Gunbroker.com safe or no?

[DR505]

Also, don't just go by the pictures on GB. I saw a 6" Model 25-9 .45 Colt that had a decent price, but the pictures were awful. Here is the best one of the bunch:

The gun would go through it's sales period without anyone hitting the reserve. I was the only one bidding, and my bids were always well short of the reserve. I contacted the seller and got beautiful clear photos. After 4 cycles of me being the only bid, the seller sold it to me at my price, well under the seller's reserve. Here is what showed up at my door (6" barrel upper left):

 

[stanmerrell]

I echo the comments here on recent changes to GB purchases for tax, fees, shipping, etc. The main reason to use GB is to find hard to find guns. If you have a good local network of dealers or a FTF trading board in your state I'd work that first. If I do make a GB purchase now, i can count on it costing about $100 over the sale price, which leaves me thinking a local deal is most times better.

 

[steelslaver]

I can sort out my any function problems on my own, Montana has no sales tax, I did a bunch of welding and stuff for my FFL so no fees there. Have never had a problem with a Gun Broker purchase.
But, I don't use them any more, because they are a good part of the reason I have way more guns than I have any excuse for

 

[stansdds]

I can sort out my any function problems on my own, Montana has no sales tax, I did a bunch of welding and stuff for my FFL so no fees there. Have never had a problem with a Gun Broker purchase.
But, I don't use them any more, because they are a good part of the reason I have way more guns than I have any excuse for

You live in the free state of Montana, that's all the excuse reason you need!

 

[Frailer]

I’ve had good luck with Gunbroker purchases, but as has already been said it’s all about the seller.

I’ll check feedback first, then I’ll reach out to the seller with my questions. If I don’t get a response, I don’t bid. If it’s a gun I’m *really* interested in I’ll usually ask the seller for a phone number for an in-hand description.

The vast majority of the guns I buy are C&R eligible, so there is no transfer fee hassle. Sales tax and the “compliance fee” are a bit of a pain, but I view this as a relatively small price to pay for the convenience of shopping from my armchair.

 

[bananaman]

I bought 1 pistol on G.B. that was disappointing. Auto Ordnance 1911. { my 1st 1911} Ran terrible, but with time & springs it ran OK.Sold it.

Bad pictures can be confusing. Went as far as contacting seller and was assured that everything was good. Exceeded my expectations.
So, for 1 out of approx. 20 was bad. Rest good. Bob

 

[maxfam]

As stated “Buyer Beware”, I’ve had one problem with a seller on GB, and Gunbroker was nowhere to be found. I emailed them multiple times, never received anything back from them and finally gave up trying.

 

[shil]

Nope. Too risky for my taste. Read the inspection and return policy of the seller carefully. Beware of those who will not allow returns if the gun is disassembled. You bought, say, a Browning Hi-power. You discover it has a cracked or broken barrel cam, a mortal defect. Seller refuses to take the gun back because you had to have disassembled the gun to to find the flaw. I'll admit that at my age, trust comes hard.

 

[Dwaine]

85+ transactions and no issues other than when I shipped a Colt 1911 from my FFL to a Las Vegas FFL. Package was pilfered by USPS postal employee. Even with insurance, took app. 6 mos to get USPS to make payment. This could have happened on any auction site but Gunbroker refused to get involved on the claim and totally ignored my correspondence. The USPS kept placing hurdles and GB would not help at all. One call to Lindsay Graham and matter was resolved and insurance check arrived. Study the pics...and deal with sellers with great feedback!

 

[Model19man]

I have had good luck with GB and GI - both have been fine. I have sold some things on GB and it seems OK. You have to carefully read the descriptions and there are of course unscrupulous folks on GB - like anywhere on earth.

 

[rwsmith]

I've had good luck......

...on Gunbroker. But I try to stick with A+ sellers with a lot of sales.

 

[murphydog]

I echo the comments here on recent changes to GB purchases for tax, fees, shipping, etc. The main reason to use GB is to find hard to find guns. If you have a good local network of dealers or a FTF trading board in your state I'd work that first. If I do make a GB purchase now, i can count on it costing about $100 over the sale price, which leaves me thinking a local deal is most times better.

Based on a few recent transactions, and depending on sales tax rates and shipping costs, factor in a 15% “buyer’s premium” above the winning bid. Of course, this means the more expensive the item the bigger the extra hit.

 

[stansdds]

Based on a few recent transactions, and depending on sales tax rates and shipping costs, factor in a 15% “buyer’s premium” above the winning bid. Of course, this means the more expensive the item the bigger the extra hit.

Makes the good online deal cost about the same as buying in a gun shop.

 

[Okie Red]

I have had many GB transactions both buying and selling and have never had any problems in the 10 years I have done business there. I have had trouble with USPS several times but not with GunBroker.

 

[ColumbusJBR]

All good advice so far. I’ve also had good experiences. I’ll add that there are deals to be found on items when the seller doesn’t accept CC payment or has little feedback, as that turns away a lot of bidders. But of course, there’s some risk.

Earlier this year I found a 66-3 snubbie on there with awful photos, zero seller feedback, and only accepted USPS MO. BUT I was able to get it for ~$550 all-in so I took a chance. Downside to that story is the seller didn’t know squat about shipping guns, sent zero updates, and just tossed it loose in a Frankenstein’d Amazon box and mailed it to my FFL w/ zero paperwork, tracking info, etc…. I had to beg the non-responsive seller to send ANY documentation so my FFL could transfer before they had to let the ATF take it. It was a sweat to say the least.

I had fun with it and later flipped it for a $200 profit, but I was THIS close to getting burned. So, be aware of the risks on suspect listings. Also of note: he advertised it as a 66-2 even though it turned out to be a -3. I was miffed but wasn’t about to try to return it given his track record. Oh well.

 

[jrog100]

i've had reasonable good luck with gunbroker. the only issue I had was with a model 15-4. the seller claimed it was in excellent working order and in excellent condition. Pictures were a tad fuzzy but I believed seller plus he had 100s of sales. When i received it, inspection showed GENEROUS END SHAKE, Timing issues and hammer push off!! Gun had also been reblued and pitting was evident. My ffl was a Dick and charged me $40 for the transfer even though I returned the gun. The seller was cool and paid shipping both ways so I really cant complain. I did however find a new ffl

 

[vipermd]

I have over 500 sales and purchases on GB. Look at the photos, ask questions, look at the sellers feedback- read what people say. Many auctions have the ability too return if your not satisfied. Can you run into a bad seller? of course but do your investigation of the item and seller. Be Safe.

 

[SWFan27]

Makes the good online deal cost about the same as buying in a gun shop.

The gun shops that you guys talk about like they grow on trees, sure as heck don't exist in California. GB is one of the few ways we come across and potentially own, most of the dreamy firearms we discuss on the forum. At least that has been our sad reality in recent years.

 

[gunbarrel]

I've had excellent luck with GB, but not everybody has the same (positive) experience with a given company. That's why I hate to make recommendations like this. If in doubt, don't use GB; it would be your bad luck to have a negative experience with it.

 

[stansdds]

The gun shops that you guys talk about like they grow on trees, sure as heck don't exist in California. GB is one of the few ways we come across and potentially own, most of the dreamy firearms we discuss on the forum. At least that has been our sad reality in recent years.

This is true. I am fortunate that there are at least 3 within a 20 minute drive from my house.