I bit the bullet on paying $75 shipping (and they still took an ****** week to ship and never sent me an update, it just showed up at my FFL
) on a trade-in Model 64, but only because it looked great in pictures and was $275 before shipping/tax.
Gunbroker.com safe or no?
- Thread starter Wfevans4
- Start date
I bit the bullet on paying $75 shipping (and they still took an ****** week to ship and never sent me an update, it just showed up at my FFL
) on a trade-in Model 64, but only because it looked great in pictures and was $275 before shipping/tax.
I've had all good experiences on Gunbroker. I like to ask questions just to see how the seller responds. Even better is to talk with them. I feel I can tell a lot about the seller by their communication. I've met some genuinely honest and nice people through my purchases.
SWFan27
Member
I have never had a problem after about 20 GB transactions.
Birdhunter6
Member
I've had good luck. Over 30 purchases. The only problem was one private seller that didn't ship promptly. Condition has usually been better than described. I avoid anything that doesn't offer good clear pics.
I pay attention to feedback. A seller with an A+ rating may have 100s of positive reviews and only a few negative. If all of those negative reviews share certain complaints,(item not as described or pictures that puposefully hide an obvious defect) I probably wont take the risk.
My taste is simple but specific. The stuff I'm after these days just doesn't show up often locally. I decide what I'm willing to pay, set my max bid and maybe bump it once at the end, but NEVER allow myself to get sucked into a bidding war. The best thing about GB: If there isn't another one available now, there will be soon.
I pay attention to feedback. A seller with an A+ rating may have 100s of positive reviews and only a few negative. If all of those negative reviews share certain complaints,(item not as described or pictures that puposefully hide an obvious defect) I probably wont take the risk.
My taste is simple but specific. The stuff I'm after these days just doesn't show up often locally. I decide what I'm willing to pay, set my max bid and maybe bump it once at the end, but NEVER allow myself to get sucked into a bidding war. The best thing about GB: If there isn't another one available now, there will be soon.
I have over 60 purchases on GB. Almost all were just fine. Never had a serious issue. Ask questions, study the photos, and if it feel wrong, let it go
Been on GB for over 20 years with 160+ transactions and have never had any issues.
Yendor357
Member
Here is an example of the gun being better than what I expected. It’s a Ruger Mini-14. SN 182-99966. It even has a cool serial number. The pictures don’t show it well at all, but this stock has fiddle back from one end to the other. And no, the stock is not walnut, it’s beech, or whatever Ruger was using at the time. When I take that rifle and hold it under a light, and tilt it back and forth, the stripes go from light to dark.
It’s used….lightly. I think the previous owner tried to get some accuracy out of it because the trigger is pretty nice for a Mini. With my good hand loads of a Nosler 55B Ballistic tip, I can keep 5 under 2 inches at 100 yards; not every time, but pretty regularly. Not bad for iron sights.
The gun was supposed to come with the scope mount base, but did not. I called the seller and he apologized for not sending the scope mount base. He couldn’t even find it. But he offered to refund my card $100. I thought that was above and beyond. I refused his offer, telling him I was so pleased with the rifle, that I thought I got my moneys worth. $975.
Well a month later I received an email from the seller stating he found the scope base and was going to send I to me. The package that I received was a lot bigger than necessary for just a scope mount base. Included was a really nice old Weaver 4X steel lit scope in the original box. By today’s standards, that’s not much of a scope. But back in the early 80s when that Mini was built a Weaver 4X was a respectable scope.
The seller didn’t need to send the base and scope. But it’s really cool that he did.
True, real, genuine Gun Guys are the best people in the world.
It’s used….lightly. I think the previous owner tried to get some accuracy out of it because the trigger is pretty nice for a Mini. With my good hand loads of a Nosler 55B Ballistic tip, I can keep 5 under 2 inches at 100 yards; not every time, but pretty regularly. Not bad for iron sights.
The gun was supposed to come with the scope mount base, but did not. I called the seller and he apologized for not sending the scope mount base. He couldn’t even find it. But he offered to refund my card $100. I thought that was above and beyond. I refused his offer, telling him I was so pleased with the rifle, that I thought I got my moneys worth. $975.
Well a month later I received an email from the seller stating he found the scope base and was going to send I to me. The package that I received was a lot bigger than necessary for just a scope mount base. Included was a really nice old Weaver 4X steel lit scope in the original box. By today’s standards, that’s not much of a scope. But back in the early 80s when that Mini was built a Weaver 4X was a respectable scope.
The seller didn’t need to send the base and scope. But it’s really cool that he did.
True, real, genuine Gun Guys are the best people in the world.
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Like the other comments, bought and sold on GB. Never an issue, but I do my due diligence by buying from reputable sellers. Only had one issue with a purchase (issue with a bad spot on the finish) and the seller refunded me without any problems.
This is also my experience.
panamajack310
Member
I have 90 purchases from gunbroker.com. In all the years I have been buying guns on this site I have had only one problem and the guy replaced
The gun for me because it was supposed to be NIB and had scratches all over the gun. Bid with confidence on gunbroker.
The gun for me because it was supposed to be NIB and had scratches all over the gun. Bid with confidence on gunbroker.
I think it depends on what you are looking for. If you are only wanting the nicest, collector grade firearms, I think I'd pass on GB. If you are wanting shooters, and don't mind fixing a possible issue then GB is great. I've bought 20+ firearms off GB over the last 15+ years, only once did I encounter a serious enough issue with a gun that I didn't want to keep it. I contacted the seller with my concerns and we worked out an amicable solution. Don't buy from anyone that doesn't have feedback and the price is too good to be true... it's a scam. I always contact a seller before I bid. How quickly they respond is a big factor in whether I do bid, and how much I'm willing to pay.
44wheelman
Member
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- Feb 2, 2006
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In 25 years, maybe 50-60 transactions. One non paying bidder, two guns took over a month to get, one rifle arrived with the barrel protruding from shipping box, couple of cases of squabbling over condition/issues (nothing major). Somebody tried to claim my near new 1076 was refinished. People always looking to make a claim hoping you send them a discount.
Strangest was I purchased a gun from seller, got gun, left perfect feedback, never received return feedback, uh? Next month went to place bid on another of his their guns, blocked. Contacted seller, I was blocked for being non paying bidder. But you sent me gun, can I take picture of it, send you copy of usps mo?….nope. Best guess was he reported me as non paying bidder to get his listing fees back?
Strangest was I purchased a gun from seller, got gun, left perfect feedback, never received return feedback, uh? Next month went to place bid on another of his their guns, blocked. Contacted seller, I was blocked for being non paying bidder. But you sent me gun, can I take picture of it, send you copy of usps mo?….nope. Best guess was he reported me as non paying bidder to get his listing fees back?
I still like finding guns the old fashioned way, shows, shops, FTF. Refuse to pay GB and all the associated fees, taxes.
Used them a dozen times or so. Never an issue. I confess I'm not always comfortable with the idea. If I'm spending that much money I like to touch it first. My one pet peeve is sellers still insisting on postal money orders. That's a hard pass.
The two locals I deal with the most are frequent sellers on GB.
The two locals I deal with the most are frequent sellers on GB.
Never had a problem on GB but now that I pay sales tax it has to be a really good deal. For example, $600 might seem good but add 10% sales tax, plus $35 shipping plus 3% credit card fee, plus 1% GB fee and $25 transfer fee, the price is $744 and you are also bidding against folks in states without a sales tax that are paying 10% less.
Revolvers are best purchased when you can do a hands-on inspection first, UNLESS you can sort the usual carry up (timing), barrel clocking, end shake, forcing cone, etc. dramas yourself.
That said, GB has been a good source of used firearms for me over the years. Revolvers included. As noted above, be sure to factor in the added expenses to the base purchase price before you commit to an item.
Gunbroker is still very much like the good old days on eBay 20-25 years ago. There’s more opportunity for interaction on Gunbroker.
-A good seller will be quick to communicate, knowledgeable, courteous and friendly.
-Ask any questions up front and be nice to them. (Hint: it’s a great way to feel out a seller!)
-Read the terms of sale, not just the item description.
-Look at those photos! A good seller will explicitly show any flaws up front, even to the point that they look worse online than they do in person.
-When you win an item, pay promptly, supply all information, and make sure to get your FFL info to them. Be a good buyer!
-The tax, shipping and transfer fees add up. But, you get that with any online retail purchase.
-The gunbroker 1% fee is a bit of a bummer, but they make up for it with their checkout service. They really are a good company. They help facilitate buying and selling but don’t try to crush your spirit like you get on eBay.
-I discovered that if you find a buyer that accepts credit cards, charges no fees, and uses the checkout, you can get a purchased item in a short as two days!!
Around here, you can just about forget the idea of finding rare or vintage revolvers of any quality. Cheapo imports and boring plastic has taken over. Driving around looking for hidden bargains is a total waste of time and gas.
I have found stuff on Gunbroker I’d never find anywhere in SC if I looked for two lifetimes.
Gunbroker is a savior in that respect.
My other favorite venue is the classified section right here on the S&W Forum!
-A good seller will be quick to communicate, knowledgeable, courteous and friendly.
-Ask any questions up front and be nice to them. (Hint: it’s a great way to feel out a seller!)
-Read the terms of sale, not just the item description.
-Look at those photos! A good seller will explicitly show any flaws up front, even to the point that they look worse online than they do in person.
-When you win an item, pay promptly, supply all information, and make sure to get your FFL info to them. Be a good buyer!
-The tax, shipping and transfer fees add up. But, you get that with any online retail purchase.
-The gunbroker 1% fee is a bit of a bummer, but they make up for it with their checkout service. They really are a good company. They help facilitate buying and selling but don’t try to crush your spirit like you get on eBay.
-I discovered that if you find a buyer that accepts credit cards, charges no fees, and uses the checkout, you can get a purchased item in a short as two days!!
Around here, you can just about forget the idea of finding rare or vintage revolvers of any quality. Cheapo imports and boring plastic has taken over. Driving around looking for hidden bargains is a total waste of time and gas.
I have found stuff on Gunbroker I’d never find anywhere in SC if I looked for two lifetimes.
Gunbroker is a savior in that respect.
My other favorite venue is the classified section right here on the S&W Forum!
I have had nothing but good buying and selling on GB and this site so far.
My good luck maybe...
My good luck maybe...
