Gunbroker Is Crazy

[AC Man]

I bought 15 guns on Gunbroker this year. The main reason is if you want collector grade revolvers this is the best place to find them.

The one time I got bit I entered my max bid of $1500 early on three days in advance. No one bid more than $1,200 till 2 minutes to go and someone else bid $1,500 as well so I won because I was the first bidder. I'll never do that again.

 

[AC Man]

Question. Can the seller see the price of bids coming in? The buyer can't. If so that is a ripoff.

 

[raljr1]

I have had good success on GB, but with the addition of sales tax and miscellaneous fees for GB, it has changed the value proposition somewhat. That said, where else but online can you look at thousands of guns from the comfort of your sofa?

Robert

 

[raljr1]

Question. Can the seller see the price of bids coming in? The buyer can't. If so that is a ripoff.

Seller cannot see your max bid, only the highest current bid.

Robert

 

[steelslaver]

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Maybe 30 or so guns of GB have never got a bad deal and several times I have got far better than I expected

 

[AC Man]

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Maybe 30 or so guns of GB have never got a bad deal and several times I have got far better than I expected

As far as the sellers go, the ones I have bought were better than described. No problem there.

 

[oger]

I only buy from Gun broker on items that are too rare to pass up if the prices aren't stupid and the seller has a good record. My last rifle was a first series Win. model 70 375 Humpback in real nice condition. It's been 25 years since I have found one for sale.

 

[mtgianni]

They lost me as a customer several years ago when they started charging the BS "admin fee" and sales taxes. Several sellers have advised me they have no idea where/how/who the sales taxes go… I have an idea! Too many other online sellers that do as good a job listing items w/out the silly fees…

As I understand it the taxes are reported to the states that the buyer resides in. Per most of those states, when you owe $1000 you need to start filling out forms and sending them in.

 

[pwjp2011]

Gun broker blows especially now that they are collecting state sales tax. Prices are high and it can be a feeding frenzy. Anyone see the prices on HK P7's lately?

I have bought new guns from them in the past but used guns? No way without a bunch of high resolution pictures and a great description.

Where I live we have a lot of restrictions and I need a separate permit for each pistol. The gun shops dont really have a lot of used guns. So that means you need to be very discerning.

Example - I am looking for a mint condition vintage model 17 in the box.

Found one on GB, pictures were small and dark so I email the seller. Ask for higher resolution pictures and info - does it have any scratches/rust, are all the docs in the box, etc...

The guy writes back and he all he says is its in great condition. Nothing else. Thats nice but it didnt answer my questions and where are the pictures? Do you honestly think I am going to shell out $1K for a used gun without knowing exactly what I am buying?

Had another guy that refused to ship it via his FFL and I said I would pay for it. Where I live the FFL's refuse to accept guns from individuals. So his pistol is still sitting there.

Are you really running a business behaving like that? Maybe an idiot would buy a used pistol without knowing what they are getting but thats not me.

 

[PauldL]

The Smith & Wesson revolvers I have came from Gun Broker. I don't really know where else to get these revolvers. But, I've had experience with GB before, & imo, the sellers feedback is paramount
Especially sellers that specialize in selling these revolvers. Did I get some crazy great deal? No. But, I also don't believe I overpaid as well. I feel I got both for a fair price. I also feel the older Smiths on particular the model 27's are just incredible to be honest. There is a real magic to these old gals.
But, as far as buying from GB, imo, the best you can do is make sure the seller has good feedback, look at the pictures & pull the trigger if it's what ya really want. Of course, there's no way to be sure if they're really what they say they are until it arrives in your hand. & going back to dealer feedback, I was lucky enough to buy from two gentlemen that offered a 100% money back guarantee if not satisfied.
No, I feel a man can do pretty dang good on GB if he is patient & does his due diligence as much as he can anyways.
http://[url=https://postimg.cc/0b26pK9h] [/URL]
http://[url=https://postimg.cc/jWWq5sqw] [/URL]

 

[ncairman]

Great post for a newbie who has never tried gunbroker. I have been reviewing multiple S&W revolvers on there, but at this point have not won an auction. I am learning as I go, just wish I would have done it sooner.

 

[scruffy]

The biggest problem I have with Gun Broker (and other on line auction sites) is evaluating condition by looking at hi res photos of "collectible" revolvers. Even the best HDR photos easily hide scratches depending on lighting and surface angle, especially on blued guns. Also reflections can appear as blemishes where there are none. I have a touch screen laptop that I use to enlarge detail areas and it's still a tough call some times. If I were to purchase using Gun Broker "money back guarantees" from the seller would be a must for me.

 

[hemiram]

I really dislike when the pics seem to be bad on purpose. The gun is totally nasty with lead spray, powder, smears, etc, and the pic isn't even a close up, it's like they put the gun on the floor and took the pics from above. You can only blow up a pic so much and if it's bad to start with, good luck. But even the worst guns I've received have been equal to or better than described, regardless of how bad it looks in the pics. One of the last guns I've bought was a 6" S&W 28-2. It was super dirty, had some sort of white hairs (cat is my guess) in various places on it. I almost didn't bid on it, just because of the pics, but it had the box, etc, and he was the original owner from 1967, so I bid anyway. I looked him up on Google and he lived where I was sending the MO to, so I felt hopeful. When it came, it was spotless with only a little muzzle wear and I was very happy. Here it is with the Altimont grips I added. I dislike the stock Magnas a lot. Ugly, and way too small.

 

[GypsmJim]

They lost me as a customer several years ago when they started charging the BS "admin fee" and sales taxes. Several sellers have advised me they have no idea where/how/who the sales taxes go… I have an idea! Too many other online sellers that do as good a job listing items w/out the silly fees…

Sales tax has become a requirement for any online purchase. Even EBay charges the tax, percentage based on your state. In the past, my state income tax had a line to add "uncollected tax" from online purchases. Whether you actually PAID that tax was up to you. Now you don't have the option.

GB's fee is 1%. If I buy a gun online it's either because it simply isn't available at a local gun shop, or the online price is cheaper. That 1% is usually a bargain.

Since 95% of my local gun shops have closed, leaving only Cabelas, the 1% is ALWAYS a bargain.

 

[Jcon72]

GB's fee is 1%. If I buy a gun online it's either because it simply isn't available at a local gun shop, or the online price is cheaper. That 1% is usually a bargain.

Since 95% of my local gun shops have closed, leaving only Cabelas, the 1% is ALWAYS a bargain.

Yes, except for the fact GB already charged the seller a much higher fee for commission, so why do they need any more from the buyer?
Sort of like Rock Island Auction; they charge both the buyer AND the seller a 20% commission, plus an additional percentage for CC payments IIRC. Can you imagine the mountains of money they're raking in? That's nuts!

 

[pwjp2011]

Sales tax has become a requirement for any online purchase. Even EBay charges the tax, percentage based on your state. In the past, my state income tax had a line to add "uncollected tax" from online purchases. Whether you actually PAID that tax was up to you. Now you don't have the option.

GB's fee is 1%. If I buy a gun online it's either because it simply isn't available at a local gun shop, or the online price is cheaper. That 1% is usually a bargain.

Since 95% of my local gun shops have closed, leaving only Cabelas, the 1% is ALWAYS a bargain.

There are plenty of online gun shops that are refusing to collect out of state sales tax. Many shops in the midwest and south refuse to do it for the northeast and west coast. Cant say I blame them.

 

[GypsmJim]

Yes, except for the fact GB already charged the seller a much higher fee for commission, so why do they need any more from the buyer?
Sort of like Rock Island Auction; they charge both the buyer AND the seller a 20% commission, plus an additional percentage for CC payments IIRC. Can you imagine the mountains of money they're raking in? That's nuts!

Every business of any kind has their own business model. As a buyer, I spend my money where I get the best value. As a seller I would sell someplace else.