idea is to make a profit on every transaction. So, they make a profit on the gun they trade to you, then they make a profit when they sell the gun you traded to them. You think they are in business to break even? That's why it hardly ever makes sense to trade at a gun store. If you are in a state without too many restrictions, you can almost always do better selling to an individual that really wants your piece rather than to a dealer who would really rather sell outright.

 

[NFrameFred]

As much as I have traded, swapped and sold I see all sides of the equation. Sure, some are pretty set on getting a set percentage that many consider exhorbitant. Likewise, some think they should be rewarded or at least protected from their whims and their poor decisions, pulling the trigger and buying shiny baubles they quickly lose interest in because they didn't do their research or their golden treasure turned out not to be as golden as they hoped, so they expect others to pony up most of the cost of their mistakes when they trade them off.

If your goods are so valuable, surely you should have no trouble finding someone who wants it equally badly and will be happy to pay your price. Those who have never run a business with rent, taxes, utilities, labor, regulatory costs, and many other unforeseen expenses have no frame of reference for what it costs to keep the doors open and the lights on.

As I've said, I've done as much as anyone to trade, sell, and swap off mistakes and misconceptions over the years, and I learned early on all that glitters is not gold. And I learned to do my research, buy wisely, and try not to whine when it didn't work out in my favor.

 

[gregintenn]

If that hcks you off, take your car to a lot and get a cash offer. You'll be proud of your gun dealer.

 

[peyton]

Don't keep us in suspense. What are you trying to sell!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mkk41]

j,
not picking on you, but this always amuses me.

Tables at Tulsa are $150 each (I have FIVE), and at smaller shows they start around $75-80 and often go to $120.
So far, I haven't been able to find free gas or motels either. For a large, distant show like Tulsa, it is easy to spend over $1500, not counting meals. But then, gun dealers don't have to eat.
Oh- also, at Tulsa I have to pay in advance to keep the same tables. So, March 31 I had to pay the $750 for the Nov 10 show. Dead money for over 7 months.

This brings up a whole other furball. Gunshows used to be something else than they are today. They have become big business. Used to be mainly hobbiests and locals who would get a table or two at the local lodge or fire hall for a $10 donation. Sell their personal accumulations of gunstuff. Some guys did mounts and rings , others did scopes , some all other parts.

But they've gotten out of hand. Now it's a major production. Some set-ups take a lot of work. Bigger venues means bigger everything else. Exhibit halls , they ain't cheap. Table fees , promoter's gotta make money. Town wants a piece , gotta make up some 'ordinances' so we can charge licenses , permits , etc , so door fees go up. Gotta sell tables , so a lot of junk and trinket hucksters show up.

Now it's a big over-blown and overpriced flea market.

Now , gunshow weekends can make more for a dealer than the rest of the week , or even month. Some do nothing but gunshows. There's promoters who do nothing but organize gunshows. That's how they make their living.

I've seen the same with swapmeets.

Capitalism and commercialism at it's finest.

 

[GKC]

I mentioned a concern about FTF transactions at one of my local shops, where I have done a lot of business, and they said that I could have any local buyer pick it up at their store, and they would do a transfer for $20...that way, I don't even have to be present, and the paper trail is there. They will also ship it for me at their cost to another FFL, if the buyer isn't local.

I usually trade (and yes, I lose money) because I didn't want to deal with the hassles, and I want the "instant gratification", but now I need to sell a few to fund a custom 1911 I want, so I am going to use the service my dealer offered. Perhaps you can find a local gun shop willing to do the same.

 

[handejector]

I realize they have to make a profit, but especially for a trade, their profit is already built into their asking price and it makes no sense to make profit twice to me, it's insulting to my intelligence.

Why not?
He has to do TWO sales. Why should he profit on only one? Your old gun sitting in the showcase is NOT money in the bank.
IT is NOT capital available to invest in another new gun someone may buy outright.
So, he took his money, and bought the gun you wanted. If he trades with you, he no longer has the MONEY, and he no longer has the new gun to sell.
His capital MAY be limited, and he may not be able to replace the new gun for his inventory till he sells yours.
Your tradein MAY lose him a sell if someone comes in hunting the new gun you left with and he does not have another.

I sold a shop in 99.
Even back then, the nut each month was over $2000 month.
I never had employees, so not counting insurance, that was just:
Building
lights
phone
security monitor/maintenance
water/sewage
licenses
inventory tax
advertising

 

[labworm]

It's hard to believe any business owner would have to deal with overhead costs.

 

[mkk41]

The on-line auctions are a blessing and a curse. Ya can find most guns yer looking for , at a price. Sometimes ya can get a real deal. But generally reserve , starting bid , and buy-it-now are quite high. Many locals looking to sell to a LGS get unreasonably high expectation from listed auction prices. Someone will come in and say, "they're going for/asking $xxxx on GunBroker.

Yeah , but what are they SELLING for? Then figure shipping and transfer fees.

I've got Pawn Stars on the TV behind me , and they have items appraised by their buddy/experts , who will say that, ''in an auction , something could go as high as $4321'' , so now the owner wants $4321.

 

[writerinmo]

If I sell one, I use Armslist. Had no problems, we meet at the local gun shop that has a range, high traffic volume and most people in the parking lot are armed in some fashion so I feel pretty safe doing the transaction there, plus I have someone go with me that's armed as well. Every one I've sold in this manner I've been able to sell for basically what I gave for it. No reason to deal with people that are out to lowball you. 35% is high at least for this area, most shops only make 5-10% and make the difference up selling accessories