I have over 50 purchase transactions on GB, most of them handguns. I have had exactly two issues. In one case the pictures were of the incorrect gun. In that case the seller gave a full refund including shipping. The second one was a private seller who was hesitant to provide a legible driver's license....Other that that, I have done pretty well on GB. I check feedback and don't buy from sellers with little, feedback or who have many negatives.
GunBroker...Learned my lesson!
- Thread starter Jalopiejoe
- Start date
I have 204 transactions on Gunbroker since 2008, and never had an issue. Along with 11 transactions on Guns International as well, without problems.
Rule # 1 .....ALWAYS check the sellers feedback , to me, this is mandatory. If they have little, no, or poor feedback , I move on. To me, your feedback is your reputation . Look over ALL the posted pictures closely, ask for additional pic's if needed or desired and read the listing VERY carefully . Be informed about what your looking for, and ask questions if your even a little unclear about anything !
Most of all...the old saying, when in doubt , don't !
Usually what I'm looking for you can't find in a local gun store .
Rule # 1 .....ALWAYS check the sellers feedback , to me, this is mandatory. If they have little, no, or poor feedback , I move on. To me, your feedback is your reputation . Look over ALL the posted pictures closely, ask for additional pic's if needed or desired and read the listing VERY carefully . Be informed about what your looking for, and ask questions if your even a little unclear about anything !
Most of all...the old saying, when in doubt , don't !
Usually what I'm looking for you can't find in a local gun store .
Hasbeen1945
Absent Comrade
Unfortunately a friend of mine was just scammed on Gunbroker.
I showed him the auction. Seller had verified check beside his name. After paying for the gun and waiting for it to be shipped,seller posted some more items for sale. One being and 45 with serial number listed. I ran a search and the same gun was for sale at a gun shop.
Notified GB. No response. Two weeks later they emailed and warned that seller maybe a scammer.
Unfortunately the guns we look for whether there S&W, Parkers, Winchester Fox, etc the chance of finding what your looking for at the LGS is slim. GB and GI are our LGS via the internet. Good or bad they open the doors to the availability to find that special Smith or Pre64 M70 that otherwise wouldn't be available. I prefer GI to GB but have bought three Smith's in the last couple of months without any issues. When I bid on GB I figure in the tax, shipping and FFL fees into my max bid. I have saved on the FFL fees buying guns that qualify under my C&R license. At the end of the day it's up to the buyer to do his/her due diligence prior to the sale.
I have 2 GB guns. One because I knew the gun from a forum member before it went to auction. The other was a real top shelf dealer with great pics. There is a big time seller on GB, and he has NICE stuff, but not always correct,
As i have said before, I buy my guns on this forum from people that have reputation to lose, NEVER a problem, If i do not see what i want I place a WTB ad. 100% satisfaction
As i have said before, I buy my guns on this forum from people that have reputation to lose, NEVER a problem, If i do not see what i want I place a WTB ad. 100% satisfaction
terry_tr6
Member
boy do I mess the golden years of CMP garands when Ebay let you sell gun parts. Had great experiences with honest and fun buyers and sellers
OP
Jalopiejoe
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It was sold as "Factory New in Box"
When I received it the mfg date on the box was 10/27/15, it's nearly 6 years old! The frame is scratched, there is carbon build-up on the top strap, and the bluing on the sights is worn as well as the gun is dirty!
It's obviously not new!
I can easily fix everything but the scratch. It will clean up and it is a nice gun!
Like I said, I don't blame GunBroker!
I blame a dishonest seller and myself. He had quite a few very good reviews and a brick and mortar store but I should have asked for more detailed photos and one of the box label!
Maybe the seller was duped when he got it and was trying to recoup his losses but this wasn't the right way to do it!
I should have been more careful and less trusting!
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raylan007
Member
Seller deception
I too was looking for a NIB M617 and I will guarantee you that We are talking about the same listing because at the time there was only one and it didn't look like a NIB due to the excessive finger prints and scuffs and I contacted the seller and ask if it was a true factory new gun and if perhaps it was a display model and his response was total BS. I had already lost interest due to not feeling good about their response but ask if they couldn't wipe the gun down and send me some photos and as you might guess they didn't. You should appeal this fraud through GB, they have a tendency to back the buyer. A good internet outfit for new guns is KY Guns, I am on their waiting list for one of these and they will be $775 when back in stock. Make the seller take back his bogus NIB. Good LuckI have been looking for a 4" 617 for quite a while and decided to look at GunBroker.
I won a bid on one from a Dealer that was sold as "Factory New in Box"
It is not! Or at the very best it was a display model.
When I received it the mfg date on the box was 102715! I should have asked for a picture of the label!
And stated in the auction "You win it, you own it!" My mistake for continuing past that statement!
With a little work I will be happy with it!
I'm not saying GunBroker is to blame,
I am for being too trusting!
If I can't lay my hands on it first, I'm not interested! Lesson learned!
OP
Jalopiejoe
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The seller was from Wareham Massachusetts.
I got it for $760.00 plus tax, shipping, ffl and NICS fees and all that! I'm just going to keep it and clean it up! The small scratch on the frame is the only thing I can't fix!
It is pretty nice otherwise, so it's not really worth it to me to go after the guy with the hassle, time, shipping, FFL, NICS, etc. involved!
Time to quit worrying about it and enjoy it!
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From my limited GB experience, most sellers are honest. One I acquired via GB had some significant mechanical issues that weren't fixable. The seller took it back and quickly refunded my purchase. GB sellers do NOT want negative feedback on their page.
I look over the provided photo's closely and ask for more if there is something I want to see. If the seller sells "as is, no return" I likely will pass. I won't even consider a gun from a seller with only a few transactions or who has a poor feedback history.
Do your homework and you have the opportunity to find that elusive gun that would never darken the doors of your LGS.
I look over the provided photo's closely and ask for more if there is something I want to see. If the seller sells "as is, no return" I likely will pass. I won't even consider a gun from a seller with only a few transactions or who has a poor feedback history.
Do your homework and you have the opportunity to find that elusive gun that would never darken the doors of your LGS.
Delta Rose
Member
I have only purchased BNIB guns from sellers with 1000+ sales. Never had a problem. I would never by a used firearm without having the item in-hand for inspection.
I check GB once a day and when I find something interesting that's local, I go check it out...If I can make a deal, good; if I can't, there's always tomorrow...
...Ben
...BenJalopieJoe- On the bright side the 617 is a nice gun. IMHO it's heavy compared to the M18. I've had one for over 15 years maybe 20 and contemplated selling it. Then I took it to the range ( I haven't shot it in over 10 years) accurate and it was a blast to shoot it double action. I'll hold onto it. IIRC it was in the $300 range new.
You have a great gun don't fret over the flaws enjoy the positives.
You have a great gun don't fret over the flaws enjoy the positives.
yes, but eBay steps in, as does PayPal, when there is a dispute.
They COULD, if they wanted to.
46 posts and no one asked who is the dealer.
It would be darn nice to know, since some of us (myself included) buy the majority of our firearms on GB, and we always appreciate a heads up.
It would be darn nice to know, since some of us (myself included) buy the majority of our firearms on GB, and we always appreciate a heads up.
I had to liquidate my Dad's guns and ammo. I sold most of his ammo on GB, and after several non paying bidders, with no help from GB, I quit.
GB does not have a phone number available, they don't answer email questions - instead they send a robo reply to decipher yourself.
GB does not have a phone number available, they don't answer email questions - instead they send a robo reply to decipher yourself.
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Jalopiejoe
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GTArms, LLC. Massachusetts
OP
Jalopiejoe
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GTARMS, LLC
Wareham, Massachusetts
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Thank you, Sir!
twodog max
Member
My GB experiences have been good. My only glitches came on selling. Both times buyers got caught up in the bidding and got in deeper than they wanted when it was over. Both times paid more for used than a NIB could have been bought. No one made them do that. It took a little firm dealing but they came through.
My attraction to GB was good deals and finding guns unavailable locally. The local thing still applies but being in a sales tax collected state the deal part has mostly disappeared. So now I mostly just use GB as means of seeing price trends. I doubt I will be buying anything anytime soon. However at 67 just how many more do I need. LOL We all know how that goes.
My attraction to GB was good deals and finding guns unavailable locally. The local thing still applies but being in a sales tax collected state the deal part has mostly disappeared. So now I mostly just use GB as means of seeing price trends. I doubt I will be buying anything anytime soon. However at 67 just how many more do I need. LOL We all know how that goes.
kbm6893
Member
The charging of the sales tax has taken away a lot of the allure of gunbroker, and I surely am not going to be sending a postal money order through the mail to a stranger, so when you add in sales tax, 3% credit card fee, shipping, and FFL transfer fee, it's pretty rare that you can get a deal anymore on there. Savings in sales tax before they charged it used to cancel out shipping so it was worth it, but not anymore. So I use them for only used guns now.
I have done well with GunBroker purchases. I'm pretty selective and careful, but no disappointments so far. Truth is, I don't have free time during business hours or access to the kind of LGS who have the kind of stuff I'm interested in, and recents forays to gunshows have been entirely disappointing, so GunBroker is really my best source for additions to my collection. Plus I can search for specific things I'm really interested in and not fall into so many "I wasn't looking for one of those but that's kind of cool" traps. Ha.
kbm6893
Member
True. Local gun shops mainly have new items. It is a rare thing to come across something used in a local gun shop that I want, but it has happened and I would much rather buy used in person, but if I am looking for a 4506-1, I am never going to find that in a local shop, so gunbroker is the only way to buy used if I am looking for a no longer produced item. While the prices for new guns might be lower online, by the time I factor in shipping and FFL fees, it's never a bargain and I'm better off just asking my local guy to order it.
Gearhead Jim
Member
I've bought a shotgun and a S&W revolver on GB over the last few years.
In each case, the gun was less pristine than advertised. Not enough to try a return, but enough that I wouldn't use that seller again.
In each case, the gun was less pristine than advertised. Not enough to try a return, but enough that I wouldn't use that seller again.
For the most part, I've had good experiences with Gunbroker. Can't really remember where I had a bad purchase.
I got burned once buying from the old Gun List (pre-internet days). Seller was George from Maine. 29-2 4" called at 97%, guess that he missed the big scratch on the side plate.
No feedback back then. paid by USPS Postal Money Order, so no dispute with Visa.
Lived and learned. But that guy got badmouthed among us Smith guys who were in my area.
Harrison Carroll was a class act. Bought a few Smiths from him, always as described. He was older then (late 90's). He's gone now, so is Gun List.
Simpler times.
I got burned once buying from the old Gun List (pre-internet days). Seller was George from Maine. 29-2 4" called at 97%, guess that he missed the big scratch on the side plate.
No feedback back then. paid by USPS Postal Money Order, so no dispute with Visa.
Lived and learned. But that guy got badmouthed among us Smith guys who were in my area.
Harrison Carroll was a class act. Bought a few Smiths from him, always as described. He was older then (late 90's). He's gone now, so is Gun List.
Simpler times.
Also. I wouldn't buy new stuff off GB. I'm not really interested in most of them anyway, and I would rather give my LGS the business.
I'd like to get a CZ 527 in 7.62x39. They're on GB, but I'll wait until my LGS gets one. Plus the difference in price is substantial.
GB is great for used guns. Most of my 3rd Generation pistols have come from GB. 1 came from a LGS, 2 came from this forum. The rest from GB.
I'd like to get a CZ 527 in 7.62x39. They're on GB, but I'll wait until my LGS gets one. Plus the difference in price is substantial.
GB is great for used guns. Most of my 3rd Generation pistols have come from GB. 1 came from a LGS, 2 came from this forum. The rest from GB.
HamHands
Member
Same here... But I cannot remember ever a time at least a 3 day inspection period wasn't part of the deal from every vendor.
Out of 10 GB buys only 1 was a sour one on a DX Classic model where the barrel clearly wasn't from a DX and had all markings/etchings scrubbed off the barrel. The lighting in the pics made it impossible to see the etchings present or not on purpose. While it was in fact a minty piece... My FFL and his entire staff said it looked to be a "piecemeal-d" piece. I told everyone I could about what happened and the seller almost certainly lost future sales from it... as "it" should have...
HamHands
Member
Same here...
Out of say 10 GB buys only 1 was a sour one. I've since left detailed descriptions here via PM's and other forum's whenever anyone asks about doing business with this particular fat sack of douschebag and they always walk away appropriately so...
So, out of 9 out of 10 deals "ain't" bad and it wasn't GB's fault.
Without GB I seriously doubt I'd have certain "guns" that I'd been after for years such as 3" Lew Horton's in .44Magnum and .44Special, a nickel finished Ithaca Police/Riot Special, and a lovely Ruger semi-auto .44Magnum Carbine... they are all perfect and complement each other especially for packing, Off-Roading, hunting, and just being out in the deep forests of North Carolina.
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